What Festivals You Need To Check Out in 2021
By: Hanna Stocton
One thing that I think most Americans can agree on is how much we all missed live music during the pandemic, and with our society slowly but surely starting to open back up after the COVID-19 outbreak, attending a show is on everyone’s “Must Do” list this summer. As a huge music lover myself, I’ve put together a list of the festivals you won’t want to miss out on this 2021 festival season.
ACL:
Austin City Limits, also known as ACL, has been a staple in the Austin music scene since its debut in 2002. But before there was ever the three-day festival we have all come to know and love, there was the weekly PBS series, Austin City Limits TV, which showcased musical talent right in the heart of Texas, Austin. Austin City Limits is the longest running music series in television history, earning a Peabody Award, an official Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Landmark, and is the only TV series to be awarded the National Medal of Arts. This television series is the very reason ACL has become such an exciting and successful music festival. With names such as Willie Nelson, Metallica, Tame Impala and Paul McCartney (just to name a few), there is something for every person at ACL Festival. Austin City Limits does a great job catering to all walks of life and musical taste. From country to pop and rock and roll to electronic dance music, ACL has it all. ACL Music Festival hosts over 130 artists and 225,000 fans every year at Zilker Park. It’s even kid friendly, and they encourage you to bring your families as it is an inclusive venue with plenty of room to be comfortable. But I personally think that the best thing about ACL Music Festival is the ability to see artists that you have never heard of throughout the three days. The musical talent and diversity that ACL brings is unmatched and the Texas hospitality is prevalent throughout your experience.
EDC:
Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) is the largest electronic dance music festival in the US, taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada and has featured EDM DJs and producers, such as Calvin Harris, Diplo, RL Grime, Tiesto and many more. This music festival features a variety of music, including house, dubstep, drum and bass, and techno. EDC was created with the vision of using art and music together to create an inclusive and inspiring atmosphere. This festival not only features music, but interactive and mind-blowing art installations such as art cars, live paintings, and carnival performers. This music festival also includes carnival rides, camping, goat yoga, and hair-braiding, which adds to the interactive experience. Since its debut in 1991, it has become a prominent festival in Mexico, Brazil, Japan and was voted the Festival of the Year Award in 2017.
Bonnaroo:
If you’re looking for four days of live music, camping, delicious eats and art exhibitions, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is the place for you. Since its first year in 2002, Bonnaroo has been hosted at Great Stage Park, a 700 acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. Bonnaroo features a large lineup that features over 150 artists, 10 performance stages, and four campground plazas where festival goers that chose to camp can interact with other people attending and share their love for music. One of the best things about Bonnaroo is that this festival focuses on sustainability and encourages all of the attendees to recycle and be respectful of the farm. To encourage people to party sustainably, Bonnaroo serves all of their food and drink items in recyclable materials, making it much easier to keep the area clean and preserve it for the following years. Bonnaroo was voted Best Festival in 2008, by Rolling Stone Magazine. With headliners ranging from the Foo Fighter, to Lizzo and Tame Impala to Tyler, The Creator, Bonnaroo is bound to cater to even the toughest critic’s needs.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival:
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival started in 1970 as a non-profit foundation aiming to help produce a festival that would bring in tourism dollars and help the city of New Orleans flourish. New Orleans is known for its deep culture in jazz and blues music, and their creative community members, so it is no surprise that a festival like this would be a success. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival features over 50 artists and includes 12 stages of music ranging from gospel to rock and all in between. Some memorable performers include Bob Dylan, Fats Domino, Stevie Nicks, and Joni Mitchell, but the festival strives to provide a platform for local New Orleans artists as well. With this festival being in one of the most culturally and musically rich cities in the United States, you will be able to enjoy all of the gifts of the city including food, architecture, art, and music on almost every corner you turn. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was also recognized as the Festival of the Year four times by Pollstar magazine.
For more information about ACL, visit https://www.aclfestival.com/. For more information about EDC, visit https://lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com/. For more information about Bonnaroo, visit https://www.bonnaroo.com/. For more information about New Orleans Jazz Festival, visit https://www.nojazzfest.com/.