Our Top Ten Best Music Festivals in the US

We haven’t been to all of the incredible music festivals around the world, but we’ve sampled some of the best music festivals in the US, one of us more than the other… And no matter where we travel, we learn that music is as much a part of the culture as the food and adventure. We call that love (and apparently so does Shakespeare!). It’s also a window into the soul of the people.

If music be the food of love, play on.
~ William Shakespeare

Here in the U.S., we have some of the biggest and best music festivals in the world. Since 1969, with the birth of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair, a bar was set. Festivals have come a long way since the days of Max Yasgur’s farm, but one thing still rings true — the artistic and cultural diversity across the board as a stage for musicians new and old to highlight their talents and creativity.

Here’s our list of the top ten best music festivals in the US:

1. Austin City Limits

Austin, Texas

Like the long-running PBS series with which it shares its name, Austin City Limits plays host to a wide variety of artists each year — the lineup in 2012 alone featured Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Roots, Neil Young, and Florence + the Machine. The 2013 lineup won’t be announced until the spring, but we’re eager to see who it’s going to include. The festival is a three-day, eight stage event at Austin’s Zilker Park with 100+ bands, and features a terrific sampling of local food (don’t miss the chicken cone from Hudson’s on the Bend) – you’ll recognize it by the line – it’ll be the longest one.

2. NoLa JazzFest

New Orleans, Louisiana

One of the country’s most important music festivals for four decades, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has grown from just major acts in the jazz and blues genre, to also include some of the biggest names in music, such as Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles, Tom Petty, Foo Fighters, and Bon Jovi. During JazzFest you can expect to hear great music all over the city, not just on the fairgrounds. Book your hotel in the advance, stay on Bourbon Street if you can so you can get the best of the action, book a reservation for brunch at Brennan’s months in advance, enjoy a beignet at Cafe du Monde, and enjoy the N’awleans chaos in all her glory when it’s a bit more tame than Mardi Gras.

3. Lollapalooza

Chicago, Illinois

While it may not have the same shine today as when chart-topping alternative and indie-rock artists and sideshow acts dominated the annual cult pilgrimage, there’s no doubt that Lollapalooza is still one of the best annual music festivals in the country. Over the last few years, it’s been packing Chicago’s Grant Park while satellite editions have appeared internationally. Last year, Lollapalooza made it to Brazil, and in 2013 it’s expected to make its debut in Tel Aviv, Israel.

4. Coachella

Indio, California

Since making its debut in 1999, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has been one of the country’s premiere festivals and it’s only getting bigger! With a nearly perfect blend of established artists performing alongside up-and-coming talent and rare legends like Pixies, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Iggy and the Stooges, there’s something for everyone at this festival. 2013 acts haven’t yet been announced, but you can count on it being the event of the year in the California desert.

5. Bonnaroo

Manchester, Tennessee

Environmentally conscious rock festival? Yep, you got it. Bonnaroo is the fest you can feel good about being a pioneer in making the passion for live music eco-friendly thanks to its sustainable energy and charitable initiatives. This festival too is an annual pilgrimage for many and offers something for everyone with a menagerie of rock, pop, metal, country, and even comedy.

6. Bumbershoot

Seattle, Washington

It’s not just about the music at Seattle’s oldest and largest arts festival. From dance to theatre to visual arts, comedy, and film, there’s a wide variety of live performances to enjoy at Bumbershoot. Organizers call it “North America’s largest urban arts festival” and we agree with that assessment. Past performers have included Tony Bennett, Jane’s Addiction, Skrillex, and more. And if we can make a very random recommendation — go to Pike Place Market while you’re in town and pick up some Market Spice Tea – we’re addicted to its orange-cinnamony deliciousness!

7. Sasquatch!

George, Washington

Where? you ask. Exactly! Leave it to a town that for most of the year boasts a population of just 500 to bring some of the biggest names in music to it, drawing huge crowds and boosting the local economy. At Sasquatch! 500 is just the number of new friends you’re going make while listening to the likes of Beck, Bon Iver, the Shins, and Metric – and that’s just a sampling of who played it in 2012. Washington State also happens to have a fruitful wine industry so be sure to tack some time on the beginning or end of your trip to do some tastings!

8. SXSW

Austin, Texas

Unlike ACL (our number one on the list), “South By” as the locals call it, is spread out all over Austin taking place in a number of venues around the city! South by Southwest is also one of the year’s longest and most crowded festivals with a long and reliable history of breaking new artists into the music scene, and bring a lot of it to the masses. The South by Southwest festival has grown in recent years to be more of a pop culture destination than just music alone and now includes technology and film. During SXSW you can also hear a variety of musicians, artists, filmmakers, and industry leaders speak in both keynote addresses and Q&A panels.

9. Steamboat MusicFest

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Six days. 40 bands. A world-class ski resort. And a really, really big tent. Need we say more? Now in its 28th year, Steamboat’s MusicFest is one of the lesser known in the U.S. Why? It’s a country thang. Each January, thousands of ski lovin’ music-lovin’ folks head for the Colorado Rockies to play in the snow by day and bask in the country, Americana, and folk music by night. It’s just a matter of time before more than Texans and Coloradans know why flights to Denver are booked solid in early January. You’re not going to find the biggest names in music at this festival yet — but you are going to find your new favorite indie artist who’s about to make it into the big leagues.

10. Summerfest Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Held at the Henry Maier Festival Park on Lake Michigan, Summerfest is one of the largest music festivals in the world. Started in 1968, it takes place over the course of eleven days with 700 bands from across the genres.  Unlike the tents and port-a-potties you find at many music festivals, the grounds here include permanent structures with surprisingly clean bathroom facilities and over 45 food vendors. We’ll just say that you’d be hard pressed to find better beer and brats at a music festival anywhere! Last year’s lineup included names like Big Time Rush, Iron Maiden, The Beach Boys, Zac Brown Band, Neil Diamond, and Lady Antebellum.