The feeling of purchasing a ticket for a clutch lineup is unmatched. If you plan ahead, you can easily compile access to live performances from many of your favorite artists. Music festivals give us an opportunity to meet people from all over the world who share our same musical interests, and overall vibe. Needless to say, 2017 already came with the heat — and it’s only March. Here’s a list to help you keep up with some of the dopest upcoming music festivals.
Broccoli City Festival (Washington DC, Maryland | May 6th)
If you’re looking for the kind of festival full of activities with a cool eco-friendly component, then Broccoli City Festival is your best bet. With its inception in 2013, Broccoli City Festival was created to educate urban millennials about environmental sustainability through social campaigns and major events. Want more? In the days leading up to the festival, they host a wide variety of events in DC during Broccoli City Week, which includes community action events, city runs and an all night “art escape”. Check out this year’s lineup, as it involves some of our favorites (ahem): Solange, Rae Sremmurd and 21 Savage.
Photo: Vashtie.com
Afropunk Fest (Brooklyn, Paris, Atlanta and South Africa)
Afropunk is probably the most self-expressive festival you’ll encounter in your life. Expect to meet an abundance of natural, groovy, vibe-y, Afro-centric and, overall, woke people. This festival is for those who are unique in thought and radical nonconformist beliefs, but also share a passion for music, art and film. At Afropunk, you will find black-owned businesses selling their products, and social media influencers floating around the crowd. Past performances include D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, George Clinton, Lenny Kravitz and Lauryn Hill. Since it’s all over the world, check the site for dates.
Photo: Human Nature Magazine
Made In America Festival (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Labor Day Weekend)
For this festival, founder Jay-Z cosigns some of the best acts of the current year, and brings them all out to perform on this two day epic festival experience. The requirements are simple: if you’re into a wide range of genres that are a little R&B, some EDM, but a ton of hip-hop, you may want to book a quick trip to Philly and get in on the madness. This year’s line-up isn’t out yet, but past headliners include Queen Bey, Rihanna and Coldplay. You can’t go wrong with this choice.
Photo: 6abc.com
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival (Manchester, Tennessee | June 8–11)
Camping outside, massive loads of people covered in paint (or dirt), flickering LED lights and full rages are some of the magical things you would find at Bonnaroo Festival. Since 2002, they've somehow managed to pack 150 performances all within a four day period. So if you don’t enjoy one performance, you can easily make your way to one of the nine other stages at the park! We promise, this year’s extensive lineup won’t disappoint.
Photo: Bonnaroo.com
Essence Music Festival (NOLA | June 29–July 2)
Also known as ‘Essence Fest,’ this festival is for those who enjoy being turnt, all while gaining mental, professional and spiritual keys of life. 2017’s three day celebration will include musical performances by Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan and Jazmine Sullivan, and a speaker series component with Ava DuVernay, Al Sharpton, Iyanla Vanzant and many more.
Photo: New Orleans Online
Rolling Loud (Miami, Florida | May 5–7)
Rolling Loud is the ultimate destination for any hip-hop, trap music loving millennial. The annual hip-hop festival is at an all-time high with their current lineup, which includes Kendrick Lamar, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Joey Bada$$ and Travis Scott. If seeing the hottest rap acts is a must, but you might not have the means at the moment, you can pay for your ticket on layaway.
Photo: Musesofmiami.com
Coachella Valley Music + Arts Festival (Indio, California | April 14–16, April 21–23)
The legendary Coachella festival offers everything from grand performances to modern art installations, displayed throughout the festival and campgrounds. Coachella should probably be a bucket list item in your 20s, since it’s low-key a right of passage for any music head. Although passes for the festival are currently sold out, and Beyonce will no longer co-headline, the noteworthy lineup includes Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, DJ Khaled, D.R.A.M. and everyone else.
Photo: YouTube
Governor’s Ball Music Festival (Randall's Island, New York | June 2–4)
Deemed as New York’s contemporary festival, Governor’s Ball is the kind of spot ideal for someone who listens to a variety of genres, but also wants to enjoy the small luxuries of playing mini golf, silent disco, ping–pong and taking pictures in a photo/GIF booth. In fact, the food may actually be the best part about the festival, since they’re known for selecting foods from some of the most popular restaurants in NYC. Chance the Rapper, Kehlani, Lorde, Majid Jordan and A$AP FERG are some of the acts set to perform this summer.
Photo: Venuestoday.com
The Meadows Music + Art Festival (Queens, New York | September 15–17)
Summer nostalgia may leave you wanting to squeeze in one more festival before the end of the year, and this one may be it. Past lineups have featured Kanye West, The Weeknd, Mac Miller, LolaWolf and Bryson Tiller. The current lineup is still pending, but remain on the look out!
Photo: Facebook
And there you have it folks. Level up and make this festival binge better than last years!
Photo: Giphy
