Ultra Music Festival 2018

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2019 Music Festival Preview: Noise Pop, Coachella, Ultra & More

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With next year’s lineups dropping left and right, we've created a helpful roundup to help you decide which music fests to attend (or livestream from your couch)
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jan 1, 2019 - 9:51 am

Music festivals the world over have been releasing their 2019 lineups for a hot minute. Such an abundance of choice can be overwhelming, so to help you prepare, we organized an overview of some of the biggest events you may want to snag tickets to.

From the desert-set musical smorgasbord that is Coachella, to Ultra and Electric Forest's laser-filled dance floors, to SXSW and Noise Pop's up-and-coming indie events, read on to narrow down which music fests you’ll travel to (or livestream from the couch) in 2019.

West Coast

Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival

Tupac's iconic lyrics are just as relevant as ever: "California knows how to party." It's definitely the case when Coachella lights up Indio, Calif. every April. The iconic desert fest always brings an exciting and stacked mix of artists both big and rising across genres—and the upcoming 20th anniversary event more than lives up to the hype.

The headliners alone are enough to get excited about, with this year's lineup featuring GRAMMY winner Childish Gambino and GRAMMY nominees Tame Impala and Ariana Grande. Even more impressive, Grande will be the fourth-ever solo female headlining artist at the event, following in the footsteps of GRAMMY winners Beyoncé and Lady Gaga.

There are plenty of other gems on the lineup, with Latin music artists making big waves beyond the Spanish-language market: Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY nominee Bad Bunny, Latin GRAMMY winner Rosalía and Latin GRAMMY winner/GRAMMY nominee J Balvin are on board for Coachella. Plus, plenty of rising stars are represented, including first-time GRAMMY nominees H.E.R. and Ella Mai, viral teen sensation Billie Eilish, indie/electro R&B artist Blood Orange and GRAMMY-nominated dance/pop duo Sofi Tukker.

The 2019 event will return for two three-day weekend events, on April 12–14 and 19–21. Tickets and more info can be found on Coachella's website.

Noise Pop Festival

While you probably can't rock your denim cutoffs in San Francisco in February, you can get your live music fix early with Noise Pop Festival, which runs from Feb. 25 to March 3. The 26-year-old event specializes in up-and-coming indie acts, with a solid sprinkling of well-established fan favorites. Noise Pop prides itself on bringing "early exposure to many emerging artists," with plenty of previous acts going on to become household names, including GRAMMY winners The White Stripes and The Flaming Lips and GRAMMY nominees Death Cab for Cutie and Modest Mouse. Additionally, the event takes place at venues across the San Francisco Bay Area, making use of the historic venues around S.F. and beyond, giving attendees the ability to not only explore all the area has to offer, but to also pick and choose which shows they want to see.

Noise Pop 2019 will include performances from indie rock/folk darlings Beirut, The Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., Bob Mould of '80s alt-rock group Hüsker Dü, along with electro/dream-pop artist Baths, indie-pop singer/songwriter Caroline Rose, Aussie electro-R&B duo Kllo, Latina rapper Princess Nokia and more.

All access passes are available for purchase, as well as individual tickets for specific shows. Check out Noise Pop's website for more info.

CRSSD Festival

If warmer weather and dance music is more your scene, check out CRSSD in San Diego, Calif. The electronic music-focused festival hosts an event every spring and fall by the ocean in sunny Southern California. Their spring 2019 event will be held on March 2–3 and features some big names, including GRAMMY nominees ODESZA and dark electro-pop duo Phantogram, as well as plenty of popular underground house and techno favorites, like Luttrell, The Martinez Brothers, Avalon Emerson and more.

Head to CRSSD's site to snag tickets and view the full phase one lineup.

South

SXSW Music Festival

The week-long extravaganza of SXSW Music Festival will take over Austin, Tex. From March 11–17 with hundreds of music acts in venues across the city. Similar to Noise Pop, SXSW populates its lineup with up-and-comers from around the world, plus features a handful of established stars—like Prince—popping up in intimate venues: The late GRAMMY-winning icon gave a small crowd of lucky fans an almost three-hour show at SXSW 2013.

While there are countless unofficial SXSW shows all over the city, the SXSW official 2019 lineup boasts over 480 diverse acts so far. Some of the showcasing artists announced are GRAMMY-winning rapper Wyclef Jean, who will also be a featured speaker, Los Angeles-based (by way of San Francisco) psych-rock group Thee Oh Sees, and Chicago-based electro R&B duo DRAMA. There’s also plenty of international talent on the docket, including Argentinean Latin trap star Ecko, Netherlands-born, Australia-based pop songstress Wafia and Nigerian Afrobeat singer/songwriter Mr. Eazi.

To pore over the extensive lineup, check out ticket options and more, visit SXSW's website.

Hangout Music Fest

If you're looking for something where you can chill in one spot, perhaps by a body of water, Hangout Music Fest in Gulf Shores, Ala. may be more along the lines of what you're craving. The 10th anniversary, which the organizers have coined a "music vacation," will take place on May 17–19 on the beach.

The stacked lineup of over 50 acts is pretty diverse among artists and genres, with big names in dance music such as GRAMMY winner Diplo, GRAMMY nominees Mura Masa and Sofi Tukker, along with Detroit hero GRiZ and dance festival favorite Alison Wonderland.

Meanwhile, artists in the pop/indie-rock arena include GRAMMY nominees Hozier and Bebe Rexha, as well fan favorites The 1975, Walk The Moon and Jimmy Eat World. 

For more info and to see the complete list of artists, visit the Hangout Fest website.

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival

Founded in 2002, this down-south outdoor fest once specialized in all things folk and jam band. Nowadays, the lineup's diversified a bit, welcoming artists of nearly every popular genre.  

This year's Bonnaroo will take place June 13–16 at Great Stage Park, a 700-acre farm and event space in Manchester, Tenn., 60 miles southeast of Nashville. In its 18th year, the festival will feature a wide range of artists performing around the clock across more than 10 stages. Festival organizers also promise an array of new features and improvements this year, including upgrades to the site's communal areas, known as Plazas, with free public WiFi, showers, charging stations, medical and safety stations, and more.

The festivities kick off On June 13 with Grand Ole Opry Featuring Special Guests. Friday, June 14 headliners include Phish, Childish Gambino, Solange, The Avett Brothers, Brockhampton, Courtney Barnett, Gojira, K.Flay and more. Saturday, June 15, will showcase Post Malone, Odesza, Hozier, Musgraves, The National, ZHU, John Prine, Maren Morris, and more, while Sunday, June 16 will see Phish return with two sets, plus The Lumineers, Cardi B, Carlile, Walk The Moon, Mac DeMarco, King Princess, The Wood Brothers, and many more.

Also new for 2019, Bonnaroo will feature a "Sanctuary of Self-Love" campground experience curated by none other than Paramore's Hayley Williams. There will also be circus acts, immersive cinema shows, theme parties, and Bonnaroo's first-ever Pride parade.

Tickets for Bonnaroo go on sale Thursday, Jan. 10 at 12 p.m. EST exclusively via the festival's website.

East Coast

Woodstock 50th Anniversary

In the summer of 1969, a dairy farm in Upstate New York hosted one of the most renowned music festivals of the 20th century, the Woodstock Music And Arts Fair. Now, as Woodstock approaches its 50th anniversary this August, the excitement to relive the summer of '69 returns, with two music festivals aiming for just that. An official Woodstock 50th music festival has been announced by one of the iconic gathering's original promoters, Michael Lang. It will be held at a different location, further upstate in Watkins Glen, complete with glamping. The Bethel Woods Center For The Arts, located on the site of the original event, has also announced that they will host an unofficial celebration—the Bethel Woods Music and Culture Festival on Aug. 16–18.

There's no lineup announcement or tickets offered for either event yet, so we’ll just have to wait to see if any living Woodstock legends, like the GRAMMY-winning group Santana, who launched their career on the famed Woodstock stage, will return.

Ultra Music Festival

The EDM-centric Ultra Music Festival is returning for the 21st year of their flagship festival in its home base of Miami on March 29–31. The dance music mecca's new oceanside venue on Virginia Key will allow the 2019 offering to host more attendees for longer hours. The artists this year are sure to get you moving, with a wide range of dance music favorites, from big room house to some more underground acts.

Some of the big DJ/producers on the list include GRAMMY winners Afrojack, the Chainsmokers, Dubfire, David Guetta, Tiësto and Zedd, plus GRAMMY nominees Alesso, Armin Van Buuren, Deadmau5, Galantis and ODESZA. Underground faves include The Martinez Brothers, Maceo Plex and Tale of Us.

To scope the complete lineup and ticket options, check out Ultra's website.

Governors Ball

Governors Ball Music Festival is returning for their ninth year on Randall's Island Park in New York City on May 31–June 2. Governors Ball 2019 will bring The Strokes and GRAMMY nominees Tyler, the Creator and Florence & the Machine as headliners.

The three-day event of music, art, food and fun certainly brings an N.Y.C.-inspired melting pot approach to their musical lineup, and this year does not disappoint. Other musical highlights include: GRAMMY winners Lil Wayne and Kacey Musgraves, GRAMMY nominees SZA, Nas, The Internet, Jorja Smith, Bob Moses, Charli XCX, ZHU, plus Vince Staples, BROCKHAMPTON, Blood Orange, Clairo, Bazzi, MØ, Major Lazer (DJs Jillionaire, Walshy Fire and GRAMMY winner Diplo), Noname, Kaytranada, Gesaffelstein and King Princess.

More info on tickets, as well as the complete lineup and event details can be found on the Governors Ball site.

Electric Forest Festival

The annual Electric Forest Festival likes to keeps things interesting with a solid mix of jam bands and electronic acts among the forest in Rothbury, Michigan. The 2019 fest will take place on June 27–30 and lists ethereal electronic duo ODESZA, tropical house DJ/producer Kygo and bass music heavy hitters Bassnectar and Zeds Dead as the headliners.

Other artists range from GRAMMY-nominated deep-house duo Bob Moses, Detroit house legend Claude VonStroke, female bass powerhouses Alison Wonderland and TOKiMONSTA, who is a first-time GRAMMY nominee this year.

The jam bands are led by The String Cheese Incident, an Electric Forest mainstay, who will be doing three performances over the weekend, along with the The Floozies and STS9, who blur the line of electronic music, psych-rock and hip-hop.

GRAMMY winner T-Pain represents the smaller hip-hop contingency, along with rising female rapper, and first-time GRAMMY nominee, Tierra Whack.

For more info on tickets, including on the VIP lodge camping offering, check out Electric Forest's site.

No matter your musical and venue taste, there are plenty of festivals this year to keep you dancing all year long. Stay tuned to grammy.com for updates on new lineup releases, along with exclusive behind-the-scenes artist interviews from the biggest events as we approach festival season.

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A collage of can't-miss artists for summer 2017

The summer 2017 music festival circuit promises a host of amazing headliners

Photos: Getty Images/WireImage.com

List

17 Must-Attend Music Festivals In 2017

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Our favorite festivals for this summer season, and what to expect from each
Brian Haack
GRAMMYs
May 16, 2017 - 5:25 pm
GRAMMY.com

(Looking for 2018 festivals? View our list of must-attend 2018 festivals.)

What music festivals are you planning a road trip for?

 

The 2017 editions of Coachella, Stagecoach, Ultra, and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival are all officially in the rearview. We've got so many amazing memories from each festival (and we're sure you do too!), but the fact is that the summer festival season has just begun.

With so many opportunities to follow your favorite artists as they play unforgettable sets in iconic venues, urban city centers and beautiful outdoor locations, it can be tough to plan out where and when it's all happening. Allow us to lend a helping hand, and take a look at our 17 best-bet festivals for making all of your "I was there" memories this summer.

Sasquatch!
Date: May 26 – May 28
Location: George, Wash.
Lineup Includes: LCD Soundsystem, Bonobo, Sleigh Bells, Foxygen, Twenty One Pilots, Bleachers, Chance The Rapper, the Shins, Kiiara, and Mount Kimbie
The Scene: The spectacular views offered by the Gorge Amphitheater alone is well worth the price of admission, and the diverse multigenre lineup is sure to catch the vibe of even the most discerning music fan.
Connect: @Sasquatch

BottleRock Napa Valley
Date: May 26 – May 28
Location: Napa Valley, Calif.
Lineup Includes: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Foo Fighters, Maroon 5, Modest Mouse, the Naked & Famous, Andra Day, the Strumbellas, AlunaGeorge, Warren G, and Bob Moses
The Scene: With a combination of top-tier legacy acts and tour-proven indie rock scenester sounds, BottleRock Napa Valley always delivers a thrilling experience. Expect good music, great food and a massive selection of offerings from local wineries.
Connect: @BottleRockNapa

Movement
Date: May 27 – May 29
Location:  Detroit
Lineup Includes: Richie Hawtin, Carl Cox, Adam Beyer, Barclay Crenshaw, Ben Klock, Danny Brown, DJ Harvey, the Gaslamp Killer, Kerri Chandler, Juicy J, Larry Heard, and Seth Troxler
The Scene: This massive multistage techno festival nestled in the birthplace of the genre makes for a yearly pilgrimage for house heads and techno purists from around the world, but the increasing popularity and awareness of the festival has attracted a wider and more diverse audience in recent years. The festival is family friendly, and even includes free yoga classes on two days of the festival.
Connect: @MovementDetroit

Governor's Ball
Date: June 2 – June 4
Location: New York City
Lineup Includes: Lorde, Flume, Beach House, Danny Brown, Phoenix, Kehlani, Cage The Elephant, Air, Wu-Tang Clan, the Avalanches, and Rae Sremmurd
The Scene: Launched in 2011 as a stopgap for a city without a modern major music festival to call its own, Governor's Ball has grown into its own and earned the title of "a festival with a New York heart" from the New York Times. And in case the music isn't enough, this festival also features "mini golf, silent discos, interactive photo booths, life-size board games, and unique outdoor activations."
Connect: @GovBallNYC

The Roots Picnic
Date: June 3
Location: Philadelphia
Lineup Includes: Pharrell X The Roots, Lil Wayne, Solange, Jeezy, 21 Savage, Kimbra, Thundercat, and James Vincent McMorrow
The Scene: As this single-day festival with its annual lineup curated entirely by the Roots celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, it continues to offer an amazing mix of great music, philanthropic events and panel discussions featuring fashion, lifestyle and cultural influencers down by the water at Penn's Landing.
Connect: @RootsPicnic

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
Date: June 8 – June 11
Location: Manchester, Tenn.
Lineup Includes: U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Weeknd, Chance The Rapper, Major Lazer, Lorde, The XX, Travis Scott, Future Islands, and Royal Blood
The Scene: This long-standing multigenre festival has a reputation for fostering a dedicated fan base who return year-in, year-out. The positively massive lineup for 2017 makes it easy to predict there will be many new faces joining the festival's cult of devotees. Bonus points: the festival is adding an all-night stage specializing in hip hop and electronic tunes this year.
Connect: @Bonnaroo

Firefly Music Festival
Date: June 15 – June 18
Location: Dover, Del.
Lineup Includes: Glass Animals, Kaleo, O.A.R., Twenty One Pilots, Flume, The Weeknd, Weezer, Miike Snow, Bob Dylan, Muse, the Shins, Thirty Seconds To Mars, and Phantogram
The Scene: With more than 140 bands to choose from, the four-day campout festival brings a unique vibe, and prides itself on being the birthplace of life-long friendships for its attendees. This festival is family friendly, and takes place at The Woodlands at the Dover International Speedway.
Connect: @LiveAtFirefly

Vans Warped Tour
Date: June 16–Aug. 6
Location: Various
Lineup Includes: CKY, Goldfinger, Plain White T's, GWAR, Anti-Flag, Bowling For Soup, Beartooth, American Authors, the Acacia Strain, and Hawthorne Heights
The Scene: The 23rd edition of this venerable traveling skate punk, hard rock and hardcore festival proves that Warped Tour still brings together one of the best combinations of both on-the-cusp and legacy acts you'll find anywhere in the U.S. Check the festival dates on their official website to see if there's a tour stop near you.
Connect: @VansWarpedTour

Get psyched for Warped Tour with past Recording Academy artist interviews

Monterey International Pop Festival 2017
Date: June 16 – June 18
Location: Monterey, Calif.
Lineup Includes: Eric Burdon And The Animals, Father John Misty, Leon Bridges, Regina Spektor, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Gary Clark Jr., the Head And The Heart, Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band,  and Booker T's Stax Revue
The Scene: Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1967 multiday festival that brought together  then-mostly unknown talents like Eric Burdon And The Animals, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and the Grateful Dead, the 2017 edition of the Monterey International Pop Festival promises to be a celebration of life and a continuation of the music culture that helped spawn the Summer Of Love.
Connect: @MontereyPop50

Don't miss the GRAMMY Museum's Monterey Pop showcase: Music, Love And Flowers, 1967

Electric Daisy Carnival
Date: June 16 – June 18
Location: Las Vegas, Nev.
Lineup Includes: Afrojack, Audien B2B 3lau, Bro Safari, Desert Hearts, GTA, Hardwell, Alison Wonderland, RL Grime, NGHTMRE, Above & Beyond, Dirtyphonics, Kygo, Oliver Heldens, Adam Beyer, DJ Khaled, and Markus Schulz
The Scene: Insomniac Events' flagship dance festival has grown into one of the largest electronic music events in the world. With three nights of music from sunset to sunrise, EDC is an event that must be experienced to be understood.
Connect: @EDC_LasVegas

Bust a move: Watch our artist interviews from EDC 2016 and relive the experience

Essence Festival
Date: June 29 – July 2
Location: New Orleans
Lineup Includes: Diana Ross, John Legend, India.Arie, Chaka Khan, Jill Scott, Ari Lennox, Chance The Rapper, Master P, Mystikal, Solange, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
The Scene: Now in its 23rd year, New Orleans' 'party with a purpose' continues its mission of showcasing amazing musical talents in an environment of individual empowerment and community activism. Festival visitors can also check out the convention center, which will provide motivational seminars, enriching experiences and more enhancements to your experience.
Connect: @EssenceFest

Common, Andra Day, Cyril Neville, and more: Check out our favorite interviews from Essence 2016

Pitchfork Music Festival
Date: July 14 – July 16
Location: Chicago
Lineup Includes: LCD Soundsystem, Dirty Projectors, Danny Brown, Vince Staples, A Tribe Called Quest, PJ Harvey, Solange, Nicholas Jaar, the Avalanches, and American Football
The Scene: Hosted by Pitchfork Media, home to the famous/infamous music tastemaking blog Pitchfork, the Pitchfork Music Festival consistently brings an eclectically relevant and sonically forward-thinking lineup of can't-miss and must-know acts.
Connect: @Pitchfork

Newport Folk Festival
Date: July 28 – July 30
Location: Newport, R.I.
Lineup Includes: Fleet Foxes, Wilco, John Prine, the Head And The Heart, the Avett Brothers, Jim James, and Ben Gibbard
The Scene: The Newport Folk Festival is a veritable guardian of the flame for the earnest, heartfelt sounds of yesteryear's proto-indie crooners and giants of songwriting alike. Expect wonderful sounds showcased in calm and inviting surroundings, complete with excellent cuisine and local artwork.
Connect: @NewportFolkFest

Lollapalooza
Date: Aug. 3 – Aug. 6
Location: Chicago
Lineup Includes: Chance The Rapper, the Killers, Muse, Arcade Fire, Blink-182, DJ Snake, Justice, Wiz Khalifa, Migos, Glass Animals, Tove Lo, Tegan And Sara, and Little Dragon
The Scene: Nestled in Grant Park in the heart of Chicago, Lollapalooza offers attendees the chance to vibe to their favorite tunes all day, then retreat into the city to discover its eclectic mix of food and countless music venues offering night shows. Lolla has come a long way from its alternative rock touring days in the '90s to taking place in six countries in 2017, and it is still not to be missed.
Connect: @Lollapalooza

Outside Lands
Date: Aug. 11 – Aug. 13
Location: San Francisco
Lineup Includes: Metallica, the Who, Gorillaz, A Tribe Called Quest, Empire Of The Sun, Queens Of The Stone Age, Schoolboy Q, Rebelution, Future Islands, Vance Joy, and Kaytranada
The Scene: Summer dates notwithstanding, it is advised to bring a jacket to this Golden Gate Park-based festival, as San Francisco's trademark cool and foggy weather tends to roll in starting mid-August. The good news is this year's 10th anniversary lineup is full of headliners whose sound will warm you right up.
Connect: @SFOutsideLands 

Kaaboo
Date: Sept. 15 – Sept. 17
Location: Del Mar, Calif.
Lineup Includes: Red Hot Chili Peppers, P!nk, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Jane's Addiction, Ice Cube, Alanis Morissette, Logic, X Ambassadors, T-Pain, Machine Gun Kelly, Weezer, and David Guetta
The Scene: Billing itself as "everything a typical music festival is not," Kaaboo promises to be a curated escape from the norm, complete with comfortable surroundings, great food, contemporary artwork, craft cocktails, world-class music, and live comedy.
Connect: @KaabooDelMar

Austin City Limits
Date: Oct. 6 – Oct. 8 & Oct. 13 – Oct. 15
Location: Austin, Tex.
Lineup Includes: Jay-Z, the Killers, Chance The Rapper, The XX, Ryan Adams, Spoon, Solange, the Head And The Heart, Gorillaz, Run The Jewels, Tove Lo, and Foster The People
The Scene: Once primarily an alternative rock, country and indie folk festival, ACL has nearly finished transitioning into a mainstream multigenre festival with aims of competing with the Coachellas, Bonnaroos and Saquatches of the world. Combining two weekend editions of three days each, plus countless evening after-shows and club gigs around the city of Austin, ACL certainly steps up to the plate.
Connect: @ACLFestival

More summer music picks: Must-see summer tours for 2017

Woodstock 1969

Woodstock 1969

Photo: John Dominis/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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Official Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival Location & Date Confirmed

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"Woodstock, in its original incarnation, was really about social change and activism. And that's a model that we're bringing back to this festival," organizer Michael Lang reveals
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jan 9, 2019 - 2:27 pm

As the 1969 Woodstock Music And Arts Fair approaches 50 years, music fans have been anticipating any and all news surrounding a possible half-century celebration. Now, Michael Lang, one of the original event's organizers, has shared new details around Woodstock’s confirmed 50-year event, including a new location.

Today, in an interview with Rolling Stone, Lang re-confirmed that the official event will be taking place Aug. 16–18 in Upstate New York, but not in Sullivan County, home to Bethel Woods. He also revealed the challenge of finding a space that would work, settling on Watkins Glen, a more remote location with enough open space to host what will around six figure’s worth of attendees. The rustic locale has hosted several huge concerts before, including approximately 600,000 people in 1973 for the Allman Brothers Band, the Grateful Dead and the Band (all of whom also performed at Woodstock '69).

There may not be many hotels by Watkins Glen, but apparently there will be glamping: "I was desperate to keep it in New York. I looked everywhere because I needed 1,000 acres of clear land with access and infrastructure," Lang told Rolling Stone. "When I looked [at Watkins Glen], I knew it was the perfect facility for what we had in mind. It was reminiscent to me of finding Max [Yasgur]'s field."

Watkins Glen is about 160 miles from Sullivan County, so for music fans who have already booked rooms (a large portion of hotels and Airbnbs are already booked for Aug. 16–18) and want to attend the official Woodstock '19, you may want to reconsider your concert accommodations.

While no performers have been announced for either the official event or the previously announced unofficial anniversary concert at Bethel Woods Center For The Arts, Lang did offer some juicy hints as to what’s in store, namely that performers will begin to be announced in February when tickets go on sale.

Lang said that over 40 performers have been booked three stages, including some big names. "It'll be an eclectic bill. It'll be hip-hop and rock and some pop and some of the legacy bands from the original festival," he explained.

He continued that attendees and those tuned into the live stream can expect that newer artists will pay tribute to original Woodstock performers like Santana, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix.

"Having contemporary artists interpret that music would be a really interesting and exciting idea. We're also looking for unique collaborations, maybe some reunions and a lot of new and up-and-coming talent," Lang shared.

He hopes that this mix of talent and sounds, along with promotion of Woodstock's peace, love and activism ideals, will help draw a "multi-generational" crowd.

"A lot of festivals these days are kind of cookie-cutter,” he said. Very few of them have any sort of social impact [and] that's a wasted opportunity. Woodstock, in its original incarnation, was really about social change and activism. And that's a model that we’re bringing back to this festival. It's a gathering for fun and for excitement and for experiences and to create community, but it's also about instilling kind of an energy back into young people to make their voices heard, make their votes heard."

Stay tuned to grammy.com for updates on the Woodstock '19 lineup, and for all the big 2019 festivals as well.

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Florence & The Machine

Florence & The Machine

Photo: Scott Dudelson/WireImage/Getty Images

News

Governors Ball 2019: The Strokes, Tyler, The Creator And Florence & The Machine To Headline

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The NYC music festival returns on May 31–June 2 with plenty of music to rock the island; the impressive lineup also includes Nas, Lil Wayne, Kaytranada, Noname, Charli XCX, Gesaffelstein and BROCKHAMPTON
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jan 7, 2019 - 12:56 pm

Today the Governors Ball Music Festival announced the lineup for their ninth year on Randall's Island Park in New York City. Running from May 31–June 2, Governors Ball 2019 will welcome headliners The Strokes and past GRAMMY nominees Tyler, the Creator and Florence & the Machine.

The three-day event of music, art, food and fun—"A Festival with a New York Heart," according to The New York Times—certainly brings an N.Y.C.-inspired melting pot approach to their musical lineup, and this year does not disappoint. Musical highlights also include: GRAMMY winners Lil Wayne and Kacey Musgraves, GRAMMY nominees SZA, Nas, The Internet, Jorja Smith, Bob Moses, Charli XCX, ZHU, plus Vince Staples, BROCKHAMPTON, Blood Orange, Clairo, Bazzi, MØ, Major Lazer (DJs Jillionaire, Walshy Fire and GRAMMY winner Diplo), Noname, Kaytranada, Gesaffelstein and King Princess.

Discounted "Announce Day" pricing for festival tickets is available today until 11:59 EST. More info on tickets, as well as the complete lineup and event details can be found on the Governors Ball site.

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Jack White circa 2018

Jack White

Photo: Yui Mok - PA Images/Getty Images

List

18 Must-Attend 2018 Music Festivals: Stagecoach, EDC, Lollapalooza & More

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Get the most out of the 2018 season with our definitive list of road-trip worthy music festivals
GRAMMY.com Staff
GRAMMYs
Dec 26, 2017 - 10:49 am

Congratulations! You have arrived at this year's must-attend festival schedule for 2018. We hope you're ready for some fun …

Whether you're into pop or rock, electronic/dance music or hip-hop, R&B or jazz, there's a festival (or festivals) for everybody, whether you attend one, three or 10.  And remember, when it comes to music festivals, it's a good idea to make your plans as early as possible to ensure you get the best tickets and you have ample time to plot your experience to your liking.

To help you decide accordingly, check out our 2018 festival guide, designed to help you plan a killer music experience.

SXSW Music

Date: March 12–18
Location: Austin, Texas
Lineup Includes: Gemma Ray, Benji Lewis, Dead Horses, HEX, IAMDDB, Jiggy Drama, Rapsody, Sweet Crude, Marlon Williams, Zenizen
The Scene: The Recording Academy was on the ground in Austin, Texas, to kick off the festival season at SXSW. Check out our reports on reality TV singing competitions, K-pop, Keith Urban, the Recording Academy Texas Chapter's Block Party, our favorite emerging artists, and more.
Connect: @SXSW

Ultra Music Festival

Date: March 23–25
Location: Miami
Lineup Includes: Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, Hardwell, Kaskade, the Chainsmokers, Carl Cox, Afrojack
The Scene: Once again this year, dance music artists, professionals, and fans gathered from all over the world in downtown Miami for three days and nights of mind-blowing DJ sets. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2018, Ultra was a little extra this year, and the Recording Academy was front and center for the action. Check out our coverage of parties you missed, industry events, the backtage MusiCares hearing clinic, and exlusive conversations with David Guetta, Tiësto, GTA, and more.
Connect: @ultra

In Bloom Music Festival

Date: March 24–25
Location: Houston
Lineup Includes: Beck, Broken Social Scene, Explosions In The Sky, Incubus, Lil Uzi Vert, Martin Garrix, Queens Of The Stone Age, T-Pain, Ying Yang Twins
The Scene: What had been known for eight years as the Free Press Summer Festival was remixed for 2018 as the In Bloom Music Festival. The event featured local acts and visual artists along with well-known artists from out of town. It also carried an environmental message in partnership with the Texas Campaign for the Environment. The result was an exciting array of styles, showing off today's range of rock, dance, rap, and many subgenres on four stages for two days of perfect weather, dancing in the streets, and great music with a Houston flavor. For photos and stories from this year's festival, check out In Bloom's official recap. 
Connect: @inbloomfest

Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival

Dates: April 14–16 and 21–23
Location: Indio, Calif.
Lineup Includes: Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Eminem, Cardi B
The Scene: Coachella 2018 proved why it's arguably the most popular destination music festival. Weekend one saw Beyoncé make her unforgettable Coachella debut, reuniting Destiny's Child onstage, bringing out special guests Jay-Z and Solange, and incorporating over 100 dancers, causing fans to launch the social hastag #Beychella. The Weeknd and Eminem also pulled out all the stops for their headlining sets, as did Cardi B, bringing out SZA, among other special guests. X Japan played the festival for the fist time and was joined by special guest Marilyn Manson for weekend two. But the big surprise appearance of weekend two belonged to Ariana Grande, who treated fans to a performance of her newest single "No Tears Left To Cry." How will Coachella top try to top this next year? We'll have to wait and see. ... The full lineup is typically announced in mid-January.
Connect: @coachella

Stagecoach

Date: April 27–29
Location: Indio, Calif.
Lineup Includes: Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line, Kacey Musgraves, Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit, Kelsea Ballerini, Brothers Osborne, Midland
The Scene: Dubbed as country's premier festival, the 12th edition of Stagecoach promises a lineup that leverages country music's glorious history with its powerhouse present. In fact, this year's talent is stacked with premier female talent, with 13 female acts representing. In addition to music, there are country-friendly amenities such as the HonkyTonk Dance Hall, Half-Pint Hootenanny, delicious BBQ, and more. Boots and hats are optional.
Connect: @Stagecoach

Welcome To Rockville

Date: April 27–29
Location: Jacksonville, Fla.
Lineup Includes: Foo Fighters, Ozzy Osbourne, Avenged Sevenfold, Queens Of The Stone Age, Billy Idol, Greta Van Fleet, Halestorm, Black Veil Brides
The Scene: Danny Wimmer Presents' Florida rock institution Welcome To Rockville returns again in 2018 to rock Jacksonville. Back in October, the festival announced the Foo Fighters as the first confirmed act and they have since stacked the deck, adding iconic legends and young buzz bands alike. Blending relentless rock performances with eclectic food and drink choices and extended camping options, the 2018 version of Welcome To Rockville promises to be its loudest yet.
Connect: @RockvilleFest

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Date: April 27 – May 6
Location: New Orleans
Lineup Includes: Aerosmith, Aretha Franklin, Jack White, Bonnie Raitt, LL Cool J featuring DJ Z-Trip
The Scene: Oftentimes shortened to simply "Jazz Fest," the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana. Attendees can expect to sample the finest soul food and local fare (the festival's stated food policy is "no carnival food"). With close to a hundred booths offering various food and drink options alone, there is plenty to do and see as patrons make their way amongst the festival's 12 stages and numerous music and experience tents during the event's seven-day run.
Connect:  @JazzFest

Beale Street Music Festival

Date: May 4–6
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Lineup Includes: Jack White, Alanis Morissette, Odesza, Erykah Badu, Kaleo, DRAM, Logic, Post Malone
The Scene: Known as one the more eclectic festivals in terms of talent, the 2018 installment of Beale Street promises to keep that reputation intact. A dynamic mix of artists will be spread across four stages, representing genres such as alternative, rock, indie, neo-soul, hip-hop EDM, and country. Main stage headliners include Jack White, Queens Of The Stone Age, Incubus, Logic, and Tyler, The Creator. And — to paraphrase the great Buddy Guy — damn right this festival has also got the blues. Beale Street will host a collective of blues notables, including Delbert McClinton, Robert Randolph And The Family Band, Marcia Ball, Love Light Orchestra, and R.L. Boyce. If you've been putting off that Memphis roadie, wait no longer.
Connect: @memphisinmay

Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas

Date: May 18–20
Location: Las Vegas
Lineup Includes: Armin Van Buuren, Diplo, Kaskade, Marshmello, Martin Garrix, Tiësto, Zedd
The Scene: Over the past 21 years, Electric Daisy Carnival has grown into one of the biggest flagship electronic dance festivals in the U.S. In a series of major logistical updates from years past, the festival dates have been moved up more than a full month earlier to take advantage of cooler temperatures, and onsite camping has been added for the first time. With a typical setup of eight or more full-size stage experiences, countless pop-up events and micro-happenings throughout the venue; carnival games and rides, yoga, crafting, and other nonmusic activities; and patrolling art cars hosting their own dance and musical experiences, there's always something for everyone at EDC Las Vegas.
Connect: @EDC_LasVegas

BottleRock

Date: May 25–27
Location: St. Napa, Calif.
Lineup Includes: Bruno Mars, Halsey, Snoop Dogg, the Killers, Muse, Earth, Wind & Fire, Incubus, Natalia Lafourcade, the Chainsmokers
The Scene: Nestled in the wine and brew capital of California, Napa Valley's BottleRock festival provides a little something for everyone, including great music, food and drinks. Indulge across three days with 80-plus bands on five stages and gourmet foods, hand-selected wines, craft beer, or specialty cocktails in hand. With acts ranging from pop to rap to R&B and beyond, BottleRock is sure to capture the imagination (and taste buds) of even the pickiest fan.
Connect: @BottleRockNapa

Roots Picnic

Date: June 2 (Philadelphia)
Location: Philadelphia and New York City (TBA)
Lineup Includes: Dave Chappelle, Lil Uzi Vert, Dirty Projectors, The Diplomats, 2 Chainz, 6LACK, Brandy, BadBadNotGood, live mixtape by Black Thought and J.Period
The Scene: Now in its 11th year, Questlove and Co. return for what has become a staple of their hometown of Philly. Roots Picnic brings together an array of talented artists from many mediums in a backyard party atmosphere and culminates with a jam session led by hip-hop heavyweights The Roots. The festival also presents unique experiences such as podcast and lifestyle stages plus a live mixtape hosted by Black Thought and J.Period. The festivities expanded to include a New York City starting in 2016, with details for this year's NYC edition still forthcoming.
Connect:  @rootspicnic

Electric Forest

Date: June 21–24 and June 28–July 1
Location: Rothbury, Mich.
Lineup Includes: Bassnectar, Bonobo, Chromeo, Cut Copy, the Glitch Mob, Griz Live Band, Marian Hill, Rüfüs Du Sol, the String Cheese Incident, Zhu, Xavier Rudd
The Scene: Formerly the Rothbury Music Festival, the first Electric Forest was held in 2011, featuring two long weekends of high-energy experimental music and trippy jams. The forest setting is decked out with electronic art to become an otherworldly "Sherwood Forest" enclave. A positive sense of community has festivalgoers wishing each other "Happy Forest!" as they deal with the difficult trade-offs deciding who to see next. Scheduled acts also include Galantis and Deadmau5's Testpilot alias.
Connect: @Electric_Forest

Vans Warped Tour

Date: June 21–Aug. 5
Location: Various
Lineup Includes: 3OH!3, All Time Low, As It Is, Black Veil Brides, Bowling For Soup, Grayscale, Kublai Khan, Mayday Parade, Simple Plan, and We The Kings
The Scene: Last year founder Kevin Lyman announced this 24th year will be "the final, full cross-country run" for what has been a star-making tradition. Although plans are in the works to close 2019 with events commemorating its 25th year, the summer of 2018 could be your last chance to catch a festival date near home.
Connect: @VansWarpedTour

Essence Festival

Date: July 5–8
Location: New Orleans
Lineup Includes: Full lineup TBA
The Scene: What could be better than a nightly concert series featuring some of the biggest names in music paired with empowering conference sessions and speeches during the day? That's the magic of the Essence Festival, which celebrates music, entertainment and culture. The 2017 version of the festival attracted nearly 500,000 people with headliners Chance The Rapper and Diana Ross, and 2018 is sure to shape up to be an equally amazing experience.
Connect: @EssenceFest

Pitchfork Music Festival

Date: July 20 – July 22
Location: Chicago
Lineup Includes: Tame Impala, Courtney Barnett, The War On Drugs, Chaka Khan, Earl Sweatshirt
The Scene: Hosted by Pitchfork Media, home to the famous/infamous music tastemaking blog Pitchfork, the Pitchfork Music Festival consistently brings an eclectically relevant and sonically forward-thinking lineup of can't-miss and must-know acts.
Connect: @Pitchfork

Lollapalooza

Date: Aug. 2–5
Location: Chicago
Lineup Includes: Full lineup TBA
The Scene: Lollapalooza started as the brainchild of Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell in 1991 as part of the band's farewell tour. This festival initially ran through 1997 before its revival in 2003 where it has grown to become a national cultural touchstone. The festival draws more than 150,000 annually to Chicago's Grant Park for a diverse lineup that includes pop, rock, hip-hop, dance/electronic music, and much more. What will this year's lineup bring?
Connect: @Lollapalooza

Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

Date: Sept. 22–23
Location: Franklin, Tenn.
Lineup Includes: Full lineup TBA
The Scene: True to its namesake, the annual Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival is a mecca of great bands, excellent local food, and unique arts. Co-founded by Better Than Ezra frontman/guitarist Kevin Griffin with business partners Brandt Wood and Michael Whelan in 2015, the festival started as a spiritual counterpoint to New Orleans' venerable Jazz & Heritage Festival. Pilgrimage then doubled in size in its third year and snagged Justin Timberlake as a top billing headliner. With a who's-who of indie rock, Nashville country, jazz and southern blues artists on the billing as supporting acts in 2017, the 2018 installment is sure to satiate any music fan looking for an authentic festival experience.
Connect: @PilgrimageFest

Austin City Limits Festival

Date: Oct. 5 – Oct. 14
Location: Austin, Texas
Lineup Includes: TBA, but considering Jay-Z's headlining slot last year, the bar is set high
The Scene: Austin's Zilker Park is host to one of the season's final festivals, Austin City Limits. Created in the image of the historic television program of the same name, ACL has blossomed into a multi-genre powerhouse offering up eight stages, more than 140 bands, and two weekends worth of rock, rap, dance, R&B and, of course, country. The cherry on top is local fare of Austin area eateries providing tacos, brews, vegan options and more at the ACL Eats Food Court.
Connect:  @aclfestival