Skip to main content
GRAMMYs Breaking News
Breaking News
  • MusiCares Launches Help for the Holidays Campaign Apply HERE
  • Recording Academy
  • GRAMMYs
  • Membership
  • Advocacy
  • MusiCares
  • GRAMMY Museum
  • Latin GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
  • Advocacy
  • Membership
  • GRAMMYs
  • Governance
  • Jobs
  • Press Room
  • Events
  • Login
  • MusiCares
  • GRAMMY Museum
  • Latin GRAMMYs
  • More
    • MusiCares
    • GRAMMY Museum
    • Latin GRAMMYs

The GRAMMYs

  • Awards
  • News
  • Videos
  • Recording Academy
  • More
    • Awards
    • News
    • Videos
    • Recording Academy

Latin GRAMMYs

MusiCares

  • About
  • Get Help
  • Give
  • News
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Person of the Year
  • More
    • About
    • Get Help
    • Give
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
    • Person of the Year

Advocacy

  • About
  • News
  • Issues & Policy
  • Act
  • Recording Academy
  • More
    • About
    • News
    • Issues & Policy
    • Act
    • Recording Academy

Membership

  • Join
  • Events
  • PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING
  • GRAMMY U
  • GOVERNANCE
  • More
    • Join
    • Events
    • PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING
    • GRAMMY U
    • GOVERNANCE
Log In Join
  • SUBSCRIBE

  • Search
Modal Open
Subscribe Now

Subscribe to Newsletters

Be the first to find out about GRAMMY nominees, winners, important news, and events. Privacy Policy
GRAMMY Museum
Membership

Join us on Social

  • Recording Academy
    • The Recording Academy: Facebook
    • The Recording Academy: Twitter
    • The Recording Academy: Instagram
    • The Recording Academy: YouTube
  • GRAMMYs
    • GRAMMYs: Facebook
    • GRAMMYs: Twitter
    • GRAMMYs: Instagram
    • GRAMMYs: YouTube
  • Latin GRAMMYs
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Facebook
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Twitter
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Instagram
    • Latin GRAMMYs: YouTube
  • GRAMMY Museum
    • GRAMMY Museum: Facebook
    • GRAMMY Museum: Twitter
    • GRAMMY Museum: Instagram
    • GRAMMY Museum: YouTube
  • MusiCares
    • MusiCares: Facebook
    • MusiCares: Twitter
    • MusiCares: Instagram
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy: Facebook
    • Advocacy: Twitter
  • Membership
    • Membership: Facebook
    • Membership: Twitter
    • Membership: Instagram
    • Membership: Youtube
GRAMMYs

JPEGMAFIA

Photo: Kalina Simone

News
JPEGMAFIA Wants To Disappoint You jpegmafia-veteran-call-me-maybe-how-he-wants-disappoint-you

JPEGMAFIA On 'Veteran,' "Call Me Maybe" & How He Wants To Disappoint You

Facebook Twitter Email
"It's 2019, and there's a certain amount of people who are excited for me to literally let them down. That's beautiful," the rapper told us backstage at Pitchfork Fest
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 22, 2019 - 12:00 pm

There is a sense of liberation JPEGMAFIA  reserves for a live stage. At his Sunday set at Pitchfork Fest in Chicago’s Union Park that freedom involved letting out some rage. 

His energetic set included single “Vengeance | Vengeance,” and “I Cannot F***ing Wait Until Morrissey Dies” from his latest full-length album, the politically charged and pop culture opinionated Veteran.

https://twitter.com/pitchforkfest/status/1153065372343504896

JPEGMAFIA (@darkskinmanson) at Pitchfork Music Festival 2019

Photo by Pooneh Ghana for Pitchfork #P4Kfest pic.twitter.com/Vl9Ic0L3YV

— Pitchfork Music Festival Chicago (@pitchforkfest) July 21, 2019

But fans at the fest reminded the rapper that they’re waiting for his forthcoming latest album that has yet to be released. "Oh the disapointment is coming very soon," he answered back from stage the same way he’s been answering questions about it on social media.

 The self-proclaimed "self-hating millennial" and former Air Force veteran isn't a new artist. He's been working on music most of his life, and the success of Veteran isn't lost on him. 

"One consistent good thing I can say about the music industry is that at least I can make music freely now," he says, "and I don't have to do it when I'm off of a nine to five."

The Recording Academy spoke to the rapper after his Pitchfork set about Veteran, his popular "Call Me Maybe" cover, his latest single "The Who," his time serving in the Air Force and how he feels about and the impending dissappointment of his new project.

First off, I have to ask about your Twitter bio, which says you're a "self-hating millennial." Tell me more about that one. What does that mean?

I mean, it's self-explanatory, you know? At the time I wrote it, I was being cheeky, but it actually has meaning now because "millennial" is such a colloquialism. Am I using that word right? You know, millennial, people think, "Oh, millennial this and millennial that." So it's just like every millennial, I hate myself, I guess.

How are you liking this year's Pitchfork Fest? How is it paying for today's crowd?

I loved it. The crowd was really- there's a lot of f***ing people you know. I'm always [surprised] when it happens 'cause I come from not a lot of people coming out. It was really good. There was a lot of people.

You're very honest about how you feel surprised by your success, especially with Veteran. Why are you so surprised?

I just been making music for a long time. You know, it wasn't working for so long that when it started working, it was just kind of surprising, you know? It's still kind of, but you know, I'm not going to be like Taylor Swift and being surprised like 10 years later and s***.

What has kept you going? What has motivated you?

Always wanting to make music. I enjoy making music more than anything in the world. It's the only thing that it's felt the same since I was like 15. Everything else changes, but that s*** never changes, so I just want to keep doing that.

You were serving in the Air Force before finding success in music. Did that interest in music come after the Air Force?

Oh no. Way before. It was just halted by [serving in the Air Force]. But no, [music came] way before. I've been loving music since I was real young.

Did you stop making music or creating music while you were serving?

No, I just couldn't do it because I had a Dad that had a tough schedule, so there was no way for me to really pursue a career, so that's why I say "halted." I feel like if I wasn't in, I would have been pursuing that anyway, but it is what it is.

I want to talk about your album, last album, Veteran. You threw a lot into it. Was there something specific you wanted to achieve with it?

I just wanted to level myself up from whatever I did before. I always try to live outside of my comfort zone, and I was just trying to step outside again with that. It's always what I do. That was really the main point. There wasn't really any other point. Any other point is just made up by other people. There is nothing. The art is just out there. I don't tell people what to think about it.

Is there a song that you're most proud of at the moment?

My "Call Me Maybe" cover. It's a proud moment. People keep yelling it at me on stage and I'm just like, "y'all really want to hear that? That song is so depressing."

What's depressing about it?

Just listen to it. Just listen to my cover of "Call Me Maybe," and you'll see. You'll be like, "why would anyone want to hear this Live?" It's funny.

You had a completely different life before making music for a living. How is it being able to work on music? Getting that second chance?

Feels f***ing great. It's nice to be able to make money from something that you actually like doing. I feel really lucky. I don't really have any other reviews about it. It's just really good. One consistent good thing I can say about the music industry is that at least I can make music freely now, and I don't have to do it when I'm off of a nine to five shift or something.

I want to touch on something that I spoke with Rico Nasty about. Pitchfork wrote a piece about her reclaiming the angry black woman stereotype with her music. I wanted to ask you about this more generally, because I feel like you let a lot of energy out. Do you have any thoughts on how music works as a vehicle to destroy stereotypes?

Music and media are the vehicle because, unfortunately, this is just true, pretty much all people's opinions are formed about everything from media, movies, music. I feel that's a great responsibility. But I don't feel like anyone's obligated to do anything about it. No one has to acknowledge it and do anything. I do because I just recognize the power it has, you know? We can pretend like music and movies and shit don't really matter because it's all fiction, but unfortunately, this is the s*** that makes people form their opinions. Yeah. I think it's not only is it a vehicle, but it's actually one of the strongest vehicles low key.

You've lived in a whole bunch of different parts of the country. You grew up in the South. You've lived in Baltimore, and now you're in LA. Is there any city that has influenced you the most?

Baltimore. Baltimore has the hardest work ethic out of all cities. It makes you want to work harder.

Do you feel like you represent Baltimore in some sort of way?

I think I represent Baltimore in a certain way. I think I represent a subsection of Baltimore. But for me, I'm not like I wasn't born and raised in Baltimore. I came there later. I get, I don't think I could ever truly represent somewhere where I didn't go to high school and s*** like that. But I think for some people, they see me as a symbol for Baltimore, and I'll carry that torch if I have to. But I think that mantle deserves to be [applied] if I get more popular or whatever. It'll bring more eyes to Baltimore, and then somebody from there can rise up. Then they can be like the real mantle. Me, I see myself as a stepping stone for just the stuff I witnessed in Baltimore, all the great artists that don't get any shot.

Let's talk about "The Who," your latest single. What was the inspiration behind that?

I made that song so long ago. I was trying to make a Pop song, and I was like, "I'm going to make a Pop song 'cause I feel like it," and that was really the inspiration for it. Then I got my homegirl Eyas to sing on the hook. Beautiful voice, great, formidable producer, too. She's great.

It wasn't really much thought into it, you know. It was just like something I just kind of did. That's why I was like, when I put it out, I let people know. Look, this is something that was on Veteran, and I took it off. I made this years ago. This is not new music. It's just something I wanted y'all to hear 'cause, I don't know.

Don’t rely on the strength of my image. If it’s good, then it’s good. Shit is out of my hands pic.twitter.com/ZeuyfUfqDJ

— JPEGMAFIA (@darkskinmanson) May 4, 2019

You're teasing your new album a lot of social media, and on stage. What can we expect on this next one?

What album? What you mean? Ain't no album yo. Look.

Project?

There's nothing going on here but disappointment, okay? That's what's coming next. I don't know what that's going to sound like specifically, but when the disappointment comes, it comes. That s*** may sound like Oreo cookies or something. You never know what might happen. Just stay on your toes, man. There's no album. I don't- what? What? What?

You've got this thing with your fans where you keep talking about how this disappointment is going to come. What is behind all this?

It's just really whack shit. You know, when you get your hopes up for something, and it doesn't fall through? I just want to recreate that feeling.

People are excited about the disappointment coming up.

Yeah. Think about that. It's 2019, and there's a certain amount of people who are excited for me to literally let them down. That's beautiful.

Any collabs you want to do in the future?

Yeah. Björk for sure. Definitely, I would like to do like something with Tommy Genesis, too. There's a lot of people actually. I don't know, we'll see. Who else? George Bush. See what he's doing. Get that George Bush feature. You know he'd be painting. He probably be rapping on the side, too.

After Pitchfork Fest, what's next for you?

I'm going to go home and just, you know, put the finishing touches on this whack ass disappointing s***, and that's it. That's all I got going on.

Do you know when we can expect a disappointment to come out?

I have no clue. I don't even know what you're talking about.

 

GRAMMYs

Pitchfork Fest 2014

Photo: Chelsea Lauren/WireImage via Getty Images 

News
Pitchfork Fest 2020 Canceled Due To COVID-19 pitchfork-fest-2020-has-been-canceled-due-covid-19-concerns

Pitchfork Fest 2020 Has Been Canceled Due To COVID-19 Concerns

Facebook Twitter Email
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Run The Jewels, Waxahatchee, Thundercat, Tierra Whack and more were scheduled to perform at Chicago's Union Park in July
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
May 6, 2020 - 3:08 pm

Pitchfork Fest was set to celebrate its milestone 15th anniversary this year. However, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pitchfork Fest 2020 has been canceled.

The Chicago festival, organized by the digital music publication and scheduled to run July 17–19, said it was "heartbroken" as it broke the news to festivalgoers in a statement on Tuesday, May 6. Pitchfork said the fest would come back in 2021 if the circumstances are right. 

https://twitter.com/pitchforkfest/status/1258049287176491010

We're heartbroken to announce the cancellation of Pitchfork Music Festival 2020 https://t.co/JVsUx3EY9p pic.twitter.com/gIRVg8llVq

— Pitchfork Music Festival Chicago (@pitchforkfest) May 6, 2020

"It can be pretty daunting to think about the future of live music right now, but know that we are fully committed to bringing Pitchfork Music Festival back in 2021, if the public health situation allows for it," organizers said. 

The 2020 festival rendition was set to feature Run The Jewels and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as headliners. Big Thief, Thundercat, Tierra Whack, Caroline Polachek, Waxahatchee, Danny Brown, Maxo Kream, Kim Gordon, Angel Olsen and Yaeji were among other performers set to take the stage at Union Park.  

The festival organized kick-off parties on Feb. 19 and 20 in celebration of its 15 years running. 

Last year, Pitchfork Fest's executive director Adam Krefman spoke to the Recording Academy ahead of the 2019 festival about how it stands out from the rest, its diversity inclusion in its lineup, how much it values being a festival monetarily accessible to fans and how it likes to highlight Chicago's culture. 

"We like to support our own and people are kind of self-made here. And so, that part is just important as the annual celebration of Chicago music and art and culture," Krefman said.

The festival reiterated in their statement that this was not the end for them and that in the meantime, they would continue to support artists in other ways.

"We’re not going anywhere—stay tuned, stay positive, and see you soon," the statement ended. 

Dylan Goes Acoustic: Celebrating 25 Years Of Bob Dylan’s 'MTV Unplugged' Album

Lightning in a Bottle 2018

Lightning in a Bottle 2018

Photo: Aaron Glassman

News
All The Best Summer/Spring Music Festivals your-2019-guide-best-summerspring-music-festivals

Your 2019 Guide To The Best Summer/Spring Music Festivals

Facebook Twitter Email
Having trouble keeping up with 2019's many music fests? We've got you covered with this comprehensive list of 20+ ones to check out across North America—plus a few abroad
Ana Monroy Yglesias
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
May 8, 2019 - 10:40 am

Both weekends of Coachella 2019 have come and gone, which means that we are fully entrenched in music festival season in North America. Since late last year, the fest lineups keep coming, and, like many of you, we couldn't be more excited for the sunny, music-filled days around the corner.

To help you keep abreast on all the major fests you can explore this summer, we've compiled this handy list to highlight some of the ones across the country (plus a few abroad) you may want to check out.

https://twitter.com/LIBfestival/status/1124147462766092293

We'll be here soon ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/4ha61ZY8Hi

— Lightning in a Bottle (@LIBfestival) May 3, 2019

Related: Jan Blomqvist Talks Playing Coachella, Berlin Techno & Covering The Rolling Stones

MAY
 

Lightning in a Bottle | May 8–13 | Bakersfield, Calif.

Need to get away and lose yourself in the music ASAP? Well, Lightning in a Bottle is probably calling your name. Bring your pool floaties to cool off in Buena Vista Lake, home to the new location of the Southern California camping music fest. Run by the good time experts/electronic music connoisseurs at the DoLaB, which just made an appearance at Coachella; the environmentally and socially conscious event was one of the first major "transformational music festivals" that so many others have been modeled after.

This year's stacked musical lineup features seven stages and a variety of house, techno and bass artists, featuring GRAMMY-nominated British dance duo Disclosure, a 3D experience from Flying Lotus, Santigold, Toro y Moi, Gramatik, Channel Tres, DJ Koze and Damian Lazarus. There will also be yoga, sound healing, and engaging talks, like one with activist hip-hop duo Climbing PoeTree titled "Creativity is the Antidote to Destruction: Artistic Tools for Urgent Times."

Tickets are still available with options that range from two to five days; more info here.

Corona Capital Fest | May 11 | Guadalajara, Mex.

Taking place on Mexico's West Coast in the city of Guadalajara, Corona Capital will bring the country some of the biggest names in rock, electronica and pop. Featuring Phoenix, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tame Impala, The Chemical Brothers, Christine & the Queens and more, the fest will give people in Mexico the unique opportunity to see artists that tend only to stop by in Mexico City, which hosts its own Corona Capital fest.

Those visiting the country for the fest will find the one-day event a convenient factor, as they can explore the rich history and culinary vastness of the second-largest city in the country, which is known to be the area where tequila and mariachi originated. Sports fans will find excitement in listening to music at the festival site, which is also home to the city’s soccer team, Las Chivas. For more information, visit the festival's website.

GRAMMYs at Corona Capital: Holy Ghost! On What "Do This" Is Really About & Why They Feel So Good About 'Work'

Electric Daisy Carnival | May 17–19 | Las Vegas

Rave lords Insomniac have been bringing the beats with their now-global Electric Daisy Carnival (and its many other EDM events) at the 23rd annual EDC. The flagship fest's ninth year in Las Vegas will take over Sin City from May 17–19 this year. The 2019 lineup is positively stacked with dance music greats, featuring GRAMMY winners Diplo, David Guetta and Tiësto, plus GRAMMY nominees TOKiMONSTA, Paul Oakenfold, Deadmau5, Above & Beyond and Kaskade.

Deadmau5 will be making his first return to the fest since 2010, bringing his new "Cube 3.0" stage setup, and Guetta will be back for his first time since 2012. Australian singer/songwriter DJ/producer extraordinaire Alison Wonderland, plus GRAMMY-nominated rave icons Steve Aoki and Armin van Buuren will bring fire to the three-day event.

If you want to get your dance on and check out the carnival rides, interactive art and plenty of lights and lasers with EDC in Vegas, you're in luck; tickets are still available. Check out EDC's website for more info.

Hangout Music Fest | May 17–19 | Gulf Shores, Ala.

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.

BottleRock | May 24–26 | Napa, Calif.

If you want to experience the literal fruits of the world-renowned Napa Valley wine country while listening to some solid jams, BottleRock, which is located in wine-rich Napa, may be the fest for you. Its seventh-edition festival's top-tier headliners are GRAMMY winners Imagine Dragons, Mumford & Sons and Neil Young, who will be playing with Lukas Nelson's band Promise Of The Real. Other notable acts include Santana, Pharrell Williams, Gary Clark Jr., Sylvan Esso, Logic, Lord Huron, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and Tash Sultana.

Other festival highlights include the Culinary Stage, which features both music from the likes of Big Boi and Juanes, as well as more culinary-focused guests, including Antoni Potowski, the resident foodie of "Queer Eye." No matter your fuel of choice, attendees can expect an amazing selection of Northern California wine, beer and even craft cocktails, as well as food prepared by your neighborhood Michelin-starred Napa faves. The Silent Disco offers even more music, with GRAMMY-nominated dance greats The Crystal Method and Paul Oakenfold taking the decks.

Tickets, including one-day and three-day options, are still available on the fest's website.

More: Tomasa Del Real On Bringing Her Take On Reggaetón, NeoPerreo, To Coachella

https://twitter.com/Primavera_Sound/status/1114104145047445505

Pop icon @MileyCyrus to join Primavera Sound 2019 after Cardi B’s cancellation.https://t.co/b8sQr84YIk pic.twitter.com/qNA5nBvRsA

— primavera_sound (@Primavera_Sound) April 5, 2019

Primavera Sound | May 30–June 1 | Barcelona

If you've been itching to take a trip abroad in a scenic European city and have eclectic music tastes, you'll have a blast at Barcelona's Primavera Sound. The 19th edition of the music festival offers what organizers coined "The New Normal," a 50/50 gender split among performers. Of the 226 billed artists, over half are women.

The beautifully dense lineup includes both big names and hidden gems across genres, yet the headliners alone show that they are walking their talk. Erykah Badu, Future, Interpol, Tame Impala, Janelle Monáe, Solange, J Balvin, Rosalía, Nas, James Blake and Robyn all take the top spots.

The rest of the lineup is also filled with gems, including Kali Uchis, Liz Phair, Carly Rae Jepsen, Clairo, Cuco, Mura Masa, Empress Of, FKA Twigs, Pusha T and Big Red Machine (the National's Aaron Dessner and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon collab project).

The festival has also highlighted Primavera's commitment to urban music, with a focus on reggaeton and hip-hop. From the Latin side, in addition to unofficial second-wave reggaeton leader J Balvin, old-school genre legends Ivy Queen (one of the first and few women in the emerging scene in the '90s) and DJ Playero will be throwing down. From the U.S. side, Primavera 2019 will feature an exciting selection of female rappers, including Tierra Whack, Princess Nokia, CupcakKe and Rico Nasty.

Tickets, including single-day options, are still avaible on Primavera Sound's website.

Governors Ball | May 31–June 2 | New York City

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

The three-day music, art and music event certainly brings an N.Y.C.-inspired melting pot approach to their lineup, and this year does not disappoint. Other 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.

Related: Tinder Teams Up With EDC, Gov Ball & More Music Fests For "Festival Mode"

JUNE
 

Roots Picnic | June 1 | Philadelphia

The Roots Picnic is back for its 12th year on June 1 and will feature a special headline performance from GRAMMY-winning band The Roots in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their 1999 album Things Fall Apart. 

H.E.R., 21 Savage and Lil Baby are among other artists on the music festival's bill. Raphael Saadiq,Tank & The Bangas and City Girls will also perform at the one-day event, taking place at its new location at The Mann At Fairmount Park in Philly. 

"We finally have a Roots Picnic in the Park," The Roots' manager Shawn Gee and President of Live Nation Urban said. "The vision 12 years ago was always to provide an all-day musical and cultural experience in Fairmount Park. Black Thought, Questlove and I grew up spending our Sunday afternoons at the Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park watching Philly DJs spin, and enjoying the vibe and the culture. It's a great feeling to be able to come full circle."

For more information on tickets, visit the Ticketmaster website.

https://twitter.com/SplashHousePS/status/1128040756503928833

Feeling the @JusticeElectro fever taking over 💃 Who's ready to get down with these legends this June? 🙌 pic.twitter.com/nxHnWrKMJW

— Splash House (@SplashHousePS) May 13, 2019

Splash House | Jun 7–9 | Palm Springs, Calif.

Splash House has been bringing the beats to the pastel-colored desert of Palm Springs for several years now, and will return June 7–9 (as well as in August). GRAMMY-winning French electro heavyweights Justice, GRAMMY-nominated U.S. house music stalwart Armand van Helden, New York-based house producer Jai Wolf and U.K. bass/trap champ TroyBoi will headline. The three-day fest takes place poolside at three beautiful desert aesthetic hotels: The Renaissance, The Riviera and The Saguaro.

The rest of the lineup offers an equally impressive and diverse group of electronic artists, including GRAMMY nominees Jax Jones and Dirty South, along with Pete Tong, A-Track, CRAY and more. Shiba San, Dusky, Kidnap and a few others will keep the vibes going into the nighttime, with official after-hours shows at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

Daytime tickets for the June edition of Splash House went quickly, but they can be requested via a ticket exchange program. More info on all options can be found on Splash House's website.

Bonnaroo | June 13–16 | Manchester, Tenn.

Founded in 2002, this down-south outdoor fest once specialized in all things folk and jam. 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.

The diverse group of artists on Friday alone include Phish, Childish Gambino, Solange, The Avett Brothers, Brockhampton, Courtney Barnett, Gojira, K.Flay and more. Post Malone, Odesza, Kacey Musgraves, The National, ZHU, John Prine, Maren Morris, The Lumineers, Cardi B and more will also get the farm grooving.

New for 2019, Bonnaroo will feature a "Sanctuary of Self-Love" campground experience curated by Paramore's Hayley Williams. There will also be circus acts, immersive cinema shows, theme parties, and the fest's first-ever Pride parade.

Tickets can be found on the festival's website.

GRAMMYs at Coachella: Sofi Tukker On Crafting Their "Ideal" Coachella Set, Giving Hugs To Maggie Rogers & More

Ruido Fest | Jun 21–23 | Chicago

For three days, Ruido Fest takes over Union Park, also home to Pitchfork Fest, and turns Chicago into a Latin alternative music mecca. This year, the music festival happening June 21– 23 celebrates its 5th edition and will gather iconic music groups like El Tri, Los Tigres Del Norte, Hombres G and Enanitos Verdes on the same stages as rising stars like Latin urban artist Tomasa Del Real, Helado Negro, Monsieur Perine and many more. From rock, to pop and electro, this festival boasts some of the best in established and up-and coming music artists in the Latin genre For more information on Ruido fest, visit their website.

Firefly | June 21–23 | Dover, Del.

Firefly Music Festival, which touts itself as "the East Coast's largest music and camping festival," returns for its eighth year in The Woodlands of Dover, Del. The June fest will feature GRAMMY-nominated headliners Panic! At The Disco, Post Malone and Travis Scott. 

GRAMMY winners TLC, Vampire Weekend and Zedd, as well as GRAMMY nominees Courtney Barnett, Death Cab For Cutie, DJ Snake and Tyler, The Creator will also perform at the woodsy fest. Alison Wonderland, Brockhampton, Dashboard Confessional, GRiZ, Kygo, Gucci Mane, Jessie Reyez, Snail Mail, Walk The Moon, and Young The Giant are also on this year's bill.

Tickets, along with "glamping" options, can be purchased on Firefly's website.

JULY
 

Essence Festival | July 4–7 | New Orleans

Essence Festival returns for its 25th year of celebrating black culture in New Orleans. The music portion of the event will take place from July 4–7 at the Mercedes Benz Superdome, with billed performers like Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, Brandy, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R., Big Freedia, Ledisi, Mary J. Blige and many more. Former First Lady Michelle Obama will also bring extra inspiration to the main stage on Saturday.

Four other stages at the Superdome will showcase more talented artists such as AlunaGeorge, City Girls and Normani, as well as Mase, Ginuwine and Slick Rick.

Several different music fest ticket options are available, more info here.

Essence 2018: H.E.R. Opens Up On Mystery, Musicianship & Essence Fest

Mad Cool | July 11–13 | Madrid

Mad Cool Festival's diverse musical lineups have brought out a global fan base to its home in Madrid every year since 2016. Bon Iver, Vampire Weekend and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds top the lineup on Thursday, which also features Canada's Kaytranada, La Dispute and The Hives. Friday will bring out The National and the Smashing Pumpkins as headliners, plus Madrid's own Vetusta Morla, Wolfmother and Germany's Sophie Hunger, among other exciting acts. Saturday closes off the musical celebration with The Cure, The 1975 and Greta Van Fleet.

If this lineup hasn't inspired you to experience the fest, maybe visiting the beautifully historic city of Madrid will. Single-day and three-day tickets can be found on Mad Cool's website.

Pitchfork Music Festival | July 19–21 | Chicago

The 14th annual Pitchfork Music Festival, held at Union Park in Chicago, offers an eclectic lineup perfectly embodied by its headliners: GRAMMY-nominated dancefloor-pop innovator Robyn, GRAMMY-winning godfathers of funk The Isley Brothers and GRAMMY-nominated sister trio HAIM.

The Isley Brothers, consisting of remaining members Ronald and Ernie Isley, will be celebrating 60 years as a group at the fest, bringing the funk with "special guests," Pitchfork reports. GRAMMY-winning blues and gospel icon Mavis Staples will also bring her longtime musical excellence to the three-day event.

GRAMMY-nominated hip-hop powerhouses Earl Sweatshirt, Jeremih and Pusha T, along with fellow GRAMMY nominee and electro-pop stalwart Charli XCX, are also slated to play. Several innovative '90s acts will also be performing: London-based avant-garde dream-pop group Stereolab, Scottish folk-pop band Belle & Sebastian (who will be playing their 1996 album If You're Feeling Sinister in full) and Swedish GRAMMY-nominated MC Neneh Cherry, who earned a nod for Best New Artist at the 32nd GRAMMY Awards in 1999.

The festival prides itself on highlighting emerging talent; some of the up-and-comers on the lineup are 20-year-old dream-pop artist Clairo, L.A.-based social activist/rapper JPEGMAFIA, French-Cuban electro-soul sister duo Ibeyi and 21-year-old N.Y.C. rapper Rico Nasty.

Both weekend and single-day tickets are available; visit the fest's site for more info.

Float Fest | July 20–21 | Gonzales, Texas

Billed as the "only festival in the world to combine the Texas tradition of floating the river and live music," Float Fest 2019 will feature Gucci Mane, Major Lazer, Ice Cube, Kaskade, Portugal. The Man, The Flaming Lips, Big Gigantic, Zeds Dead, Grouplove, Big Boi, Jungle and more at its new home at a private ranch on the Guadalupe River in Gonzalez, Texas.

"We're thrilled to be moving to a new city and keep the tradition of our fest going. Gonzales is known as the birthplace of Texas independence and we can't think of a better place to celebrate a festival rich in Texas traditions such as live music, floating the river, and camping," Float Fest founder Marcus Federman said.

Additional performers include G. Love & Special Sauce, Missio, St. Lucia, Houndmouth, The Floozies and more. The fest will also be partnering once again this year with local business to organize a river cleanup project. 

Tickets, including weekend and day passes, can be found on Float Fest's website.

Related: Exclusive: Lizzo On Lollapalooza, New Music & RuPaul's 'Drag Race'

Lovebox | July 12–13 | London

Chance the Rapper, Solange, Cypress Hill and 2 Chainz are among the headliners that make the U.K.'s Lovebox an international music festival with one of the most exciting lineups. Taking place in London's Gunnersbury Park, the two-day fest will also have Lizzo, Brockhampton, Action Bronson, and Kaytranada hit the stage.

The fest will also feature plenty of U.K.-based artists, including J Hus and Slowthai. For more information, visit the festival's website.

https://twitter.com/Newportfolkfest/status/1126139788556427264

2019 ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT: Please welcome @TheHighWomen to this summer's Friday lineup. @newportfestsorg has made a donation on their behalf to @SheIsTheMusic. Learn more: https://t.co/H9SSWgrfQ7 pic.twitter.com/MfxrQJzC7t

— Newport Folk Fest (@Newportfolkfest) May 8, 2019

Newport Folk Festival | July 26–28 | Newport, R.I.

Newport Folk Festival returns for its 60th year to Newport, R.I., for a three-day fest. Taking place at Fort Adams State Park, Newport offers rolling lineup announcements, meaning some artists are still yet to be announced.

The genre-diverse bill is absolutely stacked: Audiences can expect sets from Maggie Rogers, Noname, Sheryl Crow, Hozier, Kacey Musgraves, Portugal. The Man, Stephen Marley and The HighWomen. The latter is a new country supergroup consisting of Amanda Shires, Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris and Natalie Hemby, who have yet perform together publically.

Even without the complete lineup, tickets to Newport have sold out. That said, tickets can be still requested via Newport's fan-to-fan exchange; more info here.

GRAMMYs at Newport 2018: Exclusive: Brandi Carlile On 'By The Way, I Forgive You' & "The Joke"

AUGUST
 

Lollapalooza | Aug. 1–4 | Chicago

Lollapalooza, the iconic Chicago fest held annually in the Windy City's Grant Park, always gets a long lineup of some of the biggest names in music, along with plenty of artists steadily rising to household-name status. For example, prior to dropping their major-label debut LPs this year, both Billie Eilish and Lizzo performed at the 2018 fest.

This year's flagship (organizers have launched Lollas globally now, too) event offers a diverse lineup, including GRAMMY winners Childish Gambino, Ariana Grande, Kacey Musgraves, Flume, Lil Wayne and H.E.R.. Janelle Monáe, The Strokes, J Balvin, Rosalía, Tame Impala and RÜFÜS DU SOL will also bring heat to the four-day fest.

For ticket information, visit Lollapalooza's website. 

Lolla 2018: Exclusive: Billie Eilish On Success, Her Radio Show & New Music

Outside Lands | Aug. 9–11 | San Francisco, Calif.

San Francisco's biggest music festival returns for its 11th year in the city's gorgeous Golden Gate Park. Outside Lands' 2019 lineup features 2019 GRAMMY winners Childish Gambino, Kacey Musgraves, Leon Bridges, Lauren Daigle, Ella Mai, PJ Morton and Anderson .Paak.

This year's stellar lineup also includes earlier GRAMMY winners Twenty One Pilots, Edie Brickell, Flume, Lil Wayne, Paul Simon and Mavis Staples. GRAMMY nominees Bebe Rexha, Tierra Whack, Blink-182, Counting Crows, Hozier, the Lumineers and Bob Moses will also perform among the trees of Golden Gate Park.

Three-day tickets are currently available for the fest, while Outside Lands typically offers one-day options closer to the event.

Made In America | Aug. 31–Sept. 1 | Philadelphia

Made In America Festival, started by GRAMMY-winning rap legend JAY-Z in 2012, boasts GRAMMY nominee Travis Scott and GRAMMY winner Cardi B as this year's headliners. The two-day event will also include performances from GRAMMY winners Anderson .Paak, with The Free Nationals, James Blake and Kaskade.

61st GRAMMY Awards first-time nominees Jorja Smith and Tierra Whack are also on the bill, along with rising rappers Juice WRLD and Blueface, among others. The eighth annual festival will take place outdoors at Philly's Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and is a great way to close out a busy festival season.

Tickets and more info are available on the fest's site.

No matter your musical and venue taste, there are plenty of festivals to keep you dancing all summer 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.

Tyler, The Creator's Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival 2019 Coming In November

GRAMMYs

Billie Eilish 

Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Coachella

News
Austin City Limits Announces 2019 Lineup austin-city-limits-2019-lineup-billie-eilish-tame-impala-cardi-b-21-savage-more

Austin City Limits 2019 Lineup: Billie Eilish, Tame Impala, Cardi B, 21 Savage & More

Facebook Twitter Email
The Texas fest will take place at Zilker Park on Oct. 4–6 and Oct. 11–13
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Apr 30, 2019 - 10:53 am

Austin City Limits will have a range of acts on their 2019 lineup, including Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Tame Impala, 21 Savage, The Cure, Childish Gambino, Robyn and more. 

https://twitter.com/aclfestival/status/1123270792018444289

Two weekends this October, we're bringing some of music's biggest names to Zilker Park. Grab your 3-Day #ACLFest Tickets today and join us in the heart of Texas, this fall. https://t.co/ycN0l4SsQ5 pic.twitter.com/NLbt7pPi3n

— ACL Festival (@aclfestival) April 30, 2019

The two-weekend, three-day Texas festival has announced that it also boasts Thom Yorke, The Raconteurs, Lizzo, Kali Uchis, Rosalia, Natalia Lafourcade, Jenny Lewis, Lil Uzi Vert and more. The fest will take place at Zilker Park on Oct. 4–6 and Oct. 11–13.

RELATED: Inside Austin City Limits Festival 2018 With The Recording Academy

For more information on tickets, visit their website.

In Reopening Webster Hall, Jay-Z Transforms Rivals Into Old Friends

Tierra Whack

Tierra Whack

Photo: Randy Holmes/Getty Images

News
Red Bull Fest NYC: Tierra Whack, Rosalía, More red-bull-music-festival-nyc-tierra-whack-fka-twigs-rosal%C3%ADa-more-headline

Red Bull Music Festival NYC: Tierra Whack, FKA Twigs, Rosalía & More To Headline

Facebook Twitter Email
Spanish singer Rosalía will kick things off at Webster Hall on April 30 and Philly rapper Tierra Whack will take over the Rainbow Room on May 10, marking their first headlining shows in New York
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Mar 20, 2019 - 12:56 pm

Red Bull Music Festival NYC announced its 2019 lineup today, featuring Spanish flamenco innovator Rosalía, rising Philadelphia rapper Tierra Whack, British experimental R&B artist FKA Twigs and New York R&B singer Teyana Taylor. The fest includes 10 special events across NYC from April 30–May 18.

https://twitter.com/NylonMag/status/1108368131850944513

Gather your coins! @FKAtwigs, @TEYANATAYLOR, @TierraWhack and more are performing at @RedBullMusic festival https://t.co/fmT4U8ZyGA

— NYLON (@NylonMag) March 20, 2019

Latin GRAMMY winner Rosalía kicks things off at the newly remodeled Webster Hall on April 30, for a show she announced yesterday as part of her first-ever North American solo tour. GRAMMY nominee Tierra Whack will also make her New York headline show debut at none other than the legendary Rainbow Room above Rockefeller Plaza on May 10.

Related: Tierra Whack Talks Creative Process, Netflix Recommendations & Checkers’ Fries

FKA Twigs will perform for two nights, May 11–12, at the Park Avenue Armory, her first shows since 2016 and since recovering from a tumor removal surgery last year.

Taylor, along with an all-female production team, will follow with her "House of Petunia" show on May 15 at the Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center.

Other events include a free show in the park with experimental Jazz ensemble Onyx Collective and other NYC-based artists on May 3. California social justice-minded rapper JPEGMAFIA will follow with a performance in Brooklyn on May 8.

Philly artist/activist/electro-poet Moor Mother will share her art concert/art installation piece "Red Summer" at BRIC in Brooklyn on May 9.

Avant-garde electro-pop artist Holly Herndon will present her new show "PROTO," blending A.I., music and art, in Brooklyn on May 16.

To close things out on May 18, Ugandan DJ Kampire and fellow Nyege Nyege Tapes labelmates will mark their U.S. debut in Brooklyn.

More details and tickets, which are purchased individually, can be found at the fest's page.

Primavera Sound 2019 Features A "New Normal" Equal-Gender Lineup

Top
Logo
  • Recording Academy
    • About
    • Governance
    • Press Room
    • Jobs
    • Events
  • GRAMMYs
    • Awards
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
    • Store
    • FAQ
  • Latin GRAMMYs
    • Awards
    • News
    • Photos
    • Videos
    • Cultural Foundation
    • Members
    • Press
  • GRAMMY Museum
    • COLLECTION:live
    • Explore
    • Exhibits
    • Education
    • Support
    • Programs
    • Donate
  • MusiCares
    • About
    • Get Help
    • Give
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
  • Advocacy
    • About
    • News
    • Learn
    • Act
  • Membership
    • Chapters
    • Producers & Engineers Wing
    • GRAMMY U
    • Join
Logo

© 2021 - Recording Academy. All rights reserved.

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Notice
  • Contact Us

Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.