A Guide To 2023’s Music Festivals

Festival season is in full gear and some of the big ones have already passed us. The most famous one, Coachella, happened just under a month ago and Stagecoach was at the very end of April. But don’t worry just yet, this is just the beginning of the festival season and “oh boy” there is a lot ahead of us. 

Before we get into the upcoming festivals of this year, let’s get into what to wear at a music festival. Festivals normally consist of days long in the hot sun. So you have to dress accordingly, here are some general ideas you can use when deciding what to pack. 

           Cowboy Boots          

Boots are not always made for walking, but they can be when you find the right pair of cowboy boots. We’ve all seen an extreme difference in the last few years with cowboy boots, they are everywhere now, and rightfully so. They are great boots that can be paired with a lot of different outfits and styles while also being comfortable and protective of your feet. 

Photo: Pinterest

            Sunglasses            

Sunglasses are an absolute must when it comes to outdoor music festivals. They don’t just add a great accessory to your outfit, but they will protect your eyes from the bright sun. There are an endless amount of options when it comes to sunglasses, but the key is to start with what shape looks best with your face. After that, you can find the perfect pair that will save you from squinting all day long. 

Photo: @jennaortega via Instagram

         Statement Pieces         

Whether it is a top, pants, bag, or hat, statement pieces are an absolute must when it comes to music festivals. While you’re there for the music, the fashion is a pretty big part of it and some consider it to be somewhat of a fashion show. Make your mark and show off your personal style. Find those perfect pieces that make you feel your best so you can look your best.

Photo: @meredithsophiaa via Instagram

Now let’s get to the festivals. Normally, they start happening in April, with some in March, and they can go all the way until September or October, it depends a lot on the location and what their weather will be like. 

             Lollapalooza              

After Coachella, Lollapalooza might be the most widely known music festival, and it lives up to the hype. The lineup for the Chicago music festival has such a wide range of artists and no matter what you listen to, you can definitely find something here. Lolla will go from August 3-6 and some of the headliners are Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Lana del Ray, and The Backseat Lovers. However, if you’re looking for a smaller and more intimate music festival, you might want to be cautious with this one because the annual attendance runs up to about 400,000.

Photo: Steven Nunez via Rolling Stone

         The Hangout Music Fest         

The Hangout Music Fest starts on May 19 and ends on May 21. It takes place right on the beach of Gulf Shores, Alabama. When it was first starting they were struggling a lot, but then the company that owns Coachella bought it and they have been doing great ever since. This music festival features music genres from indie, energetic pop, electronic, and overall great beach party music. SZA, Skrillex, Flume, and Calvin Harris are just a few names that will be the stars of the show at this festival.

Photo: Halsey via Marca

           CMA Music Festival         

To change up the music genre a little bit, the CMA Music Festival takes place in the one and only Nashville, Tennessee, and is even one of the biggest festivals in the country music city. It runs from June 8-11 and funding from the festival allows the CMA Foundation to give back to music education students. This is one of the biggest country music festivals of the season with headliners like Dan+Shay, Luke Bryan, Jon Pardi, and Jason Aldean.

Photo: Andrew Nelles via The Tennessean

          Governors Ball           

This EDM, rap, and pop music festival is anything but boring nowadays. They had a small start with a few people pitching some tents but now they have an entire 360-degree layout they use so that the festival grounds aren’t oversized and to help with sound clarity. From June 9-11, names like Lil Uzi Vert, Lizzo, Finneas, and Diplo will perform on the Governor’s Island in New York. 

Photo: Greg Noire via Rolling Stone

        Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival       

Once again Tennessee is hosting a music festival, but this time in Franklin. The Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival will feature some of music’s best indie-folk artists and bands. A few headliners are The Lumineers, Zach Bryan, and The Black Crowes. From September 23-24, the air will be filled with these headliners and a lot of local Nashville artists. If you are looking for a smaller music festival, this is the one to attend. With 17,000 attendees, there is a more intimate feel between the artists and the crowd which can make your weekend even better.

Photo: Erika Goldring via Billboard

With these festivals and countless others happening over the next few months, there are so many options to choose from. Music festivals are such a great experience and everyone should be able to experience them at one point in their life.