Back in the day, I was an enthusiastic music photographer, capturing the energy and magic of live performances through my lens. Every spare moment was devoted to attending gigs, immersing myself in the pulsating beats and electrifying atmosphere. Now, as I reflect on those unforgettable experiences, I find myself yearning to combine my love for live music with my insatiable wanderlust. That’s why I’ve put together this blog post, where I intertwine the two worlds that have shaped my life: the exhilaration of live music and the thrill of travel. Join me as I explore the best music festivals in cool cities, offering you a harmonious blend of captivating performances and the opportunity to discover the world’s most fascinating destinations.
I’ve not been to many of these festivals, but these are the ones I would love to get to one day.
Music festivals in cool cities in May 2024
Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) – Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 17th of May to 19th of May 2024 – confirmed dates
This festival takes place over three days in May and features a lineup of electronic dance music artists. Las Vegas is a city of excess, with everything from world-class casinos and shows to endless buffets and nightclubs. If you’re looking for a wild and unforgettable weekend, EDC is the festival for you. Alison Wonderland, David Guetta, GRiZ, and Marshmello headlined Electric Daisy Carnival 2023.
Music festivals in cool cities in June 2024
Primavera Sound – Barcelona, Spain, 30th May to 2nd of June 2024 – confirmed dates
Primavera Sound is a renowned music festival held in the vibrant city of Barcelona. With an eclectic lineup featuring a wide range of genres, including indie, rock, electronic, and more, this festival attracts music lovers from around the world. Barcelona offers stunning architecture, beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine, and a vibrant nightlife, making it a perfect destination for music and sightseeing. New Order, Depeche Mode, Blur, Kendrick Lamar and Rosalía headlined the 2023 Primavera Sound in Barcelona.
Primavera Sound – Porto, Portugal, 7th of June to 9th of June 2024 – confirmed dates
This festival takes place over two weekends in June and features a lineup of indie rock, electronic, and hip-hop artists. Porto is a beautiful city with a lot to offer visitors, including stunning architecture, delicious food, and vibrant nightlife. Kendrick Lamar, Rosalía, Blur, and New Order headlined the 2023 Primavera Sound in Porto.
Governors Ball – New York City, New York, 7th of June to 9th of June 2024 – estimated dates
This is billed as New York’s biggest party; music festivals in cool cities don’t come more epic than Governors Ball. This festival takes place over a weekend in June and features a lineup of popular indie rock, hip-hop, and electronic artists. New York City is one of the most exciting cities in the world, with something to offer everyone. From world-class museums and Broadway shows to iconic landmarks and delicious food, you’ll never be bored in NYC. This year’s headliners included Lizzo, Odesza, and Kendrick Lamar.
Music festivals in cool cities in July 2023
Roskilde Festival – Roskilde, Denmark, 29th June to 6th of July 2024 – confirmed dates
Roskilde Festival, one of Europe’s oldest and largest music festivals, takes place in the city of Roskilde, Denmark. Known for its diverse lineup and commitment to sustainability, the festival attracts music enthusiasts from all over. While in Denmark, you can explore the charming streets of Copenhagen, visit historic landmarks like Tivoli Gardens and Christiansborg Palace, and enjoy the cosy Danish hygge culture. Headliners of Roskilde Festival 2023 included Kendrick Lamar, Queens of the Stone Age, Lil Nas X, Blur, Rosalia, and Lizzo.
Fuji Rock Festival – Niigata, Japan, 28th of July to 30th of July 2023
Fuji Rock Festival is Japan’s largest outdoor music event, held annually in the stunning mountains of Niigata at the base of Mount Fuji, one of the most iconic mountains in the world. It features a mix of international and local artists across multiple stages. Besides enjoying the music, you can explore the region’s breathtaking natural beauty, including hot springs, hiking trails, and the nearby Yuzawa ski resort. This year’s headliners are The Strokes, Foo Fighters, Alanis Morissette, Weezer, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Lizzo. Dermot Kennedy is also playing.
Music festivals in cool cities in August 2023
Lollapalooza – Chicago, USA, 3rd of August to 6th of August 2023
Lollapalooza is a legendary music festival held in Grant Park, Chicago. With its diverse lineup of artists spanning various genres, it offers an unforgettable experience. Besides enjoying the music, Chicago is a vibrant city known for its impressive architecture, world-class museums like the Art Institute of Chicago, and renowned cuisine, including deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs. Headliners of this year’s festival include Billie Eilish, Karol G, Kendrick Lamar, The 1975, Red Hot Chill Peppers and Lana Del Rey.
Osheaga – Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 4th of August to 6th of 2023
This festival features a lineup of popular indie rock, hip-hop, and electronic artists. Montreal is a beautiful city with a European feel, and it’s home to a vibrant arts and culture scene. The city also has a great selection of restaurants and bars, making it a great place to explore for a few days. This year’s headliners include Rüfüs Du Sol, Billie Eilish, and Kendrick Lamar.
Sziget Festival – Budapest, Hungary 10th of August to 15th of August 2023
Sziget Festival is a week-long music and arts festival held on the stunning Óbudai Island in Budapest. With a diverse range of performers, including top international acts, this festival offers a vibrant atmosphere and a multitude of stages. Budapest is a magnificent city known for its stunning architecture, thermal baths, delicious cuisine, and rich history. Headliners of this year’s festival include Florence and the Machine, Imagine Dragons, David Guetta, Mumford and Sons, Macklemore, and Billie Eilish.
Outside Lands – San Francisco, California, USA, 11th of August to 13th of August 2023
This festival takes place over three days in August and features a lineup of popular indie rock, hip-hop, and electronic artists. San Francisco is a beautiful city with stunning Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz views. The city also has much to offer visitors regarding food, culture, and diversity. Headliners this year include Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, and Odesza.
Reading Festival & Leeds Festival, Reading and Leeds, England, 25th of August to 27th of August 2023
These festivals take place over two days in August and feature a lineup of popular rock, alternative, and indie artists. Reading and Leeds are two historic cities with much to offer visitors in the way of history, culture, and nightlife. Headlining both festivals this year are Billie Eilish, Sam Fender, and The Killers.
Music festivals in September 2023
Life is Beautiful – Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 22nd of September to 24th of September 2023
This festival takes place over three days in September and features a lineup of popular indie rock, hip-hop, and electronic artists. Las Vegas is a city of excess, with everything from world-class casinos and shows to endless buffets and nightclubs. If you’re looking for a wild and unforgettable weekend, Life is Beautiful is the festival for you. This year’s epic headliners include The Killers, Kendrick Lamar, ODESZA, The 1975, Flume, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Nelly and many other talented artists.
Music festivals in October 2023
Austin City Limits – Austin, Texas, USA, 6th of October to 8th of October & 13th of October to 15th of October 2023
This festival takes place over two weekends in October and features a lineup of artists from various genres, for instance, pop rock, country, and electronica. Austin is known for its live music scene, and ACL is one of the biggest and best festivals in the city. The city also has a lot to offer visitors in terms of food, culture, and nightlife. This year’s headliners include Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, and representing Ireland is Hozier, who is playing on Sunday.
Fall for Greenville – Greenville, South Carolina, USA, 13th of October to 15th of October 2023
This festival features tunes, tunes and taps, i.e. music, food, beer and wine. The musical festival features a lineup of popular artists from various genres, for instance, indie rock, folk, and bluegrass. Furthermore, Greenville is a charming city; that is to say, it has a picturesque historic downtown and a vibrant arts scene. The city also has a lot to offer visitors in terms of food, culture, and outdoor activities. Furthermore, if you like surprises, you could book tickets now, as we don’t know the lineup for 2023 yet.
Hi-Desert Rock Festival – Joshua Tree, California, USA, 13th of October to 15th of October 2023
This festival takes place in Joshua Tree, that is to say, one of my favourite places. It features a lineup of popular artists from various genres, for instance, rock, metal, and punk. Besides enjoying the music, you get to enjoy the desert oasis of Joshua Tree, its stunning scenery and unique atmosphere. The festival is also a great opportunity to see some of the most iconic rock formations in the world. Furthermore, if you like surprises, you could book tickets now, even though we don’t know the lineup for 2023 yet.
More music festivals and sightseeing in cool cities
Would you like to hear more about music festivals and sightseeing in cool cities from an actual music journalist? Then listen to my mate Matt Charlton chatting to me on my Talk Travel radio show on 103.2 Dublin City FM. You can listen back by clicking this link, which will take you to MixCloud.