Must-Attend Music Festivals of 2023: From Coachella to Roots Picnic

By Cooper Albers; Nathan Kolodney | April 10, 2023

0329coachellaBFA.jpgCoachella grounds. Billy Farrell/BFA.com

The best summer memories often include trips to the beach, throwing fun parties and attending music festivals. This year, the selection is stronger than ever thanks to the return of beloved festivals as well as more niche festivals rising in due popularity. Whether its on a sprawling desert ground or at a more intimate backyard venue, there's something magical about seeing your favorite artists live while simultaneously discovering new ones to add to your playlists.

From Coachella to Roots Picnic to Lovers and Friends, EDITION is offering a roundup of must-attend music festivals that will keep the good vibes going all summer long.

READ MORE: Essence Fest Reveals 2023 Lineup: Megan Thee Stallion, Lauryn Hill & More

French Quarter Fest

When: April 13-16
Where: New Orleans, LA
Key Details: Celebrating its 40th anniversary, French Quarter Fest is the largest showcase of Louisiana music in the world. The festival spans 20 stages and features nearly 1,700 musicians that cover a variety of genres including jazz, R&B, funk and gospel. The massive lineup is entirely local, as are the food vendors that sponsor the event. In addition to it being entirely locally operated, admission to the event is 100% free. Among the headliners for the spectacular event are Irma Thomas, Samantha Fish, Big Chief Monk Bourdeaux & the Golden Eagles, Erica Falls and many more.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Grace Gibson, Slow Motion Riders, Shawan Rice, Iceman Special and Wanda Rouzan & A Taste of New Orleans.
How to get tickets: https://frenchquarterfest.org/

Coachella

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Coachella (@coachella)

When: April 14-16 & 21-23
Where: Indio, CA
Key Details: Coachella, which began in 1999 as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, has become one of the biggest festivals in the world throughout the 21st century. It was founded by partners Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen and modeled on European festivals which focused more on quality of art as opposed to radio popularity. Nevertheless it’s headliners are some of the biggest artists in the world including BlackPink, Frank Ocean, Bad Bunny and Calvin Harris.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Burna Boy, Kaytranada, Becky g, Kali Uchis
How to get tickets: https://coachella.com/

Something In The Water

When: April 28-30
Where: Virginia Beach, VA
Key Details: Something In The Water was founded in 2019 by Pharell Williams as an homage to the plethora of artists who have come out of his home state of Virginia, including Timbaland, Pusha T, D’Angelo and Missy Elliot. The list of headliners for this year's festival are just as impressive including Lil Wayne, Latto, Lil Durk and Kid Cudi. Originally held in D.C this year the festival will take place in Virginia Beach.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Coi Leray, Masego, Summer Walker, Lil Yachty
How to get tickets: https://somethinginthewater.com/

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

When: April 28th - May 7th
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
Key Details: New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest is a huge 10 day long music festival celebrating New Orleans music, food and culture. The festival has been going on since 1970 and was founded by George Wein, who had been hosting Jazz fests in Newport, RI since 1954. In the early 1960’s, New Orleans civic leaders approached Wein, asking him to produce a jazz festival in the city in order to boost tourism and the rest is history. The original festival included legends such as Duke Ellington, and in 2023 you can expect headliners Jill Scott, Ed Sheeran, Lizzo, Gary Clark Jr. and more!
Non-headlining acts to check out: H.E.R, Ludacris, NE-YO and Jazmine Sullivan.
How to get tickets: https://www.aclfestival.com

Lovers and Friends Fest

When: May 6
Where: Las Vegas, NV
Key Details: After years of delays, the inaugural Lovers and Friends Fest finally materialized in 2022. The event paid homage to the pioneers of hip-hop and r&b while celebrating the current state of the respective genres. This year is no different, and the festival boasts performances from legends of the genres alongside current stars, headlined by Missy Elliott, Usher, 50 Cent, Chris Brown, Mariah Carrey, Pitbull and many more.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Nelly, Summer Walker, Jhene Aiko, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Bryson Tiller
How to get tickets: https://www.loversandfriendsfest.com/

Hangout Music Festival

When: May 19-21
Where: Gulf Shores, AL
Key Details: Hangout Music Festival invites all visitors to soak up the sun with one of the most eclectic lineups of the year. Along the beaches of Alabama’s Gulf Shores, the event boasts beach houses, volleyball, disco roller rinks, and even a wedding chapel. In addition to the expansive variety of experiences at Hangout, the musical lineup is also diverse. Among headliners for this year’s festival include Red Hot Chili Peppers, SZA, Calvin Harris, Paramore and Lil Nas X, making for a one-of-a-kind summer experience.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Alison Wonderland, Glorilla, Ferg, Young Gravy and Thundercat
How to get tickets: https://www.hangoutmusicfest.com/

Bottlerock Napa Valley

When: May 26-28
Where: Napa Valley, CA
Key Details: Bottlerock is a unique festival due to its emphasis on food as well as sustainability. The festival features local wineries and restaurants from the Napa Valley region and is making a commitment to composting and eliminating single-use plastic bottles at this year's festival. Headliners for this year's festival include Lil Nas X and Lizzo.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Leon Bridges, Wu-Tang Clan, Lupe Fiasco, Japanese breakfast
How to get tickets: https://www.bottlerocknapavalley.com/

Primavera Sound Barcelona

When: May 29 - June 4
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Key Details: Since 2001, Primavera Sound has provided genre and era-bending experiences and has made it look easy. Over the years, Primavera Sound has expanded with festivals around the world. With Barcelona at its epicenter, however, it consistently brings top-level talent to Parc Del Forum each year for unmatched live performances, including past performances from The Strokes, Dua Lipa and Tyler, The Creator. This year’s festival boasts a stacked lineup headlined by Pet Shop Boys, Halsey, Blur, Kendrick Lamar, Calvin Harris, Diplo and many more. Since 2018, Primavera Sound has been broadcast through Radio Primavera Sound, making the festival available to viewers from the comfort of their own homes.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Pusha T, Baby Keem, NxWorries, FKA Twigs and Tems
How to get tickets: https://www.primaverasound.com/en/barcelona

The Roots Picnic

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Roots Picnic (@rootspicnic)

When: June 2-4
Where: Philadelphia, PA
Key Details: The Roots Picnic is an iconic event held in Philly each year, the hometime of the legendary rap group. Started in 2008, Co-founder Shawn Gee, who manages The Roots, serves as executive producer of the festival and curates each year's lineup. This year's headliners include Lauryn Hill, Dave Chappell, Lil Uzi Vert and The Roots themselves.
Non-headlining acts to check out Lucky Daye, Saucy Santana, Isley Brothers, Coco Jones
How to get tickets: https://www.therootspicnic.com/

HIVE Music Festival

When: June 9-10
Where: Salt Lake City, UT
Key Details: Since its debut in 2021, HIVE Music Festival has excelled in bringing top-level hip-hop talent to Salt Lake City’s Utah State Fairpark, including past performances from $uicideboy$, Yung Gravy and Jack Harlow. This year’s festival boasts an equally deep lineup, including Joji, Big Sean, Santa Fe Klan, Denzel Curry, Joey Bada$$ and more. HIVE also features special DJ performances from top-level producers Murda Beatz and The Alchemist. Utah’s in-house superstar, Post Malone, is set to headline the event alongside the ever-influential Kid Cudi.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Glorilla, Snow Tha Product, Armani White, Ab-Soul and Conway the Machine
How to get tickets: https://www.hivefestival.com/

The Governors Ball

When: June 9-11
Where: New York City, NY
Key Details: Gov Ball, which was originally launched in 2011 by founders Jordan Wolowitz, Tom Russell, Yoni Reisman, has quickly become one of the biggest festivals in North America. The festival got its name because it was originally held on NYC’s Governors Island but has since moved to Flushing Meadow Corona Park. Gov Ball features an array of musical genres, including rock, electronic, hip-hop, indie, folk, and more. This year's headliners include Lil Baby, Kendrick Lamar, Lizzo and Giveon
Non-headlining acts to check out: Ice Spice, Koffee, Syd, Metro Boomin
How to get tickets: https://www.governorsballmusicfestival.com/

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by bonnaroo (@bonnaroo)

When: June 15-18
Where: Manchester, TN
Key Details: Bonnaroo, a name borrowed from a 1974 Dr. John album, is a Creole expression meaning “a really good time.” Since its conception in 2002, the festival has proved the term to be a drastic understatement. The festival spans 700 acres and features 150+ acts, including an After Hours lineup that features dance sets to keep the party going 24/7. Accompanying the action are many activities found within six plaza barns, including talks, yoga classes and surprise dance parties. The festival’s lineup has expanded from primarily jam bands to an eclectic roster that boasts pop, hip-hop, metal and more. The four-day event is headlined by Zeds Ded and Liquid Stranger, Kendrick Lamar, Odesza and Foo Fighters.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Baby Keem, Lil Nas X, Paramore, JID, Remi Wolf and Riya Sawayama
How to get tickets: https://www.bonnaroo.com/tickets

Glastonbury Festival

When: June 21-25
Where: Somerset, United Kingdom
Key Details: The Glastonbury Festival has a long and rich history: Originally called the Folk and Blues Festival, it took place for the first time in the late Summer of 1970, opening the day after the death of Jimi Hendrix. The festival includes multiple forms of music and art including pop music, dance music, jazz, fringe theater, circus, cinema and even poetry. This year's lineup includes headliners: Lil Nas X, WizKid, Lizzo and Yusuf/Cat Stevens.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Amadou & Mariam, Central Cee, Cat Burns
How to get tickets: https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

Blue Note Jazz Festival

When: May 31-July 2
Where: New York City, NY
Key Details: The inaugural Blue Note Jazz Festival took place in 2011 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club in Greenwich Village. Since then, the festival has expanded by location and genre but still retains its sense of intimacy and emphasis on culture. Spanning the entire month of June, Blue Note graces iconic New York City stages with performances ranging from R&B and hip-hop to the best jazz the city has to offer. The month-long festival is headlined by Grace Jones, NxWorries, Robert Glasper, Pat Matheny, Buddy Guy, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers and many more.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Talib Kwali, The Manhattan Transfer, Ms. Lisa Fischer, Kenny Garnett and Omara Portuondo
How to get tickets: https://www.bluenotejazz.com/jazz-festival-nyc/

Broccoli City Festival

When: July 15-16
Where: Washington, DC
Key Details: Broccoli City is a festival with a purpose. A Black-owned enterprise aimed at social progress for the past decade, the organization has utilized festivals and online platforms to mobilize the youth while promoting creativity and community growth. Not only does the festival send a powerful message, but it’s also a ton of fun and boasts some of the most electric live performances around. Spanning two stages, Broccoli City features 40+ performances headlined by notable crowd-pleasers Lil Uzi Vert, Jazmine Sullivan and Brent Faiyaz. This festival represents a harmonious intersection of technology, music, art and social impact.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Ice Spice, Kodak Black, Coco Jones, City Girls and Saucy Santana
How to get tickets: https://broccolicity.frontgatetickets.com/

Lollapalooza

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lollapalooza (@lollapalooza)

When: August 3-6
Where: Chicago, IL
Key Details: Lollapalooza, which was originally created in 1991 as a farewell tour for singer Perry Farrell of the group Jane's Addiction, quickly became Chicago’s premier music festival, hosting a plethora of artists performing alt-rock, heavy metal, punk, hip hop, and EDM. The strange name lollapalooza comes from an early 20th-century American expression meaning "an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event”. This year's star-studded lineup features some extraordinary artists including Kendrick Lamar, Karol G, Lana Del Rey and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Tems, JID, Pusha T, Rina Sawayama
How to get tickets: https://www.lollapalooza.com

Outside Lands Music Festival

When: August 11-13
Where: San Francisco, CA
Key Details: Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Outside Lands Music Festival is bringing a once-in-a-lifetime experience to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park that celebrates music, food and everything there is to love about the Bay Area. The festival features an incredible collection of Bay Area food vendors alongside California’s most innovative wineries and craft breweries. Outside Lands also boasts the SOMA Tent, where visitors can go for non-stop house music over the weekend. The three-day event features a stacked lineup headlined by Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Odesza, Lana Del Rey, The 1975, Megan Thee Stallion and many more.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Lil Yachty, Willow, JID, Cigarettes After Sex and Orville Peck
How to get tickets: https://www.sfoutsidelands.com/

Sol Blume

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sol Blume (@solblume)

When: August 19-20
Where: Sacramento, CA
Key Details: Sol Blume is an alt R&B festival for fans of all ages in the California area. The festival was founded in 2017 by Justin Nordan and Fornati Kumeh, and has grown each year since (outside of the 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic). Starting as a one-day festival at Cesar Chavez Plaza, Sol Blume has since moved to Discovery Park, and added an extra day of artists to its lineup. Headliners for the festival include Brent Faiyaz, Kehlani, and special guest Teyana Taylor.
Non-headlining acts to check out: Ella Mai, Isaiah Rashad, PinkPanthress, Joey Bada$$
How to get tickets: https://wl.seetickets.us/event/Sol-Blume-2023/526180?afflky=SolBlume



Tags: Music, web-original, music festival, web-og, Musician, Apple News, nathan kolodney, cooper albers,

Photography by:

Stay In Touch

See the Digital Edition of the latest issue.

Sign up for email updates from Edition by Modern Luxury and you’ll receive the most compelling content from inspiring voices, invitations to future events, and special offers, delivered directly to your inbox.

Send Me Updates Subscribe to Edition



By signing up you agree to receive occasional emails, invitations to future events, offers and newsletters from EDITION by Modern Luxury.

For more information, see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Modern Luxury