Ranking the Best Music Festivals of 2021
Live music festivals were put on pause in 2020. Now they’re back. Here’s Okayplayer’s picks for the best music festivals of 2021.
As vaccines spread and the global COVID-19 pandemic begins to subside, the phrase “We back outside” has become a rallying cry for folks ready to return to regularly scheduled programming and soak up the best sights and sounds the world’s got to offer. A lot of those can be found at music festivals, which, like the rest of the world, had to be put on pause in 2020. Now, they’re back—but which ones should you go to?
There’s no simple answer for any one person, as a lot of it will come down to logistics, budget and location as much as the lineups. But, looking through flyers for the festivals, you can see which lineups are the most enticing, and that can point you in the direction of just which one — or ones — are worth you going to.
If you find yourself listening to Spotify’s Rap Caviar playlist every day, the chances are you should hit up one of the Rolling Loud concerts. If you’ve got musical ADD and are into a variety of genres, you might rock with Lollapalooza or Pitchfork Music Festival. There are also a variety of festivals that fit in between. Now, it’s time to look into the best.
We ranked the 20 best musical festivals of 2021 based on strength of lineup, with the criteria being a mix of top-level star power, variety, and depth.
20. OVO Fest 2021
Photo Credit: Prince Williams/Wireimage
When: TBA
Where: TBA
Price: TBA
There isn’t a date for this one, but Drake’s history of epic OVO Fest moments ensured him a spot on this list. When you can bank on performances from Drake himself, and likely, at least a few of his rapper homies, you know you’ve got something good. Expect this one to rise up the ranks when more details are made known.
19. Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival 2021
Photo Credit: FilmMagic/FilmMagic for Life Is Beautiful
When: TBA
Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Price: TBA
The lineup for this one hasn’t been announced, but if it had, there’s little doubt it would rank higher on this list. For this one, it’s safe to give the benefit of the doubt to Tyler, the Creator, whose unpredictability and appreciation for music of all types makes him an incredible curator.
18. Summer Jam 2021
When: Aug. 22
Where: MetLife Stadium, Rutherford, N.J.
Price: General admission: $70
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Migos, and Meek Mill are the main events for a concert that will also include performances from Saweetie, Moneybagg Yo, Bobby Shmurda, Rowdy Rebel and more. Come to see A Boogie, stay to see Bobby Shmurda and Rowdy Rebel perform “Computers” (maybe).
When: Sept. 4-5
Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
Price: Two Day Pass: $150
Justin Bieber and Lil Baby hold down the top billing, but there are also performances from 42 Dugg, EST Gee, and Baby Keem. Then, there are vets like Lil Durk and Freddie Gibbs, and new generation staples like Roddy Ricch, Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat. This means that, for hip-hop fans, there’s an artist for anyone who’s gotten into rap over the last 12 to 13 years… and Justin Bieber.
16. Riot Fest
When: Sept. 16-19
Where: Douglass Park, Chicago
Price: Day Pass: $124.98 — $159.98
Legendary acts like The Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails headline this mostly rock-oriented festival. But the star of this lineup is Lupe Fiasco, who will be performing his 2007 album, The Cool, in its entirety.
When: Sept. 10-12
Where: Crystal Palace Park, London
Price: Three Day Pass: £202.50
London’s Wireless Festival will be as lit as ever when it returns this September. Performers for this year’s iteration include Lil Baby, Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, Meek Mill and Migos as well as U.K.’s own Skepta and Ivorian Doll. Needless to say, it should be a fun time.
When: Oct. 29-31
Where: Golden State Park, San Francisco
Price: Three Day Pass: $395
This year’s Outside Lands Festival is a well-rounded mix of rap superstars (Young Thug, Tyler, The Creator), rising stars (Rico Nasty, Flo Milli), underground hip-hop luminaries (EarthGang, JPEGMAFIA), beloved R&B artists (Kehlani) and a splash of Latin trap (J Balvin).
When: Sept. 23-26
Where: The Woodlands, Dover, Del.
Price: Single Day Pass: $135
As far as hip-hop and R&B go, there aren’t a ton of A-listers, but there are stars from various regions that bring diverse flavor to the Delaware festival. On one day you get to see Wiz Khalifa, Flo Milli and Iann Dior. Another, Roddy Ricch, Diplo and $not. Then there are still performances from Megan Thee Stallion, Nelly, and Denzel Curry.
12. Bonnaroo 2021
When: Sept. 2-5
Where: Great Stage Park, Manchester, Tenn.
Price: Three Day Pass: $379
Fans at this festival can see Tyler, the Creator perform tracks from his Call Me If You Get Lost the same day they see Lil Baby rock the stage. There will also be performances from folks like Lizzo, Tame Impala, Foo Fighters, Young Thug, and J.I.D, making it a festival that’s as eclectic as it is dope.
11. Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival
When: Sept. 17-19
Where: Downtown Las Vegas
Price: Three Day Pass: $529.00
Looking through these festivals, it’s clear Young Thug’s getting to the bag with all his appearances. At Life Is Beautiful you’ll see him plus Megan Thee Stallion, Don Toliver, A$AP Rocky, Green Day, Tame Impala, 6LACK, Modest Mouse and Ludacris. Beautiful, indeed.
When: Oct. 1-3, Oct. 8-10
Where: Zilker Park, Austin, Texas.
Price: Single Day Pass: $135
Another far reaching festival that has superstar performances from myriad genres. George Strait and Erykah Badu perform on the same day. Also set to pull up are the likes of DaBaby, Doja Cat, Stevie Nicks, Billie Eilish, Freddie Gibbs, Jack Harlow, Megan Thee Stallion and many, many more.
9. Summerfest
When: Sept. 2-4, 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18
Where: Henry Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee, Wis.
Price: Power Pass: $100
A healthy mix of hip-hop, rock and, country, Milwaukee’s Summerfest features performances from Chance The Rapper, Green Day, 24K Goldn, The Kid Laroi, Sheryl Crow and much more. There’s even a set from Dave Chappelle, which only gives the festival extra points for the best kind of variety.
8. The Governors Ball Music Festival
When: Sept. 24-26
Where: Citi Field, Queens, N.Y.
Price: One Day Pass: $129
The Governors Ball has luminaries from all corners of the music world. Any time you can pair mainstream commodities with respected lyricists like Freddie Gibbs and YBN Cordae and still under-appreciated gems like Aminé, you’ve got something dope. Add in the Afrofusion stylings of Burna Boy and local artists like MIKE, this one is about as well-rounded as festivals get.
When: Dec. 18.
Where: Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles
Price: $159.99
There’s a good chance that Once Upon a Time in L.A. is the only time fans will get to see both Al Green and Snoop Dogg at the same festival. Marketed as a cross-generational festival for West Coast artists, this one’s got everyone from The Game, YG, Dom Kennedy, and Ice Cube to Drakeo The Ruler, Kamaiyah, BlueBucks Clan, and OhGeesy. There are also performances from 50 Cent, Three 6 Mafia and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. This one would rank higher if there were more A-Listers at the peak of their career.
6. Lollapalooza
When: July 29-Aug. 1
Where: Grant Park, Chicago
Price: One Day Pass $130
Lollapalooza is coming back with a bang, and artists from all corners of hip-hop are represented. You’ve got genre-bending, chart-topping superstars like Tyler, the Creator, Post Malone, as well as popular niche acts like BROCKHAMPTON and $uicideboy$. On the rock end of things, there’s Foo Fighters, Modest Mouse, and even Journey. Being able to sing to “Don’t Stop Believin’” at the same place you’d vibe out to “Lumberjack” is pretty special.
When: Dec. 10-12
Where: Nos Event Center, San Bernardino
Price: Three Day Pass: $399
Future, Kid Cudi, and J. Cole headline this iteration of Rolling Loud, a festival that is nearly as deep as the other two. At the end of the day, no festival can match the depth of pure rap star power and cross-regional collection of rap talent, and this version of the festival remains incredible.
When: Sept. 10-12
Where: Union Park, Chicago
Price: $90
The ever-mysterious Jay Electronica is all set to hit the stage for this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival, a set of shows that also includes performances from other heralded lyricists like Danny Brown and Maxo Kream. Because of the pandemic, this will mark what’s likely the first time Electronica will perform songs from his debut album, A Written Testimony. Also, get excited by appearances from the legendary Erykah Badu and Chicago’s own soulful songstress Jamila Woods.
When: July 23-25
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL.
Price: Three Day Pass: $387 resell market.
As a rule, Rolling Loud Miami gets the biggest stars in the rap world. Nothing’s changed in 2021, as Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Young Thug, 21 Savage, Post Malone, Trippie Redd, A$AP Rocky and more are set to take the stage for the fest.
When: Oct. 28-30
Where: Citi Field, Queens, N.Y.
Price: Three Day Pass: $399
The New York edition of Rolling Loud is clearly the best of the three festivals, with artists like Travis Scott, J. Cole and 50 Cent (a special homecoming touch) headlining. Between the catalog of hits from the headliners, it will be impossible not to catch a vibe. Then, there are still performances from Lil Baby and Lil Uzi Vert, as well as an endless stream of top-notch rap technicians and all-around songwriters like J.I.D, Megan Thee Stallion, EST Gee and countless more.
1. Day N Vegas
When: Nov. 12 – 14, 2021
Where: Las Vegas Festival Grounds, Las Vegas
Price: Three Day Pass: $399
As of now, Kendrick Lamar is only doing one live gig. He will be the day one headliner of Day N Vegas in November. The rapper is doing a set labeled “From Section.80 to Damn.” (We’re not sure what that means, but it’s an indication there won’t be a new Kendrick album this year.) Other standout performers include Doja Cat, Jazmine Sullivan, Madlib, Thundercat, and more. It’s the festival lineup of the year, so far.
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Peter is a writer and editor who covers music, movies, and all things dope. Catch him in the Hyperbolic Take Chamber on Twitter @pellz_.