The June Festival Preview
June is an exciting month full of more outdoor activities, the turn of a new season, and pleasant weather. Therefore, it parallels in the increase in music festival activity. June includes some of the most popular camping music festivals of the season in addition to other unique festival types across the country. Check out TicketNetwork’s June Festival Preview:
Bonnaroo Music + Arts Festival 〉 Manchester, TN
Bonnaroo is the most similar to Firefly in its woodsy, camping festival mentality. It is four days long, beginning Thursday June 8th and ending Sunday June 11th. Bonnaroo shoulders up to festivals such as Coachella in its iconic status, owning the camping music festival market in its size and excellence. However, be warned: Manchester, Tennessee in June is hot and humid.
U2 is headlining Friday as well as Major Lazer. Red Hot Chili Peppers take over Saturday night with Marshmello, Cage the Elephant, and Chance the Rapper. To complete the weekend, The Weeknd headlines Sunday with Lorde and Travis Scott as headliner acts, as well. In addition to music, Bonnaroo prides itself in its unique activities such as Yogaroo (yoga classes), Soberoo (meeting place for those who choose to remain sober for the festival), and many brand-name tents and mobile pop-up shops that add to the amenities available at the festival grounds. Bonnaroo also prides itself as being a music AND arts festival, so many different art areas and exhibits can be found throughout the grounds.
CMA Music Festival 〉 Nashville, TN
The CMA Music Festival brings together country’s greatest talents in the city that birthed country music. Nashville, TN’s Nissan Stadium will hold the CMA Music Festival from June 8th-11th. Highlights include Brad Paisley, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, and basically every huge country star there is right now. Unfortunately, Chris Stapleton had to drop out of the CMA Music Festival due to personal circumstances; this cancellation coincided with the postponement of eight of his tour shows, as well.
Hot 97 Summer Jam 〉 East Rutherford, NJ
Hip-hop music is a highlight in many versions of Summer Jam. On the East Coast, Hot 97 Summer Jam occurs at Metlife Stadium on June 11th. Therefore, less a festival and more a one-day experience, the lineup boasts some of the biggest names in the industry. Chris Brown, Migos, and DJ Khaled are headlining on the Stadium Stage, and Young M.A. is the Festival Stage highlight.
Firefly Music Festival 〉 The Woodlands of Dover, DE
Similar to Bonnaroo, Firefly Music Festival is a four-day festival from Thursday June 15th to Sunday June 18th. This year’s headliners include Twenty One Pilots (Friday), The Weeknd (Saturday), Chance the Rapper (Saturday), Bob Dylan (Saturday), and Muse (Sunday). Due to its woodsy Delaware location, Firefly is one of the well-known musicals that truly interacts with nature. There are camping options as well as day passes. Areas such as “The Treehouse,” “Hammock Hangout,” and other unique Firefly experiences demonstrate the festival’s relationship with its forested grounds. Firefly also aims to reflect festivalgoer’s advice to improve each year, so the lineup and new amenities reflect past festivalgoer’s wishes.
Electric Forest 〉 Rothbury, MI
Electric Forest occurs during two weekends in June: June 22nd-25th and June 29th-July 2nd. It is the culmination of EDM music and quirky culture. Headliners this year include Odesza, Dillon Francis, My Morning Jacket, and The String Cheese Incident the first weekend and Flume and DJ Snake the second weekend in replacement of My Morning Jacket. This is the first year that the festival is expanding into two weekends to lessen the crowds while still being able to entertain the same level of attendance.
Paradiso Festival 〉 Quincy, WA
Paradiso Festival occurs at the iconic, gorgeous Gorge Amphitheatre in Quincy, WA. It boasts the slogan: “Where digital meets nature.” From theatrical performers to amusement rides to art installations, Paradiso makes a great case for one of the best West Coast festivals. Though there are no big-name artists in the lineup, renound DJ Marshmello, DJ Tiesto, and other established DJs make for mainstream highlights for the weekend. This is a camping-friendly festival, though the time length is on the shorter side for summer festivals. Paradiso also includes a Vendor Village like many other festivals that includes unique merch and creative art for the weekend. Paradiso 2017 dates are Friday June 23rd-Saturday June 24th.
Essence Music Festival 〉 New Orleans, LA
Essence Music Festival is in late June from June 29th to July 2nd. The name comes from Essence under Time Inc. focused on embracing and empowering African American women. Therefore, Essence Music Festival aligns its mission with the Essence brand by bringing the biggest African American artists together for a New Orleans music festival. This year, Diana Ross and John Legend are headlining Friday night. Chaka Khan and Mary J. Blige’s curated performer lineup are headlining Saturday, and Chance the Rapper is headlining Sunday. Though the festival is held indoors at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the festival runs all day. It includes daytime experiences such as beauty demonstrations, motivational seminars, Southern cooking, and more. However, note that you have to register for these experiences before attending the festival unlike other summertime festival events that attendees can wander to and from. Watch Oprah’s speech during the 2016 Essence Music Festival below: