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Keith Urban

Keith Urban

Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

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Keith Urban To Jade Bird: 7 Of The Best Things We Saw At SXSW

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From Keith Urban and T.I.'s standout sets to Rubén Blades' documentary and much more, check out some of this year's top festival moments in Austin, Texas
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Mar 19, 2018 - 1:26 pm

At SXSW 2018 in Austin, Texas, we took you on a tour of the most happening parts of the city, brought you to the doorstep of some of the hottest new acts we saw during the festival, and went inside some of the conference's best panels, including the explosion of K-pop and what happens to reality TV singing competition stars once their time in the spotlight is up.

Austin's South Congress Boasts Vintage Charm

Even with all this, there's still so much more to see and do at SXSW, so we wanted to bring you a few other highlights from  the festival. Here are seven things that jumped out at SXSW this year.

1. Keith Urban Live At Stubb's BBQ

It was announced just days before the festival that Keith Urban would bring his out-of-the-box brand of country to SXSW festival attendees at a special showcase at Stubb's BBQ on March 16 following his keynote. Man, did Urban deliver during his couldn't-miss set. He played to a packed house at Stubb's outdoor amphitheater, covering many of his hits such as "You Look Good In My Shirt" and "The Fighter" and even premiering some new music from his upcoming album, Graffiti U. At one point, Urban climbed on a balcony in the crowd and gifted a lucky audience member with the guitar off his back.

2. Rubén Blades Gets Candid

He may be a nine-time GRAMMY winner, but Rubén Blades has been historically pretty quiet about his personal life. It seems now he's pulling back the veil with a new documentary, Rubén Blades Is Not My Name, that focuses on the salsa legend's life. The film had multiple screenings during SXSW where the Panama native was on hand to speak with audience members. In addition, during a conversation moderated by NPR journalist Felix Contreras, we learned even more unexpected facts about Blades. Case in point? Blades has earned two law degrees.

3. T.I. Headlines Stubb's BBQ

Shortly after a screening of the first two episodes of "Rapture," the latest Netflix series chronicling the life story of groundbreaking hip-hop artists, T.I. headed over to Stubb's for a headlining set. The crowd to get in the venue wrapped around the sidewalk as T.I. pumped out some next level swagger. Rappers Dave East, Rapsody, Wifisfuneral, and Just Blaze joined the set and the evening filled the block with amazing beats and rhymes.

4. Women In Music

We've already covered a lot of the ways SXSW celebrated women this year, but it bears repeating. Not only did the women-centric panels bring attention to issues often unique to women in the industry, but the music lineup was awash in female artists, whether it was Rapsody's blistering set at The Belmont,  the Mrs' philanthropic act of "kindness," Pussy Riot's high-octane punk protest music, the quieter sounds of Lucy Rose, or country-rock singer/songwriter Jade Bird.

5. Discovering New Acts

SXSW has a reputation for bringing emerging artists to center stage, and many of the people we talked to during the festival came away with a host of new music they are totally digging right now. There were so many great new acts, we can't possibly cover them all. But if you need a short list of places to start, check out Americana singer/songwriter Lucy Dacus, electro-pop producer/rapper Demo Taped, rockers Vista Kicks, and Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Andrea Cruz, and these seven other artists on our list.

6. Celebrating The Live Music Capital

Austin's Deep Cultural History On Rainey Street

Austin is dubbed the live music capital for a reason, making it the perfect city to host SXSW each year. With 6th Street, Rainey Street and South Congress serving as the epicenter of all the action, each venue offers its own vibe. There's The Sidewinder, the famed Paramount Theatre, The Belmont, which hosted SXSW's Korea spotlight, and so many more. A stroll down the streets yielded the sounds of rap, country, rock, pop, and more emanating from the buildings, while street musicians, such as a sax player or a drummer, brought the sound of Austin to life.

7. A Focus On Music Creator's Rights

#musicmodernizationact #sxsw2018

A post shared by Dina LaPolt (@dinalapolt) on

This year's SXSW programming included not one, but several panels that focused on rights for music creators. Of note, Music Modernization Act: Changing the Licensing Landscape discussed the historic agreement in the music industry for the passage of the MMA, which would bring much needed change to how music creators get paid. In addition, the panel Paid in Full: Fixing Music Rights for Artists featured a similar discussion, providing an overview for attendees on upcoming solutions to making sure songwriters and artists get paid fairly for their work.

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Go inside SXSW 2018 with the Recording Academy
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Keith Urban, K-Pop, Women In Music: Go Behind The Scenes At SXSW 2018

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Check out our daily SXSW Recording Academy updates from on the ground in Austin, Texas
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Mar 19, 2018 - 4:38 pm

Monday, March 19

  • What's SXSW all about for the artists who perform at the festival? We're glad you asked because that's exactly the question we posed to 11 artists at this year's festival. From Dorothy to Brandy Clark and Grupo Fantasma, find out what they had to say.
     
  • Post-SXSW syndrome getting you down? From Keith Urban and T.I.'s standout sets to Rubén Blades' documentary and much more, we've rounded up seven of the festival's top moments.

Sunday, March 18

  • "I do it so women can know anything a man can do, we can do just as well, if not 10 times better," said GRAMMY-nominated rapper Rapsody during SXSW. From standout showcases to thought-provoking panels, and spanning artists from Rapsody to Pussy Riot, we rounded up five ways how the Austin, Texas, festival put women in music front and center.
     
  • There was a ton of amazing music filling Austin this weekend at SXSW. From innovative electronic pop sounds to soulful blues and one-of-a-kind voices, we rouned up 7 on-the-rise artists we heard at SXSW who you should keep on your radar. 
     
  • When you need a little vintage charm, take a stroll through Austin, Texas' South Congress neighborhood, "old downtown." Nestled just south of Lady Bird Lake, the area boasts boutiques, eateries, galleries, and music venues that will take you back in time. We captured South Congress in action during SXSW 2018, giving you just a taste of the best Austin has to offer.

    Austin's South Congress Boasts Vintage Charm

Saturday, March 17

  • It's "a lot different" according to some natives. Get a taste of what makes Rainey Street a consistent top attraction in Austin, Texas, not only at SXSW but year-round.

    Austin's Deep Cultural History On Rainey Street

  • There was a fresh breeze of kindness at SXSW this year, and four-piece female band the Mrs was a big reason why. We had a front-row seat for the group's Kindnesspalooza Music Fest and learned how drummer Andra Liemandt and her bandmates are all about playing music, being kind and giving back to the world.
     
  • Millions of viewers tune into singing competition shows such as "The Voice, "America's Got Talent" and "American Idol." But what is life really like after the cameras turn off and the show moves on to the next season, especially if a contestant doesn't win? We got a little insight thanks to the panel Now What? Life After Reality TV Singing Shows, featuring former singing compeition contestants Blake Lewis, Cas Haley and Nakia. 

    About to kick off our What Now? SXSW Panel. #lifeaftertv #sxsw #sxsw2018

    A post shared by BLAKE LEWIS (@blakelewis) on

Friday, March 16

  • Talk about an amazing conversation! Go inside Keith Urban's SXSW keynote discussion during which the GRAMMY winner touched upon his musical upbringing, sobriety to his new album, Graffiti U.

     

  • At SXSW 2018, 6th Street once again shines as the "classic" epicenter of the city's incomparable live music offerings, coming alive with street performances, makeshift stages, packed venues, bustling bars, and music of all genres. Get a closer look at what makes 6th Street a destination for musicians and music fans alike.

Austin's 6th Street Comes Alive At SXSW

Thursday, March 15

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Festivalgoers at Stagecoach 2017

Festivalgoers at Stagecoach 2017

Photo: Matt Cowan/Getty Images

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Music Festivals 2018: 7 Ways To Enjoy Festival Season Without Drinking

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From having an escape route to engaging in on-site 12-step recovery programs, learn how to plan an unforgettable festival experience without the booze
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Apr 12, 2018 - 3:12 pm

Picture this. You've landed in the California desert and are stoked to pitch that tent. You've got the lineup pulled up on your phone and you're arguing with your travel companions about whether you'll catch Beyoncé's must-see headlining set or catch a one-of-a-kind performance from Japanese rockers X Japan, who play at the same time. And you still haven't worked out if you'll see Portugal. The Man or Kamasi Washington. Mid-argument, out comes the six-pack and now there's a tougher choice to make.

Adam Clayton's MusiCares speech: Life In Recovery

While they offer life-changing experiences and the chance to get up close and personal with music of all genres, music festivals also include lots of alcohol consumption and drug use. In fact, this darker music fest culture comes with some cold, hard facts that would sober anyone up. A 2016 Canadian study found that 13 percent of reported festival deaths between 1999 and 2014 were the result of alcohol or drug abuse.

The studies may be new, but music festivals and substance abuse have been nearly inseparable since their inception. However, what's starting to change today is a focus on sobriety and recovery for those who want to attend music festivals without imbibing in the chemical party atmosphere.

"I went to Woodstock in 1969 and all I did was get loaded with everybody else. That's never really changed," shares Dr. Howard Samuels, founder/CEO of The Hills Treatment Center in Los Angeles who has 33 years of sobriety under his belt. "The thing that has changed though is that there are more young people that are sober."

While festivals may be a highly charged space for maintaining sobriety, those in recovery can enjoy music festivals without drinking. So bust out your fanny packs, signature shades and water bottles, because you're headed to your favorite festival armed with these seven tips to maintain sobriety.

1. Make The Trip With Other Friends In Recovery

Rule number one: Don't go alone. Plan to attend a music festival with other community members who support sobriety.

"I would go with other sober people. And when I say sober, I mean other people that you're in recovery with," says Samuels, who also recommends waiting until at least six months of sobriety to take on a music festival. "Don't go alone or don't go with your old friends."

When surrounded by others who share the same mission, it's much easier to resist the temptation to drink. Not to mention, if a craving gets triggered, you can discuss the moment with someone who understands and supports your decision to remain sober. Alcohol isn't required to have a good time. Being surrounded by the right people, though, can make all the difference.

"My favorite part about festivals are the people I meet," says rapper Kosha Dillz, aka Rami Even-Esh, who has been sober for more than 13 years. "Go with someone you'll have a great time with."

2. Plan Lodging Wisely

During a festival, the stages may go dark at a reasonable hour, but the partying continues long into the wee hours of the morning. Instead of dealing with the pressures of other drunken attendees, plan to have a safe space to go at night or anytime a break is needed.

"Don't be cheap," advises Even-Esh. "If you have to get your own place and it means being able to sleep in a room versus all of the room partying until 7 a.m., it might be worth it to spend the money."

Also look into sober housing options at music festivals. As the recovery movement grows, so too do the sober safe spaces at events. Organizations such as Camp Traction offer sober areas at a handful of festivals each year, and check other festivals' websites because they may offer their own clean and sober camping options.

3. Devise An Escape Plan

If the atmosphere becomes too overwhelming or tempting, have an escape plan figured out ahead of time. This could mean driving separately so there's always a way out without being dependent on another group member, having a nice quiet place to come back to at any point during the day, or simply hailing an Uber or Lyft.

You may experience some FOMO (fear of missing out) in the moment when leaving friends behind, but you'll be glad you did.

"I make sure I don't take things personally and always have an exit plan if it gets weird," says Even-Esh. "It usually does, and in my experience I don't really miss anything when I leave."

4. Phone A Friend, Often

For Even-Esh, having a fully charged phone is of paramount importance. Samuels agrees.

"The most important thing is that you have easy access to other recovering people in order to express the feelings of being overwhelmed, of being triggered by seeing people use — by all of it," says Samuels. "You've got to be able to communicate your feelings and your thoughts."

Keep phones charged with some of these portable charger options, and don't be afraid to reach out to your support network as much as needed.

"Once I start feeling anxious, the phone is a great tool to have," says Even-Esh. "Be able to call other people that are sober or even your friends back home. It's always good to call someone not at the festival to bring you back to reality."

5. Find A Local Or On-Site Meeting

As awareness about substance abuse issues and recovery grow, so do the resources for those looking to have a great experience and maintain their sobriety. Enter on-site festival 12-step programs and other resources.

"At most festivals these days, there are 12 steps and all you have to do is ask one of the organizers or the event staff where there's a 12-step meeting," recommends Samuels. "Recovery has gotten to be so in the mainstream these days, which is really positive, that there can be a lot of safe places for recovering people at music festivals."

For example, MusiCares' Safe Harbor Room program will be available at many major festivals throughout the U.S. this year, including Coachella and Stagecoach, which provides 12-step meetings and an information booth for those attending festivals.

6. Take Care Of The Basics

In Alcoholics Anonymous parlance, HALT — hunger, anger, loneliness, and tiredness — mark four pillars of well-being that must be addressed to prevent vulnerabilities to relapse.

In a music festival setting, this means eating nutritious and regular meals and snacks and drinking water. Avoid isolation and loneliness by choosing the right people to have by your side, while using your phone support network to vent anger and frustrations that might arise, say pushy crowds or a rude fan. And finally, do get some sleep. No all-nighters here!

"Sometimes getting something to eat and taking a nap can really change your mentality," says Even-Esh.

7. Set Boundaries For Yourself

Finally, it's important to know your own limits because at the end of the day you're responsible for your health and sobriety.

By setting yourself up to take care of the basics, engaging support networks, acting on escape plans as needed, and picking the right people to travel with, you've got a great head start. From here, rocking out during a weekend of unforgettable music without drinking is definitely attainable. Just keep your goals top of mind.

"Depending on where you are, there can be an absurd amount of drugs available and always large amounts of drinking happening," Even-Esh says. "For everyone else that's OK, but for me that is a problem and I'm the only person who needs to know that."

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Rapsody

Rapsody

Photo: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images

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Rapsody To Pussy Riot: 5 Ways SXSW 2018 Celebrated Women In Music

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From standout showcases to thought-provoking panels, find out how the Austin, Texas, music festival celebrated women in music
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Mar 18, 2018 - 2:24 pm

We've been focusing a lot lately on women in music. This is due not only to the fact that March is Women's History Month, but also because female music professionals play a huge role in the industry and they often don't get the credit or recognition they deserve. However, at SXSW 2018 in Austin, Texas, have no doubt: Women played a front-and center-role in the action.

Austin's South Congress Boasts Vintage Charm

From all-women music showcases to panel programming highlighting women's experiences, to a diverse music lineup and more, take a look at five ways SXSW highlighted women in the music industry this year.

1. All-Female Rappers Showcase

At Austin's The Belmont on March 15, ICM hosted its seventh annual showcase and this year they brought out an all-female hip-hop lineup, including Willow Smith, Rapsody, Kamaiyah, Kodie Shane, and others. While each of the powerhouse women on the bill delivered, GRAMMY-nominated rapper Rapsody capped her fiery set with the following mic drop statement:

"I do it for her, and for her, and for her, and for you, and the daughter you may someday have if you don’t have one already, and your wife, and your sister," Rapsody said during the showcase. "I do it so women can know anything a man can do, we can do just as well, if not 10 times better. So when they ask about Rapsody, don’t tell them I’m a female rapper. Don’t tell them I’m a female rapper, don’t tell them I’m a female emcee. When they ask you about Rapsody, you tell them I’m a motherf***ing beast."

2. Pussy Riot Came To Town

Pussy Riot, the feminist punk protest collective from Russia, lit up the town with their two SXSW showcases: the SXSW opening party at The Main on March 13 and at The Belmont on March 14. During their packed set at The Main, true to their art, Pussy Riot didn't hold back, hanging their "Pussy is the new dick" sign in front of the sponsor's sign. During their set they brought out former U.S. military member and outspoken critic of the prison system Chelsea Manning and concluded their energetic set with "Straight Outta Vagina," perhaps one of the most feminist tunes out there.

Janelle Monáe, MILCK, Amara La Negra: 9 Women Change Agents In Music

3. Women In Music Panels

Women face many barriers to entry and advancement in their careers. To facilitate conversations on these challenges and more, SXSW hosted several panels about being a women in the industry. This included Women in Music: Break the Ceiling + Bridge The Gap, which highlighted negotiating tactics to help women advance their careers. Moms In The Music Industry: Strategies for Success covered how to balance a career in music with parenting and how to address the unique compromises women often have to make. Also, the Women In Music Meet Up provided a special networking opportunity specifically for women in the industry.

4. Showcasing Female Artists

This year's expansive music festival lineup included a diverse array of artists, including plenty of focus on female musicians, whether it's the blues/soul of Deva Mahal, the pop sounds of newcomers Pronoun, Common Holly and Mallrat, stellar guitarist Kaki King, folk/Americana singer/songwriter Lucy Dacus, electronic R&B innovator DVWEZ, and so many more. With every genre represented, it's clear that women not only have a major presence in the music world, in many cases, they're steering the ship. In addition, SXSW's focus on emerging artists gives us a peek into the future of music, and it looks certain that the future looks bright for women.

5. Addressing The #MeToo Movement In Music

Finally, a panel titled Sexual Misconduct in the Music Industry provided an open forum for women to discuss their experiences of harassment and the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements while brainstorming ways to move forward. The panelists, including Vice's Andrea Domanick, Art Not Love Records' Peggy Hogan, Danger Village's Beth Martinez, and Uproxx's Caitlin White, frankly discussed high-profile sexual misconduct cases in music, the complicated causes for continued abuses, and the impact of social media and call out culture. While the discussion yielded no single solution, and the burden of solving sexual misconduct isn't solely women's to bear, panelist expressed hope that the #MeToo movement will provide a break in the status quo.

"What had long been enshrined as rock star behavior is now clearly sexual misconduct," Domanick said. "People don't want to reckon with that because everyone will have some story. It's about accepting that we can change and evolve."

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Jack White circa 2018

Jack White

Photo: Yui Mok - PA Images/Getty Images

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18 Must-Attend 2018 Music Festivals: Stagecoach, EDC, Lollapalooza & More

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Get the most out of the 2018 season with our definitive list of road-trip worthy music festivals
THE GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
Dec 26, 2017 - 10:49 am

Congratulations! You have arrived at this year's must-attend festival schedule for 2018. We hope you're ready for some fun …

Whether you're into pop or rock, electronic/dance music or hip-hop, R&B or jazz, there's a festival (or festivals) for everybody, whether you attend one, three or 10.  And remember, when it comes to music festivals, it's a good idea to make your plans as early as possible to ensure you get the best tickets and you have ample time to plot your experience to your liking.

To help you decide accordingly, check out our 2018 festival guide, designed to help you plan a killer music experience.

SXSW Music

Date: March 12–18
Location: Austin, Texas
Lineup Includes: Gemma Ray, Benji Lewis, Dead Horses, HEX, IAMDDB, Jiggy Drama, Rapsody, Sweet Crude, Marlon Williams, Zenizen
The Scene: The Recording Academy was on the ground in Austin, Texas, to kick off the festival season at SXSW. Check out our reports on reality TV singing competitions, K-pop, Keith Urban, the Recording Academy Texas Chapter's Block Party, our favorite emerging artists, and more.
Connect: @SXSW

Ultra Music Festival

Date: March 23–25
Location: Miami
Lineup Includes: Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, Hardwell, Kaskade, the Chainsmokers, Carl Cox, Afrojack
The Scene: Once again this year, dance music artists, professionals, and fans gathered from all over the world in downtown Miami for three days and nights of mind-blowing DJ sets. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2018, Ultra was a little extra this year, and the Recording Academy was front and center for the action. Check out our coverage of parties you missed, industry events, the backtage MusiCares hearing clinic, and exlusive conversations with David Guetta, Tiësto, GTA, and more.
Connect: @ultra

In Bloom Music Festival

Date: March 24–25
Location: Houston
Lineup Includes: Beck, Broken Social Scene, Explosions In The Sky, Incubus, Lil Uzi Vert, Martin Garrix, Queens Of The Stone Age, T-Pain, Ying Yang Twins
The Scene: What had been known for eight years as the Free Press Summer Festival was remixed for 2018 as the In Bloom Music Festival. The event featured local acts and visual artists along with well-known artists from out of town. It also carried an environmental message in partnership with the Texas Campaign for the Environment. The result was an exciting array of styles, showing off today's range of rock, dance, rap, and many subgenres on four stages for two days of perfect weather, dancing in the streets, and great music with a Houston flavor. For photos and stories from this year's festival, check out In Bloom's official recap. 
Connect: @inbloomfest

Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival

Dates: April 14–16 and 21–23
Location: Indio, Calif.
Lineup Includes: Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Eminem, Cardi B
The Scene: Coachella 2018 proved why it's arguably the most popular destination music festival. Weekend one saw Beyoncé make her unforgettable Coachella debut, reuniting Destiny's Child onstage, bringing out special guests Jay-Z and Solange, and incorporating over 100 dancers, causing fans to launch the social hastag #Beychella. The Weeknd and Eminem also pulled out all the stops for their headlining sets, as did Cardi B, bringing out SZA, among other special guests. X Japan played the festival for the fist time and was joined by special guest Marilyn Manson for weekend two. But the big surprise appearance of weekend two belonged to Ariana Grande, who treated fans to a performance of her newest single "No Tears Left To Cry." How will Coachella top try to top this next year? We'll have to wait and see. ... The full lineup is typically announced in mid-January.
Connect: @coachella

Stagecoach

Date: April 27–29
Location: Indio, Calif.
Lineup Includes: Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line, Kacey Musgraves, Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit, Kelsea Ballerini, Brothers Osborne, Midland
The Scene: Dubbed as country's premier festival, the 12th edition of Stagecoach promises a lineup that leverages country music's glorious history with its powerhouse present. In fact, this year's talent is stacked with premier female talent, with 13 female acts representing. In addition to music, there are country-friendly amenities such as the HonkyTonk Dance Hall, Half-Pint Hootenanny, delicious BBQ, and more. Boots and hats are optional.
Connect: @Stagecoach

Welcome To Rockville

Date: April 27–29
Location: Jacksonville, Fla.
Lineup Includes: Foo Fighters, Ozzy Osbourne, Avenged Sevenfold, Queens Of The Stone Age, Billy Idol, Greta Van Fleet, Halestorm, Black Veil Brides
The Scene: Danny Wimmer Presents' Florida rock institution Welcome To Rockville returns again in 2018 to rock Jacksonville. Back in October, the festival announced the Foo Fighters as the first confirmed act and they have since stacked the deck, adding iconic legends and young buzz bands alike. Blending relentless rock performances with eclectic food and drink choices and extended camping options, the 2018 version of Welcome To Rockville promises to be its loudest yet.
Connect: @RockvilleFest

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Date: April 27 – May 6
Location: New Orleans
Lineup Includes: Aerosmith, Aretha Franklin, Jack White, Bonnie Raitt, LL Cool J featuring DJ Z-Trip
The Scene: Oftentimes shortened to simply "Jazz Fest," the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana. Attendees can expect to sample the finest soul food and local fare (the festival's stated food policy is "no carnival food"). With close to a hundred booths offering various food and drink options alone, there is plenty to do and see as patrons make their way amongst the festival's 12 stages and numerous music and experience tents during the event's seven-day run.
Connect:  @JazzFest

Beale Street Music Festival

Date: May 4–6
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Lineup Includes: Jack White, Alanis Morissette, Odesza, Erykah Badu, Kaleo, DRAM, Logic, Post Malone
The Scene: Known as one the more eclectic festivals in terms of talent, the 2018 installment of Beale Street promises to keep that reputation intact. A dynamic mix of artists will be spread across four stages, representing genres such as alternative, rock, indie, neo-soul, hip-hop EDM, and country. Main stage headliners include Jack White, Queens Of The Stone Age, Incubus, Logic, and Tyler, The Creator. And — to paraphrase the great Buddy Guy — damn right this festival has also got the blues. Beale Street will host a collective of blues notables, including Delbert McClinton, Robert Randolph And The Family Band, Marcia Ball, Love Light Orchestra, and R.L. Boyce. If you've been putting off that Memphis roadie, wait no longer.
Connect: @memphisinmay

Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas

Date: May 18–20
Location: Las Vegas
Lineup Includes: Armin Van Buuren, Diplo, Kaskade, Marshmello, Martin Garrix, Tiësto, Zedd
The Scene: Over the past 21 years, Electric Daisy Carnival has grown into one of the biggest flagship electronic dance festivals in the U.S. In a series of major logistical updates from years past, the festival dates have been moved up more than a full month earlier to take advantage of cooler temperatures, and onsite camping has been added for the first time. With a typical setup of eight or more full-size stage experiences, countless pop-up events and micro-happenings throughout the venue; carnival games and rides, yoga, crafting, and other nonmusic activities; and patrolling art cars hosting their own dance and musical experiences, there's always something for everyone at EDC Las Vegas.
Connect: @EDC_LasVegas

BottleRock

Date: May 25–27
Location: St. Napa, Calif.
Lineup Includes: Bruno Mars, Halsey, Snoop Dogg, the Killers, Muse, Earth, Wind & Fire, Incubus, Natalia Lafourcade, the Chainsmokers
The Scene: Nestled in the wine and brew capital of California, Napa Valley's BottleRock festival provides a little something for everyone, including great music, food and drinks. Indulge across three days with 80-plus bands on five stages and gourmet foods, hand-selected wines, craft beer, or specialty cocktails in hand. With acts ranging from pop to rap to R&B and beyond, BottleRock is sure to capture the imagination (and taste buds) of even the pickiest fan.
Connect: @BottleRockNapa

Roots Picnic

Date: June 2 (Philadelphia)
Location: Philadelphia and New York City (TBA)
Lineup Includes: Dave Chappelle, Lil Uzi Vert, Dirty Projectors, The Diplomats, 2 Chainz, 6LACK, Brandy, BadBadNotGood, live mixtape by Black Thought and J.Period
The Scene: Now in its 11th year, Questlove and Co. return for what has become a staple of their hometown of Philly. Roots Picnic brings together an array of talented artists from many mediums in a backyard party atmosphere and culminates with a jam session led by hip-hop heavyweights The Roots. The festival also presents unique experiences such as podcast and lifestyle stages plus a live mixtape hosted by Black Thought and J.Period. The festivities expanded to include a New York City starting in 2016, with details for this year's NYC edition still forthcoming.
Connect:  @rootspicnic

Electric Forest

Date: June 21–24 and June 28–July 1
Location: Rothbury, Mich.
Lineup Includes: Bassnectar, Bonobo, Chromeo, Cut Copy, the Glitch Mob, Griz Live Band, Marian Hill, Rüfüs Du Sol, the String Cheese Incident, Zhu, Xavier Rudd
The Scene: Formerly the Rothbury Music Festival, the first Electric Forest was held in 2011, featuring two long weekends of high-energy experimental music and trippy jams. The forest setting is decked out with electronic art to become an otherworldly "Sherwood Forest" enclave. A positive sense of community has festivalgoers wishing each other "Happy Forest!" as they deal with the difficult trade-offs deciding who to see next. Scheduled acts also include Galantis and Deadmau5's Testpilot alias.
Connect: @Electric_Forest

Vans Warped Tour

Date: June 21–Aug. 5
Location: Various
Lineup Includes: 3OH!3, All Time Low, As It Is, Black Veil Brides, Bowling For Soup, Grayscale, Kublai Khan, Mayday Parade, Simple Plan, and We The Kings
The Scene: Last year founder Kevin Lyman announced this 24th year will be "the final, full cross-country run" for what has been a star-making tradition. Although plans are in the works to close 2019 with events commemorating its 25th year, the summer of 2018 could be your last chance to catch a festival date near home.
Connect: @VansWarpedTour

Essence Festival

Date: July 5–8
Location: New Orleans
Lineup Includes: Full lineup TBA
The Scene: What could be better than a nightly concert series featuring some of the biggest names in music paired with empowering conference sessions and speeches during the day? That's the magic of the Essence Festival, which celebrates music, entertainment and culture. The 2017 version of the festival attracted nearly 500,000 people with headliners Chance The Rapper and Diana Ross, and 2018 is sure to shape up to be an equally amazing experience.
Connect: @EssenceFest

Pitchfork Music Festival

Date: July 20 – July 22
Location: Chicago
Lineup Includes: Tame Impala, Courtney Barnett, The War On Drugs, Chaka Khan, Earl Sweatshirt
The Scene: Hosted by Pitchfork Media, home to the famous/infamous music tastemaking blog Pitchfork, the Pitchfork Music Festival consistently brings an eclectically relevant and sonically forward-thinking lineup of can't-miss and must-know acts.
Connect: @Pitchfork

Lollapalooza

Date: Aug. 2–5
Location: Chicago
Lineup Includes: Full lineup TBA
The Scene: Lollapalooza started as the brainchild of Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell in 1991 as part of the band's farewell tour. This festival initially ran through 1997 before its revival in 2003 where it has grown to become a national cultural touchstone. The festival draws more than 150,000 annually to Chicago's Grant Park for a diverse lineup that includes pop, rock, hip-hop, dance/electronic music, and much more. What will this year's lineup bring?
Connect: @Lollapalooza

Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

Date: Sept. 22–23
Location: Franklin, Tenn.
Lineup Includes: Full lineup TBA
The Scene: True to its namesake, the annual Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival is a mecca of great bands, excellent local food, and unique arts. Co-founded by Better Than Ezra frontman/guitarist Kevin Griffin with business partners Brandt Wood and Michael Whelan in 2015, the festival started as a spiritual counterpoint to New Orleans' venerable Jazz & Heritage Festival. Pilgrimage then doubled in size in its third year and snagged Justin Timberlake as a top billing headliner. With a who's-who of indie rock, Nashville country, jazz and southern blues artists on the billing as supporting acts in 2017, the 2018 installment is sure to satiate any music fan looking for an authentic festival experience.
Connect: @PilgrimageFest

Austin City Limits Festival

Date: Oct. 5 – Oct. 14
Location: Austin, Texas
Lineup Includes: TBA, but considering Jay-Z's headlining slot last year, the bar is set high
The Scene: Austin's Zilker Park is host to one of the season's final festivals, Austin City Limits. Created in the image of the historic television program of the same name, ACL has blossomed into a multi-genre powerhouse offering up eight stages, more than 140 bands, and two weekends worth of rock, rap, dance, R&B and, of course, country. The cherry on top is local fare of Austin area eateries providing tacos, brews, vegan options and more at the ACL Eats Food Court.
Connect:  @aclfestival