By Jamie Barrie
Year after year, festival organisations battle with competitors by paying big dollars to get the bands you want to see, and create a venue that you want to come back to every year. So regardless of which side of the border you live on you will be looking for some great music festivals this summer whether they be home or abroad and there are some great events both north and south of the border this year. These are our top music festival picks for our readers in the US or those making their way south of the border to take in some of these amazing festivals that fit all musical tastes with spectacular line-ups and amazing venues to watch the artists.
10. FYF Fest
When: July 21 st – 23 rd , 2017
Where: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Why: The event started in 2004 to showcase many genres of music, including rock, indie, electronic, as well as art installations and sculptures. The festival also has its own night market where people can buy food while watching the concerts. Throughout the whole park, four stages host live music. There is the Main Stage, the Lawn, the Arena, and the newest installment of the Woods.
For more information of the event: https://fyffest.com/
Follow on Twitter: @FYFFEST
9. Pitchfork Music Festival
When: July 14 th – 16 th , 2017
Where: Chicago, Il, USA
Why: Celebrating its 12th year this is an annual summer music festival normally held over three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) in July, focuses primarily on artists and bands from alternative rock, rap & hip-hop, electronica, and dance music, although it has also included acts from hardcore punk and jazz in its lineups. The event hosts 40 plus bands performing on three stages and providing the over 50,000 festival goers with a dynamic festival experience
For more information of the event:
http://pitchfork.com/festival/chicago
Follow on Twitter: @pitchfork
8. Riot Fest
When: September 15 th – 17 th , 2017
Where: Chicago , Il, USA
Why: This is a multi-day music festival that specializes in rock, punk, alternative rock, and hip hop. This event is well known for booking reunions, guest performances, and full album performances and was first started back in 2005 and has been providing an ultimate cross between mainstream and independent acts, current punk rock megastars and legendary bands from the past.
For more information of the event: http://riotfest.org/
7. Newport Folk Festival
When: June 28 th – 30 th , 2017
Where: Newport, RI, USA
Why: The Newport Folk Festival takes place every year at Fort Adams State Park, in Newport, Rhode Island, which began in 1962 and is now the longest continuously running music festival in North America. The festival’s over 60 artist performances take place over the four stages located at Fort Adams which is well known for its beautiful setting. The festival features performances by folk, blues, country, bluegrass and folk rock musicians, and since the 1990s has featured performers from related contemporary genres, such as alternative country, indie folk and folk punk.
For more information on this event go to:
www.newportfolk.org
Follow on Twitter: @Newportfolkfest
6. Panorama NYC Music Festival
When: June 28 th – 30 th , 2017
Where: New York, NY, USA
Why: Panorama Festival offers a sprawling multi-stage affair with a lineup of heavy hitters and up-and- coming acts over three days. The Randalls Island festival attracts some of the biggest names in hip-hop, indie-rock, pop and beyond and is considered as one of the best events in July for New York.
For more information on this event go to:
www.panorama.nyc
Follow on Twitter: @PanoramaNYC
5. Made in America
When: September 2 nd – 3 rd , 2017
Where: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Why: Founded by Jay Z and in its fifth year, Made in America continues to get more ambitious with both the type of talent and amount of talent it brings to Philly each year. There’s an emphasis on pop, hip-hop and electronic acts here, and even though the fest is no longer bi- costal, it still becomes an excellent way to spend Labor Day weekend and close out your summer.
For more information of the event: http://www.madeinamericafest.com
Follow on Twitter: @MIAFestival
4. WE Fest 2017
When: August 3 rd – August 5 th , 2017
Where: Detroit Lake, MN, USA
Why: This year marks our 35th anniversary of WE Fest. Since WE Fest’s inception in 1983, it has been one of the leading country music festivals in the nation. Twice nominated for the Country Music Association’s prestigious Best Special Event award, WE Fest is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding events of its kind in the nation as 80,000 rowdy country fans settle in the small town of Detroit Lake for some adult fun so better leave the kids home for this one if you plan on attending.
For more information of the event: http://wefest.com/
Follow on Twitter: @wefestmn
3. Country Jam USA 2017
When: July 20 th – 22 nd , 2017
Where: Eau Claire, IW, USA
Why: This is Midwest’s premiere outdoor country music festival. We look forward to helping you create great memories when you join us in July. Make a weekend of the event and camp under the stars while you spend each night with the hottest country music stars. We even offer an amazing VIP Experience that includes free beer, free eats, free booze, best seats. It’s the experience of a lifetime. Country Jam draws visitors from all over the map. It’s our goal to make sure your experience is as enjoyable as possible.
For more information of the event:
http://www.countryjamwi.com/
Follow on Twitter: @CountryJam
2. MUSIKFEST 2017
When: August 4 th – August 13 th , 2017
Where: Bethlehem, PA, USA
Why: Founded in 1984 and celebrate their 34th year, this community-based non-profit event organization has evolved into one of the largest and most diverse music festivals in the nation, with 500-plus shows on 14 stages over 10 days. Each year more than 900,000 people make their way to the festival, which offers both free and ticketed concerts, with their sights set on experiencing all the music, food and fun of this musical extravaganza with the support of 1,900 volunteers, 150 corporate partners keeping it the largest free music festival in the nation.
For more information of the event: http://www.musikfest.org/
Follow on Twitter: @Musikfest
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Summerfest 2017
When: June 28 th – July 2 nd , and July 4 th – 9 th , 2017
Where: Milwaukee, WI, USA
Why: This amazing festival turns 50, with performances from over 800 acts and over 1000 performances on 11 stages, making this festival our top pick for festival goers not just in the USA but number one in North American making it the Super Bowl of Festivals which has been wowing festival goers since 1968. Summerfest attracts between 800,000 and 900,000 people each year over the 11 days and is considered “The World’s Largest Music Festival“, a title certified by the Guinness World Records since 1999.
Summerfest event, which features a variety of music genres with both local and nationally performing and recording artists perform throughout the grounds from noon to midnight, including the 23,000-capacity American Family Insurance Amphitheater.
For more information of the event: www.summerfest.com.
Follow on Twitter: @Summerfest
Remember before going to any festival you need to find the one that is right for you. As you can see there are many amazing festivals to choose from but you don’t want to end up somewhere you don’t enjoy so remember atmosphere is just as important if not more than just a spectacular line-up of artists. So we hope that our top 10 music festival picks for the summer of 2017 can surely give you a couple of ideas to find what you are looking for according to your mood, tastes and the festival’s atmosphere. We want your summer to be the best of your life and your festival experience to be memorable for all the right reasons.