Spring is almost here! If you live in Northern Europe, like I do, the recent snow storm coming from the east might have fooled you into thinking it’s winter. It’s not. Winter is a Russian conspiracy, or so I’ve been told.
Regardless of where you are, it’s time to have a look at where you could be. Although most music festivals take place during the summer, there are more than a few gems to be found by the early bird.
Below I’ve listed five spring music festivals you might want to check out if you suffer from FOMO – and there is a lot to miss out on. Get your concert tickets, camping gear and six-pack (or crate) ready!
Ultra Music Festival
March 23–24, Miami, FL
If electronic music is more your jam, then Ultra Music Festival might be for you. The festival, which has been running for almost two decades, will have seven stages ready for you to get squashed in front of – just remember to bring water (and chewing gum). Headliners include Azealia Banks, David Guetta, Fedde Le Grand, Infected Mushroom and many more.
Shaky Beats Music Festival
May 11–14, Atlanta, GA
As part of the Shaky Festivals, Shaky Beats Festival brings you some of the latest electronic music – but feel free to check out it’s sister festival Shaky Knees if you’re more into rock. Like most big festivals, however, Shaky Beats has expanded its repertoire to include more than just electronic acts. Although you’ll catch the likes of Excision headlining, you can also find Ludacris and London On Da Track.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
April 27–May 7, Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, LA
“Nawleans” is my favorite city in the US. Maybe it’s because the French Quarter reminds me of home, maybe it’s because I’m an old soul who likes (not modern) jazz, or maybe it’s just because cajun and creole food is so damn good. Regardless, the city is a hotbed for music of all kinds, and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is by no means limited to jazz: this year’s headliners include Aerosmith, Aretha Franklin, Sting, Lionel Richie, LL Cool J and Common.
Sasquatch
May 25–27, Gorge Amphitheatre, George, WA
Sometimes you can’t see the wood for the trees. Some things just hide in plain sight. And whilst adventurers, explorers and paranormal experts alike have been searching for Bigfoot for centuries, he was busy hosting his own music festival in Washington all along. To showcase his excellent taste in music, the Sasquatch has invited Bon Iver, Modest Mouse, David Byrne and Anderson Paak to headline this year’s festivities.
FORM Arcosanti
May 11–13, Arcosanti, AZ
This one is a bit outside of the ordinary. FORM Arcosanti isn’t just about great music, but also about innovative architecture. Hosted by electro-pop group Hundred Waters, the festival is an “urban laboratory” where acts that have inspired Hundred Waters perform surrounded by surreal retro-futurist buildings. This year you can catch Fleet Foxes, Chance the Rapper, Skrillex and Beach House among the eclectic line-up of concerts.
