Best Music Festivals in The USA
The top 10 music festivals in the United States can vary depending on personal taste, genre preferences, and overall experience sought. Here are ten that have historically drawn large crowds and attention:
- Coachella (Indio, California): Coachella is one of the most famous music festivals in the world. It is known for its diverse lineup and artsy vibe.
- Lollapalooza (Chicago, Illinois) is a massive festival that features a wide range of genres, from rock and pop to hip-hop and electronic music.
- Bonnaroo (Manchester, Tennessee): Famous for its camping experience and diverse lineup spanning various genres.
- Austin City Limits (ACL) Festival (Austin, Texas): Held in the "Live Music Capital of the World," ACL showcases a mix of established and up-and-coming artists.
- Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) (Las Vegas, Nevada): One of the largest electronic dance music (EDM) festivals globally, known for its elaborate stages and production.
- Outside Lands (San Francisco, California): Combines music, food, wine, and art in the beautiful setting of Golden Gate Park.
- Governors Ball Music Festival (New York City, New York): This festival on Randall's Island features diverse music acts.
- Firefly Music Festival (Dover, Delaware): Known for its camping experience and diverse lineup, featuring indie, rock, hip-hop, and electronic music.
- Stagecoach (Indio, California) is a country music festival held at Coachella's venue, attracting top country music acts.
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (New Orleans, Louisiana): Celebrates the city's rich musical heritage, featuring jazz, blues, gospel, R&B, and more.
As for record stores to visit around these festivals:
- Coachella: In Indio, you might explore nearby cities like Palm Springs, which has record stores like Record Alley and the Coachella Valley Music Vault.
- Lollapalooza: Chicago is rich in record stores; check out Reckless Records, Dusty Groove, or Shuga Records.
- Bonnaroo: Nearby cities like Nashville have great record stores like Grimey's New & Preloved Music and The Groove.
- Austin City Limits (ACL) Festival: Austin is known for its vibrant music scene and record stores like Waterloo Records, Antone's Record Shop, and End of an Ear.
- Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC): Las Vegas has record stores like 11th Street Records and Moondog Records.
- Outside Lands: Visit stores like Amoeba Music in San Francisco, 1-2-3-4 Go! Records, or Aquarius Records.
- Governors Ball Music Festival: In NYC, explore Rough Trade NYC, Academy Records & CDs, and Generation Records.
- Firefly Music Festival: Nearby cities like Wilmington have Rainbow Records and Jupiter Records stores.
- Stagecoach: In Indio, explore record stores in Palm Springs or Riverside, such as Record Alley or The Record Collector.
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: New Orleans has fantastic record stores like Louisiana Music Factory, Euclid Records, and Peaches Records.
Remember, these suggestions are based on past trends, and the availability or popularity of festivals and stores may have changed. Always double-check for the latest information from the official festivals or record store website!