Festival season is upon us, and as spring approaches, music lovers across the nation eagerly await some of the biggest events on the calendar. From the highly anticipated Rolling Loud to the iconic Coachella, the lineup of artists set to perform this year promises to be as star-studded as ever.
One of the first significant events is the Rolling Loud Los Angeles, scheduled for March 15-16, 2025, at the historic location of Los Angeles. This year's lineup includes top artists such as A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti, Peso Pluma, YG, Sexyy Red, and Quavo. Tickets are expected to be highly sought after, reflecting the event's reputation as one of the premier hip-hop festivals in the world.
Following closely, the Dreamville Festival takes place from April 5-6, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Set to feature the renowned J. Cole, this festival is sure to draw fans eager to experience his live performance. The anticipation is palpable as more artists are expected to be announced, promising to add diversity to the already impressive lineup.
Not to be overshadowed, Coachella will return to Indio, California, hosting its renowned event across two weekends, April 11-13 and April 18-20, 2025. The festival has garnered vast attention, partly due to its extremely popular headline acts this year, including Lady Gaga, Missy Elliott, Charli XCX, Post Malone, and Megan Thee Stallion. With high expectations, fans are already counting down the days until the festival weekend.
The Tycoon Music Festival is also on the calendar for April 19, 2025, taking place in Detroit, Michigan. Featuring artists such as Chris Brown, Gucci Mane, Wiz Khalifa, and Fabolous, this festival promises to bring the heat to the Motor City.
Another festival on the horizon is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, taking place from April 24 to May 4, 2025. This festival will highlight the rich musical heritage of New Orleans with expected performances from Lil Wayne & The Roots, Lenny Kravitz, and Burna Boy, among others.
The Stagecoach festival runs from April 25-27, 2025, also located at the Empire Polo Club, where attendees can enjoy performances by Jelly Roll, T-Pain, and the Backstreet Boys, appealing to fans of both country and pop music.
Later, from May 2-4, the BeachLife Festival will captivate audiences in Redondo Beach, California, showcasing headliners like Lenny Kravitz, Ski Marley, Sublime, and Alanis Morissette. This festival promises to deliver good vibes right by the beach, perfect for those seeking both sun and music.
The RiverBeat Music Festival, also set for May 2-4, takes place in Memphis, Tennessee. This festival boasts impressive performances from Missy Elliott, The Killers, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Ludacris, and Busta Rhymes. With tickets starting as low as $69, it promises to be accessible for fans eager to enjoy some great music.
Looking forward to June, the Governors Ball festival is scheduled for June 6-8, 2025, in Queens, New York, featuring Tyler, The Creator, Benson Boone, T-Pain, and Tyla. Likewise, the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival will commence from June 12-15, 2025, in Manchester, Tennessee, where artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Avril Lavigne are expected to perform.
The ESSENCE Festival will also kick off from July 3-6, 2025, returning to New Orleans for another year. Details on artists are yet to be announced, but expectations are high for what is traditionally one of the most prominent showcases of Black culture.
Rounding off the notable festivals is Summerfest, which will take place over multiple weekends—June 19-21, June 26-28, and July 3-5, 2025, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This annual event is set to feature performances by Megan Thee Stallion, Flo Milli, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, among others.
While festival excitement grows, outside the music scene, talk show host Bill Maher recently weighed on the entertainment industry dynamics, particularly relating to awards shows. He suggested, "'Anora' won because 'cancel culture' is still with us," highlighting the complex relationship between media and public perception.
On another note, sports enthusiasts might be interested to learn from recent data reported by Vivid Seats indicating the ticket prices for the Los Angeles Dodgers' 2025 season are projected to be “higher than any other MLB team.” This adds another layer to the summer's forthcoming events as fans plan their schedules.
With such diverse options on the horizon, from massive festivals to intimate shows, music lovers will find plenty to indulge as the weather warms up. Whether it's joining the crowd at Rolling Loud or reflecting on the cultural dynamics discussed by Maher, this festival season promises to be unforgettable.