Top 100 Events in the United States 2018 - Music Festivals
September 18, 2018
1. South by Southwest
Austin
#1 Music Festival
The 32nd annual celebration of technology, film, television, and music drew 432,500 people to Austin this year. With attendance higher than the previous year, the festival made it easier to check the status of a venue’s remaining capacity with a color-code system on the event’s app; when rooms reached capacity, many keynotes were streamed on Facebook Live. Featured keynote speakers included Esther Perel, Barry Jenkins, Darren Aronofsky, Melinda Gates, and Ta-Nehisi Coates. One of the festival’s standout activations was HBO’s recreation of the Westworld theme park, which was awarded SXSW’s first Best Immersive Experience Award. Next: March 8-17, 2019
#1 Music Festival
The 32nd annual celebration of technology, film, television, and music drew 432,500 people to Austin this year. With attendance higher than the previous year, the festival made it easier to check the status of a venue’s remaining capacity with a color-code system on the event’s app; when rooms reached capacity, many keynotes were streamed on Facebook Live. Featured keynote speakers included Esther Perel, Barry Jenkins, Darren Aronofsky, Melinda Gates, and Ta-Nehisi Coates. One of the festival’s standout activations was HBO’s recreation of the Westworld theme park, which was awarded SXSW’s first Best Immersive Experience Award. Next: March 8-17, 2019
Photo: Travis P Ball/Getty Images for SXSW
2. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
Indio, California
#2 Music Festival
Beyoncé became the first black woman to headline the desert music festival, which drew a record audience of 750,000 attendees over two weekends. The singer performed her hits in a two-hour set that was an ode to the football halftime shows at historically black colleges, and featured the reunion of Destiny’s Child. The Weeknd and Eminem also headlined the 19th edition of the festival, which featured activations from big-name brands such as American Express, Playboy, and Absolut. Next: April 12-21, 2019
#2 Music Festival
Beyoncé became the first black woman to headline the desert music festival, which drew a record audience of 750,000 attendees over two weekends. The singer performed her hits in a two-hour set that was an ode to the football halftime shows at historically black colleges, and featured the reunion of Destiny’s Child. The Weeknd and Eminem also headlined the 19th edition of the festival, which featured activations from big-name brands such as American Express, Playboy, and Absolut. Next: April 12-21, 2019
Photo: Rose Curiel
3. Lollapalooza
Chicago
#3 Music Festival
The annual four-day festival drew 100,000 attendees per day to Chicago’s Grant Park, with performances from 180 artists including the Weeknd, Bruno Mars, Jack White, and Travis Scott. While the event has faced rainy weather for many years, this year the festival dealt with soaring temperatures that reached into the 90s. New festival elements included a ping-pong area and more cocktail lounges, as well as a general admission ticket add-on that offered fans access to more shaded areas, air-conditioned restrooms, and discounted alcoholic drinks. Next: August 1-4, 2019
#3 Music Festival
The annual four-day festival drew 100,000 attendees per day to Chicago’s Grant Park, with performances from 180 artists including the Weeknd, Bruno Mars, Jack White, and Travis Scott. While the event has faced rainy weather for many years, this year the festival dealt with soaring temperatures that reached into the 90s. New festival elements included a ping-pong area and more cocktail lounges, as well as a general admission ticket add-on that offered fans access to more shaded areas, air-conditioned restrooms, and discounted alcoholic drinks. Next: August 1-4, 2019
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
4. Summerfest
Milwaukee
#4 Music Festival
The massive Milwaukee music festival in June and July faced three days of excessive heat warnings and two days of rain, but still drew 766,192 attendees over 11 days. The festival featured a number of high-profile performers appearing there for the first time including Janelle Monáe, Kesha, Shawn Mendes, and Arcade Fire. The event held its inaugural Summerfest tech roundtable discussion in partnership with the Milkwaukee Business Journal, spotlighting technology companies in Wisconsin. Next: June 2019
#4 Music Festival
The massive Milwaukee music festival in June and July faced three days of excessive heat warnings and two days of rain, but still drew 766,192 attendees over 11 days. The festival featured a number of high-profile performers appearing there for the first time including Janelle Monáe, Kesha, Shawn Mendes, and Arcade Fire. The event held its inaugural Summerfest tech roundtable discussion in partnership with the Milkwaukee Business Journal, spotlighting technology companies in Wisconsin. Next: June 2019
Photo: Abe Van Dyke
5. Austin City Limits Music Festival
Austin
#5 Music Festival
The 16th edition of the music fest drew 450,000 people over two weekends to Zilker Park, shortly after the mass shooting at a Las Vegas music festival in October 2017. The festival increased security with safety measures including a larger police presence, and producer C3 Presents offered refunds to attendees who decided not to attend. Headliners at the event included Jay-Z, the Killers, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Next: October 5-14, 2018
#5 Music Festival
The 16th edition of the music fest drew 450,000 people over two weekends to Zilker Park, shortly after the mass shooting at a Las Vegas music festival in October 2017. The festival increased security with safety measures including a larger police presence, and producer C3 Presents offered refunds to attendees who decided not to attend. Headliners at the event included Jay-Z, the Killers, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Next: October 5-14, 2018
Photo: Roger Ho
6. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans
#6 Music Festival
Some 450,000 people attended New Orleans’s 49th annual jazz festival, which dedicated an entire tent and stage to the city’s tricentennial. High-profile headliners this year included Sting, Leslie Odom Jr., Lionel Richie, Beck, Sheryl Crow, and Anita Baker. The festival, which is presented by Shell, will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. Next: April 26-May 5, 2019
#6 Music Festival
Some 450,000 people attended New Orleans’s 49th annual jazz festival, which dedicated an entire tent and stage to the city’s tricentennial. High-profile headliners this year included Sting, Leslie Odom Jr., Lionel Richie, Beck, Sheryl Crow, and Anita Baker. The festival, which is presented by Shell, will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. Next: April 26-May 5, 2019
Photo: Douglas Mason
7. Outside Lands
San Francisco
#7 Music Festival (new to the list)
Northern California’s biggest music festival drew more than 200,000 people to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The event featured Janet Jackson, the Weeknd, and Florence & the Machine as headliners, as well as more than 100 other acts. New at the 11th annual festival was Grass Lands, a curated cannabis experience that featured educational sessions, product showcases, and a delivery service booth. Next: August 9-11, 2019
#7 Music Festival (new to the list)
Northern California’s biggest music festival drew more than 200,000 people to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The event featured Janet Jackson, the Weeknd, and Florence & the Machine as headliners, as well as more than 100 other acts. New at the 11th annual festival was Grass Lands, a curated cannabis experience that featured educational sessions, product showcases, and a delivery service booth. Next: August 9-11, 2019
Photo: FilmMagic
8. Spoleto Festival USA
Charleston, S.C.
#8 Music Festival
The 42nd season of the performing arts festival drew more than 65,000 people to Charleston. The festival made $3.3 million in ticket sales, the second-highest total in the event's history. Over 17 days, the event featured 158 performances that included four U.S. premiere productions and four world premieres. Next: May 24-June 9, 2019
#8 Music Festival
The 42nd season of the performing arts festival drew more than 65,000 people to Charleston. The festival made $3.3 million in ticket sales, the second-highest total in the event's history. Over 17 days, the event featured 158 performances that included four U.S. premiere productions and four world premieres. Next: May 24-June 9, 2019
Photo: William Struhs
9. CMA Music Festival
Nashville
#9 Music Festival
The 47th edition of the country music festival featured headliners like Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, as well as a surprise appearance by the Backstreet Boys with Florida Georgia Line. The festival maintained its daily attendance of 90,000. Attendance at the festival’s fan event Fan Fair X increased 10 percent from the previous year with 71,000 attendees. Next: June 6-9, 2019
#9 Music Festival
The 47th edition of the country music festival featured headliners like Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, as well as a surprise appearance by the Backstreet Boys with Florida Georgia Line. The festival maintained its daily attendance of 90,000. Attendance at the festival’s fan event Fan Fair X increased 10 percent from the previous year with 71,000 attendees. Next: June 6-9, 2019
Photo: John Russell/CMA
