Although large festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach have already ended, there are still plenty of music festivals to look forward to this summer and later on. As a senior, I know that I want to enjoy my last few months in California, so here are the music festivals and concerts I would recommend from most to least!
Hosted in our very own San Francisco, Outside Lands is a three-day festival (Aug. 9-11) that hosts artists like Tyler, the Creator; KAYTRANADA; Jungle; and so many more DJs, singers, and composers. Upcoming pop star Chappell Roan will be performing, as well as more alternative artists like Slowdive, TV Girl, The Japanese House, and more. Grammy winner Killer Mike will also be performing at this festival, so even if you are not into alternative, indie, or pop, there are so many different types of artists performing all kinds of genres of music, making this festival accessible to everyone no matter the genre of music you like.
Martin Garrix, a producer/DJ you may recognize from songs like “Animals,” “In the Name of Love,” “Scared to be Lonely,” and “Summer Days” will be performing at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (in San Francisco) on June 15. This auditorium will also host singers and bands like Jacob Collier, Cage the Elephant, Tate McRae, Dom Dolla, and others throughout the rest of the summer.
One of the most iconic LGBTQ+ singers, girl in red, will be performing with The Beaches at the Warfield in San Francisco on June 2. The Warfield is one of the most gorgeous venues in San Francisco, designed as if it was a theater from the 1900s, so attending at least one concert here is a must! Ken Carson will also be performing at the Warfield on July 24, as a part of his Chaos Tour.
One of the biggest electronic dance music (EDM) festivals in California is hosting a smaller branch at The Gorge in the state of Washington, on June 22 and June 23. Artists like Disco Lines, Dabin, Zedd, Troyboi, and more DJs and producers will be performing at this two-day festival. This event, however, is only open to people 18 or older.
For fans of soul music and R&B, legends like Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, Thee Sacred Souls, Kool and the Gang, and more will be performing at a one-day festival called Fool in Love in Inglewood, Calif. on Aug. 31. The event is open to all ages, and you can bring your younger siblings and friends with you, and even your grandparents that want to relive their glory days.
As Latin music continues to grow in popularity nationwide, BottleRock (festival organizer) presents La Onda in Napa Valley from June 1 to June 2. La Onda is a two-day festival open to people of all ages. Some popular Latin singers like Farruko, Maná, and Junior H will be performing, alongside more than twenty other artists. It will be hosted at Napa Valley Expo, a large outdoor venue perfect for large music festivals like La Onda.
The world doesn’t start and end at Coachella. Every year, there are large music festivals and concerts like these across the country and the world—all you have to do is look!