After missing out on spring music festivals due to Covid-19, aren’t you ready to celebrate? After all, mask restrictions are easing up nearly as fast as Covid cases are dropping. Besides, music festivals across the country are all set to go and tickets are selling fast. Indeed, in some cases, some higher profile spring fests like Coachella quickly sell out. However, that’s doesn’t mean you can’t go to Coachella or some other spring fest. In fact, if you start planning soon, you might be able to go to more than just one.
Beale Street Music Festival
Fairgrounds at Liberty Park
Early Maxwell Boulevard
Memphis, TN 38104
www.memphisinmay.org
Date: April 29-May 1, 2022
Held the first weekend of May, the Beale Street Music Festival is returning with several featured performers. In fact, this year’s lineup of musical acts may be the best ever. Namely, the headliners are Foo Fighters, Megan Thee Stallion and Weezer. If that’s not enough for you to go, Lil Wayne, Three 6 Mafia and Death Cab for Cutie are also appearing. Equally impressive are throwback artists like Van Morrison, Lindsey Buckingham and Sarah McLachlan. In all, more than 60 musical acts will appear on stage in Liberty Park.
About Memphis in May International Festival
The Beale Street Music Festival is part of a larger, spring festival. First held in 1977, Memphis in May will feature several events all month. Additionally, it hosts what’s called America’s best BBQ contests along with the Great River Run. Each year, Memphis in May salutes a different country, including Ghana this spring. By honoring this west African nation, this year’s festivities will showcase its history and culture. Additionally, a Black Tie Gala and musical performance are part of the salute. Tickets for BSMF and other events are still available.
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Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Empire Polo Club
81-800 Avenue 51
Indio, CA 92201
www.coachella.com
Dates: April 15-17, 2022 and April 22-24, 2022
If you had just one spring musical festival to see, is it Coachella? After all, it’s probably America’s best known spring music fest. Even better is that it’s held on not one, but two weekends in the California desert. That’s to saying nothing of this year’s, star-studded musical lineup. Headlining Coachella is Harry Styles, Billie Eilish and Kanye West (aka Ye). Of course, several other notable acts are also set to appear. In further detail, Lil Baby, Big Sean, Phoebe Bridges, Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat are on the billing. In a related development, Kanye West has said he might cancel his appearance due to a disagreement with Billie Eillish.
About Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Held 22 miles southeast of Palm Springs, Coachella is one of America’s largest musical festivals. Moreover, it has been named Billboard’s Top Festival multiple times. Tickets quickly sell out well in advance. In fact, all that are left on waitlists for both weekends. However, tickets may be obtained through third party vendors. StubHub and Vivid Seats have multiple listings for weekend passes and parking. Coachella is produced by Goldenvoice.
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Hangout Music Festival
101 E. Beach Blvd.
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
www.hangoutmusicfest.com
Date: May 20-22, 2022
Organizers are expecting huge crowds to the white sandy beaches of Gulf Shores this spring. That’s because artists like Post Malone, Fall Out Boy and Zedd are on the bill. But then again, that’s what’s happening on just the first spring day. In fact, many more popular acts are slated for the next two days. For one thing, you have Halsey, Doja Cat and Leon Bridges appearing on Saturday. Of course, Sunday is going to be particularly awesome, with big name acts like Tame Impala, Megan Thee Stallion and more.
About Hangout Festival
After cancelling the event the past two years, the Hangout Music Festival returns to Gulf Shores. An annual three day event, it features a wide range of music genres on an enormous stage. For instance, you can see EDM star Zedd the same day as the rock band Fall Out Boy. This year’s Hangout also features soul singer Leon Bridges and alternative rockers Sublime with Rome. Tickets are still available online. Like Coachella, the Hangout Fest is produced by Goldenvoice.
Related: America’s Best Spring Music Festivals 2023
iHeart Country Festival ‘22
Moody Center, University of Texas
2001 Robert Dedman Drive
Austin, TX 78712
www.iheart.com/iheartcountry-festival
Date: May 7, 2022
After two long years, the iHeart Country Festival is returning to Austin, Texas. In other words, there is an impressive lineup of country music stars appearing this year. In fact, headlining this annual event are Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood and the Zac Brown Band. But not are these talented performers, but also Jimmie Allen, Marren Morris, Dustin Lynch and a whole lot more. If for some reason you can’t make it, you can always listen to iHeartRADIO.
About iHeart Country Festival
This country music fest is part of iHeartRADIO’s collection of live music events. In particular are the iHeartRADIO Music Event and iHeartRADIO Music Awards. This year’s country music fest will be hosted by Bobby Jones and tickets are still available.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Fairgrounds Race Course
1751 Gentilly Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70119
www.nojazzfest.com
Dates: April 29-May 1 and May 5-8, 2022
Next to Mardi Gras, the Jazz Fest is the city’s largest annual event. Indeed, after a two-year absence, the festival is expected to draw 500,000 people. Unsurprisingly, a huge lineup of performers will appear across 12 stages. For instance, The Who, Stevie Nicks, Foo Fighters and Jimmy Buffett are all set to appear. That’s not to mention Lionel Ritchie, The Black Crowes, Willie Nelson and Luke Combs. Of course, even more star performers are set to go, like Elvis Costello, Boz Scaggs, Rickie Lee Jones and Melissa Etheridge.
About The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
The festival has been held at the Fairgrounds Race Course for 50 years. But it’s not just an eclectic collection of musical genres that are featured here. For example, there are arts and crafts vendors at multiple sections onsite. Together with food vendors selling the best food in New Orleans, the Jazz Fest is incomparable.
Old Settler’s Music Festival
1616 FM 3158
Dale, TX 78616
www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org
Date: April 21-24, 2022
The Old Settler’s Music Festival isn’t nearly as well-known as Coachellla Valley or New Orleans Jazz Fest. On the other hand, if you love bluegrass, blues and folk music, this may be worth your while. Of course, there has to be a great lineup of performers, along with great food and drink. In this case, you have performers like Steep Canyon Rangers, Railroad Earth and the legendary Del McCoury Band. You also might recognize artists like Peter Rowan, JJ Grey and Leftover Salmon.
About Old Settler’s
Now in its 35th year, Old Settler’s features both up and coming performers and legends of bluegrass and folk. The event is held on a ranch located less than an hour drive from Austin. Camping is available on site and is family friendly. General admission tickets are still available and include parking. RV and camping permits are sold separately.
Ostrich Festival
Tumbleweed Park
2250 S. McQueen Road
Chandler, AZ 85286
Dates: March 11-13 and March 17-20, 2022
The Ostrich Festival is much more than just a music festival. For one thing, you have carnival rides like a giant Ferris wheel, the Scambler and the Zipper. For another, you will have great food although vendors are yet to be announced. But like any festival, you must have big name acts to bring you in. For this reason, you have the Band Perry, Walker Kelly and Flo Rida as part of the headliners. In addition are the Beach Boys, Nelly, the Four Tops and the Temptations. If that’s not enough for you, the tickets start at just $15 for children and $20 for adults.
About the Ostrich Festival
The festival takes its name from old ostrich farms in this Phoenix suburb. The 32nd annual festival is hosted by the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. The festival is unlike others in that each concert requires a separate ticket. But with low admission costs, it’s hard to miss out. Chandler is just south of the suburbs of Tempe, Mesa and Gilbert.
South by Southwest (SXSW)
Austin Convention Center
500 E. Cesar Chavez St.
Austin, TX 78701
www.sxsw.com
No list of spring music festivals would be complete without including SXSW. Although it’s not just a music festival, it’s among the most attended events in America. On the other hand, South by Southwest is said to be the world’s largest music festival of its kind. That’s because hundreds of up and coming musical artists are scheduled to appear across multiple venues. Not all of the performed have been announced but a few will catch your attention. Among them are Moonchild Sannelly, Wet Leg and Cassandra Jenkins. In addition, some big name musicians like Beck and Lizzo will appear at keynote events.
About South by Southwest
SXSW is an annual event held in Austin since 1987. The event was grown from an attendance of 700 attendees to nearly 300,000. Since its inception, South By has grown to feature independent films, interactive multimedia and high profile guest speakers. Among the scheduled speakers this year are Ron Howard, Audie Cornish, Sara Bareilles and Brian Eno. Lastly, there is rumored news that Kanye West might appear.
SweetWater 420 Fest
Centennial Olympic Park
265 Ave. W NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Dates: April 29-May 1, 2022
Snoop Dogg is among the notable performers to appear at this year’s 420 Fest in Atlanta. In addition to the LA rapper are the String Cheese Incident, Trey Anastasio Band and Oysterhead. The latter will be a festival highlight as the supergroup features three well-known performers. That is, frontman Les Claypool from Primus, Trey Anastasio of Phish and drummer Stuart Copeland of The Police. But then again, SweetWater Brewing Company is the host of the show. Therefore, you can expect gallons of premium craft beer to be flowing. If that’s not enough, there is a Preparty in the Park April 28 with String Cheese Incident and Govt. Mule.
About the 420 Fest
The 420 Festival is primarily a celebration of Earth Day hosted by Atlanta-based SweetWater Brewing Company. Before Covid, the spring festival was drawing nearly 60,000 music fans to downtown Atlanta. Organizers expect to draw a similar number this year but tickets remain on sale. In fact, tickets start at $70, with a three-day ticket starting at $172. Of course, there are other, higher priced tickets still available.
Ultra Music Festival
Bayfront Park
301 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33121
www.ultramusicfestival.com
Date: March 25-27, 20223
If EDM is your thing, then start planning now to go to the Ultra Music Festival. That’s because 98 percent of the tickets are already sold out. In light of this are some of the biggest names in electronic dance music. Most notably appearing are David Guetta, Kygo, Martin Garrix and Tiësto. That’s not to mention Afrojack, Carl Cox and Armin Van Buren. The Ultra Music Festival will feature eight stages, with headliners on the Ultra Main Stage.
About Ultra Music Fest
Typically held in late march, the Ultra Music Festival is entering its 23rd year. Because the last two events were cancelled, promoters are expecting over 300,00 across two weekends. The event will be held at Bayfront Park, just northeast of downtown Miami. Ultra Music Fest is part of Miami Music Week, a larger, citywide event.
Related: America’s Best Summer Music Festivals
Additional Information
Please note that proof of Covid vaccine may be required at these festivals. Additionally, there may be changes to the lineup of each spring music festival. Please check with each festival for the latest, up to date information. You can also check festival websites for topics like what you can bring and how to get there.
About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS Local from 2012-2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including CBS New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, OWC.com and Radio.com.