written by Danny Smith
The 59th Annual Grammy Awards recently announced winners while festival season is fully underway. It is not unusual to see Grammy winners and nominees at festivals throughout the season. Last year Okeechobee essentially kicked festival season off with amazing Grammy winner performances from acts like Kendrick Lamar and Skrillex. To no surprise, there will be a plethora of Grammy worthy performances this year at numerous festivals worldwide; some artists performing at multiple festivals.
Outsiders (non-festival goers) always ask, “Why would you pay hundreds of dollars to go to a festival?” It is this simple for me. Let’s say you pay $200 to see one particular artist at a one night concert. If you are lucky they may have two or three other artists performing in the same night. Assuming the artists all show up on time and do perform great shows, you still have paid $200 (plus other show expenses) for a maximum of five artists.
On the flip side, let’s say the typical three day festival is going to cost $300 (plus other expenses). If you are really there for the music, you can easily see at least ten artists. Some of which could be your favorites or new artists you have never even thought about listening to if you were not at a festival. High balling you spend $600 for the time of your life with friends. However, nothing is more priceless than traveling to new territories, new music to listen to, new friends, stories for years, epic life changing experiences, and so on.
Festivals sound worth it, right? After looking at the Grammy list, I compiled a list of several winners and nominees who are currently scheduled to appear at different festivals in the US throughout the year. Some of which I have seen before and some I look forward to seeing later this year. I was fortunate enough to see the talented Fantastic Negrito and the amazing voice of Lalah Hathaway already this year at Sundance Film Festival! So take a look at the list below. Ask around to some friends who have seen (or like) the artists below or who have been to festivals. You never know, you just may have some fun.
Beyoncé – Coachella
Twenty One Pilots – Hangout, Firefly, Bunbury
Mike Posner – Okeechobee
The Chainsmokers – Ultra, Shaky Beats
Chance The Rapper – Hangout, Boston Calling, Sasquatch!, Firefly
Anderson .Paak – Okeechobee
Bob Moses – Hangout, CRSSD, Euphoria, Lightning in a Bottle, Bottle Rock, Sasquatch!, Mysteryland, Firefly, Electric Forest, Bonanza Campout
Flume – Okeechobee, FPSF, Bonnaroo, McDowell Mountain, CRSSD, Governor’s Ball, Firefly, Electric Forest Weekend 2
Tycho – BUKU, Electric Forest Weekend 1, Sloss
Alabama Shakes – Sloss, New Orleans Jazz
Cage the Elephant – FPSF, Boston Calling, Gasparilla, Shaky Knees, Governor’s Ball, Bonnaroo, Forecastle
Weezer – Hangout, Forecastle, Boston Calling, Firefly, KAABOO (1st band announced March lineup release)
Radiohead – Coachella
BJ the Chicago Kid – Essence
Ro James – Essence
Solange – FPSF, Okeechobee, Essence, Panorama
Lalah Hathaway – Essence
Schoolboy Q – Coachella, Governor’s Ball
Lil Wayne – Rolling Loud
2 Chainz – Rolling Loud
Fantastic Negrito – Shaky Knees
Rebelution – Grizzly, California Roots
Ziggy Marley – Levitate
SOJA – Okeechobee, California Roots, Mayjah Rayjah
Leon Bridges – New Orleans Jazz
OK Go – Firefly
Kendrick Lamar – Coachella, Rolling Loud