2021 Alternative Music Festival Guide

Since most bands halted their touring in and around March 2020, we, the concertgoers, have been chomping at the bit to get back to live music!

Chomping so hard that BONNAROO and Aftershock are sold out! (Hence why they aren't listed here.) If you're up for a road trip, here's as extensive a list as I could get together.

BLUE OX MUSIC FESTIVAL - August 19-21, Eau Claire, WI

Hosted each year by bluegrass band Pert Near Sandstone, Blue Ox is an outdoor Bluegrass, Roots, and Americana music festival. Highlights this year include: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Shaky Graves, Leftover Salmon, Sam Bush, and others.

FLOYD FEST - July 21-25, Floyd, VA

A 5-day celebration of music & art nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia. Floyd Fest features over 100 performers on 8 stages! Notable names in this year's lineup include: Sturgill Simpson, The Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Nichol Atkins.

HINTERLAND FESTIVAL - August 6-8, St. Charles, IA

Hinterland is a three-day festival held in the Iowa countryside. Big names at this year's festival include: The Avett Brothers, Leon Bridges, Elle King, Black Pumas, Caamp, Mt. Joy, and more!

SUMMER CAMP - August 20-22, Chillicothe, IL

Summer Camp is annually held over Memorial Day weekend and includes an eclectic lineup, expansive campgrounds, late-night shows, live art, & more! This year, expect to see names like moe., Ween, Billy Strings, Umphree's McGee, and GRIZ among others.

RIOT FEST - September 16-19, Chicago, IL

Riot Fest is a multi-day music festival specializing in punk, rock, alternative, metal, and hip-hop. Founded in 2005 in Chicago, Riot Fest has carnival rides, food vendors, sideshow performers, and more add to the atmosphere! Heavy hitters for September include: Smashing Pumpkins, Run the Jewels, The Pixies, Dirty Heads, New Found Glory, Sublime with Rome, L7, and a ton more!

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL FESTIVAL - September 17-19, Las Vegas, NV

Founded in 2013, Life is Beautiful is a three-day music, arts, and culture festival. It was born as part of a major transformation of Downtown Las Vegas, a historically underserved neighborhood. 2021 Lineup highlights include: Billie Eilish, Green Day, Tame Impala, Glass Animals, Modest Mouse, Brittany Howard, All Time Low, Shaed, St. Vincent, and a dang slew of others!

FURNACE FEST - September 24-26, Birmingham, AL

OHANA MUSIC FESTIVAL - September 24-26, Dana Point, CA

The 2021 lineup for Ohana Music festival is enough to make anyone wanna head to Dana Point. Half of the proceeds earned each year benefit a local non-profit that aims to preserve and maintain the magic of California’s coastal parks. This year's lineup includes: Kings of Leon, Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam, Brandi Carlile, Black Pumas, Spoon, Cold War Kids, and others.

OUTSIDE LANDS - October 29-31, San Francisco, CA

The Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival takes place with dozens of bands and attractions. All major music movements are celebrated alongside a host of local musicians, food vendors and visual artists representing San Francisco's vibrant cultural community. Acts this year include: The Strokes, 24KGOLDN, Glass Animals, Lord Huron, Tame Impala, Brittany Howard, Vampire Weekend, and more!