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If a summer music festival is not already on your agenda, there’s a couple of reasons why you should take advantage of the outdoor music activity this season.
Every year, thousands convene at large parks and arenas to watch top acts perform. To add to that excitement, you never know which surprise guests these artists will feature during their sets. Whether it’s sipping overpriced beer in VIP, or camping out near the stage to see your fav up close and personal, there is nothing like turning up to live music. This summer, there are so many festivals on the calendar that it might be hard to keep track. So, check out our ultimate guide to 2017’s summer music festivals.
Essence Music Festival
Date: July 29 to July 2
Location: Mercedes Superdome, New Orleans
The first Essence Festival was held in 1995 and is still going strong. This celebration is for old school and new school R&B lovers alike. Line-up: Solange, Chance the Rapper, Diana Ross, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Jazmine Sullivan, Xscape, Jill Scott, Monica, Goldlink
Website: http://www.essence.com/festival-2017
Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival
Date: Saturday, July 15
Location: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Since 2005, the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival has been a staple in celebrating New York hip hop and also making space for rappers outside of the Big Apple to perform.
Line-up: Rakim, DMX, The Lox, Oshun, Mack Wilds, Mister Cee, and more.
Website: http://www.bkhiphopfestival.com/events/
FYF Fest
Date: July 21 to 23
Location: Exposition Park, Los Angeles
The mid-summer Los Angeles festival promises a line up of diverse talent, including a good list of contemporary hip hop and R&B stars. Line-up: Missy Elliott, Frank Ocean, A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, Solange, Flying Lotus, Anderson .Paak, Kehlani, Majid Jordan, 6Black
Website: https://fyffest.com/
Panorama
Date: July 28 to 30
Location: Randall’s Island Park, New York City
If you’re feeling FYF’s line-up, but are east-coast based, Panorama in New York City is the answer.
Line-up: A Tribe Called Quest, Frank Ocean, Solange, Tyler the Creator, Isaiah Rashad, Vince Staples, NoName, 6Black, Jamila Woods.
Website: http://www.panorama.nyc/
OVO Fest
Date: August 3 to 7
Location: Toronto
Held annually during Caribana weekend, Drake’s festival in Toronto is the move if you have any energy left after partying at Carnival.
Line-up: TBA
Website: Drake will likely reveal updates via his Instagram page. https://www.instagram.com/champagnepapi/
Afropunk
Date: Aug. 26 to 27
Location: Commodore Barry Park, Brooklyn
Go be among the unapologetic blackness and the fly afro-centric styles, all while listening to soul, punk, and hip hop vibes. Line-up: SZA, Anderson Paak, Raphael Saddiq, Soul II Soul, Nao, Willow Smith, Dizzee Rascall, Thundercat, Macy Gray, and more.
Website: http://afropunkfest.com/brooklyn/
Made in America
Date: Sept. 2 to 3
Location: Ben Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
With rumors that Jay Z is putting out new music this summer, Made in America is great move for those who want to catch the rapper spitting new songs and his classics. Line-up: Jay Z, J. Cole, Migos, Solange, 21 Savage, Sampha, Pusha T, Vic Mensa, DMX, Tiwa Savage, Stormzy, and more.
Website: http://www.madeinamericafest.com/
Hard Summer Festival
Date: Aug. 3 to 5
Location: The Speedway in Fontana, California
Although Hard Summer Festival bills itself as an alternative and electronic music festival, the organizers have enlisted several big hip hop names to bring the heat the stage. Line-up: Rae Sremmurd, Ty Dolla $ign, Skepta, Mobb Deep, Snoop Dogg, Migos, Mike WiLL Made It, Tinashe.
Website: http://hardfest.com/hardsummer
Meadows Festival
Date: Sept. 15 to 17
Location: Citi Field, Queens, New York
Head to Queens to catch three New York legends — Nas, Jay Z and LL Cool J — perform during the last weekend of summer. The rest of the line-up is also very major. Line-up: Jay Z, Nas, Erykah Badu, Future, De La Soul, LL Cool J, Run the Jewels, Migos, Joey Bada$$, 21 Savage, Lizzo, and more.
Website: https://www.themeadowsnyc.com/
The Ultimate Guide to 2017 Summer Music Festivals was originally published on globalgrind.com
