10 fall music festivals to sing about
Summer’s over, but that doesn’t mean the music needs to stop. Before turkeys and snowmen usher in the holiday season, USA TODAY’s Patrick Ryan picks 10 sweater-weather fests you can catch this autumn.
IHEARTRADIO
Las Vegas; Sept. 18-19
Top 40 playlists spring to the MGM Grand Garden Arena stage at this Ryan Seacrest-hosted event, now in its fifth year.
Headliners: Sam Smith, Coldplay, The Weeknd, Janet Jackson, Demi Lovato
iheart.com
SUMMER ENDS
Tempe, Ariz.; Sept. 24-27
The college-town fest expands to four days for its second installment, welcoming a mix of hip-hop and alt-rock artists to the Valley of the Sun.
Headliners: Kanye West, J. Cole, Travis Scott, Spoon, Brandon Flowers
summerendsaz.com
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
Las Vegas; Sept. 25-27
Stretched across four stages and 11 city blocks, this Sin City festival has recruited bigger names than ever for its third outing.
Headliners: Stevie Wonder, Imagine Dragons, Kendrick Lamar, Duran Duran, Hozier
lifeisbeautiful.com
LANDMARK
Washington; Sept. 26-27
More than 40 artists will take over the nation’s capital for this inaugural event, with proceeds benefiting restoration of the National Mall.
Headliners: Drake, alt-J, Miguel, Chvrches, Nate Ruess
landmarkfestival.org
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS
Austin; Oct. 2-4 and 9-11
The largest of fall’s festival offerings, A.C.L. will bring more than 100 bands and about 200,000 fans to the Texas music mecca over two weekends.
Headliners: Foo Fighters, Florence + the Machine, The Strokes, Alabama Shakes, Deadmau5
aclfestival.com
AFROPUNK
Atlanta; Oct. 3-4
After celebrating its 10th year in Brooklyn this summer, the dynamic hip-hop/ R&B festival expands to the Peach State.
Headliners: D’Angelo and the Vanguard, Flying Lotus, Santigold, Tyler, the Creator, Death Grips
afropunkfest.com
TREASURE ISLAND
San Francisco; Oct. 17-18
Nestled on the edge of the San Francisco Bay, this indie-pop/electronic event also boasts off-site evening shows and a Funny or Die-curated comedy tent.
Headliners: Run the Jewels, The National, FKA twigs, The War on Drugs, Azealia Banks
treasureislandfestival.com
BEACH GOTH
Orange County, Calif.; Oct. 24-25
Psych-rock band The Growlers curates a fourth West Coast outing brimming with underground and veteran talent.
Headliners: Grimes, Mac DeMarco, Die Antwoord, Juicy J, Warpaint
thegrowlers.com
VOODOO FEST
New Orleans; Oct. 30-Nov. 1
Now in its 17th year, this Halloween-weekend festival boasts a broad range of A-list and little-known acts, as well as a savory gumbo of Louisiana art and cuisine.
Headliners: Ozzy Osbourne feat. Geezer Butler, Tom Morello and Slash, Zac Brown Band, Jack Ü, Modest Mouse, Chance the Rapper
worshipthemusic.com
THIS IS HOW WE CRUISE
Miami; Nov. 7-11
Set sail with country superstars Florida Georgia Line on this four-day vacation to Cozumel, featuring an on-board lineup of mostly country acts as well as three shows from the Cruise hit-makers themselves.
Headliners: Jason Derulo, Sam Hunt, Dustin Lynch, Eric Paslay, RaeLynn
fglcruise.com