When: June 29-July 6
Where: Roskilde, DK
More Info: Here

The cultural magazine, Essence, has long been cemented in its canny coverage of pop culture, fashion, and lifestyle journalism. This year, the publication’s offshoot festival will celebrate 30 years since its inaugural event in 1994. Held at downtown New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome, Essence is bringing plenty of exciting performers to commemorate three whole decades.

Artists on this year’s bill include Janet Jackson, Birdman (and friends), Charlie Wilson, SWV, Tank And The Bangas, The Roots, Big Boi, T-Pain, and plenty more. Attendees can also catch speakers and authors, famous NOLA cuisine and beverages, and, of course, a ton of excellent live music.

When: July 5-7
Where: Marshfield, MA
More Info: Here

Much like its name, Levitate is a music festival predicated on a beachy, breezy atmosphere. It only makes sense that its organizers came up with the idea in the basement of a surf shop, also called Levitate. For the New England festival’s 11th edition, you can expect it to make quite a big splash.

The main headliner for the 2024 edition of Levitate is Sublime, notably without Rome, who has been replaced by Jakob Nowell, the son of Sublime’s original vocalist, Bradley. Also joining them will be original band members Erik Wilson and Bud Gaugh. Other artists scheduled to perform include Mt. Joy, Tash Sultana, Dirty Heads, Lake Street Dive, and Cory Wong.

When: July 10-13
Where: Madrid, ES
More Info: Here

With a name like Mad Cool, its festival organizers have set a standard for it to constantly live up to its title. Fortunately, Mad Cool does more than promise a mad cool time; it actually delivers on it. Since its inception in 2016, the Madrid fest has booked some of the biggest names in pop, alt-rock, hip-hop, and more. It has quickly become one of the most well-known fests on the planet as a result.

For this year’s iteration, the headliners are Dua Lipa on Wednesday, Pearl Jam on Thursday, Maneskin on Friday, and The Killers on Saturday. Throughout the entire festival, there will also be The Loop, which features daily DJ sets from producers like Bonobo, Carlita, Mochakk, and The Blessed Madonna.

When: July 11-13
Where: Lisbon, PT
More Info: Here

Lisbon, Portugal has been fortunate enough to host Nos Alive since it was first created in 2007. Fast-forward all these years later, and Nos Alive has become a festival-season standard, standing out among the usual circuit with a consistently solid lineup. For its 16th edition, it has continued its long trend of appealing to a wide swath of music fans.

Even just a cursory glance at the festival poster will give you all the insight you need: concertgoers of all stripes will find something that stands out to them. The performers at Passeio Maritimo De Alges this year feature The Smashing Pumpkins, Black Pumas, Sum 41, Dua Lipa, Tyla, Pearl Jam, The Breeders, and so many more acts.

When: July 12-14
Where: Seattle, WA
More Info: Here

Held at the Fisher Green Pavilion, right underneath the iconic Space Needle in Seattle, Day In Day Out offers a compelling mix of verdant scenery and incredible live music alike. While Seattle is known for its rain, it is also known for its natural beauty, with many parks just a short drive out of the city proper.

But you may want to stay within the city’s limits in the middle of July. That way, you can catch some great artists at Day In Day Out. For the headliners this year, there’s Carly Rae Jepsen on Friday, Bleachers on Saturday, and The Head And The Heart on Sunday. Even the smaller fonts boast some big names: Mannequin Pussy, Beach Fossils, Sudan Archives, and Illuminati Hotties are all excellent bands whose sets you don’t want to miss.

When: July 12-14
Where: Whitefish, MT
More Info: Here

The Big Mountain Ranch, located in Montana’s Flathead County, is a wide-open space rife with gorgeous greenery. This July, tons of people will gather in this space, under the big sky, for the appropriately titled Under The Big Sky festival. Its focus is on roots music, whether you’re seeking the stadium-sized sounds of big, Top 40 country or the more intimate stylings of smaller artists, Under The Big Sky has it on offer.

Headliners this year include Miranda Lambert, Billy Strings, and Turnpike Troubadours, but the big-name artists don’t end there. Brothers Osborne, The Revivalists, Mt. Joy, Tanya Tucker, and Sierra Ferrell all appear on the lineup, as well. The undercard also includes artists like Shovels & Rope, Sam Barber, Tanner Usrey, and much more.

When: July 19-21
Where: Chicago, IL
More Info: Here

As the lodestar of contemporary music criticism, Pitchfork has not only put a spotlight on a wide swath of excellent artists. It has also booked them to perform at its annual festival in Chicago. Most of its lineup consists of artists that the site has praised in recent memory, but there are also a lot of eye-grabbing legends who appear on this year’s poster.

For 2024’s headliners, there’s Black Pumas on Friday, Jamie xx on Saturday, and Alanis Morissette on Sunday. Big-font names also include Jai Paul, 100 Gecs, Carly Rae Jepsen, Jessie Ware, Brittany Howard, and Muna. Even in the smaller fonts, there is plenty to be excited about: De La Soul, Grandmaster Flash, Jeff Rosenstock, Sweeping Promises, Water From Your Eyes, Billy Woods and Kenny Segal, and the list goes on.

When: July 24-27
Where: Carrboro, NC
More Info: Here

Since it was founded in 1989 by Superchunk’s Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan, Merge Records has become one of the most revered independent labels around. Based in Durham, North Carolina, the label boasts an incredible indie rock-centric roster that includes everyone from Destroyer to The Clientele.

The label will be celebrating its 35th birthday over the course of four packed days at various venues in Carrboro, North Carolina, but will be mostly taking place at Cat’s Cradle. Wednesday’s show will include performers like A Giant Dog and John Darnielle; Thursday’s gig features Destroyer and, as expected, Superchunk; Friday’s show includes Ibibio Sound Machine and Rosali; and, lastly, Saturday has artists like The Clientele and Hiss Golden Messenger. Indie fans will most definitely want to be in attendance for this.

When: July 26-28
Where: Newport, RI
More Info: Here

It’s where Bob Dylan famously went electric, much to the chagrin of those in attendance. It’s where Joni Mitchell delivered an unforgettable surprise performance in 2022, her first in 22 years. Needless to say, a lot of important moments happen at Newport Folk Festival, and it’s an event that is always worth checking out, if not for the history, then at least just to hear some great live music.

Over the course of three days at the end of July, plenty of musicians will head to Newport, Rhode Island for what will surely be another memorable weekend. This year’s roster includes Adrienne Lenker, Bertha: Grateful Drag, Briscoe, Brittany Howard, a special poetry reading from Joan Baez, Muna, Orville Peck, The Breeders, The War On Drugs, and that’s just naming a small number of the performers.

When: July 27-28
Where: Portland, OH
More Info: Here

Project Pabst largely disappeared without a trace after 2015. But the Portland, Oregon festival is coming back to Waterfront Park, and it’s looking to be a good time. Occurring across two days and two stages, Project Pabst brings a diverse lineup for music fans in the PNW.

For taking such a long hiatus, it isn’t immediately apparent from its impressive, mostly indie-centric billing. The headliners for the latest edition of Project Pabst are Billy Idol and Big Thief, and the undercard is nothing to scoff at, either. Other performers include Sweeping Promises, Militarie Gun, T-Pain, Violent Femmes, Denzel Curry, Manchester Orchestra, Soccer Mommy, and Jeff Rosenstock.

When: July 27-28
Where: Washington, D.C.
More Info: Here

Co-founded by entrepreneur Brandon McEachern, Broccoli City derives its standout name from McEachern’s hometown of Greensboro, with “broccoli” meaning “green” and “city” meaning “boro.” Still, Broccoli City is a Washington, D.C. affair, which heads to Audi Field in the Navy Yard neighborhood.

The fest’s lineup largely focuses on hip-hop and R&B, as its main headliners are Megan Thee Stallion, Gunna, and PARTYNEXTDOOR. Also on the bill are performers like Kaytranada, Key Glock, Victoria Monet, Sexyy Red, Veeze, and Amaarae. There are also special guests Lil Yachty and the Concrete Family, plus appearances from Issa Rae and Desi Banks and Funny Marco. The whole soirée is hosted by Little Bacon Bear, Mouse Jones, and Tequila Tlk!