The 5 Most Common Types of Music Festivals
Music festivals are a popular event both in the United States and around the world. In fact, nearly 32 million people attend a music festival of some type each year (Source: Eventbrite). The popularity of music festivals seems to be waning, but the events are still sought after by many.
Many music festivals take place each year that cover many genres of music. It may seem overwhelming when you begin to look at the options, but it is helpful if you know there are five common types of music festivals.
- Rock
- Alternative
- Pop
- Dance and Electronica
- Hip hop and Rap
In this article, you will learn about the five most common types of music festivals.
Music Event or Festivals: What are They?
Music festivals and events take place throughout the year. The unique thing about music festivals is that they are all similar yet uniquely put together to showcase specific genres and purposes. If you are unfamiliar with music festivals, they are extended concerts. Some festivals last for a day, while larger festivals last for a weekend or even longer.
Most festivals take place at an outdoor venue, but there are some that are held indoors, depending on the location and weather. If you attend a music festival, you should prepare to be immersed in music for the entire event as performances occur back-to-back. Some other things you may find at a music festival are:
- A location to camp on-site
- Vendors with merchandise to commemorate the event
- Food trucks
- Small businesses (typically artistic type businesses)
The Five Most Common Types of Music Festivals
There are hundreds of music festivals that take place, but there are some that are more common than others. You likely recognize most festivals by name, but it is important to understand the types of festivals they are. The most common festivals you will find are Rock, Alternative, Pop, Dance/Electronica, and Hip Hop/Rap.
Rock
Rock music is like the hallmark of music history. Rock began in the 1950’s so it is a decades-old tradition. Because of this, there are many rock fans that love to attend festivals and events to surround themselves with this genre of music. If you ask several people about rock music, you will likely get several different descriptions based on their knowledge and experiences. It is important to know that rock is characterized by:
- Songs that are romantic or love based
- A lot of rock artists created their songs around political and social issues.
Many people enjoy rock music, not only because of the long-standing history but because of the talent required to write and perform the music. Often, people believe that rock music is one of the most challenging genres of music to create; again, this is based on opinion and experience. Some of the most famous rock bands are
- The Grateful Dead
- Alice in Chains
- Goo Goo Dolls
- Korn
- Smashing Pumpkins
There are hundreds of other rock bands that are extremely well known; this is just a sample of some that have been popular through the generations. They are also groups that you may find at a music festival.
(Source: Musical Dictionary)
Alternative
Alternative music and rock music are often confused with one another. While they are similar, there are also distinct differences. If you attend a festival that is based on alternative music, you will likely find artists that are not mainstream popular or even very well known. Often, alternative artists have characteristics not shared by other genres.
- Unique music structure
- Unusual vocals (you may need to adjust how you feel about the vocals)
- The songs are typically very long and include digital instruments.
Alternative music may get some of its roots from rock, but it is in and of itself a completely unique music experience. Many groups have entered the mainstream with their alternative music. Some familiar groups are:
- REM
- Nirvana
- U2
- Pearl Jam
- Oasis
These groups are just a small sampling of the alternative options you may be familiar with. There are many more that are established or on the up and coming list.
(Source: Audiles)
Pop
Pop music is the music that gets stuck in your head. If you can turn back to your high school days when the radio station played the top songs of the day, you were likely listening to a lot of pop songs. Most pop songs become popular quickly because they are so catchy and easy to sing along with. Typically, you would think of a younger generation identifying with and popularizing Pop music because of these characteristics.
- The songs are typically about love or dancing
- They are usually upbeat
- They tell a story about the artist, making it easy to connect with.
People tend to enjoy music more when they can make a personal connection. Pop music lends itself to these intense connections, which helps make it a popular option for music festivals. Some iconic pop artists are
- Madonna
- Elton John
- Michael Jackson
- Jenifer Lopez
- Taylor Swift
Throughout time there have been many other popular Pop artists that you are likely to find at music festivals. Typically, Popstars have a cult following that travels to festivals to see their favorites.
(Source: English Club)
Dance and Electronica
This music genre is quite unique, but it has a large presence at music festivals. Dance and electronica music began to become popular in the 1980s and have progressed since that time. The hallmark of this type of music is the rapid beat it is played at. The fastest beat being 200 beats per minute. Because of this, it is music that lends itself to continuous movement and dancing.
Most of the time, you will hear only limited instrumentals and vocals in dance and electronic music. There is also an easy to define rhythm present in most of the music. This rhythm is what makes it such a powerful form of dance music. Some famous artists in this genre are
- The Chain Smokers
- Avicii
- Skrillex
- DJ Snake
- David Guetta
Again, there are many other popular groups, but these are some of the more well-known names that may appear in a music festival.
(Source: Musical U)
Hip Hop and Rap
There is often confusion when it comes to defining Hip Hop and Rap. While both types of music are very similar, they are also distinctly different. Hip Hop gained its popularity in the early ’80s, while rap made an appearance in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Both genres have rhythm and rhyming speech, but their backgrounds are very different.
Hip Hop was created as a way to bring people together by addressing cultural situations. Most Hip Hop spoke out against oppression. Rap came along after Hip Hop and became a way of expressing cultural situations in both positive and negative ways. While rap pulls from the roots of hip hop, it is very different. Although they are different, they are often paired at music festivals. Some noted artists are
- Run DMC
- Eminem
- Beastie Boys
- Tupac
- Notorious BIG
This is a very small list of the popular Hip Hop/Rap groups, but they are names that have been involved in music festivals.
(Sources: Next Level and Britannica )
How to Find Out More About Music Festivals
Because music festivals are so common, it is quite easy to find out more information, but it can be overwhelming. Before you begin to look for information, answer these questions.
Why type of music are you interested in? You want to make sure you are searching for festivals that fit your interest. The last thing you want to do is attend a festival that is of no interest to you. Research the type of music that is included in each festival.
What location are you looking in? Music festivals take place across the United States and around the world. Narrow down the location you are interested in traveling to before you research. This will help you to find festivals in your desired location.
What size festival do you want to attend? Some festivals are massive, while others are small. Decide what scale you would like the music festival to be on. This will help you to determine the best festivals to look at.
What is your price point? Music festivals can be costly. If you are planning to attend a large festival for several days, it is likely going to cost much more than a small local festival that is a couple of days long. Determining your price point will help you to narrow the search for festivals as well.
What amenities do you want? Some festivals include on-site camping as well as food and entertainment. If these things are important to you and the experience you hope to have, you will likely want to search for large festivals. Some smaller festivals may have lodging but not much else.
Resources to Find Information
When you begin searching for music festivals, you have a couple of options. Most festivals have their own dedicated websites that can provide all of the information you need, while others may be a bit trickier to find. If you are not looking for a well-known festival, you will likely have better luck using a third-party resource that sells tickets. Some of the resources you may find are:
While you may not be able to find all the information you need about a festival from these exact sources, you will likely be able to be directed to a location where there is more information.
Final Thoughts
Music festivals are a great way to cut loose and immerse yourself in some amazing music with both established and up and coming artists. When looking for a festival, it is important to understand what you are looking for as it relates to size, duration, location, and, most importantly, the genre. By using the resources available to you, you will likely have an unforgettable festival experience.
