How would you judge a successful festival? By how many top acts performed?
By how many BFFs went with you? By how unique the merch was?
How about by how many of the fans came to a modest website of setlists to click around to remember which songs were played? That's how we judge them here.
So here are the top festivals in 2024 based on how many fans looked up the sets. Let's see how your faves fared.
10. Rolling Loud: Inglewood, California
The Los Angeles festival which took place on a parking lot outside of a perfectly good stadium, hosted vibey sets from Post Malone, Nicki Minaj, and OhGeesy. It also featured collabs from the likes of Ye & Ty Dolla $ign as well as Future & Metro Boomin'.
The fans weren't particularily crazy about Ice Spice -- and let her know it. But they did seem to enjoy when Bryson Tiller brought out Lola Brooke, when Chief Keef surprised the crowd with Sexyy Red, and when YG professed his love for Saweetie during their joint performance. Check out all 89 Rolling Loud setlists here.
9. SXSW: Austin, Texas
For music lovers, South by Southwest is a smorgasbord for the eyes and ears. Maybe smells too. It's what Heaven is probably like. Every nook and cranny of Austin is oozing with all sorts of bands, artists, groups, from the freaky to the famous.
This year over 2,000 performers from more than 60 countries pilgrimaged to Texas' capitol to witness performances by up & coming bands to the likes of The Black Keys, Bootsy Collins, Slick Rick, Flo Milli, Mogwai, Big Boi, Killer Mike, and Jermaine Dupri. Here are 763 setlists from this year's event.
8. Outside Lands: San Fransisco, California
It can get foggy, it can get chilly, it can get crowded, but San Francisco's premiere outdoor festival has so much charm and is hosted right there in the middle of Golden Gate Park.
Post Malone to the The Postal Service were there long with Killer Mike, Victoria Monét. Tyler, the Creator, and The Killers. But two of the most memorable acts weren't even the headliners: 76 year-old Grace Jones blew away the young audience, many of whom had never seen her before. And Chappell Roan continued her festival dominance. 98 Outside Lands setlists are here.
7. Coachella: Indio, California
It's fascinating how everyone has opinions on what Coachella is going to be like when they see the poster and pore over the artists in large and small type, and speculate how it's going to be. But who would have predicted Lana would arrive on the back of a motorcycle, that Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell would use the festival to springboard their careers, and that No Doubt's reunion would include a guest appearance from Olivia Rodrigo?
Coachella 2024 included special appearances from Billie Eilish, Kesha, Shakira, and Nora Jones; as well as memorable performances from Doja Cat, Tyler the Creator, and Peso Pluma. There really was something for everyone, even if you just watched it from your couch. 300 Coachella setlists are here.
6. Stagecoach: Indio, California
Coachella's country cousin, Stagecoach, featured some mashups out of left field like T-Pain with Jelly Roll, Lana with Paul Cauthen, and Post Malone with... everyone. Diplo DJed, the Beach Boys were there somehow, and Willie Nelson celebrated his 91st birthday.
Maybe the most interesting set was when Eric Church and his 16-member gospel choir covered decidedly non-country songs such as Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," Al Green's "Take Me to the River," Ben E. King's "Stand By Me," and Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice" and was booed as fans boot-scooted to the parking lot. 51 Stagecoach setlists here.
5. Austin City Limits: Austin, Texas
Austin has fewer than a million residents yet each of them are in three bands. Perhaps that's why two of their festivals are on this list. ACL's Music Fest brought out the likes of blink-182, Dua Lipa, and celebrated the life of Willie Nelson who made a guest appearance with the masked gay cowboy Orville Peck.
Highlights came from Reneé Rapp and Tyler the Creator as well as from Vince Staples and Qveen Herby over the two weekends of diverse music. 251 ACL setlists are here.
4. Jazz & Heritage Festival: New Orleans, Louisiana
Although there were many highlights of this year's Jazz Fest in New Orleans, perhaps the best one was when The Rolling Stones brought out Irma Thomas for "Time is on My Side." The Stones had a hit with it 60 years ago but Irma sang it first and the two had never done it together before. Thus to have Mick sing with The Soul Queen of New Orleans was not just a festival highlight but a rock 'n roll magic moment that should be cherished.
The Stones also brought out Dwayne Dopsie, the 2x Grammy-nominated Zydeco star, dubbed The King of the Accordion, for a Cajun-flavored version of their 1969 hit "Let It Bleed." It would be the only time the band performed the song during their Hackney Diamonds Tour. 145 Jazz Fest setlists are here.
3. Lollapalooza: Chicago, Illinois
Of the many festivals Chappell Roan drew enormous crowds, Lollapalooza in Chicago may have been the largest. Some say it broke records, which is impressive since she went on in the middle of the afternoon. Megan the Stallion and The Killers put on impressive sets.
But Laufey brought a secret weapon to Grant Park last August: The Chicago Philharmonic. She also wore a fluffy dress and accented it with a youthful yet classy style that won everyone in the 312 over. A star may have been born right there next to Lake Michigan. 193 Lollapalooza setlists are here.
2. Electric Daisy Carnival: Las Vegas, Nevada
Martin Garrix, Zedd, Alison Wonderland, Kaskade, deadmau5, Alesso, Armin van Buuren, ILLENIUM, David Guetta and over 200 other electronic musicians flooded Las Vegas this May for the annual trip out dance party in the desert.
Besides the exorbitant booze prices in VIP that would make a buyer at Erewon choke, the drone show mixed with the lights and fireworks was a spectacle all its own. But the most shocking surprise was when Fred again.. appeared unexpectedly to deliver a sweet performance. 116 EDC setlists are here.
1. Summerfest: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Perhaps people clicked because they'd never heard of Summerfest. Maybe they didn't know of the midwest throwdown that took place over 12 stages and three weekends. Hip-hop stars like Lil Uzi Vert and Lil Yachty; pop faves from Maroon 5 and Carly Rae Jepsen; and rockers like Mötley Crüe and REO Speedwagon. Did the weather behave completely? Nope. Did anyone care? Also, no.
And unlike Coachella and all the others, Summerfest had racing sausages, just like they do at the local ballpark. 373 Summerfest setlists are here.
