What American Music Festivals Looked Like Throughout History

What American Music Festivals Looked Like Throughout History

Music festivals are nothing new in America. Before they attracted the national spotlight and drew out celebrities, brands and hypebeasts; before one weekend could’ve costed you a month’s pay; before social media was flooded with festival photos, these events showcased the popular music of their times dating back over the past century. Whether it was jazz, blues or folk 50 years ago, or EDM and hip-hop today, music festivals are an American past time reflective of the culture and society at that time. Take a look through the years, from 1958 through today, and see how festival culture has grown and evolved into what it is today.

The Newport Jazz Festival (1958)

Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival (1967)

Monterey Pop Festival (1967)

Woodstock (1969)

Altamont (1969)

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (1970)

Lollapalooza (1993)

Bonnaroo (2002)

Coachella (2003)

Electric Daisy Carnival (2002)

Rock The Bells (2007)

Ultra Music Festival (2010)