Summer 2016’s 30 Must-See Music Festivals

Where: Durham, North Carolina

Why Go: One of the most eclectic festivals in the country, MoogFest blends both mainstream and cutting-edge acts with panel discussions that explore progressive ideas. Some of this year's speakers include Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo, Chuck Lightning from Janelle Monáe's Wondaland camp, while Gary Numan, Laurie Anderson and GZA perform nighttime sets. With the recent statewide passage of controversial North Carolina state laws that discriminate against LGBT persons, MoogFest's eclecticism is particularly relevant. "The liberation of LGBTQ+ is wired into the original components of electronic music culture," the organizers wrote in a statement posted on the festival site. "We will use the podium, the stage and the dancefloor to manifest a world of inclusivity and compassion."

Must-See Acts: Odesza, Grimes, Miike Snow, Gary Numan, GZA, Laurie Anderson, Explosions in the Sky, Blood Orange, SunnO))), Oneohtrix Point Never, the Orb, Actress, Daniel Lanois, DΔWN, Floating Points Ensemble, Kode 9, Tim Hecker, Tory Lanez

Official Site: moogfest.com

When: May 20th-May 22nd

Where: Gulf Shores, Alabama

Why Go: The white sands of Alabama's Gulf Coast offer as gorgeous a party site as any shoreline in America. When the heat hits or you need a break from the star-packed lineup, sneak off to Hammock Beach, where you can wade in a saltwater lagoon, cool off in the shade, swing in a hammock or take in a panoramic view of the festival from the Sky-Bar Tower.

Must-See Acts: The Weeknd, Calvin Harris, Florence + the Machine, Alabama Shakes, Ellie Goulding, Lenny Kravitz, Grimes, Haim, Fetty Wap, Courtney Barnett

Official Site: hangoutmusicfest.com

When: May 27th-May 30th

Where: Quincy, Washington

Why Go: About midway between Seattle and Spokane, the Gorge Amphitheater is among the most scenic concert venues in the world. Nestled in the foothills of the Cascades, on the lip of the Columbia Gorge, the mossy canyon that gives the amphitheater its name, you can gaze down on the majestic Columbia River during the festival. The view would almost be enough to upstage the festival itself if the Sasquatch! bookers didn't gather such an incredible lineup.

Must-See Acts: The Cure, Sufjan Stevens, Digable Planets, M83, Grimes, Florence + the Machine, Caribou, Four Tet, Disclosure, Major Lazer, Jamie xx, Mac DeMarco

Official Site: sasquatchfestival.com

When: May 28th-30th

Where: Detroit, Michigan

Why Go: Held in Detroit's downtown area since 2000, Movement offers the EDM generation a chance to pay homage to the roots of electronic music culture. Techno and house OGs such as Kevin Saunderson, Juan Atkins and Carl Craig perform alongside contemporary heroes like Four Tet and Caribou, and the events range from three Memorial Day showcases in Hart Plaza to numerous pre-parties and after-parties. This year's edition features the granddaddy of them all, Kraftwerk, who are slated to create an intriguing 3D set.

Must-See Acts: Kraftwerk, Caribou, Carl Craig, Dâm-Funk, Four Tet, Seth Troxler, Boys Noize, Big Freedia, John Digweed, Richie Hawtin, Danny Tenaglia 

Official Site: movement.us

When: June 3rd-5th

Where: New York, New York

Why Go: Here's your chance to catch Kanye West's only scheduled stateside headline slot this summer, in all its glorious unpredictability. There's also powerhouses like the Strokes, the Killers, Beck, Miguel and Courtney Barnett. Bonus points for the food, curated by the tastemaking bloggers (and former music industry execs) at the Infatuation, taking festival grub to a new level with everything from Papaya King's classic hot dogs to Momofuku Milk Bar's decadent treats. 

Must-See Acts: Kanye West, the Strokes, the Killers, Beck, Miguel, Courtney Barnett, Haim, Chvrches , Jamie XX, Eagles of Death Metal, Torres, Gary Clark Jr., M83, Miike Snow, Bully

Official Site: governorsballmusicfestival.com

When: June 4th

Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Why Go: Now in its ninth year, the Roots' annual party on Penn's Landing is a fantastic way to get a bead on what the hardest working band in hip-hop has been listening to in whatever downtime they have. Not only will the house band for The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon perform their own set, they'll be backing pop powerhouse Usher, who's been prepping the follow-up to 2012's Looking 4 Myself. The Roots Picnic is one of those festivals where early arrival pays off, giving attendees a chance to get a first look at up-and-coming artists from Philly and beyond.

Must-See Acts: The Roots, Future, Usher with the Roots, Leon Bridges, Kehlani, Migos, Willow Smith

Official Site: rootspicnic.com

When: June 9th-12th

Where: Nashville, Tennessee

Why Go: Like a country radio stream brought to life, the CMA Music Festival takes the guesswork out of the lineup: Has that artist or band had a Number One song this year? Then, yes, they're probably here. However, CMA splice it with an eye for up-and-coming talent like Ryan Beaver and Margo Price, who all play for free across a Bud Light-soaked downtown Nashville.  The crown jewel is the series of headline shows at Nissan Stadium: Catch everyone from Miranda Lambert to Eric Church to Chris Stapleton, with homecoming king Luke Bryan closing the whole thing out with a nasal holler and a nice hip shake.

Must-See Acts: Miranda Lambert, Brandy Clark, Clint Black, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Carrie Underwood, Margo Price, Ryan Beaver, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Brothers Osborne, the Cadillac Three, Maddie & Tae, Aubrie Sellers, Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini

Official Site: cmaworld.com/cma-music-festival/

When: June 9th-12th

Where: Manchester, Tennessee

Why Go: It's hard to even say "summer music festival" and not immediately picture Bonnaroo, for better (a jam-packed lineup that ranges across genres) or worse (waking up in a hot tent). This year, nostalgia reigns at the 15-year-old mainstay: Dead & Company and LCD Soundsystem both headline alongside Pearl Jam, who return to the Farm for the first time since 2008. There's simply an abundance to things to do: Diverse talent across eight stages, the signature Superjam, the Comedy Theater, the Cinema, the Splash-a-Roo water slide, the Silent Disco – all now with permanent toilets and showers!

Must See Acts: Pearl Jam, Dead & Company, LCD Soundsystem, Halsey, Haim, Miguel, Judd Apatow, Jason Isbell, John Moreland, J. Cole, the Record Company, Tame Impala, Leon Bridges, Waxahatchee

Official Site: bonnaroo.com

When: June 10th-13th

Where: Bethel Woods, New York

Why Go: Begun in the Netherlands during the early Nineties, the Mysteryland Festival claims to be the longest-running festival in its homeland. Two years ago it took root in upstate New York, set near the same grounds where, 45 years previous, the original Woodstock festival was staged. Naturally, peace, love and 21st century hippie vibes intermingle with the pulse of electronic music.

Must-See Acts: Skrillex, Bassnectar, Roman Flugel, Ryan Hemsworth, Hudson Mohawke, Derrick Carter, Moodymann, Omar-S, Jimmy Edgar

Official Site: mysteryland.us

When: June 16th-19th

Where: Dover, Delaware

Why Go: Firefly Music Festival is situated in the woods outside of Dover, and while campers will no doubt witness the flickering lights of the fireflies on the ground, there are plenty more luminaries onstage, be they in rock, folk, future R&B or electronic music. Now in its fifth year, the festival continues to strike a balance between massive headliners and heady smaller acts.

Must-See Acts: Kings of Leon, Florence + the Machine, Mumford & Sons, Deadmau5, Disclosure, Tame Impala, Major Lazer, the 1975, Earth Wind & Fire, Ludacris, Jai Wolf

Official Site: fireflyfestival.com

When: June 17th-19th

Where: Las Vegas, Nevada

Why Go: Every region of the country now has an EDM festival or two, but EDC is still the granddaddy – the Tiësto in a sea of Datsiks and Yellow Claws. And if you're interested in raving to Tiësto, Datsik or Yellow Claw, this is likely the place. The lineup hasn't been announced yet, but usually it's easier to tally the DJs who aren't playing than the ones who are. Alternatively, go because you were one the few people who saw We Are Your Friends in theaters, and you've since been dying to recreate the scene where Zac Efron and Emily Ratajkowski run through EDC's swirling Lite-Brite of rides, music and people.

Must-See Acts: TBA

Official Site: electricdaisycarnival.com

When: June 23th-26th

Where: Rothbury, Michigan

Why Go: The Electric Forest's concept is awesomely literal: EDM in the woods with lights on the trees. Pitch your tent or reserve your log cabin, then explore this post-hippie dreamworld while bass thumps in the background. As usual, much of the lineup is culled from the part of the Venn diagram where dance music and jam bands intersect. Bassnectar, who helped re-popularize this fusion, headlines alongside Major Lazer. The String Cheese Incident will perform on all three nights. And though they won't have the benefit of surreal visuals, daytime artists like Raury, Egyptian Lover and Rusko are equally intriguing.

Must-See Acts: Bassnectar, Major Lazer, Fetty Wap, Baauer, Porter Robinson, Balkan Beat Box, Kamasi Washington

Official Site: electricforestfestival.com

When: June 29th-July 10th

Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Why Go: While most big-name festivals court yuppies and young people, Summerfest attempts to get all of Milwaukee walking around with tie-dye and CamelBaks. No festival is more accessible – weekday admission is just 13 dollars – and few book nearly as broadly: Selena Gomez, the Roots, Willie Nelson, Martin Garrix, Joan Jett and Kirk Franklin are all among the 100-plus acts scheduled to perform. Stars like Paul McCartney and Luke Bryan will play separately ticketed events at the riverside Marcus Amphitheater. The rest of the city is yours for the taking.

Must-See Acts: Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Luke Bryan, Weezer, Chris Stapleton, Blake Shelton, Def Leppard, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Martin Garrix, Billy Idol, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Cheap Trick, Buckwheat Zydeco, Morris Day & the Time

Official Site: summerfest.com