Festivals Like Something in the Water

Every May, Las Vegas becomes a destination for R&B, hip-hop and pop fans as Lovers & Friends Festival takes over the city. A large-scale international festival, the festival has earned a devoted global following. The 1-day programme delivers R&B, hip-hop and pop across multiple stages, with additional sets spanning soul. Relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn alongside mainstream headliners and high-production stages defines the overall vibe. Headliners and notable names include Usher, Nelly, Mariah Carey, and Ludacris, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Total costs — tickets, travel, accommodation, and food — typically fall between $400 and $900 USD, making Lovers & Friends Festival reasonably priced for the calibre of artists on offer. Valid ID required — minimum age is 21.

Dreamville Festival runs every April in Raleigh, USA, drawing fans of hip-hop, R&B and pop from across the globe. As a major event on the global festival circuit, it occupies a unique place on the festival calendar. The lineup covers hip-hop, R&B and pop across 2 days, underpinned by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn. Headliners and notable names include J. Cole, Lil Baby, 21 Savage, and Bas, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $250 to $700 USD. Expect warm, humid conditions. Dreamville Festival is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Held each May in Memphis, USA, Beale Street Music Festival is a large-scale international festival. The event is renowned for rock, blues and hip-hop music and strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup. Over 3 days, the lineup spans rock, blues and hip-hop, with additional sets spanning soul and R&B. The atmosphere is shaped by strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup, making it a standout on the late spring circuit. Headliners and notable names include Dave Matthews Band, Gary Clark Jr., Buddy Guy, and Sheryl Crow, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Total costs — tickets, travel, accommodation, and food — typically fall between $200 and $600 USD, making Beale Street Music Festival one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Every May, Washington DC becomes a destination for hip-hop, Afrobeat and R&B fans as Broccoli City Festival takes over the city. A beloved mid-size festival, the festival has earned a devoted global following. The lineup covers hip-hop, Afrobeat and R&B, with additional sets spanning soul across 2 days, underpinned by strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup alongside a strong sense of community and belonging. Headliners and notable names include SZA, Ari Lennox, Tiwa Savage, and Syd, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Total costs — tickets, travel, accommodation, and food — typically fall between $200 and $600 USD, making Broccoli City Festival one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit.

Held each September in Philadelphia, USA, Made In America is a major event on the global festival circuit. The event is renowned for hip-hop, pop and indie music and mainstream headliners and high-production stages. The lineup covers hip-hop, pop and indie, with additional sets spanning R&B across 2 days, underpinned by mainstream headliners and high-production stages. Headliners and notable names include Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, SZA, and Lauryn Hill, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Total costs — tickets, travel, accommodation, and food — typically fall between $300 and $800 USD, making Made In America one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit.

Held each July in Frauenfeld, Switzerland, Openair Frauenfeld is one of the biggest festivals in its region. The event is renowned for hip-hop, pop and R&B music and mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn. Over 3 days, the lineup spans hip-hop, pop and R&B, with additional sets spanning trap. The atmosphere is shaped by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside relentless energy and a crowd that dances till dawn, making it a standout on the midsummer circuit. Headliners and notable names include Drake, Travis Scott, J. Cole, and Cardi B, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $400 to $900 USD. Expect warm, mild conditions. Openair Frauenfeld is reasonably priced for the calibre of artists on offer.

Bumbershoot is a large-scale international festival, held every August in Seattle, USA. Known for its rock, indie and pop programming, it draws a crowd defined by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup. Over 2 days, the lineup spans rock, indie and pop, with additional sets spanning electronic and hip-hop. The atmosphere is shaped by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup, making it a standout on the late summer circuit. Headliners and notable names include Macklemore, Portugal. The Man, Weezer, and Ice Cube, joined by 1 more act across the bill. Budgeting for the full trip (flights, tickets, accommodation, food) typically comes to $300–$800 USD. Expect mild, rain conditions. At that price point, Bumbershoot is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.

Held each March in Miami, USA, Jazz in the Gardens is a large-scale international festival. The event is renowned for jazz, R&B and hip-hop music and mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup. The lineup covers jazz, R&B and hip-hop across 2 days, underpinned by mainstream headliners and high-production stages alongside strong cultural roots and a diverse international lineup. Headliners and notable names include Alicia Keys, John Legend, Charlie Wilson, and Mary J. Blige, joined by 1 more act across the bill. All-in costs range from $200 to $600 USD. Expect warm, humid conditions. Jazz in the Gardens is one of the more wallet-friendly options on the circuit. The festival is family-friendly and welcomes attendees of all ages.