Festival season is well underway, both stateside and abroad, with NYC’s Gov Ball, Chicago’s Lollapalooza, Tennessee’s Bonnaroo, and the UK’s Glastonbury Festival offering an array of acts across multiple stages.
In honor of Pride Month, we’ve rounded up a bunch of LGBTQIA+ artists gracing this summer’s festival circuit — as well as a few Pride-specific festivals — that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re in the mood to dance the night away, cry on your best friend’s shoulder, or just vibe out, there are established and rising artists to suit festival-goers with a variety of musical tastes.
Chappell Roan
After opening for Olivia Rodrigo on her GUTS tour, Midwest Princess Chappell Roan took the world by storm with her live-streamed Coachella performance during the desert festival’s first weekend, coming back just as strong in the second weekend. She also performed on NPR's Tiny Desk series, and her latest single “Good Luck, Babe!” slingshotted her even further into super-stardom. You’d be foolish to miss your chance to catch her on this year’s festival circuit. This time next year, she’ll probably be headlining.
Where to see Chappell Roan:
Queens, New York
Performing Sunday, June 9
Louisville, Kentucky
June 15
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Sunday, June 16
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Thursday, Aug. 1
Saint Charles, Iowa
Performing Sunday, Aug. 4
Montréal, Canada
Performing Saturday, Aug. 3
San Francisco, California
Aug. 9 – Aug. 11
Performance date TBD
Columbia, Maryland
Performing Sunday, Sept. 29
Renée Rapp
“Mean Girl” Reneé Rapp has had a banner year promoting her 2023 debut album, Snow Angel, the follow-up to her 2022 EP Everything to Everyone, reprising her Broadway role of Regina George in the movie adaptation of the "Mean Girls" musical, collaborating with Megan thee Stallion, and coming out as a lesbian. Snow Angel found the singer exercising her range both vocally and emotionally, and her live performances show off those impressive vocals even more. Luckily, you have a few chances to catch her at a festival this summer.
Where to see Renée Rapp:
The Governor’s Ball
Queens, New York
Performing Sunday, June 9
Bonnaroo
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Saturday, June 15
Lollapalooza
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Friday Aug. 2
Osheaga Music & Arts Festival
Montréal, Canada
Performing Saturday, Aug. 3
All Things Go
Columbia, Maryland
Performing Sunday, Sep. 29
Blondshell
Previously performing under the moniker BAUM, Sabrina Teitelbaum has found her niche as Blondshell, writing unflinchingly honest and relatable lyrics about the human condition and belting them out over noisy guitars. Blondshell burst on the scene in 2022 with a '90s-inspired sound, reminiscent of the shoegaze bands of grunge’s golden era. Her self-titled 2023 debut album explores themes of failed relationships and shame, sobriety, unrequited love for a woman, and even a little murder, all with levity and vulnerability most 20-somethings can relate to.
Aside from the obvious perks of the loud guitars during her live set, you might also be lucky enough to catch a cool cover–she’s known to perform Le Tigre’s “Deceptacon” at shows, and she just released a cover of the Talking Heads’ “Thank You For Sending Me An Angel” for the A24 tribute album, Everyone’s Getting Involved.
Where to see Blondshell:
The Governor’s Ball
Queens, New York
Performing Friday, June 7
Seattle, Washington
Performing Sunday, July 13
Lollapalooza
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Thursday, Aug. 1
Hinterland Music Festival
Saint Charles, Iowa
Performing Saturday, Aug. 3
All Things Go
Columbia, Maryland
Performing Sunday, Sep. 29
G Flip
Maybe you always knew who G Flip was. Maybe you were introduced to the nonbinary Aussie artist when they made headlines for their relationship with reality TV star Chrishell Stause. Or maybe you became a fan when you heard their incredible, sapphic-twisted cover of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” for triple-J’s Like a Version series (which even got Taylor’s stamp of approval).
However you found G Flip, you probably became a little obsessed instantly, marveling at their ability to croon and play the drums simultaneously without missing a beat. The energy G brought to their in-studio performance at triple-J is indicative of the energy you’ll see on the stage when they play a couple of festivals this summer.
Where to see G Flip:
The Governor’s Ball
Queens, New York
Performing Sunday, June 9
Nashville, Tennessee
Performing Sunday, June 23
Chicago, Illinois
June 30
Adelaide, Australia
July 19
Romy
Romy might be better known as part of British indie trio the xx, but her career as a solo artist is just as worthy of recognition. Making feel-good dance music about queer love, the 2024 GRAMMYs first time nominee has the unique ability to transport you to a world where everything is okay and there’s no better place to be than moving in tandem with the people around you. For a true one-with-the-crowd festival experience, jumping around to Romy’s electro-pop is the perfect option.
Where to see Romy:
Osheaga Music & Arts Festival
Montréal, Canada
Performing Friday, Aug. 2
Lollapalooza
Performing Saturday, Aug. 3
Outside Lands
San Francisco, California
Aug. 9 – Aug. 11
Performance date TBD
Ethel Cain
Ethel Cain is a force to be reckoned with. Despite the unconventional nature of her music — which explores themes of religion and conceptual stories about abuse — she’s made a place for herself in the mainstream with singles like “Crush” and “American Teenager" (the latter track nabbed a spot on President Barack Obama’s end-of-year playlist in 2022).
More than just a great storyteller, she’s an easy to admire artist who is outspoken about human rights. Plus, her performances always feel intimate, even when they’re on festival stages in front of a huge crowd.
Bonnaroo
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Saturday, June 15
Lollapalooza
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Saturday, Aug. 3
Hinterland Music Festival
Saint Charles, Iowa
Performing Sunday, Aug. 4
Carnation, Washington
Aug. 9 – Aug. 11
Performing Saturday, Aug. 10
All Things Go
Columbia, Maryland
Performing Saturday, Sep. 28
Ryan Beatty
Singer/songwriter Ryan Beatty may be your favorite artist’s favorite artist. He became a bit of a teen sensation in the early aughts for his YouTube covers of popular songs, later gaining wider recognition for his Brockhampton collaborations. His solo career has since taken off, making him a reference point for other singer/songwriters — especially following his 2023 album, Calico.
His knack for songwriting even led him to working on a number of tracks on Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER album. Ryan’s songs are tender and full of yearning, brimming with raw and real emotion–it’s best to bring some tissues when you catch one of his sets.
Where to see Ryan Beatty:
The Governor’s Ball
Queens, New York
Performing Friday, June 7
Bonnaroo
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Saturday, June 15
Lollapalooza
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Friday, Aug. 2
Outside Lands
San Francisco, California
Aug. 9 – Aug. 11
Performance date TBD
The Japanese House
Amber Bain, or the artist known as the Japanese House, shied away from publicity at the beginning of her career. Hand-picked by Matty Healy of The 1975 to make music under his label, Dirty Hit, Bain's haunting melodies and painfully relatable lyrics resonated with listeners and critics — even when they didn’t know who was singing and producing the tracks they were falling for.
Now, she’s proud to take all the credit for her hard work and talent. The Japanese House’s latest effort, In the End It Always Does, is packed with resonant tracks about growing up, longing, existentialism, and even a sweet, sad ode to man’s best friend — her dog, Joni Jones, is named for Joni Mitchell — all of which sound incredible live.
Where to see The Japanese House:
Bonnaroo
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Friday, June 14
Lollapalooza
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Thursday, Aug. 1
Osheaga Music & Arts Festival
Montréal, Canada
Performing Friday, Aug. 2
Outside Lands
San Francisco, California
Aug. 9 – Aug. 11
Performance date TBD
MUNA
When MUNA calls themselves “the greatest band in the world,” they aren’t lying. The L.A.-based queer pop trio toured for nearly all of 2023, including playing as an opening act for select dates of Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras tour. Their fanbase blew up since signing to Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records in 2021 and releasing their third album, led by the hit single “Silk Chiffon.”
MUNA has built on that momentum by perfecting their live show, as evidenced by two stellar sold out tour-closing shows at Los Angeles' Greek Theater. While they’re taking a break from touring to work on their next record, MUNA are making a few festival stops this summer, including in singer Katie Gavin’s hometown of Chicago.
Los Angeles, California
Saturday, June 8
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 20 – 22, June 27 – 29, July 4 – 6
Performing Friday, June 27
Chicago, Illinois
July 19 – July 21
Performing Sunday, July 21
Newport, Rhode Island
July 26 – July 28
Performing Friday, July 26
Ashnikko
Ashnikko doesn’t fit into any box, and no two songs sound the same. The blue-haired phenom’s catalog spans from upbeat hyperpop-rap infusions about hard work, reimagined cheers from Bring It On with horror influences, and emo-tinged ballads about how scary it feels to be safely in love. With such a diverse range, you couldn’t possibly be bored watching her perform, especially since her live sets usually boast great visual effects and choreography.
Where to see Ashnikko:
Los Angeles, California
June 1 – June 2
Performing Sunday, June 2
Bonnaroo
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Sunday, June 16
Gdynia, Poland
July 3 – July 6
Performing Wednesday, July 3
Arlo Parks
GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Arlo Parks is the mellow you need in your hectic festival schedule. The 24-year-old is wise beyond her years, as reflected in the gorgeous lyrics about falling in love all over her 2023 album, My Soft Machine: On “Devotion,” she sings, “Your touch embroiders me/I'm wide open,” on “Pegasus,” which features Phoebe Bridgers, she muses, “Never felt luckier than I do right now/Tell me you love me, let me have it.”
Arlo also released her debut poetry book, The Magic Border, last year, offering her lyrical talent in an even more raw form of expression. While her music is soft and dreamy, she doesn’t shy away from hard and fast guitars on a bunch of tracks, making live performances more exhilarating than you might expect.
Where to see Arlo Parks:
Pilton, England
June 26 – June 30
Performing Wednesday, June 26
Madrid, Spain
July 10 – July 13
Performing Saturday, July 13
Osheaga Music & Arts Festival
Montréal, Canada
Performing Friday, Aug. 2
Thing Festival
Carnation, Washington
Performing Saturday, Aug. 10
Palehound
Indie band Palehound got a shoutout from the New York Times for their 2023 single, “Independence Day,” a hopeful, if not deluded, breakup song with plucky guitar and a fun-to-chant chorus about “living life like writing a first draft.” Despite having a pretty major reach, Palehound, made up of El Kempner (they/them) Zoë Brecher, and Larz Brogan, is still a fairly DIY band, which makes them all the more fun to listen to, especially live.
Somerville, Massachusetts
July 25 – 28
Performing Saturday, July 28
Hinterland Music Festival
Saint Charles, Iowa
Performing Sunday, Aug. 4
Larmer Tree Gardens, United Kingdom
Aug. 29 – Sept. 1
Performing Saturday, Aug. 31
Megan thee Stallion
Despite people trying to keep her down, Megan Thee Stallion continues to rise and conquer, putting the work above everything else. As an independent artist, this feat is even more impressive, but the total creative control she benefits from has allowed for exciting opportunities of self-expression that align with all the things that make Meg one-of-a-kind.
Her 2024 video for “BOA” let the self-proclaimed anime nerd tap into her geek side, rich with references to her favorite animated shows and video games. And if you’ve seen any of her tour outfits lately–you know that you don’t wanna miss the chance to catch her at a festival this summer.
Where to see Megan Thee Stallion:
Bonnaroo
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Sunday, June 16
Washington, D.C.
July 27 – July 28
Performing Saturday, July 27
Doechii
Self-proclaimed “Swamp Princess” Doechii is one of the most exciting new artists of her time, seamlessly blending house influences and smooth R&B vocals with hip-hop beats and clever raps. She’s not afraid to have fun, either, especially when it comes to self-expression in her stylistic choices. Her surrealist music videos have garnered her praise and comparisons to legends like Missy Elliott, but despite all the influences, Doechii is truly one of a kind.
Where to see Doechii:
Outloud Festival
Los Angeles, California
Performing Saturday, June 1
The Governor’s Ball
Queens, New York
Performing Saturday, June 8
Tinashe
Tinashe has been around for years, but she’s having a renaissance at the moment thanks to her new single “Nasty,” a sexy bop for the summer which has inspired viral dance trends on TikTok. The multi-talented singer is also a hell of a dancer herself, and her live shows give her the perfect opportunity to show off her moves. If you get the chance to catch her at a festival this summer, don’t pass it up.
Where to see Tinashe:
Nashville Pride
Nashville, Tennessee
Performing Saturday, June 22
Open’er Festival
Gdynia, Poland
Performing Wednesday, July 3
Underscores
No music festival bill is complete without a dubstep-adjacent artist, and Underscores is here to fill the gap with her Skrillex-inspired beats. A self-taught producer and vocalist, Underscores started playing around with making beats and loops as a kid, graduating to GarageBand before releasing music at just 13 years old.
Now 24, she’s been officially releasing music for over a decade, showing off her wide range of influences in eclectic tracks that have hints of bedroom pop, hyperpop, emo, metal, and of course, dubstep. While her production is unique and stellar, her topical and tongue-in-cheek lyrics are not to be overlooked, either.
Where to see Underscores:
The Governor’s Ball
Queens, New York
Performing Friday, June 7
Conan Gray
After rising to fame on TikTok in 2020 with his soft and sad unrequited love anthem, “Heather,” Conan Gray has kept the momentum going by not being afraid to try new things. His latest album, Found Heaven, is full of '80s new wave inspired synth pop, offering him a new slate to show off some powerhouse vocals. It also features production and writing assistance from powerhouse producer/songwriter Max Martin, elevating Conan’s sound to new levels that are good for more than just TikTok soundbites.
Where to see Conan Gray:
Lollapalooza
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Sunday, Aug. 4
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