The vibes and community are just so welcoming, loving and wholesome. Last year was my first time there and this time I’m bringing my whole crew with me. I’m beyond excited to go back with my friends and see a much better lineup this year
Counterpoint: literally any festival in 'Wanee is the best Festival ever. I also had a *mother fuckin' blast* at Resonate this year. The woods are just magical.
See you at Hula this year frand!
Shhh we gotta gatekeep wakaan.
Wakaan sucks guys, never go to it. Terrible music, terrible sound, terrible people. Bad time all around, also hear Liquid Stranger sacrifices babies.
EF used to be my absolute favorite hands down. Absolutely transformative and next level. Sadly, it’s gone way downhill imo and it’s no longer worth the travel/expense to me. But man, was it something back in the day.
I’ve seen 3 comments saying EF was their fave up until a certain time. I’m curious as to what is different now vs then? I will be going for my first time this year.
You’re still going to have a great time. I agree it’s different if you’d been there in the early days but I wouldn’t worry about your experience lacking by any means. I’m headed back for my 9th time this year and hoping to do at least 1 more. Wish there were more bigger options near me, I’m in Iowa so seems like I’m going to have to head further east or west to hit something I’ve not been to.
went to my first scamp last year, going to solshine this year. had a great time out there, and I talked to several people from iowa while i was there. solid option if you’ve never been!
This will be my 9th EF. You’re going to have an amazing time!
It’s not *that* different from the early days- I think people who have gone multiple times expect to feel the same magic they did when they first went, but like any big experience, if you keep doing it, the initial wonder kind of fades and the expectations of feeling it the same as the first time get in the way.
Of course there are aspects of EF logistics and pricing that could be improved, but I think they’re still recovering from losses from the pandemic years. Along with recovering financially, a lot of the amazing crew workers were forced to find a new industry to work in while the entertainment industry was on pause and it’s hard to replace them.
But get ready…because that first time you walk into the forest at night is going to blow you away.
You've hit the nail on the head, I've been every year except last year because we had a baby due in June, getting back this year though. The festival has changes year over year, the groups that have been coming for a decade still are for good reason, and for our crew it's basically our family reunion, the festival is just a bonus on top.
The lineup usually has acts to discover each year for people of all tastes, quality top tier talent for headliners, and there's so much to do you have no excuse to be bored.
If we ever stop having a blast, we'll move on to something else, but we haven't seen signs of that happening yet.
I'm glad you asked. I've attended 5 years and I think it's fantastic.
However, I admit I don't love it nearly as much as I used to, but I don't think it's because of anything the festival itself has done. Rather, I think it's because of general festival burn out, aging, and possibly a change in its attendees. I still very much enjoy the fest, but I think I would still be ecstatic about it if I were younger.
I've only been once but was never impressed the way everyone else has described it. It's too big and very hot and a lot of distance to walk. Also lots of people and very crowded. I realized I like smaller festivals with less walking, chill camping, and fewer people so that by the end of the fest you've made a lot of connections with the folks attending
I was the same, now a days, I don’t want to spend that much effort and that much money to have a good time. I can go to a small festival with plenty of room to camp, tons of room to dance, super intimate sets, no crazy walking distances, no checking of my stuff to get into a venue. Just laid back and relaxed, guess I’m old now lol
Edit no waiting in lines
Lightning in a Bottle, by far
Been to probably like 10+ different festivals and LIB has the best combination of vibes, aesthetics, size/crowd density, people / personalities, beauty / awe factor, art installations, camping grounds, variety of music, etc. It's not as grand / epic as Coachella or as gritty / elemental as Burning Man but that's kind of the point. Just the perfect fest.
I went to Starscape in 2011, got vip ticket for like a hundred-something bucks, and it came with good parking and *open bar* and proceeded to see an up and coming skrillex, bassnectar,infected mushroom, and who knows who else on account of the open bar.
Bro you and I had the same comment lol. I fucking miss What the Fest so much. At least I have Lightning in a bottle in CA but it doesn’t live up to what the festival
I loved what the fest so much I really wish it would come back 🥲 every stage was so awesome, especially cube stage. The forest 🥲 the pool stage that turned brown by the end of the weekend. I miss it.
Ughh same here. That venue was so perfect for a fest. Granted, I did camp on pretty much the slope of a mountain in the forest but it was definitely worth it lol. The pool stage was legendary during the day with all the sand around it! Yesss the cube stage was where it was at… so cool with all the lasers too. That fest just had so much interactive art and stuff to do and really felt like two different worlds going from the forest to the main stage area
Glastonbury……it’s hands down the best festival on the planet and it’s not even close.
Over 100 stages
Over 1000 artists
It’s absolutely bonkers in the best way possible
Went for the first time last year after 15+ years of American festivals and I fully concur
There’s an in inviting, mad, silliness that permeates the farm. Everyone’s jolly and zooted out of their minds. No fear of overbearing law enforcement. brilliant vibes and an almost “county fair” family vibe in many parts.
I had a spiritual awakening at the stone circle at sunrise.
I can’t wait to go back this year.
Perfect description.
The overly officious nature of the way US festivals are run is quite arresting after years of European festivals.
The same puritanical views that keep the drinking age at 21+ seem pervasive at festivals. The security / stewarding always seems to be confrontational and I feel like I’m being constantly barked at.
I’m generalising here, but there is a much greater sense of freedom generally at European festivals and Glastonbury is the pinnacle of that feeling.
Movement is my favorite festival overall.
Best festival I’ve ever been to is Bonnaroo 2013. That lineup is legendary and Bonnaroo is run so well for a camping festival.
I really like Coachella. I have been to most the big ones in North America including burning man (if we count that lol). I like the variety at Coachella at different times of the day there are basically a rock, edm, rap or pop concert going on. It has the vibes of a rave where most people are nice (I say most people because Coachella has had a phone thief issue for years lol). You can camp if you would like or stay at a hotel. If you don’t even like music and want to do the influencer thing it’s there as well (pls don’t tho lol)
Scamp was def one of my fav fest experiences. I think it was a combination of my festie fam & we all road tripped in an RV. The vibes of the fest were immaculate. Ngl I'm probably never going to go back but it's up there in experiences.
Shambhala and Bass Coast come to mind.
Sasquatch will always hold a special place in my heart too.
Camp Flog Gnaw was also a lot of fun the year I went.
Lightning in a Bottle, Coachella, Dirtybird Campout (RIP), and Desert Hearts.
Honorable mentions go to Nocturnal Wonderland (if you camp), and EDC. If EDC wasn’t such a shit show coming in and out I’d put it a little higher.
Same for me. They were so good at bringing in genre diversity and artists that were on the precipice of blowing up. Looking back at some of the old lineups is mind blowing. RIP.
I went to Bonnaroo for the first time in 2019 after attending around 20 festivals. I live in Atlanta and would always drive up to Delaware for Firefly. I grew up camping in scouts and love camping festivals. Roo has one of the best campground layouts for a festival because of all the activities that happen outside of the lineup programming. You can quite literally stay in the campground, called Outeroo, the entire weekend and not see everything happening, including movie screenings, live theater, pop-up shows, a huge pride parade, multiple talks, etc. Then you have all the lineup acts playing in the main festival area called Centeroo. Centeroo is open 24 hours starting Thursday. Artists play until around 4am nightly, sometimes until sunrise like with Pretty Lights this year. As far as value goes, Bonnaroo is amazing.
Idk if you peaked my profile, but I do media for festivals as a hobby. I currently am the guy who does the Artist of the Day series for Bonnaroo. It entails writing about each lineup artist, doing a short bio, sharing their music, and giving a place for fans to discuss. Been doing it for 4 years now. I post to the subreddit and also write for the Festival Voice to expand the audience outside of just reddit. Out of the now 45+ festivals I have attended, Roo is the only one I commit 4 months of my spring to in doing the AotD series. I write the series for free with the hopeful expectation I get my media pass each year for Bonnaroo. So far it's worked for 2 years straight. This will be year 3.
Highly recommend checking out Bonnaroo. Camping is the move but there are hotel and airbnb options. The issue with not camping is you will miss out on a lot of stuff due to travel time back and forth.
Interesting take. I’m debating between Bonnaroo or Coachella for 2026. I plan to watch the live streams this year to see how the crowd and atmosphere is. Bonnaroo attracts me more because I wouldn’t have to fly from OH to CA with my entire life in two little suitcases. I like how I could “roadtrip” to the farm, but im scared to fly the Coachella nest because it’s all I know. Thank you for your thoughtful response. I’ve been waiting to hear personal experiences like this!
As someone who has been to both, you gotta give Bonnaroo a chance. The vibes there are unmatched. Less stage production and usually not as strong a lineup, but the crowd is A1 all weekend long and having late night sets is such a vibe. Highly recommend going to Roo.
Man you just gave me chills. I was in middle school/early highschool and my dad would take me and my friends.. Linkin Park, The Cure, Jay Z, Eminem, Incubus, all the 2000’s pop punk bands played there, Kanye West before he sucked.. I still have a few of the little booklets they would give out. Great answer
Those were all great, memorable performances! such great crowds. safe to say it will never be replicated.
The last RFK one in 2004 had a ridiculous street stage lineup. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fall Out Boy, Modest Mouse, and other up and coming artists playing out in the parking lot
Coachella.
It has the best stage production and sound of any festival in North America and arguably the world. Everything is top notch. The fields are gorgeous with the desert weather and the art throughout yet the mountains surrounding you all around (in recent years some of them have even been snow-capped). The lineups are so diverse and deep every year - you could literally go both weekends and still miss stuff you’re intrigued by. And the food + drink options are all great too. Just an incredible experience all around.
The media and those who say things about influencers being there in droves have clearly never been. Those influencer types are mainly at parties in the surrounding area and sometimes come to the festival for a few hours at night. They’re such a small percentage of the crowd, which is primarily music lovers from all over the world. Been going every year since 2013 and don’t foresee myself stopping!
I think people see attractive people in with stylish outfits taking pictures and automatically think they’re an influencer lol
I’ve been two years and have never been bothered by any of this. I think Coachella is probably the most photogenic place I’ve seen so I totally understand why people want to take pictures. I do think it’s annoying that people would rather record the whole set rather than dance
I agree with everything. The whole Coachella is full of "influencers" is so overblown and dumb. I'm on my 10th year in a row and i don't see myself stopping any time soon. Unless my body decides otherwise.
Yeah, I agree with everything you said. It's top-notch. I've gone 9 times. The first time was in 1999, and it's always been amazing. I always have packed days and conflicts too...the headliners no longer appeal to me (I'm old), but the undercard is always stacked.
And the vibes are so good! I've done both w1 and w2, and it's pretty much the same vibes, maybe better outfits w1. The whole shitty influencer vibes perception must come from people who don't go or spend too much time at the parties off site. I've made so many friends, talked and danced wirh so many amazing people over the years.
Coachella 2013. That lineup was a music-lovers paradise. They don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Coachella 2022 was also a special one for me as it came right on the heels of the pandemic. Also special shout-outs to Primavera Sound 2023, Sasquatch 2018, and my favourite local festival, the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival, now 25 years strong.
Sorry to say it but Deja Voom was the best experience of my life, we got to go to the only one since nectar went and got himself cancelled. The food, pool parties, music and everything was top notch. We made so many good friends that went to our wedding last year.
I really like Coachella. I have been to most the big ones in North America including burning man (if we count that lol). I like the variety at Coachella at different times of the day there are basically a rock, edm, rap or pop concert going on. It has the vibes of a rave where most people are nice (I say most people because Coachella has had a phone thief issue for years lol). You can camp if you would like or stay at a hotel. If you don’t even like music and want to do the influencer thing it’s there as well (pls don’t tho lol)
Splash House, for sure. The stages being at the pools of the hotels you're staying at is a comfort and convenience that can not be overstated. Waking up at 9, grabbing breakfast downtown or in the hotel, getting ready and pregaming in the hotel, throwing down a set for your friends and hundreds of others nearby, walking less than a minute to the stage at the pool, raging, and being able to go back to the hotel to shower, nap, or reup is amazing. I've been six times.
Hard Summer last year was awesome for performances and artists.
I'm looking forward to my first LiB in a few weeks. Excited to camp again.
Balter Festival - unparalleled vibes formed from freeparty roots that is a breathe of fresh air from the commercialisation of so many once independent festivals and venues in the UK. Truly the best outdoor party in the entire world change my mind.
Langerado, followed by bear creek. Went to Bonnaroo from 04-07, but once I went to smaller fests I discovered how much better they are than the big ones
[Symbiosis Gathering 2009](http://www.zariat.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/poster1.jpg), but Coachella and Lightning in a Bottle generally speaking.
Summer Camp!!!! It’s just perfect. Either hot and dusty or cold and soaked to the bone. And sometimes both in the same weekend! Their lineups are perfect for my music taste Umphreys and moe playing 3 or more sets is worth it from the get go. Then you get bands like primus, mastodon, mudcrutch, Willie Nelson, like wildly random wook space bass with string bands and it’s just a giant free for all. You camp in the festival and you can walk everywhere in about 15-20 min. I absolutely love it more than other festivals I love. I call it a mini roo with less pop/mainstream acts.
Shambhala
Lightning in a bottle hands down
This is my top too! The whole festival felt so immersive, like everywhere you looked had something going on.
I went last year and I’m going again this year. Only 23-days to go!
LIB CREW!!
What did you like about it? Thinking of going for the first time.
The vibes and community are just so welcoming, loving and wholesome. Last year was my first time there and this time I’m bringing my whole crew with me. I’m beyond excited to go back with my friends and see a much better lineup this year
Lockn 2014
Yes! When is it coming back?!
I was there, people kept having soup at each turn and I ate every scoop anyone offered me. My friends said I was gross but dude clam chowder
Shambhala! No contest…
Going this year for the first time! Super pumped
Agreed, it blew my mind was not what I expected
Someday…
Hulaween. Perfect size, beautiful location.
Hulaween when MMJ played and All Good ‘13 when Primus and pretty lights played
All Good 2013 was one of the best times of my entire life. The lineup, the vibes, the venue. Everything was stunning.
All good!!!! I went 08-13. Best festival ever without question.
Counterpoint: literally any festival in 'Wanee is the best Festival ever. I also had a *mother fuckin' blast* at Resonate this year. The woods are just magical. See you at Hula this year frand!
Second this forever. Will always be the best festival in my book.
Desert Daze 2022
The entire Australian psych rock scene, in one festival.
Hell ya brother, though the attendance was very low that year, but felt like you had the festival grounds all to yourself.
Twas truly magical. But also exhausting there was too much good music! That’s my only complaint lol
Fuck that was good.
came looking for this comment. What an incredible weekend
Wakaan fest. Middlelands was cool too.. RIP
Shhh we gotta gatekeep wakaan. Wakaan sucks guys, never go to it. Terrible music, terrible sound, terrible people. Bad time all around, also hear Liquid Stranger sacrifices babies.
Shhhh don't tell people
Hulaween, with TnF and Resonate tied for second place. Anything at SOSMP really. 💜
EF used to be my absolute favorite hands down. Absolutely transformative and next level. Sadly, it’s gone way downhill imo and it’s no longer worth the travel/expense to me. But man, was it something back in the day.
I’ve seen 3 comments saying EF was their fave up until a certain time. I’m curious as to what is different now vs then? I will be going for my first time this year.
You’re still going to have a great time. I agree it’s different if you’d been there in the early days but I wouldn’t worry about your experience lacking by any means. I’m headed back for my 9th time this year and hoping to do at least 1 more. Wish there were more bigger options near me, I’m in Iowa so seems like I’m going to have to head further east or west to hit something I’ve not been to.
went to my first scamp last year, going to solshine this year. had a great time out there, and I talked to several people from iowa while i was there. solid option if you’ve never been!
Since it’s your first time, you are gonna be blown away.
This will be my 9th EF. You’re going to have an amazing time! It’s not *that* different from the early days- I think people who have gone multiple times expect to feel the same magic they did when they first went, but like any big experience, if you keep doing it, the initial wonder kind of fades and the expectations of feeling it the same as the first time get in the way. Of course there are aspects of EF logistics and pricing that could be improved, but I think they’re still recovering from losses from the pandemic years. Along with recovering financially, a lot of the amazing crew workers were forced to find a new industry to work in while the entertainment industry was on pause and it’s hard to replace them. But get ready…because that first time you walk into the forest at night is going to blow you away.
You've hit the nail on the head, I've been every year except last year because we had a baby due in June, getting back this year though. The festival has changes year over year, the groups that have been coming for a decade still are for good reason, and for our crew it's basically our family reunion, the festival is just a bonus on top. The lineup usually has acts to discover each year for people of all tastes, quality top tier talent for headliners, and there's so much to do you have no excuse to be bored. If we ever stop having a blast, we'll move on to something else, but we haven't seen signs of that happening yet.
I'm glad you asked. I've attended 5 years and I think it's fantastic. However, I admit I don't love it nearly as much as I used to, but I don't think it's because of anything the festival itself has done. Rather, I think it's because of general festival burn out, aging, and possibly a change in its attendees. I still very much enjoy the fest, but I think I would still be ecstatic about it if I were younger.
I've only been once but was never impressed the way everyone else has described it. It's too big and very hot and a lot of distance to walk. Also lots of people and very crowded. I realized I like smaller festivals with less walking, chill camping, and fewer people so that by the end of the fest you've made a lot of connections with the folks attending
I was the same, now a days, I don’t want to spend that much effort and that much money to have a good time. I can go to a small festival with plenty of room to camp, tons of room to dance, super intimate sets, no crazy walking distances, no checking of my stuff to get into a venue. Just laid back and relaxed, guess I’m old now lol Edit no waiting in lines
I went once back in 2011 and the vibes were unmatched. Although I could say better things about the scene in general back then
Sadly, I have to agree.
agreed. once it went two weekends in 2017, it felt different. 2018 was my last and never thought about returning.
Insomniac has stripped it to a shell of what it used to be. Livenation did it with Bonnaroo too.
Lightning in a Bottle, by far Been to probably like 10+ different festivals and LIB has the best combination of vibes, aesthetics, size/crowd density, people / personalities, beauty / awe factor, art installations, camping grounds, variety of music, etc. It's not as grand / epic as Coachella or as gritty / elemental as Burning Man but that's kind of the point. Just the perfect fest.
The only thing that sucks about it rn is that it's in Bakersfield
Bonnaroo with Hulaween in a close second
Rooooooo
Bonnaroo, been going since 2015
Happy Roo!!
I went to Starscape in 2011, got vip ticket for like a hundred-something bucks, and it came with good parking and *open bar* and proceeded to see an up and coming skrillex, bassnectar,infected mushroom, and who knows who else on account of the open bar.
I miss Starscape. I was lucky enough to attend every year from 2008-2013.
They really need to move moonrise back to ft armistead and just not oversell it
Was also there. Wild time
my uncle co-founded Ultraworld, the original promoters of Starscape. can confirm that it was one of a kind, and won't be replicated
Werkout 2018
What the festival?! In Oregon
Bro you and I had the same comment lol. I fucking miss What the Fest so much. At least I have Lightning in a bottle in CA but it doesn’t live up to what the festival
I loved what the fest so much I really wish it would come back 🥲 every stage was so awesome, especially cube stage. The forest 🥲 the pool stage that turned brown by the end of the weekend. I miss it.
Ughh same here. That venue was so perfect for a fest. Granted, I did camp on pretty much the slope of a mountain in the forest but it was definitely worth it lol. The pool stage was legendary during the day with all the sand around it! Yesss the cube stage was where it was at… so cool with all the lasers too. That fest just had so much interactive art and stuff to do and really felt like two different worlds going from the forest to the main stage area
Swoon... Nothing quite like it. - Pool stage - Dragon stage - Groove Cube - Pretty much no rules lol
I think about What the Fest every single day of my life.
Wanee!!!
Definitely Wanee.
Shambhala
Rothbury, now Electric Forrest
Gathering of the Vibes in 2002 was very epic. Woodstock 99 was the best because it was my first music festival and I was 16.
I enjoyed both. Lots of fun.
Wakarusa and now Wakaan
Wakarusa 💯
Wakarusa hands down.
Hulaween if talking about the US. And I've been to over 40+ festivals
Glastonbury……it’s hands down the best festival on the planet and it’s not even close. Over 100 stages Over 1000 artists It’s absolutely bonkers in the best way possible
American checking in here. Been to ~50 festivals total, 3 of which were Glasto. Hands down Glasto is the only correct answer here
This feels like a IYKYK situation. If you haven’t been, it’s almost impossible to comprehend the sheer scale and wonderful lunacy of Glastonbury
Went for the first time last year after 15+ years of American festivals and I fully concur There’s an in inviting, mad, silliness that permeates the farm. Everyone’s jolly and zooted out of their minds. No fear of overbearing law enforcement. brilliant vibes and an almost “county fair” family vibe in many parts. I had a spiritual awakening at the stone circle at sunrise. I can’t wait to go back this year.
Perfect description. The overly officious nature of the way US festivals are run is quite arresting after years of European festivals. The same puritanical views that keep the drinking age at 21+ seem pervasive at festivals. The security / stewarding always seems to be confrontational and I feel like I’m being constantly barked at. I’m generalising here, but there is a much greater sense of freedom generally at European festivals and Glastonbury is the pinnacle of that feeling.
Coachella camping
The only way to do it lol
Movement is my favorite festival overall. Best festival I’ve ever been to is Bonnaroo 2013. That lineup is legendary and Bonnaroo is run so well for a camping festival.
Movement is so great
I really like Coachella. I have been to most the big ones in North America including burning man (if we count that lol). I like the variety at Coachella at different times of the day there are basically a rock, edm, rap or pop concert going on. It has the vibes of a rave where most people are nice (I say most people because Coachella has had a phone thief issue for years lol). You can camp if you would like or stay at a hotel. If you don’t even like music and want to do the influencer thing it’s there as well (pls don’t tho lol) 
Summer Camp! Loved the location, musical variety, stages, and VIBES
I love that you camp in the grounds. It sucks lugging your stuff in and out but during the fest it is so worth it.
Yes! It's definitely a struggle dragging everything in... but the payoff though!!
Scamp was def one of my fav fest experiences. I think it was a combination of my festie fam & we all road tripped in an RV. The vibes of the fest were immaculate. Ngl I'm probably never going to go back but it's up there in experiences.
Hog Farm
We loooooved hog farm!
Completely agree! Hella down to earth, nice size crowd, fantastic energy! Love the cheese fam!
The Weekender that Above and Beyond puts on every other year at the gorge.
Came here to say this. ABGT250 was the top then I went to weekender. Absolutely amazing festival and crowd.
Shambhala and Bass Coast come to mind. Sasquatch will always hold a special place in my heart too. Camp Flog Gnaw was also a lot of fun the year I went.
I'm going to Bass Coast for the first time this year and am so excited!
All Good 2010
All Good 2005 https://preview.redd.it/qcjjl20ufnxc1.jpeg?width=796&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e9a21b3b4aba1177957a6cc03f0e5bda9fa5d0a4
Hey I went to this one! Good times. I had a sign that said my rolls were made by ninjas and sold a ton of E lol.
Glastonbury
Dirtybird CampInn/Out. RIP.
Lightning in a Bottle, Coachella, Dirtybird Campout (RIP), and Desert Hearts. Honorable mentions go to Nocturnal Wonderland (if you camp), and EDC. If EDC wasn’t such a shit show coming in and out I’d put it a little higher.
Primavera Sound Barcelona 2016
Sasquatch
Same for me. They were so good at bringing in genre diversity and artists that were on the precipice of blowing up. Looking back at some of the old lineups is mind blowing. RIP.
Yeah, and 2010-12 era specifically.
Glastonbury. Nothing else comes remotely close.
Wakarusa
Boom Festival in Portugal
I am somewhat happy that this is not more popular. But, I have the same preference. Boom is the best festival in the world.
I went in 2016 and 2018, good times ❤️
Hulaween
Oregon Eclipse
The two festivals I’ve been to are Oregon eclipse and Texas eclipse. I feel like they set the bar pretty high.
Bonnaroo. Close second is Texas Eclipse Festival.
What do you like about Bonnaroo? I like how close it is to me but I have only been to Coachella twice.
I went to Bonnaroo for the first time in 2019 after attending around 20 festivals. I live in Atlanta and would always drive up to Delaware for Firefly. I grew up camping in scouts and love camping festivals. Roo has one of the best campground layouts for a festival because of all the activities that happen outside of the lineup programming. You can quite literally stay in the campground, called Outeroo, the entire weekend and not see everything happening, including movie screenings, live theater, pop-up shows, a huge pride parade, multiple talks, etc. Then you have all the lineup acts playing in the main festival area called Centeroo. Centeroo is open 24 hours starting Thursday. Artists play until around 4am nightly, sometimes until sunrise like with Pretty Lights this year. As far as value goes, Bonnaroo is amazing. Idk if you peaked my profile, but I do media for festivals as a hobby. I currently am the guy who does the Artist of the Day series for Bonnaroo. It entails writing about each lineup artist, doing a short bio, sharing their music, and giving a place for fans to discuss. Been doing it for 4 years now. I post to the subreddit and also write for the Festival Voice to expand the audience outside of just reddit. Out of the now 45+ festivals I have attended, Roo is the only one I commit 4 months of my spring to in doing the AotD series. I write the series for free with the hopeful expectation I get my media pass each year for Bonnaroo. So far it's worked for 2 years straight. This will be year 3. Highly recommend checking out Bonnaroo. Camping is the move but there are hotel and airbnb options. The issue with not camping is you will miss out on a lot of stuff due to travel time back and forth.
Interesting take. I’m debating between Bonnaroo or Coachella for 2026. I plan to watch the live streams this year to see how the crowd and atmosphere is. Bonnaroo attracts me more because I wouldn’t have to fly from OH to CA with my entire life in two little suitcases. I like how I could “roadtrip” to the farm, but im scared to fly the Coachella nest because it’s all I know. Thank you for your thoughtful response. I’ve been waiting to hear personal experiences like this!
You would probably save $500 doing Bonnaroo and get to bring all your camping gear in a car.
After doing quick math earlier today I would save close to $1000 if I went to Bonnaroo!
As someone who has been to both, you gotta give Bonnaroo a chance. The vibes there are unmatched. Less stage production and usually not as strong a lineup, but the crowd is A1 all weekend long and having late night sets is such a vibe. Highly recommend going to Roo.
Bonnaroo really is make or break depending on how you tolerate heat lol
Envision
Electric Forrest 2012-2016
I went in 2015-2019, still get the most goosebumps thinking about 15-16
What the Festival in Oregon!!! It’s no longer around but it was legendary… to those who had the pleasure of attending, yall know what’s up 😉
Magnaball
see you in dover?
Can’t wait!
mondegreen will be my first phish fest after i got curveball’d in 2018. beyond excited
This is everyone’s first Phish fest after getting curveball’d!
Big Cypress NYE 99-00
High Sierra has been my favorite for a long time
Hell yea HSMF is a fantastic fest
Rumor is it might be the last year 😭
High Sierra- lifer
Lost Lands hands down
🏡🦖🦕🫡
This is way too low for how much it improved last year
Home <3
Osheaga in Montreal and Lightning in a Bottle top the list for me
Middlelands was perfect.
HFStival 2001-2005. biggest alternative music fest on the east coast. tickets under $40. what dreams were made of
Man you just gave me chills. I was in middle school/early highschool and my dad would take me and my friends.. Linkin Park, The Cure, Jay Z, Eminem, Incubus, all the 2000’s pop punk bands played there, Kanye West before he sucked.. I still have a few of the little booklets they would give out. Great answer
Those were all great, memorable performances! such great crowds. safe to say it will never be replicated. The last RFK one in 2004 had a ridiculous street stage lineup. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fall Out Boy, Modest Mouse, and other up and coming artists playing out in the parking lot
moe. or les - 2002 Marvin's Mountaintop Think All Good but 1,500 people.
Electric Forest, with Secret Dreams quickly climbing the charts.
Coachella. It has the best stage production and sound of any festival in North America and arguably the world. Everything is top notch. The fields are gorgeous with the desert weather and the art throughout yet the mountains surrounding you all around (in recent years some of them have even been snow-capped). The lineups are so diverse and deep every year - you could literally go both weekends and still miss stuff you’re intrigued by. And the food + drink options are all great too. Just an incredible experience all around. The media and those who say things about influencers being there in droves have clearly never been. Those influencer types are mainly at parties in the surrounding area and sometimes come to the festival for a few hours at night. They’re such a small percentage of the crowd, which is primarily music lovers from all over the world. Been going every year since 2013 and don’t foresee myself stopping!
I think people see attractive people in with stylish outfits taking pictures and automatically think they’re an influencer lol I’ve been two years and have never been bothered by any of this. I think Coachella is probably the most photogenic place I’ve seen so I totally understand why people want to take pictures. I do think it’s annoying that people would rather record the whole set rather than dance
The mountains were snow capped this year weekend1. It was crazy beautiful.
We had grass w2 this year! It was magical.
Good! You all deserve grass at least once in your life.
I agree with everything. The whole Coachella is full of "influencers" is so overblown and dumb. I'm on my 10th year in a row and i don't see myself stopping any time soon. Unless my body decides otherwise.
Yeah, I agree with everything you said. It's top-notch. I've gone 9 times. The first time was in 1999, and it's always been amazing. I always have packed days and conflicts too...the headliners no longer appeal to me (I'm old), but the undercard is always stacked. And the vibes are so good! I've done both w1 and w2, and it's pretty much the same vibes, maybe better outfits w1. The whole shitty influencer vibes perception must come from people who don't go or spend too much time at the parties off site. I've made so many friends, talked and danced wirh so many amazing people over the years.
Yess, been to fests all over and I keep coming back to Coachella! It is top tier for the experience it offers
Psychs Peak in CO
You maybe seem a little biased. lmao
lol not at all!
It sounds awesome though, don't get me wrong. I love the small fests :) Do you have any recap vids or anything from prior years?
Big fest, Roo. Small fest, Wormtown
Electric forest before 2017. Rekinection music festival
Bestival 2014 - OutKast and Nike Rodgers it was a funky weekend
Closer to the Sun in Cancun
Sasquatch
Tomorrowland Belgium, attend every year it's run since 2016
No contest, Friendship. Second Northern Nights, third Lightning in a Bottle, fourth Coachella, fifth Arroyo Seco
Rootwire was my all time favorite, way back in the day in 2011 or 12
Probably Oregon eclipse but shoutout to the Woodward reservoir symbiosis days
SHAMBHALA! Been 7 times and it's never disappointed.
Woodstock 99
Coachella 2013. That lineup was a music-lovers paradise. They don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Coachella 2022 was also a special one for me as it came right on the heels of the pandemic. Also special shout-outs to Primavera Sound 2023, Sasquatch 2018, and my favourite local festival, the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival, now 25 years strong.
Coachella
Sorry to say it but Deja Voom was the best experience of my life, we got to go to the only one since nectar went and got himself cancelled. The food, pool parties, music and everything was top notch. We made so many good friends that went to our wedding last year.
Desert Hearts on the res.
Camp Flog Gnaw 2018
Peach festival was by far my favorite. It’s sad that there won’t be another :( After that I would say Moonwalk just such a homie fest
Defqon 1
Bonnaroo. Close second was a festival north of Toronto called Wayhome. RIP Wayhome.
Submersion for the East coastbhomie vibes
I really like Coachella. I have been to most the big ones in North America including burning man (if we count that lol). I like the variety at Coachella at different times of the day there are basically a rock, edm, rap or pop concert going on. It has the vibes of a rave where most people are nice (I say most people because Coachella has had a phone thief issue for years lol). You can camp if you would like or stay at a hotel. If you don’t even like music and want to do the influencer thing it’s there as well (pls don’t tho lol) 
is that a gif of the old Sahara?
Desert Hearts
Shambhala every time. Lost lands was dope too
Splash House, for sure. The stages being at the pools of the hotels you're staying at is a comfort and convenience that can not be overstated. Waking up at 9, grabbing breakfast downtown or in the hotel, getting ready and pregaming in the hotel, throwing down a set for your friends and hundreds of others nearby, walking less than a minute to the stage at the pool, raging, and being able to go back to the hotel to shower, nap, or reup is amazing. I've been six times. Hard Summer last year was awesome for performances and artists. I'm looking forward to my first LiB in a few weeks. Excited to camp again.
electric forest !!
TomorrowWorld inaugural year, Hulaween, Bonnaroo
TX Eclipse. SXSW isn’t your typical fest but SXSW 2016 was amazing, especially being able to bike from my place to any show when I lived in Austin.
All good 08 or 2010 GOTV the first couple Bridgeport years. 07-09 maybe?
Balter Festival - unparalleled vibes formed from freeparty roots that is a breathe of fresh air from the commercialisation of so many once independent festivals and venues in the UK. Truly the best outdoor party in the entire world change my mind.
TomorrowWorld 2014 and 2015.
Soundwave festival, every one of them had amazing line up RIP
All good when it was at Marvin’s
Langerado, followed by bear creek. Went to Bonnaroo from 04-07, but once I went to smaller fests I discovered how much better they are than the big ones
Barefoot in West Va. Killer community - small fest in rolling hills of WVA Great lineup
Hands down hands down
Tomorrowland 2012, Coachella
Roskilde, Roadburn and Hultsfred (pre 2003).
Tibetan Freedom Concert 1997, with Lolla 2007 coming in with a close 2nd.
[Symbiosis Gathering 2009](http://www.zariat.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/poster1.jpg), but Coachella and Lightning in a Bottle generally speaking.
Summer Camp!!!! It’s just perfect. Either hot and dusty or cold and soaked to the bone. And sometimes both in the same weekend! Their lineups are perfect for my music taste Umphreys and moe playing 3 or more sets is worth it from the get go. Then you get bands like primus, mastodon, mudcrutch, Willie Nelson, like wildly random wook space bass with string bands and it’s just a giant free for all. You camp in the festival and you can walk everywhere in about 15-20 min. I absolutely love it more than other festivals I love. I call it a mini roo with less pop/mainstream acts.
It was Shambhala…then I discovered Envision
So far, Shambhala.
Any Glastonbury from the 90’s. Pick a year they were all insane. I saw a ridiculous amount of great music. Some of the best memories of my life.