2016 Country Music Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss
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Looking for something to do this summer? Why not check out one of these amazing country music festivals? From the legendary Bonnaroo to the up-and-coming Forecastle, there’s sure to be a festival that’s perfect for you.
Introduction
The country music festival season is upon us, and there are some can’t-miss shows happening all across the country. From intimate club gigs to massive outdoor concerts, there’s something for everyone. Here are 2016 country music festivals you won’t want to miss.
1. Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival – Manchester, TN
2. Stagecoach Festival – Indio, CA
3. CMA Music Festival – Nashville, TN
4. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival – Indio, CA
5. Hangout Music Festival – Gulf Shores, AL
6. Sasquatch! Music Festival – George, WA
7. Firefly Music Festival – Dover, DE
8. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – New Orleans, LA
9. Governors Ball Music Festival – New York, NY
10. Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL
Country Music Festivals in the United States
There are plenty of country music festivals held in the United States each year. Some are small and only last a day or two, while others are massive and last for a week or more. No matter what kind of festival you’re looking for, there’s bound to be one that’s perfect for you. Here are sixteen of the best country music festivals in the United States.
CMA Music Festival
The CMA Music Festival is a four-day music festival dedicated to country music and its fans. The event is held annually in Nashville, Tennessee, and features live performances from some of the genre’s most popular artists, as well as autograph signings, fan club meetings, and more. The festival attracts over 400,000 attendees each year, making it one of the largest country music events in the world.
The CMA Music Festival was first held in 1972 as a one-day event called Fan Fair. The festival was expanded to two days in 1974, and then to four days in 2006. In 2011, the festival was renamed the CMA Music Festival to better reflect its status as a major country music event.
The CMA Music Festival is open to all fans of country music, and provides an opportunity for fans to see their favorite artists perform live. The festival also offers a unique opportunity for fans to interact with artists and industry professionals.
Stagecoach Festival
The annual Stagecoach Festival is one of the most popular country music festivals in the United States. The three-day event takes place in Indio, California, and features some of the biggest names in country music. This year’s lineup includes headliners Willie Nelson, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan. Other top acts include Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, and Miranda Lambert. In addition to great music, the festival also offers food, drink, and camping options.
ACM Awards
The Academy of Country Music Awards, also known as the ACM Awards, were first held in 1966, making them the longest running awards show in country music history. They are also one of the most prestigious, with past winners including legends like Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks and Miranda Lambert. The 2016 ACM Awards are set to take place on April 3 in Las Vegas, and will feature performances by some of the biggest names in country music today.
Country Music Festivals in Canada
It’s that time of year again where we start planning our summer vacations and country music festivals are at the top of our list! If you’re a fan of country music, then you’ll definitely want to check out these five festivals happening across Canada in 2016.
Boots and Hearts Music Festival
The Boots and Hearts Music Festival is a country music festival that takes place in Oro-Medonte, Ontario. The festival was first held in 2012, and is currently the largest country music festival in Canada. The festival features a mix of mainstream and upcoming country artists, as well as some non-country acts.
past headliners have included Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, and Miranda Lambert. The 2016 lineup includes headliners such as faithful fine mind shift Rascal Flatts, Dallas Smith, Jake Owen, Kiefer Sutherland, and Brett Kissel.
If you’re a fan of country music (or just want to experience something new), the Boots and Hearts Music Festival is definitely worth checking out!
CCMA Awards
The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards are Canada’s premier country music awards show, honouring the biggest stars in the Canadian country music scene. The 2016 CCMA Awards will take place on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and will be broadcast live on CBC at 8:00 p.m. (8:30 NT) across Canada.
Country Music Festivals in Europe
Europe has some of the best country music festivals in the world. From the UK to Germany, there are a variety of festivals to choose from. Here are some of the best ones that you won’t want to miss.
Glastonbury Festival
If you love country music, then you’ll definitely want to check out some of the great festivals happening in Europe this year. From the big names like Glastonbury and Country 2 Country, to more intimate affairs like Black Deer and Cornbury, there’s something for everyone.
Glastonbury is, of course, one of the biggest and most well-known music festivals in the world, let alone Europe. This year’s lineup includes some of the biggest names in country music, including Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Emmylou Harris. If you’re looking for a truly world-class festival experience, this is the one for you.
Country 2 Country is another huge festival, taking place in Berlin, Dublin, and London this year. The lineup includes Gary Allan, Zac Brown Band, Brad Paisley, and many more. If you want to see some of the biggest names in country music performing live, this is the festival for you.
Black Deer is a relatively new addition to the European country music festival scene but it’s already making a big impression. Taking place in Kent, England, this year’s lineup includes Dwight Yoakam, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle & The Dukes (and Duchesses), and Josh Ritter. If you’re looking for a more intimate festival experience with great music and great vibes, Black Deer is definitely worth checking out.
Cornbury is another great option for those looking for a more intimate festival experience. This year’s lineup includes Kacey Musgraves, Ronnie Dunn (of Brooks & Dunn), Bryan Adams(! ), and Cowboy Junkies. Cornbury takes place in Oxfordshire and always has a great mix of music styles on offer – so if you’re looking for something a little different from your usual country fare, this could be the perfect festival for you.
Country to Country
Country to Country (C2C) is a three-day country music festival held annually in Europe. The festival was established in 2013, and has since been held in Dublin, London and Glasgow. C2C is organised by AEG Live and SJM Concerts, and is currently the only festival of its kind in Europe.
The festival features a lineup of country music’s biggest acts, as well as up-and-coming talent. Past headliners have included Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line, George Strait, Hank Williams Jr., Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw and Zac Brown Band.
In 2016, C2C will be held from 11-13 March at The O2 in London, and will feature headliners Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker and Little Big Town.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading our guide to 2016 country music festivals! We hope this has helped you narrow down your choices and find the perfect festival for you.
Remember to check back often, as we’ll be updating this guide with new festivals throughout the year. And if you have any recommendations of your own, be sure to let us know in the comments!
