festivals
Page: 17
Coachella‘s already extensive dance offerings are expanding with this week’s announcement of a new festival stage dedicated to the genre.
Called Quasar, the stage will feature extended sets that run three to four hours, with Coachella producer Goldenvoice announcing different lineups for both weekends of the fest. Weekend one will feature Honey Dijon playing b2b with Green Velvet, the first U.S. show from Michael Bibi since he announced he was in remission from cancer, and Jamie xx playing b3b with Floating Points and Daphni. All of these artists are new additions to the lineup.
For weekend two, Quasar will feature a DJ set by Rüfüs du Sol, Eric Prydz playing b2b with Anyma and Diplo playing b2b with Dutch wunkderkind Mau P. Minus Anyma (also known as Matteo Milleri, who is one half of Tale of Us), all of these artists are also new to the 2024 lineup.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
There’s also evidence that more artists will join the bill. On the lineup announcement on Instagram, Los Angeles-based DJ Heidi Lawden commented “one female yay!” in regard to the lineup being almost entirely men. In response, Kobi Danan — whose company Framework curates Coachella’s Yuma stage – – wrote “not done yet!”
Trending on Billboard
A rendering of the stage reveals it to be a massive area with a futuristic design. A video shared to Instagram by Coachella outlines specs for the stage, which Goldenvoice’s Executive Vice President Jenn Yacoubian calls “a stage where we can book talent on it in a way that we’ve felt we haven’t been able to in the past. We’re look at it as a traditional kind of DJ stage. The thinking was that we wanted people to see a longer format DJ set.”
Designed by Vita Modus, a longtime Coachella stage designer, Quasar will be assembled from two massive LED walls with the artists in the middle.
This is the first time that Coachella has debuted a new stage dedicated to dance music since Yuma launched at the event in 2013. Launched during the EDM explosion and designed to showcase more “underground” dance music, Yuma has grown substantially over the years in tandem with house and techno’s rise in popularity in the U.S. According to Yacoubian, Quasar will occupy a space on the festival site formerly occupied by the Sahara tent, with that tent moving elsewhere.
Dance music is otherwise spread across nearly all the Coachella stages, typically appearing on the festival’s second biggest area, the Outdoor Stage, the occasional mainstage performance (including Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia during the past two years), along with Yuma, Sahara, the Do Lab area and often in the Gobi and Mojave tents as well.
Next month’s Rabbit Eats Lettuce festival will etch its name in the history books as the first event in an Australian state to offer pill-testing services.
Set for the Easter long weekend, from March 28-April 1, the electronic and dance-specialist fest is at home near Warwick in the south-east corridor of Queensland — the first Australian state or territory to commit to supporting pill testing on an ongoing basis.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Partygoers will have access to free, voluntary, and confidential pill testing by an “appropriately qualified chemist,” reads a statement from state government, which is tipping in nearly A$1 million ($660,000) in investment over two years.
“I am thrilled to be supporting new and innovative services to help reduce harms from illicit drug use,” comments minister for health, mental health and ambulance service Shannon Fentiman.
Trending on Billboard
These services, Fentiman continues, “are all about harm minimization; we don’t want people ending up in our emergency departments – or worse losing their life.”
According to figures published by Queensland government, 2,231 drug-induced deaths were reported in Australia in 2021– the equivalent of five deaths each day.
“That’s 2,231 deaths too many,” Fentiman continues, “and we know this number will continue to grow if we don’t act now.”
In 2019, two people died after consuming drugs at Rabbit Eats Lettuce.
Harm Reduction Australia is contracted to deliver “several” festival-based services in 2024 and 2025 following an open market tender process. The state government has also engaged the University of Queensland to conduct an evaluation of the services and to develop a statewide monitoring process.
Also, through a healthcare partnership, fixed-site services will operate at two locations in south-east Queensland, including one in Bowen Hills, central Brisbane, and “at least one festival-based service” in 2024.
It’s a “step in the right direction in reducing drug-related harm,” Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival organizer Eric Lamir tells the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and, through the process, police have been “extremely supportive” in preparing for the gathering. Data captured from chemical tests will be shared with the festival’s medical staff, which “means our paramedics and doctors will be able to have up-to-date data on what drugs might be circulating at the event.”
The public debate on pill testing in Australia has rumbled on for years, and entered a trial phase for the first time at the Groovin the Moo festival in the Australian Capital Territory in April 2018, where two potentially deadly samples were identified and half the drugs tested were found to contain no psychoactive substances.
Off the back of that trial and others in Canberra, Queensland developed testing protocols, and gave the green light for chemically-checking drugs in February 2023.
With pill testing services rolling out proper at the 15th edition of Rabbits Eat Lettuce, an “important milestone” is notched “in the ongoing efforts of Queensland to reduce drug related harms,” comments a spokesperson for Pill Testing Australia, “and we know the patrons of the festival and their families and friends will greatly appreciate the availability of this vital public health service.”
Read more here.
A first Thursday night (March 14) show spotlighting a special Vultures performance by ¥$ (Ye + Ty Dolla $ign), plus North West making her debut festival performance, were among the highlights and surprises for fans attending 2024 Rolling Loud California. Holding court for an unprecedented four nights (March 14-17) at Inglewood, Calif.’s Hollywood Park, the annual festival’s stacked deck of headliners also included Nicki Minaj, Post Malone and Future x Metro Boomin.Just as buzzworthy, however, were the additional acts rounding out Rolling Loud’s three full days of programming. Among them: Bryson Tiller, Sexyy Red, Summer Walker, Flo Milli, PartyNextDoor, Don Toliver and Big Sean, as well as Los Angeles rap legends YG and Tyga in a joint performance.
The first Rolling Loud event of 2024 also presented a wide-ranging collection of merchandise inspired by L.A. sports teams, street art, racing culture, anime, skateboarding and more. Curated by Rolling Loud’s director of merchandise Ray Guilbauilt and primarily designed by Prism Works Group, the merch offerings also included collaborations with YG, marking the rapper’s 10th anniversary of his classic album My Krazy Life; Chief Keef’s Glo Gang; a Rolling Loud co-branded belt by BB Simon; and the fest’s continued partnership with Forever 21 for the popular merch activation Bunny’s Bae Bar.
Those unable to attend in person could tune in each day to Rolling Loud’s livestream on its YouTube channel. Presented by Sprite, the fest’s official livestream was hosted by Jazzy of Jazzy’s World (with whom 10-year-old North West, aka Miss Westie, did her first on-camera interview about her forthcoming debut album Elementary School Dropout), Tallie Spencer, Speedy Morman, Bootleg Kev and Hakeem Rowe, among other personalities.
Approaching its 10th anniversary in 2025, Rolling Loud — co-founded by Matt Zingler and Tariq Cherif — is heading next to Europe this summer (July 5-7, 2024, near Vienna, Austria), coming back Stateside for Rolling Loud Miami (July 19-21) and then returning to Asia with Rolling Loud Thailand (Nov. 22-24).
Below, check out the photo gallery of memorable moments from Rolling Loud California.
North West
Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
North West performs onstage during the “Vultures 1” playback concert during Rolling Loud 2024 the at Hollywood Park Grounds on March 14, 2024 in Inglewood, Calif.
Nicki Minaj
Image Credit: Rolling Loud/John Cotter
Nicki Minaj at Rolling Loud 2024.
Post Malone
Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
Post Malone performs onstage during day 2 of The Rolling Loud Festival at Hollywood Park Grounds on March 16, 2024 in Inglewood, Calif.
Sexyy Red
Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
Sexyy Red perform onstage during the Rolling Loud Festival at Hollywood Park Grounds on March 15, 2024 in Inglewood, Calif.
PARTYNEXTDOOR
Image Credit: Rolling Loud/JORDAN KNIGHT
PARTYNEXTDOOR at Rolling Loud 2024.
Flo Milli
Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
Flo Milli performs onstage during day 2 of The Rolling Loud Festival at Hollywood Park Grounds on March 16, 2024 in Inglewood, Calif.
Summer Walker
Image Credit: Rolling Loud/JORDAN KNIGHT
Summer Walker at Rolling Loud 2024.
Future and Metro Boomin
Image Credit: Rolling Loud/Hunter Kaufman/@RespectiveCollective
Future and Metro Boomin at Rolling Loud 2024.
Ye
Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
Ye performs onstage during the “Vultures 1” playback concert during Rolling Loud 2024 the at Hollywood Park Grounds on March 14, 2024 in Inglewood, Calif.
NLE Choppa
Image Credit: Rolling Loud/AMANDA/@RESPECTIVECOLLECTIVE
NLE Choppa at Rolling Loud 2024.
Don Toliver
Image Credit: Rolling Loud/Raul Corona
Don Toliver at Rolling Loud 2024.
TYGA
Image Credit: Rolling Loud/AMANDA/@RESPECTIVECOLLECTIVE
TYGA at Rolling Loud 2024.
YG
Image Credit: Rolling Loud/AMANDA/@RESPECTIVECOLLECTIVE
YG at Rolling Loud 2024.
Travis Scott & Don Toliver
Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
Travis Scott and Don Toliver perform onstage during day 3 of Rolling Loud at Hollywood Park Grounds on March 17, 2024 in Inglewood, Calif.
Ty Dolla $ign
Image Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
Ty Dolla $ign performs onstage during day 3 of Rolling Loud at Hollywood Park Grounds on March 17, 2024 in Inglewood, Calif.
RAE SREMMURD
Image Credit: Rolling Loud/Mickey Pierre-Louis/@itchyeyephotos
RAE SREMMURD at Roilling Loud 2024.
Sexyy Red & Chief Keef
Image Credit: Rolling Loud/PRISCILLA RODRIGUEZ
Sexyy Red and Chief Keef at Rolling Loud 2024.
North West was interviewed about her debut album, Elementary School Dropout, at Rolling Loud 2024.
North is the 10-year-old daughter of Ye — formerly known as Kanye West — and Kim Kardashian. Ye took the stage on opening night (Thursday, Mar. 14) of the festival at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif., with North and friends joining him at one point during the set.
In a clip shared by Rolling Loud on Instagram on Saturday, North is seen spending a few minutes with young reporter Jazlyn, aka Jazzy, the 13-year-old behind Jazzys World TV.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The interview was short and sweet.
Trending on Billboard
First, North was asked how she was doing, to which she politely replied, “Good, how are you?”
The next question posed was about Elementary School Dropout — specifically, how the young artist feels about releasing an album, and what people should expect from it.
“It’s gonna be great,” North said.
When will Elementary School Dropout be released? Well, that’s apparently still up in the air.
“Like… I don’t know,” said North.
And when asked whether the project would have any collaborations with Ye, North continued to keep things cryptic: “Maybe! We don’t know yet!”
“Thank you Ms. @kimkardashian for helping out,” Jazzy captioned the video. In another post, she shared photos with both North and Kim.
North announced her album during a Vultures listening party in Phoenix on March 10, joining her dad on stage for “Talking,” the Vultures track on which she’s featured. “Talking” debuted at No. 30 on the Hot 100 with 12.33 million official U.S. streams in its first week of tracking; the Hot 100 entry made her one of the youngest artists to ever appear on the chart.
“I’ve been working on an album,” she shared with the crowd. “And it’s called Elementary School Dropout.”
Elementary School Dropout is an homage to her father’s 2004 album The College Dropout.
Watch North’s brief interview from Rolling Loud below.
As fans at the off-site parking lot board a shuttle that will take them to their final destination — Willie Nelson’s coveted Luck Reunion — Noah Kahan’s “All My Love” plays from the bus’ speakers, setting a rallying and welcoming tone for the long day ahead. Celebrating its 12th year, the Luck Reunion offers a […]
Carly Rae Jepsen, Alanis Morissette, Black Pumas and more are officially headed to the Windy City this summer. Pitchfork Music Festival announced its 2024 lineup on Wednesday (March 13), tapping dozens of artists for performances in Chicago’s Union Park July 19-21.
Jepsen, Morissette and Black Pumas are all billed as headliners, as are Jai Paul, 100 Gecs, Jamie XX, Jessie Ware, Brittany Howard and Muna. Spread out over three days, the weekend’s festivities will also feature Jeff Rosenstock, Yaeji, Sudan Archives, Amen Dunes, Billy Woods & Kenny Segal, Tkay Maidza, Doss, ML Buch, Rosali, AngryBlackmen, Black Duck, De La Soul, UNWOUND, Bratmobile, Wednesday, Water From Your Eyes, Sweeping Promises, Feeble Little Horse, HotlineTNT, Kara Jackson, L’Rain, Lifeguard, Grandmaster Flash, Les Savy Fav, Crumb, Jessica Pratt, Mannequin Pussy, Hailu Mergia, Model/Actriz, Nala Sinephro, Maxo, Joanna Sternberg and Akenya.
Trending on Billboard
Beer, wine and cocktails will be available on site, as will food from local restaurants and stands for artist merchandise. Plus, vinyl vendors, craft business owners and poster sellers will set up shop on the premises.
Tickets for the event are already on sale, with options for both single and three-day passes available to concertgoers. General admission is priced at $219 for the entire festival and $109 for a single-day pass, with PLUS and VIP upgrades also on sale.
The 2024 showcase follows last year’s lineup of Radiohead side project The Smile, Big Thief, Bon Iver, Alvvays, Perfume Genius, Leikeli47, Nation of Language, Roc Marciano & The Alchemist, Youth Lagoon, Ric Wilson, Grace Ives and more. Past headliners include Mitski, The National, Phoebe Bridgers, St. Vincent, Robyn, HAIM and Charli XCX.
See the 2024 Pitchfork Music Festival lineup and schedule below.
Courtesy Photo
Chicago’s ARC Music Festival has announced the lineup for its 2024 event. Happening Aug. 30-Sept. 1 in the city’s Union Park, the festival will feature a slate of house and techno legends and rising stars, with the bill including U.K. brother duo Disclosure, Belgian techno leader Charlotte de Witte, Chicago-born star Honey Dijon, genre icons […]
SweetWater Brewing Company, the largest craft brewer in the Southeast, announced on Tuesday (March 12) that the lineup for this year’s SweetWater 420 Fest in Atlanta will be headlined by Beck and Slightly Stoopid, hosted at Atlanta’s Pullman Yards on April 20-21.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
The festival will also feature performances by Big Gigantic, Black Pumas, Gov’t Mule, Trombone Shorty, Cory Wong, Grace Potter, Moe., St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Larkin Poe, Houndmouth, Ripe, Andy Frasco & The UN, Hayes & The Heathens, Little Stranger, Papadosio, Lespecial, Couch, Fireside Collective, The Psycodelics, Emily Wolfe, Bombargo, Hedonistas, and Connor Clark & Blue Rhythm Revival. Pop chanteuse Kanika Moore and 17-year-old guitar phenom Grace Bowers will also add their talents throughout the festival, sitting with select artists.
The historic Pullman Yards grounds will host an immersive festival experience that features indoor and outdoor stages, charitable and environmental activations, local vendors, workshops, food trucks, an artist market and more.
Trending on Billboard
“As promised, SweetWater 420 is back for one of the biggest parties yet. We’re excited for an unforgettable weekend of good music, good vibes and good beer at Pullman Yards,” said Ty Gilmore, President of U.S. Beers for Tilray. “This year’s lineup will be one for the books, and we hope both our fans and fans of the performing artists are looking forward to joining us for a memorable weekend.”
Two-day general admission, VIP tickets, extras and more information are all available online at the festival’s website. SweetWater 420 Fest is produced by SweetWater Brewing and Pullman Yards.
If attending Coachella itself isn’t quite enough for you, festival organizer Goldenvoice is adding another party to the mix during both weekends of the 2024 event.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
On Monday (March 11), the company announced Goldenvoice Surf Club, a new daytime party series that will feature a host of DJs playing poolside at The Palm Springs Surf Club. The venue is located roughly 20 miles down the road from the festival site in Indio, Calif.
Weekend one of Goldenvoice Surf Club will happen Saturday, April 14, and features a lineup curated by local promoter Desert Air. The bill includes a DJ set by Bicep, rising U.K. star Barry Can’t Swim, Billboard 2023 one to watch Salute and Mia Moretti. (All of these artists are also playing Coachella itself, on both the festival stages and the Do Lab area.)
The party continues on Sunday, April 14, with a lineup curated by Los Angeles’ Sound nightclub be announced in the coming weeks.
Trending on Billboard
For weekend two, Surf Club will host sets by U.K. dubstep pioneers Skream b2b Benga, along with Australian producer Mall Grab b2b Skin on Skin, Kettama b2b Partiboi69 and Dylan Brady of 100 Gecs. Day two will feature DJ sets by Jungle, Neil Frances and Los Angeles-based producer Juliet Mendoza. (Like weekend one, nearly all of these artists are also playing Coachella itself.)
Single day GA tickets start at $40, and weekend passes start at $75. Tickets for the 21+ parties go on sale this Thursday, March 14.
A water park has existed on the site of the Palm Springs Surf Club since 1986, with the club itself opening this past January after an extensive renovation. The complex is a 21-acre watery oasis featuring an amphitheater stage with grass, a wave-pool for surfers of all skill levels, a lazy river and water slides.
See the lineup below:
Courtesy Photo
The Do Lab, organizers of its flagship festival Lightning In a Bottle and producers of its own stage at Coachella since 2004, dropped its 2024 Coachella lineup on Thursday (March 7).
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
On weekend one of the festival, The Do Lab will host artists including U.K. drum ‘n’ bass heroes Chase & Status; a DJ set from L.A. star Channel Tres; experimental electronic heroes Hudson Mohawke b2b Nikki Nair; bass producer Hamdi; Alesso playing one of his deep house BODY HI sets; Mia Moretti, whose played other events including the Met Gala afterparty and the Barbie movie premiere; and house mainstay Anna Lunoe.
One weekend two, the Do Lab bill includes DJ Tennis, rising house star HoneyLuv, experimental producers CocoRosie, artists selected by U.K. party series HE.SHE.THEY. and sets by more than 20 other DJs.
Trending on Billboard
This crew of artists joins the already robust electronic lineup at Coachella in April, with artists including Justice, Gesaffelstein, Orbital, Peggy Gou, John Summit, Dom Dolla, Anyma, Jungle, Charlotte de Witte, Grimes and DJ Snake all playing. In total, more than 60 dance acts are on the Coachella lineup, with the Do Lab artists bringing another heavy dose of the genre. Coachella 2024 happens over two weekends, April 12-14 and 19-21.
For The Do Lab, Coachella is part of the run-up to its own flagship festival, Lightning In a Bottle, which returns to Southern California’s Buena Vista Lake this Memorial Day weekend. The very buzzy lineup for that event includes James Blake, M.I.A., Fatboy Slim, CloZee and the summer’s only U.S. festival date from Skrillex.
See The Do Lab’s complete Coachella weekend one and two lineups below.
Courtesy Photo