2020 festival guide

2020 Festival Countdown

I don’t know about you but once the cold weather sets in and I am stuck inside I start to go a bit stir crazy! For me, the only thing that keeps me “Radiating Positivity” all winter long is dreaming about all the fun times this Summer and planning for the Summer festival season.

Personally, I’m trying to keep my head from exploding from all of these festival lineup announcements! 2020 is going to be one festival season that really has amazing festival experiences for any musical tastes and the lineups announced so far are really star-packed.

While we are still waiting for the lineup for LOCKN’, there have been quite a few announcements that are definitely worth talking about. A few that are absolutely STACKED and a few that left much desired.

Recent Headliner Announcements

Bonnaroo 2020 came in hard this year with a heavy metal headliner, TOOL that had not released an album in 13 years and the first female headliner, Lizzo.

For some, these two headliners may be relatively new, but both have been around for quite some time, and now it is the time for them to shine. I don’t think you could ever come up with two performers who are so diverse and who are loved by two very different fan bases. You know it is going to be GOOD as HELL!

Tool fans awaited the 2019 release of Fear Inoculum – and after 13 years of the band’s hiatus, the band became the first act ever to have a song in every spot of Billboard‘s Top 10 Rock Sales chart. And any fan can tell you why…

If you have never listened to TOOL, I suggest you start here: TOOL – Reflection off of Lateralus and then work your way back to the angrier and savage releases of the ’90s, to get familiar and only then you should relish the evolved sound of Fear Inoculum. Here is a link to the full song list for Tool – Lateralus.

Those who know and love Lizzo, are aware that she dropped multiple albums in 2013 and 2015 before her first major-label release. In 2019, she grabbed the attention and the spotlight has not left this talented lady. Here is the album playlist that started it all:

The other acts further down the bill include Miley Cyrus, Lana Del Rey, Vampire Weekend, The 1975, Run The Jewels, Megan Thee Stallion, Brittany Howard, Tenacious D, Leon Bridges, Jason Isbell, and The 400 Unit, Young Thug, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, the Grand Ole Opry featuring special guests, DaBaby, Grace Potter, Nelly, Pinegrove, Slowthai, Nilüfer Yanya, Orville Peck and Yaeji, with many others. This year the Superjam comes courtesy of North Carolina electro-pop duo Sylvan Esso. Here is the Spotify Playlist:

Something for Everyone

No matter where you live in the US, there definitely is a festival for everyone. A few more announcements that I have to mention is Governors Ball in NY – with headliners like Tame Impala, Stevie Nicks, Vampire Weekend, Ellie Goulding, Miley Cyrus, Portugal the Man to highlight just a few.

The Peach Festival in Scranton, PA, started by The Allman Brothers Band always brings the jammiest bands for the celebration at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain and Montage Mountain Ski Resort. And as you can see the lineup is STACKED.

And we can’t forget one of my favorites in Virginia, Floyd Fest which received top honors (once again) in Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s ‘Best of the Blue Ridge 2020:’ “Best Festival Overall” and “Best Kid-Friendly Festival” They also snagged Runner-Up honors for the following: “Best Kid-Friendly Adventure”, so if you have little ones and have always wanted to experience a music festival with them, this is the BEST one to enjoy. This one is also an all-volunteer run so definitely check it out if you have some free time in July.

This year LOCK’N Festival instead of August, they have moved the date to June 19 – 21, 2020 to celebrate Phil Lesh’s Birthday (from the Grateful Dead).

This one is definitely TOP of my list. Nestled on a farm in the mountains of Virginia, I have seen some of the BEST performances of my life at this festival over the years. Jam fans and Virginia is waiting for them to Announce this one. Fingers crossed for Stevie Nicks and Widespread Panic.

NOW is the BEST time to start planning your festival camp!

Looking at my 2020 Festival List can definitely give anyone some serious FOMO and can leave you BROKE if you just pick one! That is why I set up this website, after 12 times on the farm in Tennessee and countless other music festivals around the country, I have learned to pack light and to always take the BEST festival gear. This website recommends my top gear suggestions and helps to find the BEST prices on four and five stars Amazon products to save you some cash as you get ready to FESTIVAL!

Check out my curated gear pages: General Admission, VIP, Super VIP for the BEST festival gear to fit any budget where you can literally see the lowest price you can find an item for on Amazon. And if you are not sure what to pack, I have a downloadable/printable PDF Festival Camp Essentials Checklist to help you plan for your BEST festival camp set up.

Stay warm out there everybody as Jack Frost is nippin, and as we hibernate, and dream about the summer festival season I hope this gives you some inspiration to start planning and to make a decision.

I know where I am going! I’ve got my hands up they’re playing my song … nodding my head like YEAH…IT’S A PARTY IN THE USA!

~Wren

If you like this article be sure to like my page on FB, Instagram, and subscribe to my YouTube for festival updates, new blogs, and more camping music festival gear tips!

2020 Festival Lineups

Happy New Year Festival Fam! Here we go again!

It is going to be one amazing festival season this year and I am already counting down the days until I can run barefoot in the grass on the FARM!

For me here in RVA, the season says it should be cold, but I was barefoot’n yesterday. Which is very unusual, but we all know this is a sign of the times so as I anticipate and some, suffer through the winter days, I have plenty of good Spotify playlists for you to listen to as you try to figure out what festivals will be on your calendar for 2020. And for some of you who already have your tickets in hand ((lucky you!)), you can listen too! (Playlists at the end)

This year I have a new website that features all the must-have gear you need for your next music festival and it will help you find the BEST prices on Amazon. I have a downloadable/printable checklist so you can start preparing now!

What’s on your GEAR list?

2020 Festival List

On my 2020 Festival List page, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite camping music festivals and the links to their official websites so you can buy from them directly (unlike some other fest sites) and you can check out the 411 on all the FESTS you are interested in.

A Few Honorable Mentions

While we still await the announcements of a few of the BIG ones, there are a few who have already announced and definitely need an honorable mention as you plan where you spend your money this festival season.

April 2020

One I definitely have to mention is Sweetwater 420 Festival! If you have never been to this festival in Atlanta, it is easy to get to with a flight to the International Airport and a MARTA train ride into the city.

THE LINE UP IS STELLAR JAM FANS!!!

Atlanta in May usually has mild weather and will be a nice place for all you Phish phans to school to at the beginning of Summer. I was lucky enough to catch both Trey Anastasio Band and Joe Russo’s last year at Lock’n and I was pleasantly entertained by both, and they both put on a great show. No one can say JR is just is a cover band, they will melt your face off.

Here is a sample of that Tray A performance at Lock’n 2019

May 2020

Now definitely buckle up and get your earplugs ready for MAY of 2020!

We’ve got Shaky Knees, Epicenter, Rockville, Hangout, Sonic Temple, Rooster Walk, and DelFest all competing for your attention.

Two definitely to keep an eye on are Shaky Knees, and Hangout!
Booth features a really great selection of bands like Smashing Pumpkins, The Strokes, Joan Jett, and Portugal the MAN for Shaky.

Hangout is not only on the beach at Gulf Shores but features RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS, Post Malone, Billie Eilish, and Lana Del Ray. All who come as a recommended MUST SEE if you can get down to Alabama. Plus it is just a nice time of year for a visit…not too hot and humid. (Update – Hear this one is SOLD OUT! Good luck getting tix!)

For my metal fans out there Epicenter, Rockville, and Sonic Temple have lineups that will leave your ears ringing for days! With dueling double nights of METALLICA, layered in with various other classic heavy metal noisemakers like Deftones, Disturbed, and Slipknot heading up the other days mixed in with a lot of amazing acts, any of these FESTS will give you a nice metal injection.

Last year Rockville did not disappoint, but they have changed it up this year and are heading to Daytona Beach. If you pick any one of the 4 they look like any of them will be some major mosh filled fun.

Speaking of GOOD EAR plugs

I shopped all-around and found high fidelity earplugs that reduce volume levels with absolutely no loss of sound quality, clarity, or muffling. They are powerful hearing protection with up to 25 decibels of sound reduction (25 SNR), one of the highest levels available in the market. They have a low profile, they are clear, and most of all you can HEAR CRISP CLEAR ACOUSTICS – This is one of my top recommended MUSIC FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS – for under $30 on Amazon

The last two I have to mention are smaller festivals you may have never heard of before but they are two that really are worth checking out. Rooster Walk in Martinsville, VA and DelFest in Cumberland, MD. Both feature beautiful festival grounds and are very special small festivals compared to some of the other bigger East Coast fests.

The 12th annual Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival will take place May 21-24, 2020 at Pop’s Farm, located in the rolling countryside surrounding Martinsville, Va. Rooster Walk is a 4-day festival celebrating music, art, and the great outdoors at the idyllic Pop’s Farm venue. With roughly 50 bands performing on 6 different stages, an eclectic roster of great music guides the Rooster Walk experience. The VA locals know this is the place to be at the end of May!

DelFest, Memorial Day Weekend always has amazing line ups for anyone who loves the sound of banjos and pickers and this year is will be no exception. With names like Billy Strings, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, The Infamous String Dusters, and Old Crow Medicin Show, and more to be announced, this one is a gem! The DelFest grounds also include a lazy river where you can TUBE and float down the river while you enjoy the music.

June 2020

I don’t know about you but I am not any good at the clues for Bonnaroo, and I have not been keeping up with them, but I am really anticipating this lineup! I am still editing video footage from last year, but I promise to post my videos of the Astronaut, the parachute, the dinosaur and me as the winter winds on and I am indoors daydreaming of those sunny days in JUNE!

This year LOCK’N Festival has thrown fans a curveball…
instead of August, they have moved the date to June 19 – 21, 2020
to celebrate Phil Lesh’s Birthday (from the Grateful Dead)

If you have not been, this one is definitely TOP of my list. It reminds me of the same vibe as the first few Bonnaroo’s. Nestled on a farm in the mountains of Virginia, I have seen some of the BEST performances of my life at this festival over the years. We will have to see the lineup. Only time will tell.

I’ve heard rumors of Tool and RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS at ROO…

and

Tedeschi Trucks Band and WIDESPREAD PANIC at LOCK’N and I will be following these announcements closely!

It looks like I will be up ALL NIGHT for weeks!

Need some MFWSP! Come on, can I get SOME?

I could keep going but these 3 months alone can break anyone’s bank account and there is plenty of time for me to blog about more music festivals and my insider guide articles the rest of 2020, so stay tuned!

2020 Festival Playlists

For your listening pleasure! (if you Spotify)

Sweetwater 420 Festival

I am super excited about the upcoming year and I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Peace and Love!

~Wren

If you like this article be sure to like my page on FB, Instagram, and subscribe to my YouTube for festival updates, new blogs and more camping music festival gear tips!