Notable Music Festivals

Why This Matters

Music festivals aren't just concerts—they're cultural flashpoints that reveal how music intersects with social movements, technological change, and evolving audience expectations. When you study these events, you're really studying how counterculture movements found their voice, how genres cross-pollinated and evolved, and how the music industry transformed from album sales to experience-based revenue. The AP exam will test your understanding of these broader patterns, not just dates and headliners.

Think of festivals as laboratories where musical and social experimentation happened in real time. Woodstock didn't just feature great performances—it crystallized an entire generation's values. Dylan going electric at Newport wasn't just a set list change—it triggered a debate about authenticity that still shapes how we talk about music today. As you review these festivals, don't just memorize facts—know what cultural shift or musical development each one represents.

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Counterculture Catalysts: Festivals That Defined the 1960s

The late 1960s saw festivals emerge as gathering points for social and political dissent. These events channeled anti-war sentiment, civil rights energy, and generational rebellion into communal musical experiences.

Monterey Pop Festival

• First major rock festival (June 1967)—launched the "Summer of Love" and introduced American audiences to psychedelic rock as a mainstream force
• Career-making performances by Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and The Who brought previously underground acts to national attention
• Blueprint for future festivals—established the multi-day, multi-stage format that Woodstock and others would follow

Woodstock

• August 15-18, 1969, Bethel, New York—became the defining symbol of the counterculture movement despite logistical chaos
• Over 400,000 attendees gathered for "three days of peace and music," demonstrating youth culture's scale and collective identity
• Iconic closing performance by Jimi Hendrix ("The Star-Spangled Banner") transformed a patriotic anthem into an anti-war statement

Isle of Wight Festival

• British counterpart to Woodstock—the 1970 edition drew over 600,000 people, briefly making it the largest festival ever held
• Attracted American icons like Bob Dylan (his first major appearance since his 1966 motorcycle accident) and Jimi Hendrix in one of his final performances
• Revived in 2002 after decades of dormancy, demonstrating how festival brands carry historical weight

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Genre Gatekeepers: Festivals That Shaped Musical Identity

Some festivals became arbiters of genre authenticity, defining what counted as "real" folk, jazz, or rock music—and sparking controversy when boundaries were crossed.

Newport Folk Festival

• Founded 1959—became the institutional home of the American folk revival, launching careers and legitimizing the genre
• Dylan's electric performance (1965) polarized audiences and symbolized folk music's collision with rock—a pivotal moment in genre evolution
• Continues today with a curatorial approach that blends traditional folk with indie and Americana, modeling how festivals adapt while honoring roots

Montreux Jazz Festival

• Founded 1967 in Switzerland—grew into one of the world's most prestigious music events, known for exceptional recording quality
• Genre expansion from pure jazz to rock, soul, and blues reflects how "jazz festival" became a prestige label rather than strict category
• Iconic setting on Lake Geneva and intimate venue acoustics made it a destination for career-defining live albums

Reading and Leeds Festivals

• Twin festivals originating in the 1960s—became the definitive UK showcase for rock and alternative music
• Simultaneous programming allows artists to headline both festivals on alternate nights, maximizing exposure
• Launching pad for British rock movements from punk to Britpop to indie, reflecting and shaping UK musical identity

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The Modern Festival-Industrial Complex

Beginning in the 1990s, festivals transformed from countercultural gatherings into corporate-sponsored, globally branded entertainment experiences with year-round cultural influence.

Lollapalooza

• Founded 1991 by Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction)—began as a touring alternative rock festival that brought underground music to mainstream audiences
• Pivot to destination model (2005) when it settled in Chicago's Grant Park, establishing the template for urban mega-festivals
• International expansion to Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Germany demonstrates how festival brands became exportable entertainment products

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

• Launched 1999 in Indio, California—evolved into the most culturally influential festival of the 21st century
• Trendsetting platform where fashion, art installations, and social media content rival music as primary attractions
• Reunion and comeback performances (Outkast, LCD Soundsystem, Rage Against the Machine) generate headlines, making Coachella a career milestone

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

• Established 2002 in Manchester, Tennessee—emphasized jam bands and extended performances in contrast to Coachella's pop-forward curation
• Camping-centered experience creates immersive community atmosphere distinct from urban festivals
• Genre diversity spanning hip-hop, electronic, and comedy reflects the "something for everyone" programming model

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Legacy Festivals: Adaptation and Survival

Some festivals have endured for decades by reinventing themselves while maintaining brand continuity—a model for institutional survival in a changing industry.

Glastonbury Festival

• Founded 1970 by Michael Eavis—grew from a small gathering into the world's largest greenfield music festival (200,000+ attendees)
• Sustainability leadership with bans on single-use plastics and extensive recycling programs models how festivals address environmental criticism
• Genre omnivore programming spans rock legends, pop stars, electronic acts, and world music, refusing to be defined by a single sound

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Quick Reference Table

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Self-Check Questions

1. Which two festivals from 1967-1969 bookended the psychedelic era, and what distinguishes their cultural significance?

2. How did Bob Dylan's 1965 Newport Folk Festival performance illustrate tensions between genre authenticity and artistic evolution?

3. Compare Coachella and Bonnaroo: what do they share as 21st-century destination festivals, and how do their priorities differ?

4. If an FRQ asked you to explain how festivals reflect broader social movements, which festival would you choose and why? Identify at least two specific elements you'd discuss.

5. What distinguishes Glastonbury's survival strategy from other legacy festivals, and how does this connect to changing audience expectations about corporate responsibility?