Unexpected musical partnerships that rocked the charts
Every year, thousands of music festivals around the world bring together some of the greatest musical acts on the planet. Many festivals have reached iconic status, either because of their locations, performances, or how long they've been running. While most of them have promoters behind them, some have been launched by the musicians themselves.
In this gallery, we bring you some of the music artists who have launched their own festivals. Click on to get to know them.
The front man of Janes Addiction launched one of the most popular music festivals in the world: Lollapalooza. Originally held in Chicago in 1991, the festival has expanded across borders to countries such as France, Brazil, Germany, Chile, and Argentina, to name a few.
Pharrell is the man behind Something in the Water Festival. The two-day festival originally held in Virginia Beach was launched in 2019.
The Prince of Darkness launched his Ozzfest back in 1996. The metal and hard rock festival had its last edition in 2018 and traveled to various locations in the US and abroad.
In 2022, Usher launched his festival, which is named after one of his songs. Lovers & Friends is held in Las Vegas and features pop, R&B, and hip-hop artists.
The rapper launched his annual Made In America festival in 2012. The festival, which hasn't happened since 2022, has taken place in both Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
In 2012, metal band Slipknot launched their own music festival called Knotfest. The touring festival has been held in multiple locations, including North and South America, Europe, and Australia.
Drake's annual OVO Festival was first held in 2010. Held in the rapper's hometown of Toronto, Canada, the festival lineup has included the hottest hip-hop artists over the years.
In 2018, the singer teamed up with her father, Dukagjin Lipa, to launch the biggest music festival in Kosovo: the Sunny Hill Festival.
Lil WeezyAna Festival is the name of the rapper's festival, held annually in New Orleans since 2015. The festival has hosted many great hip-hop acts over the years.
The first edition of Mary J. Blige's annual Strength of a Woman Festival & Summit was held in 2022. The festival includes both panel discussions and music performances.
In 2012, Blur's bassist Alex James and chef Jamie Oliver teamed up to launch The Big Feastival. The music and food festival is still going strong to this day.
Houston, Texas, has been hosting Travis Scott's AstroWorld festival ever since 2018. Sadly, in its last edition in 2021, the festival ended in disaster due to a fatal crowd surge.
The British rapper launched the Big Smoke Festival in 2014. The London festival continues to run to this day.
The North Carolina rapper launched his Dreamville Fest in 2019. The festival has been held annually each spring at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Orion Music + More was the name of the metal band's touring festival which took place in 2012 and 2013.
Roots Picnic has been happening annually in Philadelphia ever since 2008. The festival is hosted by The Roots co-founder, Shawn Gee.
RATM launched the LA Rising Festival in 2011. The festival hosted acts such as Muse, Lauryn Hill, and Rise Against, among others.
R&B fans had the chance to enjoy two days of great music at the Lights On Festival, curated by H.E.R. The festival, held in Concord, California, had two editions so far: one in 2019 and one in 2021.
The Gentlemen of the Road Stopover was a touring festival organized, headlined, and curated by the British folk rock band Mumford & Sons.
Back in 2016, Chance the Rapper threw his Magnificent Coloring Day Festival in Chicago. The lineup included artists such as Kanye West, Alicia Keys, John Legend, and Lil Wayne, among others.
Grammy award-winning band Wilco launched their Solid Sound Festival in 2024. The festival combines music, art, and comedy and is held in North Adams, Massachusetts.
The country singer is launching the first edition of his festival Sand In My Boots in 2025. The festival will be held in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and the lineup will include artists such as Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, and Wallen himself.
Back in 2018, Paramore launched their own festival aboard a cruise called Parahoy!
The British music acts teamed up to launch the Wild Life Festival in Brighton in 2015.
The Best Day Ever Festival in Portland, Oregon, was launched by Amine in 2024.
In 2024, Jack Harlow held his Gazebo Festival in Louisville, KY. The lineup included artists such as SZA, Larry June, Amaraae, and Vince Staples, among others.
Tyler, The Creator launched his Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival back in 2012. The rapper's festival is held annually in Los Angeles.
In 2012, The xx took their Night + Day festival to London, Lisbon, and Berlin.
Sources: (Yardbarker) (NME) (Festival Sherpa)
Musicians who launched their own festivals
From hip-hop to metal, and everything in between
MUSIC Entrepreneurs
Every year, thousands of music festivals around the world bring together some of the greatest musical acts on the planet. Many festivals have reached iconic status, either because of their locations, performances, or how long they've been running. While most of them have promoters behind them, some have been launched by the musicians themselves.
In this gallery, we bring you some of the music artists who have launched their own festivals. Click on to get to know them.