Music festivals are not static entities. Just as musical tastes change through the years, music festivals can vary and evolve the makeup of their lineups.
By assigning a music genre to each festival performer, Vivid Seats was able to analyze trends from the top music festivals, charting the percentage of each music genre over the years. It's clear that festivals are changing, as some genres of music grow in popularity like EDM, while others, like Rock, shrink.
But no music festival is identical. Click the music genre tabs above each chart to single out a genre in each festival to observe its yearly trend.
Coachella
For over 20 years, Coachella lineups have spanned multiple genres and included standout performers like Harry Styles, Paul McCartney and many others. With star-studded lineups every year, Coachella continues to draw music fans who are willing to travel further to attend than any other festival.
- EDM peaked at Coachella in 2015, where the genre occupied 42 percent of the entire festival. The Coachella 2023 lineup is comprised of 37 percent of EDM acts, the highest share of any genre this year.
- Thanks to artists like A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and GloRilla, the share of Hip Hop/Rap acts doubled from 2014 to 2023.
- While Pop declined slightly from 2022 to 2023, the genre continues to have a solid presence at Coachella, with 14 percent of performers.
- Rock is on the decline, making up just 9 percent of the Coachella 2023 lineup. In 2017, Rock acts constituted 18 percent of the festival.
Bonnaroo
If there's one major music festival that is the epitome of festival culture—it's Bonnaroo. Blending music, fashion, dance, and even camping, the annual four-day event in Manchester, Tenn., brings together thousands of people to experience today's biggest artists such as J. Cole, Machine Gun Kelly and many more.
- Pop makes a comeback at Bonnaroo 2023, from 7 percent in 2022 to 15 percent in 2023, thanks to acts like Noah Kahan and Paramore.
- EDM is on the rise at Bonnaroo. In 2014, just 10 percent of Bonnaroo acts were EDM. In 2023, more than a quarter (28 percent) of all performers fall into the genre.
- Even though some of Rock’s top acts, like the Foo Fighters, will be taking the stage at Bonnaroo 2023, the share of Rock acts halved in 2023 from 2014.
- As Hip Hop/Rap grows at Bonnaroo, Alternative declines. In 2014, Alternative represented 17 percent of the Bonnaroo lineup. In 2023, just 9 percent of all acts were Alternative.
Lollapalooza
Founded by Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction in 1991, Lollapalooza began as a touring festival before eventually transitioning to its current four-day celebration at Grant Park in Chicago. The festival always manages to curate one fo the most eclectic lineups, with a heavy emphasis on EDM, Rap and Pop.
- Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell has always made space for EDM at Lollapalooza as EDM constitutes 23 percent of the Lollapalooza 2023 lineup.
- The share of Pop acts skyrocketed from 15 percent in 2022 to 20 percent in 2023.
- Rock is on the decline, making up just 14 percent of the Lollapalooza lineup.
- With up-and-coming Country artists Lainey Wilson and Morgan Wade rounding out the Lollapalooza 2023 lineup, the share of Country acts hits an all-time high in 2023.
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits has carved out such a prominent space in the broader music world that it's well-known by a single acronym—ACL. From Rock to EDM, the festival spotlights more than one single genre, showcasing Austin's deep appreciation for live music of all kinds.
- ACL is increasingly catering to fans of Alternative music. After comprising just 9 percent of all acts in 2014, the genre represented 26 percent of ACL in 2023.
- With acts like Shania Twain, Morgan Wade and more, the share of Country acts doubled from 7 percent in 2022 to 14 percent in 2023.
- Rock music is regaining its dominance at ACL, making up 19 percent of the 2023 ACL lineup.
- Even though some of EDM’s top acts are taking the stage at Zilker Park, the share of EDM acts at ACL lags behind Coachella, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. In 2023, EDM acts make up just 5 percent of the ACL lineup.
- The Hip Hop/Rap category hit an all-time high at ACL in 2021, taking a 17 percent share. In 2023, the genre only captures a 7 percent share.