For music lovers nationwide, spring and summer are better known as festival season. And with all the great weather you get in Dallas, there’s no reason not to attend one or two of these events! Which festival (or festivals, if you’re feeling ambitious!) you attend will probably depend on what kind of music you’re into. Never fear, though, because there is a range of Dallas music festivals, with something to suit everyone! Here are a few of our favorites:
Homegrown Festival
Homegrown Festival started in 2009, with the original intention of featuring only local Dallas acts. Since then, the festival has expanded so that any band or musician with a link to Texas can play. While this somewhat diminishes the idea behind the festival, it does mean that you’ll be able to see bigger-name acts play. A handful of acts can be seen during this one-day festival, which is usually held in May at beautiful Main Street Garden Park. The festival doesn’t stick to just one genre, but features a mixture of quality acts, with an aim to please almost anyone. Bands and artists who’ve previously played Homegrown include The Polyphonic Spree, Ume, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, and Robert Ellis.
KXT Summer Cut
This festival is put on each year by local Dallas radio station KXT 91.7. KXT Summer Cut is usually held in June at the Gexa Energy Pavilion, and previous acts have included The Avett Brothers, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, and Oil Boom. While it generally attracts a younger vibe and audience, don’t let that deter you, as there are plenty of adults who also attend. The amphitheater provides the perfect outdoor music venue for this summery festival.
Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic
Willie’s Picnic is a Texas mainstay. Although it hasn’t always been held in the DFW area, it has now settled on a location at the Fort Worth Stockyards and has earned its top spot among the wealth of other Dallas music festivals. For country music fans, this is probably one of the finest ways to spend your 4th of July. As you may be able to guess, Willie Nelson is always part of the lineup, but a range of other acts will grace the bill as well. In previous years, this has included Asleep at the Wheel, Billy Joe Shaver, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Leon Russell and Emmylou Harris.
Dia de Los Toadies
This annual music festival is hosted by local favorites, Toadies. You can expect the Toadies themselves to play, of course, but acts in previous years have also included The O’s; Gary Clark, Jr.; These Machines are Winning; and the Dirty River Boys. Held at Panther Island Pavilion, it’s a little outside Dallas, in the Fort Worth area, but it’s not much of a trek to catch an awesome lineup! It usually takes place in the first half of September, so Dia de Los Toadies is the perfect event to say goodbye to summer and the festival season. This is a family-friendly festival that welcomes attendees of all ages.
Which of these Dallas music festivals is your favorite? Leave a comment below and let us know!
Photo by giovanni .
Suzy S.