Megan Thee Stallion performs in Houston on June 15, 2024.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation
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Megan Thee Stallion returned to Houston on June 14 and 15 for an epic homecoming filled with surprise guests, gifts and plenty of twerking. Revisit five of the most exciting moments from the Houston stops on the rapper's Hot Girl Summer Tour.
Rosemary Akpan
|GRAMMYs/Jun 17, 2024 - 08:31 pm
Seven years into her career, Megan Thee Stallion is no stranger to a sold-out crowd. The rapper has been dubbed "Sold-out Stalli" since selling out nearly 20 shows on her Hot Girl Summer Tour — and though her stops at Houston's Toyota Center weren't the first sellouts on the trek, they were considerably the most meaningful ones.
"I'm so happy to be home," Megan, a lifelong Houstonian, told the crowd on June 14, night one of the back-to-back shows. After honing her rap skills and launching her career in H-Town, the star expressed her gratitude for the support her Houston fans have shown her from the start.
"Hotties, y'all know what we've been through, y'all been rocking with me since day motherf—in' one," she gushed on night one. "I love y'all, I appreciate y'all, I respect y'all and I'm very grateful for y'all because, without the Hotties, there would be no motherf—in' Hot Girl Coach."
The two-night stint highlighted Megan's vulnerability, drive and exceptional showmanship. But above all else, her hometown shows reminded fans that she's just a strong-kneed, animé-loving girl from Houston.
Below, check out five of the most memorable moments from Megan Thee Stallion's Houston homecoming.
She Organized A Hottie Egg Hunt
Before stepping on stage on June 14, Megan sent Houston fans on a Hottie Egg Hunt for a chance to win merchandise and tickets to the show that night. The three-part interactive adventure featured clues, documented on Instagram and X, that helped fans locate the golden eggs.
The first clue reads, "A wild stallion can't be tamed…meet me at the place where I'm gonna rock the stage!" The second, "Where I run through the mall with your daddy." The last, "People are smart, my Hotties are smarter, find this egg where I got one degree hotter."
Eager fans scoured the whole city and eventually found the eggs at Megan’s favorite spots in Houston: Toyota Center, The Galleria and Texas Southern University. So far, Houston has been the only city Megan has done this for, making for another special moment between her and Houston hotties.
She Continued To Prove She's A Girls Girl
An unfortunate rap show trend has seen several female opening acts receive hate ahead of male headliners. Luckily this hasn't been the case for Memphis rapper GloRilla, who has noticeably been enjoying her experience as an opener on the Hot Girl Summer Tour.
On night two in Houston, GloRilla presented Megan with a blown-up art piece commemorating her upcoming album, Megan, on stage. In return, Megan complimented the 24-year-old rapper, saying, "Glo is one of the realest women I've ever met."
That evening, Megan showed her love for another rising star — and fellow Houston female rapper — Monaleo. The Mo City rapper sent the crowd into a frenzy as she sang her 2023 hit song "Beating Down Yo Block," which samples the classic "Knocking Pictures Off Da Wall" by Houston's Yungstar.
She Paid Homage To Houston Legends
Monaleo was far from the only Houston native to take the stage with Megan during her hometown visit. On night one, Megan surprised fans with a legendary performance from a few Houston all-stars. The room filled with excited screams as H-Town''s Bun B popped out to perform UGK's "Int'l. Players Anthem (I Choose You)." As if it couldn't get more iconic, Megan joined the legend on stage to rap Pimp C's verse of the song.
The night also featured a legendary performance of "Southside" by Lil Keke, which Megan teased prior in the show with her "Southside Royalty Freestyle." Fans also got to enjoy Slim Thug's verse from "Still Tippin," a song he shares with Mike Jones and Paul Wall. (Wall also performed the song on Megan's tour the previous night at Austin's Moody Center.)
On night two, Megan brought out another Houston great, Z-Ro to rap a classic, "Mo City Don." Though a Hot Girl at heart, Megan couldn't help but celebrate the legendary men who paved the way and left a historic mark in Houston's dynamic hip-hop scene.
She Showed — And Received — Hometown Love
As Megan arrived at the Toyota Center on June 14, she received a surprise welcome by students from her alma mater, the Pearland High School Band and Prancers — a heartwarming kickoff to a night of mutual love between Megan and Houston that put her in high-spirits before the show.
Both nights were filled with an immense amount of energy and support, from Megan signing autographs throughout the show to making sure she got the perfect selfie with her beloved supporters. Even during more tender moments — like “Cobra," a song about suicide and her depression — felt particularly moving because of the interaction between Megan and her hometown fans.
She Put The "Hot" In Hottie
Taking notes from another H-Town hero and fellow Houstonian, Megan put on an impressive show reminiscent of Beyoncé, from jaw-dropping choreography to stunning wind-blown poses. Megan also tapped into her past life as a Prairie View A&M Panther Doll with majorette-inspired dancing during her song "Cognac Queen."
Of course, she wouldn't be Thee Stallion if she didn't show off her twerking skills and famously powerful knees during her two-hour show run. Fans even got to participate in the twerk-fest during intermission, as a "Hottie Cam" panned through the audience, showing love to the girls and boys.
If her hometown shows were any indication, Megan Thee Stallion's future is not just bright — it's smoking hot as well.
GRAMMY Rewind: Megan Thee Stallion Went From "Savage" To Speechless After Winning Best New Artist In 2021
Clipse perform in 2022
Photo: Terence Rushin/Getty Images
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While there's no title or release date for the new Clipse album, brothers Pusha T and No Malice have teased the essence of the project.
Morgan Enos
|GRAMMYs/Jun 21, 2024 - 06:02 pm
Legendary Virginia Beach rap duo Clipse have mostly been on ice since 2009's Til the Casket Drops — and that decade and a half off ends now.
The duo of brothers and rap phenoms Pusha T and No Malice (formerly known as Malice) are back with a new, John Legend-featuring song, "Birds Don't Sing," from a reunion project whose title has yet to be disclosed.
It's bracing to hear purveyors of witty, sneakily profound co*ke raps get real about the deaths of their parents: "Lost in emotion, mama's youngest/ Tryna navigate life without my compass," King Push raps at the outset. "Some experience death and feel numbness/ But not me, I felt it all and couldn't function.
It only gets realer from there: "You told me that you loved me, it was all in your tone/ 'I love my two sons' was the code to your phone," No Malice raps in his verse. If "Birds Don't Sing" is any indication, Clipse's first album in forever will be illuminating indeed.
We don't know much about the "Grindin'" hitmakers' reunion album, other than what Pusha T and No Malice revealed in a wide-ranging Vulture interview. But for hip-hop fans, the breadcrumbs they dropped are enticing indeed.
Read more: For The Record: How Clipse's Lord Willin' Established Virginia's Foothold In Rap
It Will Reflect The Clipse's Maturation
Pusha T is vocal about hating the Pharrell-produced Til The Casket Drops, which has always left their story hanging. They seem to be all in on this LP — one that's designed on their own terms.
"I think the album shows the supreme maturation of a rap duo," said Push. "I think this is where you get the difference between taste and filler. This music is curated. This is a high taste-level piece of work.
"You can only have that level of taste when you have the fundamentals down to a science," he continued. "I think it's been definitely missing. Then there's the competitive aspect." Added No Malice: "This is smart basketball. It's fundamentals."
Pharrell Williams Produced The Entire Album
Despite Pusha T's reservations about Til The Casket Drops, Pharrell Williams has been an integral part of the Clipse's operation since the beginning — and he returns to produce the new project.
"Pharrell producing everything is also an ode to the type of music and the type of albums we want to make," he added. "We still want to make full bodies of work. These are movies, man. These aren't just songs. This isn't just a collection of joints we went in and banged out."
Maturation Doesn't Mean Abandoning co*ke Raps
As Pusha T points out in the interview — yes, they rap about selling co*ke, but to reduce it to that is to miss the point entirely.
"There's no way that you can listen to that level of storytelling and experience and just walk away just saying 'That's co*ke rap.'" No Malice says. "If you just want to say that it's just crack rap, then you can't even assess what's really being said or what's going on."
Indeed, what the Clipse staked their claim on isn't off the table. In fact, it's lined up and ready.
Get Ready For A Bona Fide Clipse Era
As Pusha T stresses, this Clipse revisitation will come from multiple directions: "Appearances, touring, and a rap album of the year" are coming down the pike.
As more information about the forthcoming Clipse album flows in, keep GRAMMY.com bookmarked so you know the details — as these fraternal MCs join forces once more.
5 Takeaways From Pusha T's New Album It's Almost Dry
Ethel Cain performs at Bonnaroo 2024.
Photo: Ashley Osborn for Bonnaroo 2024
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With an exciting mix of rising stars and big-name performers, Bonnaroo 2024 brought another year of showstopping performances to Manchester, Tennessee. Revisit some of the most intriguing sets from The Japanese House, Interpol and more.
Valerie Magan
|GRAMMYs/Jun 18, 2024 - 06:40 pm
The 2024 iteration of Tennessee's Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival was an absolute scorcher — even without the 95-degree highs.
The weekend brought some of the hottest names in music for a stacked lineup of buzzy newcomers and hitmaking veterans. From the Red Hot Chili Peppers' spectacular return to touring with John Frusciante, to Dashboard Confessional's star-studded Emo Superjam, to Billy Strings joining Post Malone for "rockstar," to Chappel Roan singing to a wig, there was no shortage of unforgettable moments at The Farm.
While this year was the literally hottest that Bonnaroovians had seen in a few years, sweating through shirts (or lack thereof) proved completely worth it as some of the biggest iconoclasts came together and brought their all. It was electrifying, whimsical and at times emotional — and the bright, sunny skies served as the perfect backdrop for it all.
If anything, the blistering — and briefly thundery — weather was a testament to the enduring nature of music fans; folks from all over the globe will never miss a chance to watch their favorite artists. Relive the magic with nine of the most exciting sets from Bonnaroo 2024.
The Foxies Took Technical Mishaps In Stride
The Foxies | Yvonne Gougelet for Bonnaroo 2024
Nashville's premier glitterpunk exports the Foxies delivered a fun, crowd-pleasing set Thursday night on the Who stage, even despite a flurry of audio issues and technical hiccups. The Roo crowd was forgiving, though, and the band rewarded us with some of the best songs from their catalog — plus a cover of Sheryl Crow's "If It Makes You Happy."
"Summer Never Dies," "Timothee Chalamet," and "Little Monsters" all landed perfectly, but the group's personality shone brightest during their newest release, "Natural Disaster." It couldn't have been a more apt song for Bonnaroo's carefree setting — an ode to feeling free and accepting the wildest parts of yourself.
"A huge theme while we were writing ['Natural Disaster'], for me, was when I was 20 living in Brooklyn, how I was, all the cringey stuff that I did as a young adult," The Foxies frontwoman Julia Bullock told GRAMMY.com backstage. "I wish I wouldn't have shied away from it, or been embarrassed by it — I wish I'd leaned into the cringiness. This is an anthem for that: if I could do it all over again I would just embrace the fact that we are all just weird." Indeed we are, Julia.
The Japanese House Brought Love And Light
The Japanese House | Yvonne Gougelet for Bonnaroo 2024
Since its 2015 inception, The Japanese House has always been in the zeitgeist. Where Amber Bain's heavily layered, mournful music was inescapable during the pale-grunge Tumblr era, it now occupies a much lighter space. Coming off of a banner year and a critically acclaimed album, In the End it Always Does, Bain has been embracing her pop side like never before.
Her set was a cornucopia of new and old sounds, the most exciting part of which was her new song, "Smiley Face." Written a year ago when Bain met her current fiancée on a dating app, "Smiley Face" is bright, soft, and sploshy, fraught with the energy of someone falling deliriously in love. "[When we first met] she lived in Detroit and I lived in London, and I would stay awake until she fell asleep," Bain tells GRAMMY.com of the song. "We were in different time zones. I was running on nothing — I felt a bit high."
Like the rest of her discography, the song held the audience in the palm of its hand, this time enveloping us in a warm, flickering glow. "I could be losing my mind but something's happening," Bain sang, naturally, with a smile on her face.
TV Girl Delivered A Masterclass In Melodrama
"I have a bit of stage fright," revealed TV Girl singer Brad Petering before the group's second to last song. Even if he felt it, stage fright wasn't apparent during the indie pop band's hour-long performance. Their set felt like a dream; onlookers got lost in the moment, spinning, swaying and dancing in the refreshingly cool breeze.
It fell serendipitously near the 10th anniversary of their debut, French Exit, an album that launched them into the limelight as stalwarts of indie pop. Songs like "Louise" and "Lovers Rock" felt almost nostalgic 10 years on, and newer cuts like "99.5" and "The Nighttime" blended right in. Backed by a full band — including backup singers Kiera and Mnya, whose powerhouse vocals could've made for their own show — TV Girl turned already dynamic songs like "Birds Don't Sing" and "Not Allowed" into even fuller, radiant versions of themselves.
Ethel Cain Took Us To Church
Ethel Cain | Ashley Osborn for Bonnaroo 2024
Despite its small size, there was no more perfect space for an Ethel Cain set than the reserved, remote That Tent in the quiet corner of Bonnaroo. Her performance saw the quaint venue packed to the brim, 1000-odd people staring back at Cain in dumbstruck awe, as her band played through songs inspired by Christian music and Gregorian chant.
Beginning with unreleased song "Dust Bowl" and the haunting "A House in Nebraska," Cain's performance was an intense, resounding 40 minutes that traversed between peace and emotional turmoil, much like all of the songs from her breakthrough album, Preacher's Daughter. The euphoric response from her overflowing audience left little doubt that her songwriting can break down walls; she's a timeless act, and her Bonnaroo set proved it.
Neil Frances Set Themselves Apart
There are a number of artists with variations of the name Neil Frances — or at least that's what it looked like from this year's Bonnaroo bill. One difference in letters, and you may have found yourself at the Other Stage at 6:15pm on Saturday, seeing Neil Frances instead of Neal Francis. But, whether you've been a fan of Neil Frances for years, or you wound up there by mistake, the indie-dance duo would not have let you leave disappointed.
Backed by a live full band, their set felt like a psychedelic ode to the club, to dancing, and to feeling free. And their live production is every bit an artistic endeavor as is being in the studio.
"We've always preferred to play with a live band; there are so many things that we do live that are completely different from the record," the duo's Marc Gilfry told GRAMMY.com. "It's fun, it's dramatic, and we have really great musicians."
Read More:
Melanie Martinez Gave Us A Peek Inside Her Mind
Melanie Martinez | Dusana Risovic for Bonnaroo 2024
Adorned with bows, horns, over-the-top dresses, and a multi-eyed, alien-like prosthetic mask, Melanie Martinez was dressed exactly how you'd think she would. With a stage setup of greenery, giant mushrooms, nymphs, and various mythical elements that seemed to revel in its own kitchiness, the details of Martinez's intricately-woven performance art unfolded around the audience, song by song, immersing everyone in a world of weird, elaborate fun.
Her dancers wove through a delicately choreographed, three-act narrative, taking the crowd through her three albums in chronological order, telling the story of the Cry Baby character, who first appears in her debut album, Cry Baby. The character transforms from baby to child to young adult, and finally, to a fully grown, pink-skinned being in the third act. Martinez's set was artistry in every sense of the word, taking fans through the ups and downs of youth and coming-of-age through rich metaphor and lyrical imagery — and prompting delighted sing-alongs as a result.
Interpol Were A Quiet Gem
Interpol | Ismael Quintanilla III for Bonnaroo 2024
More than 25 years into their career, there's still something very disarming about Interpol. Maybe it's their effortless, NYC cool, or that they still know how to build the type of tension that gives you chills. Or maybe it's that they're men of very few onstage words — and when they do speak, you feel as though you've been given a gift.
Three things can be true, and they were for Interpol's Bonnaroo set Friday Night. Not ones to waste time talking, the three-piece rock band played an unbelievably tight 75-minute set, mostly sticking to a reliable selection of early hits, largely from their 2004 album, Antics. The crowd didn't seem put-off by the lack of chatter, as everybody had some singing along to do — because it was impossible not to.
Milky Chance Never Stopped Dancing
Milky Chance | Douglas Mason for Bonnaroo 2024
Milky Chance wants you to dance. The German duo-turned-quad may have steadily transformed since their early folk days, but they've never abandoned their ability to make every beat danceable and each chorus undeniable. And on stage, they were having a ball.
With a set that included both 2012 hit "Stolen Dance" and their latest, "Naked and Alive,'' their evolution from folk renegades to breezier, disco-pop pundits is on full display — and we're glad they brought us all along for the ride.
Speaking to GRAMMY.com backstage, bassist Philipp Dausch discussed their journey: "It was quite a process to become the band we wanted to be. Our music has always been in-between electronic and folky, so we put a lot of work into becoming that band on stage as well. We love rhythms and beats. We like when music moves you."
Megan Thee Stallion Declared This A "Self-Love Summer"
Megan Thee Stallion | Pooneh Ghana for Bonnaroo 2024
No one is doing it like Meg. A highlight of day four — and perhaps the entire weekend — was Megan Thee Stallion's riotous, yet charming Sunday night set. Clad in a yellow-ombre bodysuit and welcomed by a crowd chanting her name, the Houston hottie commanded the What stage in a manner that suggested it won't be too long until she's in the headlining slot.
"Real hot girl s—," she screamed at the crowd, who didn't hesitate to scream back. It was clear she was on a high; not only was it her first Bonnaroo set, but it also followed back-to-back sold-out shows in her hometown of Houston, making it an absolutely monumental weekend for the rapper.
Her and her dancers shook, twerked, and rolled through each hit without ever losing breath control — even during what she deemed the "personal section" of her set. And that portion was aptly-named; beneath the ass-shaking and thumping beats, "Cobra" brought about an air of sadness during an otherwise infectiously playful and positive performance.
The lyrics chronicle her mental health struggles over the years amidst personal traumas and virulent online abuse. "Man, I miss my parents," she sang of her late parents, on what happened to be Father's Day. But shortly after the poignant moment, Megan quickly returned to her signature body-moving, sex-positve calling cards, "WAP," "Savage," and "Body," during which she declared this summer a "Self-Love Summer." That's some Real Hot Girl S— we can get behind.
15 LGBTQIA+ Artists Performing At 2024 Summer Festivals
Megan Thee Stallion performing in 2024
Photo: Steve Jennings/Getty Images
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Three-time GRAMMY winner Megan Thee Stallion is about to unleash her follow-up to 2022's 'Traumazine,' simply titled 'Megan.' Here's all the details we know about the album so far.
Morgan Enos
|GRAMMYs/Jun 5, 2024 - 08:46 pm
Editor’s note: This article was updated on June 24, 2024 to reflect the revealed tracklisting.
In 2022, Megan Thee Stallion gave fans her most visceral self-inventory to date with Traumazine. Now, we're poised to learn even more about Megan.
That's the apt title of the firebrand rapper's next album, announced during the first of Atlanta stops on her Hot Girl Summer Tour on June 2. Speaking to Women's Health last spring, she declared Megan — whose title hadn't been revealed at the time — to be her most realized work to date. As she explained, the motif of Megan is an ancient and nigh-universal one: the snake.
"I was inspired to create this album about rebirth because I feel I am becoming a new person physically and mentally," she stated, amid descriptions of her heightened wellness practices. "[Snakes are] feared, misunderstood, respected, healing." And in a teaser, she poignantly proclaimed "Just as a snake sheds it skin, we must shed our past, over and over again."
We're still early in the rollout process — but regardless, here's what GRAMMY.com could dredge up about Megan as of press time.
It's Her First Independent Release
In 2023, Megan Thee Stallion exited 1501 Certified Entertainment, her formal label — the culmination of a hairy legal dispute.
While her distribution deal with 300 Entertainment, owned by Warner Music Group, remains, Megan will be released under the rapper's own independent music and entertainment company, Hot Girl Productions.
We Have The Tracklisting
Meg has revealed that her new album will feature 18 songs — including collaborations with Victoria Monét ("Spin"), as well as a UGK reunion with Bun B and the departed Pimp C on “Paper Together." Additionally, rapper Kyle Ricch appears on "B.A.S."; GloRilla on "Accent," as well as Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba (formerly known as "Kohh") on "Mamushi."
The tracklisting can be found below:
"Hiss"
"Rattle"
"Figueroa"
"Where Them Girls At"
"Broke His Heart"
"B.A.S."(feat. Kyle Richh)
"Otaku Hot Girl"
"Find Out"
"Boa"
"Mamushi" (feat. Yuki Chiba)
"Accent" (feat. GloRilla)
"Paper Together" (feat. UGK)
"Spin" (feat. Victoria Monét)
"Down Stairs DJ"
"Miami Blue"
"Worthy"
"Moody Girl"
"Cobra"
She's Dropped Three Serpentine Singles
True to her snake motif, Megan Thee Stallion has released three slithering bangers from Megan.
In November 2023, she unleashed "Cobra," whose video co-starred one hellacious asp; in "Hiss," she basically is the asp, threatening to sink her fangs into those who mess with her.
In the former, Meg broods over her late parents and faces down depression: "Never thought a b— like me would hit rock bottom." In the latter, she goes on the offensive: "B—es swear they G but the G must stand for Goofy/ When the f— did all the gangster n—as turn to groupies?"
She followed these up with the Gwen Stefani-sampling "Boa," which further turns up the heat: "B—, your time up / Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock, tick tock."
As Megan explained to L'OFFICIEL of her recent musical approach, "This is music I would like if I wasn't Megan Thee Stallion. I don't want to say I'm tapping into other genres. I'm just tapping into other sounds. But it's still very much Megan Thee Stallion. It won't feel like I went so left. It'll feel true to me. You'll almost be like, 'I wouldn't have thought she would've rapped over that, but this sounds great.'"
If "Cobra," "Hiss" and "Boa" are any indication, this snake is about to rattle us.
The Album Arrives June 28
Megan Thee Stallion hasn't released the full tracklisting for Megan yet — but she did confirm the whole shebang is out June 28, onstage during her ongoing Hot Girl Summer Tour. So, it's only a matter of weeks until the album slinks into our speakers.
The Cover Is Eye-Popping
On the cover of Megan, the rapper emerges nude from a Monarch butterfly chrysalis, hanging from a potted indoor tree in a fancy room. Framing the image is a transparent, serifed, monumental M.
As killer as her recent offerings have been, clearly Megan is going to bite — in the best way.
Everything We Know About Halsey's New Album: Listen To New Song "The End"
Romy performs in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Photo: Mauricio Santana/Getty Images
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From Renée Rapp, Chappell Roan and Ethel Cain, to Megan Thee Stallion and Conan Gray, 2024 summer festivals are stacked with a rainbow of amazing queer artists to see.
Kaitlin Stevens
|GRAMMYs/Jun 5, 2024 - 01:27 pm
Festival season is well underway, both stateside and abroad, with NYC’s Gov Ball, Chicago’s Lollapalooza, Tennessee’s Bonnaroo, and the UK’s Glastonbury Festival offering an array of acts across multiple stages.
In honor of Pride Month, we’ve rounded up a bunch of LGBTQIA+ artists gracing this summer’s festival circuit — as well as a few Pride-specific festivals — that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re in the mood to dance the night away, cry on your best friend’s shoulder, or just vibe out, there are established and rising artists to suit festival-goers with a variety of musical tastes.
Chappell Roan
After opening for Olivia Rodrigo on her GUTS tour, Midwest Princess Chappell Roan took the world by storm with her live-streamed Coachella performance during the desert festival’s first weekend, coming back just as strong in the second weekend. She also performed on NPR's Tiny Desk series, and her latest single “Good Luck, Babe!” slingshotted her even further into super-stardom. You’d be foolish to miss your chance to catch her on this year’s festival circuit. This time next year, she’ll probably be headlining.
Where to see Chappell Roan:
Queens, New York
Performing Sunday, June 9
Louisville, Kentucky
June 15
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Sunday, June 16
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Thursday, Aug. 1
Saint Charles, Iowa
Performing Sunday, Aug. 4
Montréal, Canada
Performing Saturday, Aug. 3
San Francisco, California
Aug. 9 – Aug. 11
Performance date TBD
Columbia, Maryland
Performing Sunday, Sept. 29
Renée Rapp
“Mean Girl” Reneé Rapp has had a banner year promoting her 2023 debut album, Snow Angel, the follow-up to her 2022 EP Everything to Everyone, reprising her Broadway role of Regina George in the movie adaptation of the "Mean Girls" musical, collaborating with Megan thee Stallion, and coming out as a lesbian. Snow Angel found the singer exercising her range both vocally and emotionally, and her live performances show off those impressive vocals even more. Luckily, you have a few chances to catch her at a festival this summer.
Where to see Renée Rapp:
The Governor’s Ball
Queens, New York
Performing Sunday, June 9
Bonnaroo
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Saturday, June 15
Lollapalooza
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Friday Aug. 2
Osheaga Music & Arts Festival
Montréal, Canada
Performing Saturday, Aug. 3
All Things Go
Columbia, Maryland
Performing Sunday, Sep. 29
Blondshell
Previously performing under the moniker BAUM, Sabrina Teitelbaum has found her niche as Blondshell, writing unflinchingly honest and relatable lyrics about the human condition and belting them out over noisy guitars. Blondshell burst on the scene in 2022 with a '90s-inspired sound, reminiscent of the shoegaze bands of grunge’s golden era. Her self-titled 2023 debut album explores themes of failed relationships and shame, sobriety, unrequited love for a woman, and even a little murder, all with levity and vulnerability most 20-somethings can relate to.
Aside from the obvious perks of the loud guitars during her live set, you might also be lucky enough to catch a cool cover–she’s known to perform Le Tigre’s “Deceptacon” at shows, and she just released a cover of the Talking Heads’ “Thank You For Sending Me An Angel” for the A24 tribute album, Everyone’s Getting Involved.
Where to see Blondshell:
The Governor’s Ball
Queens, New York
Performing Friday, June 7
Seattle, Washington
Performing Sunday, July 13
Lollapalooza
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Thursday, Aug. 1
Hinterland Music Festival
Saint Charles, Iowa
Performing Saturday, Aug. 3
All Things Go
Columbia, Maryland
Performing Sunday, Sep. 29
G Flip
Maybe you always knew who G Flip was. Maybe you were introduced to the nonbinary Aussie artist when they made headlines for their relationship with reality TV star Chrishell Stause. Or maybe you became a fan when you heard their incredible, sapphic-twisted cover of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” for triple-J’s Like a Version series (which even got Taylor’s stamp of approval).
However you found G Flip, you probably became a little obsessed instantly, marveling at their ability to croon and play the drums simultaneously without missing a beat. The energy G brought to their in-studio performance at triple-J is indicative of the energy you’ll see on the stage when they play a couple of festivals this summer.
Where to see G Flip:
The Governor’s Ball
Queens, New York
Performing Sunday, June 9
Nashville, Tennessee
Performing Sunday, June 23
Chicago, Illinois
June 30
Adelaide, Australia
July 19
Romy
Romy might be better known as part of British indie trio the xx, but her career as a solo artist is just as worthy of recognition. Making feel-good dance music about queer love, the 2024 GRAMMYs first time nominee has the unique ability to transport you to a world where everything is okay and there’s no better place to be than moving in tandem with the people around you. For a true one-with-the-crowd festival experience, jumping around to Romy’s electro-pop is the perfect option.
Where to see Romy:
Osheaga Music & Arts Festival
Montréal, Canada
Performing Friday, Aug. 2
Lollapalooza
Performing Saturday, Aug. 3
Outside Lands
San Francisco, California
Aug. 9 – Aug. 11
Performance date TBD
Ethel Cain
Ethel Cain is a force to be reckoned with. Despite the unconventional nature of her music — which explores themes of religion and conceptual stories about abuse — she’s made a place for herself in the mainstream with singles like “Crush” and “American Teenager" (the latter track nabbed a spot on President Barack Obama’s end-of-year playlist in 2022).
More than just a great storyteller, she’s an easy to admire artist who is outspoken about human rights. Plus, her performances always feel intimate, even when they’re on festival stages in front of a huge crowd.
Bonnaroo
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Saturday, June 15
Lollapalooza
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Saturday, Aug. 3
Hinterland Music Festival
Saint Charles, Iowa
Performing Sunday, Aug. 4
Carnation, Washington
Aug. 9 – Aug. 11
Performing Saturday, Aug. 10
All Things Go
Columbia, Maryland
Performing Saturday, Sep. 28
Ryan Beatty
Singer/songwriter Ryan Beatty may be your favorite artist’s favorite artist. He became a bit of a teen sensation in the early aughts for his YouTube covers of popular songs, later gaining wider recognition for his Brockhampton collaborations. His solo career has since taken off, making him a reference point for other singer/songwriters — especially following his 2023 album, Calico.
His knack for songwriting even led him to working on a number of tracks on Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER album. Ryan’s songs are tender and full of yearning, brimming with raw and real emotion–it’s best to bring some tissues when you catch one of his sets.
Where to see Ryan Beatty:
The Governor’s Ball
Queens, New York
Performing Friday, June 7
Bonnaroo
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Saturday, June 15
Lollapalooza
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Friday, Aug. 2
Outside Lands
San Francisco, California
Aug. 9 – Aug. 11
Performance date TBD
The Japanese House
Amber Bain, or the artist known as the Japanese House, shied away from publicity at the beginning of her career. Hand-picked by Matty Healy of The 1975 to make music under his label, Dirty Hit, Bain's haunting melodies and painfully relatable lyrics resonated with listeners and critics — even when they didn’t know who was singing and producing the tracks they were falling for.
Now, she’s proud to take all the credit for her hard work and talent. The Japanese House’s latest effort, In the End It Always Does, is packed with resonant tracks about growing up, longing, existentialism, and even a sweet, sad ode to man’s best friend — her dog, Joni Jones, is named for Joni Mitchell — all of which sound incredible live.
Where to see The Japanese House:
Bonnaroo
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Friday, June 14
Lollapalooza
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Thursday, Aug. 1
Osheaga Music & Arts Festival
Montréal, Canada
Performing Friday, Aug. 2
Outside Lands
San Francisco, California
Aug. 9 – Aug. 11
Performance date TBD
MUNA
When MUNA calls themselves “the greatest band in the world,” they aren’t lying. The L.A.-based queer pop trio toured for nearly all of 2023, including playing as an opening act for select dates of Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras tour. Their fanbase blew up since signing to Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records in 2021 and releasing their third album, led by the hit single “Silk Chiffon.”
MUNA has built on that momentum by perfecting their live show, as evidenced by two stellar sold out tour-closing shows at Los Angeles' Greek Theater. While they’re taking a break from touring to work on their next record, MUNA are making a few festival stops this summer, including in singer Katie Gavin’s hometown of Chicago.
Los Angeles, California
Saturday, June 8
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 20 – 22, June 27 – 29, July 4 – 6
Performing Friday, June 27
Chicago, Illinois
July 19 – July 21
Performing Sunday, July 21
Newport, Rhode Island
July 26 – July 28
Performing Friday, July 26
Ashnikko
Ashnikko doesn’t fit into any box, and no two songs sound the same. The blue-haired phenom’s catalog spans from upbeat hyperpop-rap infusions about hard work, reimagined cheers from Bring It On with horror influences, and emo-tinged ballads about how scary it feels to be safely in love. With such a diverse range, you couldn’t possibly be bored watching her perform, especially since her live sets usually boast great visual effects and choreography.
Where to see Ashnikko:
Los Angeles, California
June 1 – June 2
Performing Sunday, June 2
Bonnaroo
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Sunday, June 16
Gdynia, Poland
July 3 – July 6
Performing Wednesday, July 3
Arlo Parks
GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Arlo Parks is the mellow you need in your hectic festival schedule. The 24-year-old is wise beyond her years, as reflected in the gorgeous lyrics about falling in love all over her 2023 album, My Soft Machine: On “Devotion,” she sings, “Your touch embroiders me/I'm wide open,” on “Pegasus,” which features Phoebe Bridgers, she muses, “Never felt luckier than I do right now/Tell me you love me, let me have it.”
Arlo also released her debut poetry book, The Magic Border, last year, offering her lyrical talent in an even more raw form of expression. While her music is soft and dreamy, she doesn’t shy away from hard and fast guitars on a bunch of tracks, making live performances more exhilarating than you might expect.
Where to see Arlo Parks:
Pilton, England
June 26 – June 30
Performing Wednesday, June 26
Madrid, Spain
July 10 – July 13
Performing Saturday, July 13
Osheaga Music & Arts Festival
Montréal, Canada
Performing Friday, Aug. 2
Thing Festival
Carnation, Washington
Performing Saturday, Aug. 10
Palehound
Indie band Palehound got a shoutout from the New York Times for their 2023 single, “Independence Day,” a hopeful, if not deluded, breakup song with plucky guitar and a fun-to-chant chorus about “living life like writing a first draft.” Despite having a pretty major reach, Palehound, made up of El Kempner (they/them) Zoë Brecher, and Larz Brogan, is still a fairly DIY band, which makes them all the more fun to listen to, especially live.
Somerville, Massachusetts
July 25 – 28
Performing Saturday, July 28
Hinterland Music Festival
Saint Charles, Iowa
Performing Sunday, Aug. 4
Larmer Tree Gardens, United Kingdom
Aug. 29 – Sept. 1
Performing Saturday, Aug. 31
Megan thee Stallion
Despite people trying to keep her down, Megan Thee Stallion continues to rise and conquer, putting the work above everything else. As an independent artist, this feat is even more impressive, but the total creative control she benefits from has allowed for exciting opportunities of self-expression that align with all the things that make Meg one-of-a-kind.
Her 2024 video for “BOA” let the self-proclaimed anime nerd tap into her geek side, rich with references to her favorite animated shows and video games. And if you’ve seen any of her tour outfits lately–you know that you don’t wanna miss the chance to catch her at a festival this summer.
Where to see Megan Thee Stallion:
Bonnaroo
Manchester, Tennessee
Performing Sunday, June 16
Washington, D.C.
July 27 – July 28
Performing Saturday, July 27
Doechii
Self-proclaimed “Swamp Princess” Doechii is one of the most exciting new artists of her time, seamlessly blending house influences and smooth R&B vocals with hip-hop beats and clever raps. She’s not afraid to have fun, either, especially when it comes to self-expression in her stylistic choices. Her surrealist music videos have garnered her praise and comparisons to legends like Missy Elliott, but despite all the influences, Doechii is truly one of a kind.
Where to see Doechii:
Outloud Festival
Los Angeles, California
Performing Saturday, June 1
The Governor’s Ball
Queens, New York
Performing Saturday, June 8
Tinashe
Tinashe has been around for years, but she’s having a renaissance at the moment thanks to her new single “Nasty,” a sexy bop for the summer which has inspired viral dance trends on TikTok. The multi-talented singer is also a hell of a dancer herself, and her live shows give her the perfect opportunity to show off her moves. If you get the chance to catch her at a festival this summer, don’t pass it up.
Where to see Tinashe:
Nashville Pride
Nashville, Tennessee
Performing Saturday, June 22
Open’er Festival
Gdynia, Poland
Performing Wednesday, July 3
Underscores
No music festival bill is complete without a dubstep-adjacent artist, and Underscores is here to fill the gap with her Skrillex-inspired beats. A self-taught producer and vocalist, Underscores started playing around with making beats and loops as a kid, graduating to GarageBand before releasing music at just 13 years old.
Now 24, she’s been officially releasing music for over a decade, showing off her wide range of influences in eclectic tracks that have hints of bedroom pop, hyperpop, emo, metal, and of course, dubstep. While her production is unique and stellar, her topical and tongue-in-cheek lyrics are not to be overlooked, either.
Where to see Underscores:
The Governor’s Ball
Queens, New York
Performing Friday, June 7
Conan Gray
After rising to fame on TikTok in 2020 with his soft and sad unrequited love anthem, “Heather,” Conan Gray has kept the momentum going by not being afraid to try new things. His latest album, Found Heaven, is full of '80s new wave inspired synth pop, offering him a new slate to show off some powerhouse vocals. It also features production and writing assistance from powerhouse producer/songwriter Max Martin, elevating Conan’s sound to new levels that are good for more than just TikTok soundbites.
Where to see Conan Gray:
Lollapalooza
Chicago, Illinois
Performing Sunday, Aug. 4
