The Texas Festival Report: Spring and Summer 2024

Fans put their Guns Up as The Matador Song plays at the conclusion of Cotton Fest 2023. (Photo by Andrew Watters)

Ladies and Gentlemen, festival season will be here before any of us know it.

In a world where it seems like brand-new festivals are popping up every day and established festivals are growing, expanding, and still putting out killer lineups at the same rate, there can be a lot of confusion and a lot of trouble deciding which festivals to attend. Luckily, as someone who cares way too much about festivals and is planning to go to a handful of them this Spring and Summer, I figured I would put this article together to share the festivals that I think you should attend, a bunch of festivals that I plan to attend, and some other outliers that are worth a mention. All of the important info will be included as well like location, dates, ticket prices, and lineups. I’ll be going through them in chronological order as well.

Without further ado, let’s get this going!

March 14-16: Frio River Music Festival (Concan)

William Beckmann performs at Frio River Music Festival 2023. (Photo by Travis Fuentes)

The Frio River is one of the hallmark destinations for Texans every spring break and every year for as long as I can remember, House Pasture Cattle Company has been taking advantage of that, throwing a three-day party right across the street. This year is no exception with another solid three-day run slated for this year including, for me personally, the coolest headliner they’ve been able to snag so far: Ryan Bingham on Friday night, backed by The Texas Gentlemen. I was already excited to see him this year at a festival I’ll talk about later on in this article but I have a hunch that seeing him in Concan is going the be a much better and rowdier time.

Along with Bingham, Texas Country staples Pat Green and Josh Abbott Band will headline Thursday and Saturday night, respectively. The bill is rounded out by troubadour Carson Jeffrey opening on Thursday, rising artist Dylan Marlowe opening on Friday, and one of my favorite new bands in the Texas scene at the moment, The Droptines opening on Saturday. Do I wish the Friday and Saturday opening slots were switched? Maybe. Will it still be a great time getting to see all of these artists in this cool of an environment? I don’t doubt it.

The Deets

The Lineup:

The Ticket Prices:

Three-day passes are $120 before taxes and fees. Single-day passes are available and will run you $35 plus taxes and fees for Thursday and Saturday, Friday is $55 plus taxes and fees. There are also VIP upgrades available for $350 across the entire weekend, $150 for Thursday and Saturday, and $200 for Friday.

The Link To Buy Them: Right Here

What Else Is There To Do In The Area?

The Frio River is the obvious answer here. Float it, hang out on its banks, ride the rope swing that I’ve seen so many friends post about on Snapchat over the years. Also nearby, is Garner State Park. It’s another access point to the Frio River but there are also 10 hiking trails throughout it (only three of them are longer than a mile). Admission is $8 for the day and lasts you from 8 AM to 10 PM with camping and cabins also available on-site.

Andrew, Will You Be There?

I will indeed, come float with me.

March 29 & 30: Outlaws & Legends (Abilene)

Stoney Larue performs at Outlaws & Legends 2023. (Photo by Shana B Photography)

Each year I’ve lived here in Lubbock, I’ve gotten ads for Outlaws & Legends Fest on my Instagram feed and heard great things about it. However, it just never worked out for me. In 2021, I didn’t love the lineup and wasn’t doing anything with this fine radio station at the time. I loved the lineup in 2022 but I didn’t know if I was allowed to start traveling around the state and cover festivals like Zach and I do now. Last year was the first time I made an effort to go and was even approved to cover it but law school dreams and LSAT studying made me back out about a month away. This year, I’m looking for redemption.

This lineup may not be as big up top as last year was but it’s tough to top having Willie Nelson and Carly Pearce as your top two artists on the bill. However, it’s made up for by being consistently great from top to bottom. Saturday is one of the most stacked single days of music for my personal tastes that you could ever craft up with Jessie Daniel, Bri Bagwell, Jake Worthington, The Great Divide, Uncle Lucius, The Red Clay Strays, and Shane Smith & the Saints all playing in tandem. Not to mention Nitty Gritty Dirt Band headlining Friday night as part of their farewell tour, Kevin Fowler and Jason Boland & the Stragglers playing afterparties, and Kin Faux buried way down there in the bill. It’s insane that this is all happening just a short drive away from Lubbock and if I don’t make it to the Backporch of Texas this year, I will be very very bummed.

The Deets

The Lineup:

The Ticket Prices:

The festival is only offering full weekend passes at the moment. The two main options are General Admission passes, which are $138 plus fees, as well as VIP “All Access” passes which are $690 plus fees. These include complimentary drinks and dinner items across the weekend as well as views of the fest from the upper deck balconies.

The Link to Buy Them: This Here Link

What Else Is There To Do In The Area?

It’s prime college baseball season and ACU has a homestand against Utah Valley University that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Abilene also has a zoo, a neat-looking downtown area, and a handful of museums scattered around it.

Andrew, Will You Be There?

I am going to try my absolute best to be but at this point in time, it depends on Texas Tech Basketball’s NCAA Tournament run and where they play. If they end up in the South Regional and play at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, I will be spending my weekend there. If the team doesn’t play there or if I can’t get credentialed, I’m cutting my drive in half to spend the weekend in Abilene.

April 5 & 6: Chilifest (Snook)

The sun sets over Chilifest and Snook, Texas. (Photo from Chilifest Inc.)

It’s an Aggie rite of passage and it’s one of the rowdiest festivals you can attend in this great state of Texas. Seriously, you round up 20,000 Aggies in the middle of nowhere and expect them not to throw a giant party? They have been for 22 years straight and the legend continues this year. While this year’s lineup may not have as many party acts as previous years and while the Instagram comments didn’t get their eternal wish for Koe Wetzel to return, I still think it’s as good of a lineup as you can get for a mid-sized country fest in 2024. Say what you want about Chris Young but the man has hits for days and I can’t imagine him not being a ton of fun live. Randy Rogers Band are consistently one of my favorite live bands in the scene and I can’t imagine how fantastic it’s going to be in the Chili Fest environment. Wade Bowen, Randall King, and Kaitlin Butts are also always a great time, and again, in this environment, they’ll be a blast.

When it comes to my biggest draws though, Kat Hasty, Muscadine Bloodline, and Surfaces are at the top of my “must-sees” list. Kat Hasty’s show at Blue Light last spring was one of the best I saw all year and I have fallen more and more in love with her music ever since then. Muscadine Bloodline is a band I’ve loved for a minute and put on an absolutely electric live show, I’m excited they ran it back after playing last year. Finally, right before them, Surfaces are doing as close to a hometown show as they can. While I’m curious to see how well they draw, as a College Station band, I’m sure playing this fest means a whole lot to them and I can’t wait to see them deliver.

The Deets

The Lineup:

The Ticket Prices:

The festival is offering two-day passes as well as Saturday-only tickets. General admission for both days is $110 before fees while Saturday only is $80 before fees. VIP passes for both days are $320 before fees and $230 before fees for Friday or Saturday individually.

The Link To Buy Them: Wreck ‘Em

What Else Is There To Do In The Area?

In Snook? Absolutely nothing. In College Station? There’s a whole lot of Aggie sports that weekend. A&M softball begins a homestand against Kentucky on April 5 and plays Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Additionally, A&M Soccer hosts TCU on Sunday, April 7 as well as the men’s tennis team hosting Arkansas on the same day. Outside of that, it’s sort of a Texan tradition to stay out way too late on Northgate.

Andrew, Will You Be There?

I’m planning on it! It’s a fest I’ve been wanting to make happen for a while and both classes I have Monday, Wednesday, and Friday show on the syllabus that we’re not meeting on April 5 so I don’t even have to worry about missing anything. That sounds like a darn good excuse to get down to CSTAT and see some of my enemies Aggie friends.

April 5 – 9: Texas Eclipse (Burnet)

Reveille Peak Ranch, where Texas Eclipse is set to be held. (Photo by Texas Eclipse Festival and Disco Donnie Presents)

Look, I know what you’re saying. “Andrew, I don’t like country music. There’s gotta be festivals in Texas that aren’t just country. Is there any sort of variety in the state?” First off, patience. Out of the 12 festivals that’ll be featured on this list, five of them, including this one, are multi-genre and not just country. Second, well I kind of just spoiled it. You’re in luck because this isn’t a country festival. As a matter of fact, it couldn’t be further from one.

Texas Eclipse, at least for me, strikes the perfect balance between EDM and Jam. Two genres and two fanbases that couldn’t be further apart on paper but have much more in common than what meets the eye. Besides that though, there’s just so much good stuff on this lineup. On the Lone Star Stage alone, Big Gigantic, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Neil Frances, OTeil and Friends, STS9, The Disco Biscuits, The String Cheese Incident, Tycho, friggin Vulfpeck. And that’s just one stage, this festival has six that are all full of fantastic bands, artists, and DJs. Hell Tipper is playing a set at Twilight and he’s buried in the lineup for the Eclipse Stage and sharing it with Boogie T, Clozee, Flowdan, and Zeds Dead, to name a few. I never expected a festival this wild to plant its roots in Burnet, Texas. Last thing, a Bob Moses Club Set is something I need to experience once in my life and right here at this fest would be an insane place to.

The Deets

The Lineup:

The Ticket Prices:

The festival is currently offering two, three, and four-day GA and VIP passes. For two days, it’s $249 before fees for GA and $469 before fees for VIP. Three-day passes are $299 before fees for GA and $569 before fees for VIP. Finally, for all four days, it’s $349 before fees for GA and $669 before fees for VIP. Camping and RV parking is available on-site as well.

The Link To Buy Them: Boo-yah!

What Else Is There To Do In The Area?

Like a lot of festivals in secluded areas like this, the coolest things to do are other state parks with Longhorn Cavern being the most recommended. It’s a sprawling, mile-and-a-half-long system of underground caves and honestly does look really damn neat.

Andrew, Will You Be There?

April is going to be a crazy busy month for me and this is unfortunately a fest that’s going to be sacrificed because of that, as fantastic as this lineup is. It also doesn’t help that the festival’s last two days are a Monday and Tuesday. Contrary to popular belief, I do actually go to school and do actually care about my classes, and missing them wouldn’t be ideal.

April 20 & 21: Two Step Inn (Georgetown)

The sun setting over the Showdeo stage at Two Step Inn. (Photo by Gaby Deimeke, provided by C3 Presents and Two Step Inn.)

I’ve already written at length about this fest so this one will be short. Two Step Inn put together another incredible lineup with a solid blend of newcomers (Wyatt Flores, Dylan Gossett, Megan Moroney), Texas/Red Dirt staples (Cody Johnson, Turnpike Troubadours, Pat Green) and downright legends (Hank Jr., Martina McBride, Clint Black). The unique grabs are very strong too with John Anderson doing an acoustic set, Ernest doing a Keith Whitley tribute, and Lee Ann Womack’s first show in Texas since 2019. Also, Ludacris. That’s all I need to say about that one.

Even as I go through the lineup again, I somehow left off Sierra Ferrell (my most anticipated set of the weekend), Charley Crockett, 49 Winchester. I could keep going for days but you can read everything I have to say in the bigger article.

The Deets

The Lineup:

The Ticket Prices:

I’ll be 100% honest with you guys, this festival is expensive. Right now, two-day GA passes will run you $350 before fees. That is a whole lot of money for any festival and slower ticket sales this year show that I’m not the only one who thinks that. Just keep your eye on resale and you’ll be able to find something reasonable soon enough.

There are also single and two-day VIP options. For both days, the Saddle Up VIP option is the only one remaining and will run you $999 before shipping costs. For single days, you can get GA for $189 each day, GA+ for $319 (only Sunday remains), Saddle Up VIP for $499, and Big Hoss VIP for $949 (only Sunday remains). There’s also a nearly $12,000 Y’all Experience but let’s be real, none of us can afford that. Most of us can’t even afford normal GA.

The Link To Buy Them: Slap this bad boy!

What Else Is There To Do In The Area?

Downtown Georgetown is a short five-minute drive away from the park and is cool as hell. There are so many pretty buildings and great restaurants including Monument Cafe. There’s also a ton of public art and cool museums. The best part of it all is that it’s all walkable.

Andrew, Will You Be There?

I will! I bought a two-day GA wristband but was also credentialed for a photo pass so that means not only will I be at Two Step Inn, but my dad will also be at Two Step Inn. I’m excited to show him how great this little festival is and how much easier it is compared to ACL.

April 26 – 28: Austin Psych Fest (Austin)

Acid Dad performs at Austin Psych Fest 2023. (Photo by Pooneh Ghana, provided by Levitation)

Austin has two insanely great festivals both produced by Levitation. Its namesake Levitation Fest is held every Halloweekend and just recently, they’ve brought back Austin Psych Fest after nearly a decade away. Last year’s lineup was a great welcome back and this year’s lineup is proving that the fest is here to stay. It’s another fantastic crop of indie rock, psych rock, and dream pop for three straight days at The Far Out Lounge as well as all throughout downtown Austin.

Just off first glance, Courtney Barnett and Chicano Batman co-headline Friday night is about as great of a way to kick off a fest like this as you could ask for. Pair that with Psychedelic Porn Crumpets and Lido Pimienta also in the undercard and that’s a pretty darn sweet day. Saturday has Austin mainstays The Black Angels up top alongside All Them Witches, both of whom will throw down. Finally, on Sunday, the absolute best-case scenario to end a festival like this is coming to fruition with Alvvays and Kurt Vile & the Violators closing it all down with help from Dehd, Yellow Days, and Blondshell to name a few undercard artists. I could not dream up a better final day to this fest and I pray that I am able to see Alvvays in 2024. They’re at the top of my list of bands I need to see before the year is out.

The Deets

The Lineup:

The Ticket Prices:

Three-day and single-day options are available for the festival with three-day GA tickets going for $195 plus fees and single-day GA going for $75 each day plus fees. There are also VIP options available with three-day VIP tickets going for $475 plus fees and single days going for $165 plus fees for Friday and Sunday (Saturday VIP is sold out). You can also add on night show and Thursday pre-party tickets which range from $15 to $23 plus fees.

The Link To Buy Them: You won’t believe what’s behind this link

What Else Is There To Do In The Area?

I’m pretty sure there’s absolutely nothing to do in Austin. Not one single thing.

Andrew, Will You Be There?

If I lived in or anywhere closer to Austin, absolutely. At the very least I would buy a day pass and be there Sunday so I could lose my mind hearing After the Earthquake live. Unfortunately, I don’t. And I don’t want to make the six-hour trek two weekends in a row so I will be passing and hoping Alvvays add a DFW area show soon.

April 22 – 27: Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Festival (Stephenville)

William Clark Green performs at Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Festival 2023. (Photo by Jaclynn Sky)

For Texas country festivals, this is the granddaddy of them all. For 35 years, Larry Joe Taylor has been bringing all of his friends to Melody Mountain Ranch in Stephenville to throw a big ole party and play some incredible music. This year is shaping up to be no different. Social media comments will tell you this fest is doomed to fail this year but it’s the same issue as a festival like Chilifest where Jesus Christ could headline Saturday night and people would still be upset that Koe Wetzel isn’t playing. Don’t get me wrong, I like Koe, but I don’t understand why people beg for him to play every festival of this caliber every year.

If you ignore that though, it’s another fantastic lineup for LJT. It makes me so happy to see Flatland Cavalry finally getting to the top of the lineup as well as bands and artists like Giovannie & the Hired Guns, Treaty Oak Revival, and Kaitlin Butts getting higher and higher on the poster as years have gone by. Giovannie & the Hired Guns are even headlining Wednesday night. The mainstays are still there as well, Randy Rogers Band, Kevin Fowler, Roger Creager (bring a poncho for this set), Six Market Blvd., and Cody Canada & the Departed. Along with that, Randall King and Braxton Keith will bring the tonk, William Beckmann and John Baumann will bring the soul, and I am so stoked to see my buddy Shelby Stone hiding low on the lineup. If people don’t like it, to hell with them, I’ll have more room to dance.

The Deets

The Lineup:

The Ticket Prices:

LJT has always been extremely fairly priced. A six-day GA pass is $150 before fees while a six-day GA Pit pass is $185 before fees. For me personally, that is a bargain. There’s a plethora of VIP options including suites and seats in the wings and behind the stage. A huge tradition and legacy at the festival is the camping and artists swinging by to play campfire shows. There are a ton of RV and camping slots available to aid in this.

The Link To Buy Them: Yee haw!

What Else Is There To Do In The Area?

There are a lot of things I’ve talked about already for other fests: bike trails, parks, art museums. But something that’s really catching my eye is the Tarleton State University Planetarium. It’s a state-of-the-art 86-seat theater with a full dome screen and Dolby surround sound. They’re currently showing a movie about the total eclipse set to pass over our state in April and I can only imagine how amazing that is.

Andrew, Will You Be There?

At this point in time, I have a press request out so I can’t say with confidence if I will or won’t be. However, I would really like to finally make it out to Stephenville this year for the Thursday to Saturday stretch of the festival.

May 3 – 5: Landlock (Waco)

Young the Giant performs at 713 Music Hall. (Photo by Andrew Watters)

This is a unique first-year fest and one that I’m kind of surprised by. For starters, I’m kind of shocked that Waco doesn’t have more festivals given how much the city’s profile has risen due to Magnolia and the Gaines’ family. For a first-year fest in Waco, I like it and I think it fits the vibe of the city very well. Midland, Shakey Graves, and Young the Giant headlining is a varied and pretty killer headlining trio. Young the Giant is one of the most fun bands touring the indie and alternative circuit right now, Midland is always a blast, and while I’ve never really listened, I can’t imagine Shakey Graves being anything but fantastic live.

There’s a ton of great stuff down the bill as well with Cannons and S.G. Goodman both playing Friday, The Nude Party are playing Saturday with their killer blues and garage rock sound, and Sunday features Cory Wong of Vulfpeck and Colony House. Cory Wong is another artist I am dying to see in 2024 whether he’s solo or playing with Vulfpeck. Another really cool thing is that the festival is being held at a waterpark and admission to the waterpark is included with your ticket. It’s a neat deal and given how brutal the Texas sun in May can be, it’s worth every penny.

The Deets

The Lineup:

The Ticket Prices:

This is another pricey fest with single-day GA tickets going for $150 plus fees and three-day GA passes going for $325 plus fees. However, one jump into the wave pool or one slide down their massive slides could end up making that worth it. There are packages to stay at the hotel on-site as well as car and RV camping packages too.

The Link To Buy Them: Remember when Mark Adams fought that bear?

What Else Is There To Do In The Area?

Why bother finding other things in the area when the fest is held at a waterpark? What else could you possibly want?

Andrew, Will You Be There?

I’m pretty sure this is prime finals season so I’m gonna wager no though I do think this is a solid little lineup. However, in future years, this is going to be a fest that’s on my radar to check out if it returns and if it goes over well in year one.

May 18: Troubadour Fest (College Station)

Troubadour Fest attendees stop at different BBQ booths during the tasting portion of the fest. (Photo by Andrew Watters)

I will not lie to you guys, this is one I’ve had circled on the calendar since last year’s fest ended. In a sentence I never thought I would say, I am so stoked to get back to Aggieland and I am so stoked to get back to Troubadour Fest. For me, it’s the best combination of both of my worlds. Half of the day is full of tasting some of the best BBQ the state has to offer and getting extremely full, then the second half of the day is full of killer music.

This year’s festival is headlined by Travis Tritt, which is a big grab for a festival of this size, and a loaded undercard with Pat Green, William Clark Green, The Red Clay Strays, and Cameron Sacky Band set to take the Aggie Park main stage with The Lowdown Drifters, Joe Stamm Band, and Mikayla Lane set to play during the first half of the day. Sort of like Austin Psych Fest, Troubadour Fest’s first year in College Station last year was a great introduction to the city. This year’s fest is proving that it’s here to stay. If there was any festival on this list that I’d recommend you go to above all of the rest, it would be this one.

The Deets

The Lineup:

The Ticket Prices:

This is a pretty inexpensive festival for what you’re getting. Music-only tickets are $60 plus fees, Music + BBQ tickets are $125, and VIP tickets were $225 before they sold out.

Music-only tickets get you into the grounds at 4 PM and like the name suggests, you only get access to the music festival. Music + BBQ tickets get you in at 1 PM and also grant you unlimited BBQ samples for 3 hours until music on the main stage starts at 4. The same idea applied for VIP but you got in an extra hour early at noon.

The Link To Buy Them: What even is an Aggie?

What Else Is There To Do In The Area?

Trust me, after a day at this festival you’re not going to want to do anything. The food coma will have fully set in at this point and you’re just gonna want your bed.

Andrew, Will You Be There?

The only thing that could stop me from attending this festival is me being dead or in jail.

May 25 & 26: Ubbi Dubbi (Fort Worth)

Rezz headlines Ubbi Dubbi 2023. (Photo by Ubbi Dubbi & Disco Donnie Presents)

Ubbi Dubbi is promoter Disco Donnie’s baby. It’s one of the festivals they hype up the most every year and it’s for a good reason. This year especially the hype is for a good reason. I’ve seen so many people say that this might be the strongest Ubbi Dubbi lineup to date. For me personally, when I recognize this many names at an EDM festival that isn’t named Ultra or EDC, it definitely catches your attention.

While most of the artists I recognize on this lineup aren’t the type of EDM I usually gravitate toward, it’s still a huge lineup for a venue like Panther Island Pavillion. Saturday alone boasts performances from Alison Wonderland, Dabin, Elderbrook, RL Grime, and Troyboi. Sunday ends the two days off just as strong with performances from Afrojack, Galantis, Hol!, Said the Sky, and Svdden Death. This is sure to be a rager and with a venue as pretty as Panther Island Pavilion with the Trinity River flowing nearby, it seems tough to have a bad time if you attend.

The Deets

The Lineup:

The Ticket Prices:

Tickets are available in various two-day and single-day configurations. Two-day GA tickets will run you $140 before fees with single days going for $75 plus fees. There are also GA+, VIP, and Tubbi’s VIP options available for $195, $255, and $375 plus fees, respectively for two days.

The Link To Buy Them: Big Balls in Cowtown

What Else Is There To Do In The Area?

The Stockyards are the obvious choice here and if you’re never been, it’s really cool to check out. I’ve always loved Forest Park but that’s just because of my nostalgia from growing up in Fort Worth. The Zoo rules. Joe T. Garcia’s and Esperanza’s have absolutely killer Mexican food and ambiance. The Botanical Gardens are in the area too. Damn, I love Fort Worth.

Andrew, Will You Be There?

I will not be, mainly because my younger brother is graduating the weekend of this festival. Along with that, even though I do recognize names, there’s not enough really drawing me to the fest though I can respect the quality of the lineup.

May 25 & 26: TwoGether Land (Dallas)

Kevin Gates performs at JMBLYA Dallas 2019, held at Fair Park where TwoGether Land will be. (Photo from JMBLYA & Scoremore)

It’s always kind of surprised me that Texas doesn’t have a consistently solid and big rap & hip-hop festival. JMBLYA was a super fun traveling fest when I was in high school that seemed like it could’ve been a huge deal if COVID didn’t kill its momentum. Mala Luna was also a huge deal in San Antonio for a few years but it was another festival that hasn’t returned since the beginning of the pandemic. The only huge rap fests that seemed like they would do well post-pandemic were Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival and Post Malone’s Posty Fest, however, Posty Fest was canceled in 2021 just two weeks after it was announced and hasn’t returned since. Astrowrold on the other hand…yikes.

There have been smaller attempts with Honeyland Festival in Houston doing a pretty decent job last year but none have gone as big as TwoGether Land intends to go. Lil Wayne and Summer Walker headlining is a fantastic one-two punch even if Wayne is starting to become a little hit-or-miss live. The undercard is peppered with legends and killer newcomers like Gucci Mane, Key Glock, Three 6 Mafia (this is going to throw the hell down), That Mexican OT, and Mariah the Scientist. This fest has the potential to be something special in future years.

The Deets

The Lineup:

The Ticket Prices:

GA for both days is $200 before fees with options for VIP available for $525 before fees and nearly $1600 for platinum. I truly expected prices to be a lot grosser if I’m being completely honest.

The Link To Buy Them: Going through the Big D and don’t mean Dallas

What Else Is There To Do In The Area?

Just like Austin, I’m pretty sure there’s not one single thing to do in Dallas. Who even goes there?

Andrew, Will You Be There?

It’s still the weekend of my brother’s graduation so the answer is still no. However, this one would be a bit more convincing than Ubbi Dubbi.

June 27 – 29: Cotton Fest (Lubbock)

William Clark Green performs at Day Two of his own Cotton Fest 2023. (Photo by Andrew Watters)

So you’ve made it all the way to the bottom of this article and you’re asking, “Andrew, I don’t want to travel this summer and I don’t wanna go to any weird festivals. Where should I go?” Well, lucky for you kids, we have our own version of Chilifest and our own version of LJT at Cook’s Garage this summer when William Clark Green’s Cotton Fest returns for its sixth year in Lubbock. I’m going to try to put this lightly, this is the biggest lineup they’ve ever booked for the fest and this is also easily the best lineup they’ve ever crafted for it.

Cotton Fest is the rowdiest Cook’s Garage gets all year and it’s the most fun you’ll have at the venue all year. I am seriously fearing for lives when Treaty Oak Revival takes the stage at this year’s festival. There’s something about the lineup though this year that just feels so much more beefed up. I don’t know if moving to June allowed for a bigger pool of artists to book but I am still shocked at how incredible of a lineup this is. The only person I’m not head over heels to see is Carter Faith and that’s literally only because I have never listened to her music, though I’m positive she’s incredible. There is no shortage of greatness on this poster and future years of Cotton Fest are going to have a lot to live up to compared to this one.

The Deets

The Lineup:

The Ticket Prices:

All tickets are available in their second tier currently. Two-day GA “Burr” tickets are $80 plus fees. “Boll” and “Bloom” VIP Passes are $250 and $400, respectively plus fees. Both include access to a Thursday pre-party but “Bloom” tickets have the added perk of access to VIP tables in front of the stage. There’s also a $10,000 “Bale” VIP package but just like Two Step Inn’s extreme VIP option, I’m positive most all of us could not afford that.

The Link To Buy Them: Raider! Power!

What Else Is There To Do In The Area?

I’m gonna be 100% honest. The best thing you can do in Lubbock is find an afternoon to get lunch at a restaurant on Broadway then rent a Lime scooter and ride that sucker all over Texas Tech’s campus. I don’t think it’s possible to have more fun in this city than that.

Andrew, Will You Be There?

Don’t talk to me about it.

Treaty Oak Revival performs at Cook’s Garage. They’re set to return to the venue’s outdoor stage for Cotton Fest in June. (Photo by Zachary Sorrels)

So there you have it. There’s a handful of fests that I think are super cool and that I think should be on your radar this Spring and Summer. Do I expect everyone to attend every single one of these festivals? Absolutely not. Do I expect everyone to attend even one of these festivals? Also no but not like a resounding no. I have a feeling that a bunch of people have already committed to one of these fests even before this article was published or even thought of. If that’s the case, maybe I’ll see you at one of them! And if not, I hope I can see you at it next year.

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