10 FESTIVALS TO CATCH IN 2021

4) Inkcarceration | Mansfield, OH (September 10 – 12)

What’s that? You waited too long to get your tickets? Tough SH*T, Buddy! This festival is 100% sold out. Surprised? Why? You shouldn’t be! (Unless of course, you didn’t see the lineup!)

Promoter powerhouse Danny Wimmer Presents now onboard, the lineup is bigger and better than the first couple of years.

Saturday headliners Mudvayne will be reuniting for their first show in what seems like forever, takes the cake as the most anticipated set of the weekend. But don’t sleep on the one-two punches of Slipknot/Mastodon (Friday) and Rob Zombie/Halestorm (Sunday).

Let us not forget, this lineup has what can arguably called the best supporting cast of festivals on this list. At the risk of being disrespectful with omissions, we’ll leave it at: “Get there early; don’t miss a minute!”

Taking place at the site of the Ohio State Reformatory, included in the price of admission is a self-guided tour through the famed former prison where Shawshank Redemption was filmed! This festival is a top-notch experience. Cheers to the lucky ticket snaggers!

Save the long-ass food waits and mile long lines for port-o-potties, this festival went off without a hitch the first two years. Now, with mega promoter Danny Wimmer Presents onboard, this festival is poised to take things to even bigger heights!

5) Riot Fest | Chicago, IL (September 17-19)

Oh, my, my. Oh, hell yes! No, the ghost of Tom Petty isn’t going to be at Riot Fest, but that would play second fiddle to this powerhouse lineup anyway!

My kind of town, Chicago is! And, it’s also the hometown of Night One headliners, The Smashing Pumpkins. CleveRock caught these alt-rock Gods on the road in 2019, and, damn, they are STILL one of the best in the biz. Expect them to kick it into an even higher gear (if there is such a thing for them) at their hometown festival.

Also on Friday? How about sets from Dinosaur Jr, Dirty Heads, and somewhat-recently reformed Motion City Sooundtrack!

Run The Jewels, Faith No More, and Rancid are set to blow the metaphorical roof of on Saturday, with earlier sets from CleveRock favorites Gogol Bordello, Bayside, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! My God, Sunday. Single-day passes are already sold the F*** out. And, why wouldn’t they be? It will be one of just a handful of appearances from Nine Inch Nails in 2021, along with rock legends, The Pixies, and two artists who call Northeast Ohio home, Machine Gun Kelly and DEVO!

Don’t forget to keep the party going at the Late Night Shows (separate tix required!)

With a shitty Lollapalooza lineup this year, Riot Fest is hands down the reigning champ in the Windy City this year.

6) Music Midtown | Atlanta, GA (September 18 – 19)

Music Midtown in Atlanta takes the cake for the most pop/Top-40 friendly festival in 2021, with Maroon 5, Jonas Brothers, and Miley Cyrus taking the top three spots on the bill!

The festival does grow more diverse as one makes their way down the lineup, featuring appearances from Cleveland’s own Machine Gun Kelly, multi-Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion, alongside Bleachers and early 00’s throwback Dashboard Confessional!

If you’re pushing or over the age of 40, go for the VIP or Super VIP package. (TRUST US ON THIS ONE!)

Taking place in the beautiful Piedmont Park, this festival is tailor made for lovers of the mainstream!