Summer Festival Sets You Can’t Miss
- Maggz
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Coachella may be over, but there are still many more outdoor music festivals to enjoy across the United States this year. Anyone who has been to a music festival knows there’s always too many stages and not enough time, so we’ve pulled together some of the acts you should see while sweating it out and dancing with your friends. While the headlining sets are always memorable moments at a festival, further down the lineup is where true gems often lie. We’ve even provided some songs to get you started with the artists below and compiled them into a Spotify playlist for any summer kick-off events you’re hosting.
July 31, 2026
St. Charles, Iowa
With Wisp’s debut studio album If Not Winter nearing its first anniversary and with a huge headlining tour under her belt, she’s hitting the festival scene this year. Wisp performed at Governors Ball on June 6 and can be found on the lineup for Hinterland (July 31) before supporting beabadoobee’s show at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado on August 7. Born and raised in San Francisco, California, Wisp brings her unique voice to the indie rock scene, often described as fitting into the shoegaze or nu gaze genre. Her breathy vocals float above experimental guitar sounds and drum beats and will be the perfect fit for stages at these festivals as the crowd sways, drinks sloshing in their hands and heads bobbing to the music.
Songs to Stream: “If Not Winter,” “Your face,” “Luna”
June 12, 2026
Manchester, TN
Rachel Chinouriri has had a packed schedule in June with sets at All Things Go Toronto (June 6), Governors Ball (June 7), Bonnaroo (June 12), and will support Florence and the Machine’s Everybody Scream Tour in Ireland (June 27-28). This gives her fans an opportunity to see her at some of the most iconic summer festivals. Originally hailing from London, England, Chinouriri’s alternative pop style is perfect for a chilled out, backyard hang or driving with the windows down on a road trip.
Songs to Stream: “Little House,” “All I Ever Asked,” “Romeo + Rachel Chinouriri”
Afro-Latinas: Susana Baca / Luedji Luna ft. Liniker / Lady G / Mai-Elka Prado ft. Lush Song Collective / DJ Agent DMZ
July 26, 2026
Central ParkNew York, NY
The City Parks Summerstage concert series is an incredible way for New Yorkers and tourists alike to experience free live music in iconic settings like Central Park. One of the unmissable sets of the summer features the powerful voices of contemporary Brazilian music, Latin GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriters, and a Brooklyn-based music collective. This concert is being hosted in partnership with Festival Latinidades (the largest festival of Black women in Latin America) and Afro-Latino Festival NYC (a five-day festival in support of the International Day for Afro-Latin American, Afro-Carribean & Diaspora Women.) This evening of music will be one of joy, celebration, and an energy that can only be found when so many talented and storied artists are brought to the same stage.
Songs to Stream: “Caras Lindas” by Susana Baca, “Harém” by Luedji Luna and Liniker, “Hot Gyal” by Lady G, “Necio Corazón” by Mai-Elka Prado, “Passaporte” by Agent DMZ
July 31, 2026
Chicago, IL
If you haven’t heard of horsegiirL yet, now’s the time to tap in. The German DJ and singer performs with a lifelike horse-head mask and leans fully into the theme, calling her fans “farmies” and featuring horse imagery on her album art. Fans of her futurepop music can look forward to her upcoming album release NATURE IS HEALING (out on June 5) at Lollapalooza in Chicago on July 31 as well as performances of some previously released singles and EPs. With festival culture filled with campy themes, costumes, and freedom of expression, horsegiirL is a perfect fit for the lineup.
Songs to Stream: “an apple a day,” “eat, sleep, slay, 🔁,” “Pegasus”
August 1, 2026
Chicago, IL
Rising artist Khamari is hitting the festival stage this summer at Governors Ball on June 7 and Lollapalooza on August 1. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, you may have seen his warm and soulful tracks on the Spotify New Music Friday playlists. A multi-talented and well-rounded artist, Khamari is not only a standout vocalist but also classically trained in piano, guitar and other instruments, now pursuing his own music full-time after studying briefly at Berklee College of Music.
Songs to Stream: “Head in a Jar,” “Tell Me,” “Demons (Eldorado)”
September 26 and 27
New York, NY and Columbia, MD
All Things Go is back at it with an incredible line-up of artists, gracing stages near Toronto, New York, and Washington, DC. Each year, many of the artists split their time between the New York and Maryland venues to perform for both audiences. This September, Jensen McRae is one of those artists, and she will perform on both Saturday and Sunday. She will also support Brandi Carlile performances in the Northeast in August. McRae is finally getting her indie-songwriter flowers, recently wrapping up her God Has a Hitman Tour and celebrating her song “Massachusetts,” featured on Amazon Prime Video’s latest romance TV show hit, Off Campus. What was once just an unnamed song fragment making viral rounds on TikTok is now racking up millions of streams on Spotify. The future is bright for McRae and with more opportunities to see her perform live this year, her fanbase is surely to skyrocket.
Songs to Stream: “Massachusetts - Stripped Version,” “Your Friend,” “My Ego Dies At The End”
What artists will you be running to barricade for during this summer’s outdoor festival season? Let us know by leaving a comment below or by reaching out on Instagram or X.
TO STAY UPDATED ON MIDO:
Edited by Michelle Leung
Comments