music festival

Robyn brought out Zara Larsson for an unannounced duet during the Portola Music Festival weekend, and the moment is being counted among the festival's standout highlights. The surprise pairing of the Swedish pop icons drew attention as a memorable moment of the event, alongside the rest of the weekend's performances.

Afrobeats star Davido is set to perform a three-night residency at the National Theatre in Lagos this December, a rare extended run at the landmark Nigerian venue. The announcement is drawing attention from fans across Africa and beyond, with many viewing it as another milestone for Afrobeats and a major cultural moment for Lagos's live music scene heading into the festive season.

The Lumo Art & Tech Festival has announced its full programme, with Björk confirmed as a featured artist. The line-up promises a mix of art, music and technology, and the news is drawing attention from fans of the Icelandic singer and followers of experimental art events. Further details on dates, venues and additional performers were not included in the announcement.

Country star Eric Church has announced his first-ever headline tour dates in Australia, marking his debut as a headliner in the country. The news, reported by MusicRow, gives Australian fans their first chance to see the 'Chief' perform full shows rather than festival sets. Tour dates and venues have been released as part of the announcement.

Ravinia Festival, the summer music festival outside Chicago, has received a $38 million gift designated for its Martin Theatre. The donation, reported by OperaWire, is one of the larger recent gifts to a US performing arts venue and will support the theatre that hosts the festival's chamber and opera programming. The festival has not yet detailed how the funds will be used.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced the creation of a Kentucky Office of Music during the Bourbon & Beyond festival in Louisville. The office is intended to support and promote the state's music industry, building on Kentucky's musical heritage and its growing festival scene. Details on funding and staffing were not immediately provided.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has announced the creation of a new state office dedicated to preserving the state's musical heritage and expanding its festival economy. The move signals an effort to turn Kentucky's music traditions into a broader economic driver, supporting festivals and cultural tourism across the state.

Some 330 musicians from across generations have performed at Pestapora 2026, the music festival held at JIExpo Kemayoran in Jakarta. Among the acts was singer Marcello Tahitoe performing with the veteran rock band Dewa 19, a pairing that highlighted the festival's mix of established and younger artists. The event continues to position itself as one of Indonesia's major music gatherings, drawing broad attention from fans nationwide.

The 2026 Hoodoo Festival has drawn thousands of attendees, combining live music with large-scale mural art, according to the Amarillo Globe-News. The event blends visual art installations and performances, attracting a broad crowd to the Texas Panhandle area. Coverage so far focuses on attendance figures and the festival's mix of art and music programming.

The Amana Colonies in eastern Iowa are once again hosting Oktoberfest, marking the 61st edition of the annual celebration of German heritage. The event typically draws visitors with traditional food, beer, music and dancing in the historic villages. Local organizers and attendees are welcoming the tradition's return, which remains one of the region's best-known fall festivals.

A country music songwriters festival is set to come to Buckeye Lake, Ohio, bringing the writers behind popular country hits to the village southeast of Columbus. Local outlet WSYX reported the announcement, which puts the lakeside community on the map as a destination for the genre's behind-the-scenes talent. Details on dates, lineup and venue have not yet been widely shared.

The Greenville Country Music Fest has announced its spring dates, with regional news outlets including FOX Carolina News, WCAX and AZ Family carrying the announcement. Details on the lineup and ticket sales have not been widely reported yet, but festival organizers are expected to share more information as the spring event approaches.

Porchfest OMA, the Omaha community music festival held on residential porches, is celebrating its tenth year with a lineup of music, art and neighborhood gatherings. The milestone edition highlights how the event has grown into a local tradition that brings residents and artists together across the city each year.

Messiah Lutheran Church has hosted its 5th Annual Oktoberfest, a community celebration combining traditional German food, music and fellowship. The event, now in its fifth year, has become a recurring gathering for congregation members and local residents. Coverage of the festival highlights the church's role in bringing the community together through a family-friendly cultural tradition.

A bluegrass festival is preparing to showcase traditional string-band music with fresh takes, according to the Big Bend Sentinel. The event aims to blend classic bluegrass sounds with new interpretations for attendees in the region. Little further detail about performers, dates or venue is available at this time.

The Power to the People Festival, billed as a 'Day of Peace, Love, Justice, and Music,' is set for October 3, 2026 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. The event is sold out and will stream live for free on MS NOW's YouTube channel, extending its reach beyond the venue.

Musician Matt DeMello is giving away free download codes for 'Jennifer's Appendix, Vol. 2: The VoidFest 2020 Set That Should Have Been', a recording of his April 20, 2020 streaming festival set, described as his first streaming festival and performed during quarantine. The release spans electronic-orchestral material and is being shared via GetMusic, with listeners invited to stream or download the set at no cost.

Art on the Avenue, the annual arts festival in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood, returns this Saturday, featuring hundreds of artists showing and selling their work along Mount Vernon Avenue. The event typically draws large crowds for live music, food and family activities, and local outlet ALXnow is highlighting its return as a standout weekend event in the area.

DIY Alive 2026 has revealed the sponsors backing its Music Futures Hub, the festival and conference strand dedicated to emerging artists and industry innovation. The announcement lists the partners supporting next year's event, which brings together live music, mentoring and showcase opportunities. Further details on the programme and line-up are expected closer to the festival.

The Brenham Heritage Museum and the Texas Arts & Music Festival are partnering to host a month-long juried art show in Brenham, Texas. The collaboration brings together the museum's exhibition space and the festival's arts audience, giving artists a judged showcase running across several weeks. Details on entry deadlines and prizes have not been widely reported yet, but the announcement is drawing attention in local arts circles.

The Bravo! Music Festival generated an estimated $38 million in revenue for Colorado businesses, according to CBS News. The figure covers spending tied to the event, benefiting hotels, restaurants and other local services across the state.

The Bad Saints Jazz Festival is coming to Lancaster, promising a diverse lineup of jazz that organizers describe as music 'that doesn't quite behave'. The festival aims to showcase experimental and genre-defying jazz acts, adding a new cultural event to the city's music calendar.

Brentwood, Los Angeles, held its first-ever 'Brentwood Bash' along San Vicente Boulevard, drawing large crowds for a street festival featuring local vendors, live music and games. Westside Today covered the event, noting the strong turnout for the inaugural edition. The gathering gave neighborhood businesses and residents a new community tradition and boosted foot traffic for shops along the boulevard.