
Notable Festivals
Parts of this are still in the "discovery" phase and, quite frankly, may never be finished. It's just the highlights, except for Monterey and Woodstock (natch). There is a complete line-up and some up-to-date CD info on those two pages. Most of the festivals listed here are in the US. A couple Canadian shows and the Isle Of Wight shows round out this Cliff Notes version of festival history.
Researching through band websites, local newspapers (via newspapers.com), setlist.com and Rolling Stone magazine has helped narrow down which days the artists actually performed. The posters shown may have artists listed who never appeared. Quite a few shady promoters who announced groups, but never bothered to actually have a signed contract (NorCal 69?).
First up are the summer or fall events held at one location on various days. The Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Big Sur, Rheingold/Schaefer Central Park shows, and the Mississippi River Festival are highlighted. The later two events tried to please everybody and thus featured big bands, jazz, and popular singers in addition to folkers/rockers. To keep the listings manageable, only "our" type of artists are shown. And only the years indicated.
Then we get into the real festivals. Even a couple that were cancelled. Details are briefly noted and links for further info. All listings updated in June 2021.
For a great article about rock festivals of the late 60s, read this article by How Rock Festivals Helped Change America .
June 2021 Update: A couple of website also have info about most of these festivals. The Woodstock Whisperer has a page on 1969 festivals and DJ-Tees has a swell page devoted to rock festivals. Both have more events than are featured here. Some of the appearing artist info may be out-of-date.
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1963-1971
Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals
Providence, Rhode Island
1964-1971
Big Sur Folk Shows
Near Big Sur, California
1967-1971
Rheingold/Schaefer Music Festival
Summer long, Central Park, New York
1969-1971
Mississippi River Festival
Summers, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Illinois
1965-1971
Philadelphia Folk Festival
Old Pool Farm, Schwenksville, Pennsylvania
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1965
The Acid Tests
Throughout the year, San Francisco, California
1966
Trips Festival
January 21-23, San Francisco, California
1967
A Gathering Of The Tribes For A Human Be-In
January 14, San Francisco, California
The 14 Hour Technicolour Dream
April 29, London, England
Magic Mountain Music Festival
June 10-11, Mt Tamalpias, California
Monterey International Pop Music Festival
June 16-18, Monterey, California
Festival Of Growing Things
July 1-2, Mt Tamalpias, California
1968
Miami Pop Festival
May 18-19, Miami, Florida
Northern California Folk-Rock Festival
May 18-19, Santa Clara, California
Newport Pop Festival
August 3-4, Costa Mesa, California
The Great South Coast Bank Holiday Pop Festivity
August 31, Isle Of Wight, England
Sky River Rock Festival & Lighter Than Air Fair
August 31-September 2, 1968, Sultan, Washington
San Francisco International Pop Festival
October 26 & 27, Pleasanton, California
Miami Pop Festival The unrelated 2nd one!
December 28-30, Miami, Florida
1969
Northern California Folk-Rock Festival
May 23-25, Santa Clara, California
Newport 69
June 20-22, Northridge, California
Toronto Pop Festival
June 21-22, Toronto, Ontario
Denver Pop Festival
June 27-29, Denver, Colorado
Atlanta International Pop Festival
July 4-5, Hampton, Georgia
Laurel Pop Festival
July 11-12, Laurel, Maryland
Seattle Pop Festival
July 25-27, Woodinville, Washington
Mid-West Rock Festival
July 25-27, West Allis, Wisconsin
Atlantic City Pop Festival
August 1-3, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Woodstock Music & Art Fair Presents An Aquarian Exposition
August 15-17, Bethel, New York
Wild West Festival
August 22-24, San Francisco, California
Isle Of Wight Festival Of Music
August 30-31, Wootton, England
Texas International Pop Festival
August 30-September 1, Dallas, Texas
Sky River Rock Festival & Lighter Than Air Fair II
August 30-September 1, Tenino, Washington
New Orleans Pop Festival
August 31-September 1, Prairieville, Louisiana
Toronto Rock & Roll Revival 1969
September 13, Toronto, Ontario
Palm Beach Music And Art Festival
November 28-30, West Palm Beach, Florida
Altamont Speedway Free Festival
December 6, Livermore, California
Miami Rock Festival
December 27-29, Miami, Florida
1970
Winter Festival For Peace
January 28, Madison Square Garden, New York City
The Festival Express
June 27-July 5, by train across Canada
Atlanta International Pop Festival
July 3-5, Byron, Georgia
New York Pop
July 17-19, Randal Island, New York City
Powder Ridge Rock Festival
July 31-August 2, Middlefield, Connecticut
Summer Festival For Peace
August 6, Shea Stadium, New York City
Goose Lake International Music Festival
August 7-9, Jackson, Michigan
Strawberry Fields Festival
August 7-9, Ontario, Canada
Isle Of Wight Festival
August 26-30, Freshwater, England
Sky River Rock Festival & Lighter Than Air Fair III
August 28-September 8, Washougal, Washington
1971
Celebration Of Life
June 21-28, McCrea, Louisiana
The Satsop River Fair And Tin Cup Races
September 3-6, Satsop, Washington
Links!
Wiki article on Rock Festivals
Famous Rock Festivals Of The 60s
Festivals at setlist.com
Festival (mostly new, but here's a good to start with)
Main Screen
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