And They’re Back…The Return of the Concert Craze

After Multiple Delays, Music Festivals Will Be in Full Swing

Many+concerts+were+cancelled+due+to+the+pandemic%2C+but+now+they+are+returning+with+new+exciting+experiences.

Picture taken by Action Vance. Photo found on Unsplash

Many concerts were cancelled due to the pandemic, but now they are returning with new exciting experiences.

Jason Rong, Opinion Editor

Can you recall getting turned up with people who have the same music taste as you? How about singing your jam at the top of your lungs next to your favorite artist? If you do, I have some good news for you: concerts are back! Here are live performances you can experience in April 2022.

Dreamville Festival

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Date: April 2nd – 3rd 

Genre: Rap 

April 3rd can’t come soon enough; the world-renowned North Carolina native J Cole is bringing his festival back to spice up 2022. Dreamville Festival has a reputation for being nothing but great. In 2019, it brought out some of music industry’s biggest names, including “Eternal Atake” rapper Lil Uzi Vert, “Good Days” singer SZA, and “Bounce Back” rapper Big Sean. If you are a fan of J Cole, you’ve definitely listened to his album The Revenge of the Dreamers and know the names of his artists by heart. His artists Bas and JID delivered a solid performance in 2019, and fans expect them to top that this year. If you have a second thought about traveling because of COVID, Dreamville Festival would be your best bet because it’ll be held here in Raleigh at Dorothea Dix Park. Although the lineup for Dreamville Festival hasn’t been announced yet, you can ensure that it will be solid because J Cole never disappoints. 

Coachella

Location: Indio, California

Date: April 15th – April 24th

Genre: Electronic Dance, Pop, Hip Hop

After enduring two insufferable years of postponements and cancellations, concertgoers are celebrating the return of Coachella. Coachella is one of the hottest music festivals in the United States, and this year, people are anticipating it to be bigger than it has ever been. How can they not be? Household names from different genres are headlining Coachella. The Swedish House Mafia, the group that made a comeback with its hit “Moth to a Flame” last October, will be performing at Coachella. Fans of house music are excited by this because it will mark the tenth anniversary of the group’s first Coachella appearance. Coachella has also got you covered if pop music is your go to. After breaking records with his “Love on Tour,” Pop icon Harry Styles is back doing what he does best, performing. And this time, it will be on the ravishing stage of Coachella. Hip Hop fans are eagerly waiting for a legendary Coachella performance from Kanye West. What makes this Kanye appearance extra special is that it will feature music from Donda 2, his highly anticipated album that’s set to drop on February 22nd. In addition to vibing to music from household names, you’ll get to enjoy sound crafted by underground artists such as Belly, Kim Petras, and Freddie Gibb; they will make you fall in love with their crafts and make room in your playlist for new music. 

Stagecoach Festival 

Location: Indio, California

Date: April 29th – May 1st

Genre: Country 

Stagecoach is the biggest country music festival in the United States. If you are a fan of country music, Stagecoach is for you! Some notable mentions from this year’s Stagecoach lineup are Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, and Zack Bryan. The tickets for Stagecoach cost around 300 dollars, and it seems like every penny would be worth it. Also, if you have a little brother or sister, you should let them tag along because kids ten and under can enjoy the festival for free. Something worth noting about Stagecoach is that it has removed all COVID precautions, which means that the risk of getting COVID at Stagecoach is high. If you find yourself at Stagecoach in April or May, please do everything within your ability to keep yourself and others safe from COVID. 

Concerts are back! Who’s ready to turn up?