Jimi Hendrix’s searing rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock not only went down as a decade-defining performance, but also helped establish music festivals as powerful cultural events. Music has always been a part of religious celebrations and gatherings, but it was only in the 20th century that events started focusing on dancing and innovation. The guide below explores a bit of the history behind these cultural phenomena.

The Origins of Music Festivals

Religious and cultural festivals have featured performances by popular artists since Ancient Greece. In the 1700s, a touring choir packed cathedrals across England with renditions of pieces from Rossini, Mozart, and Beethoven. In the next century, religious gatherings known as camp meetings drew evangelists from across the country for choir performances and prayer.

While the first Woodstock festival might be the most famous event of the 20th century, it certainly wasn’t the first. In 1954, artists like Billie Holiday and Dizzy Gillespie drew a crowd of over 11,000 people to the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island, which still happens every year.

In 1967, The Monterey International Pop Festival introduced American audiences to The Who and featured debut performances from Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. It was the first major rock festival in the United States, setting the stage for Woodstock and other major cultural events.

The Music Festivals of Today

Throughout the 70s and 80s, music festivals began cropping up all over the world, most of them focusing on rock and punk bands. However, in the 90s, a new genre exploded in popularity: EDM, electronic dance music, sprang from the nightclubs of Berlin and transformed the festival scene.

Soon, electronic music festivals were happening all over the world, opening the doors for events of all genres. Today, fans of hip-hop, rap, country, and almost any other type of music can watch their favorite acts perform on the same stages.

 

Featuring a lineup of up-and-coming DJs, Litty Palooza in Johnsonville, SC, is guaranteed to get your body moving. Bring a cooler and enjoy great music and vibes alongside new and old friends. They offer various food vendors and free Hennessy all day. Visit their website to learn more about them, call (843) 933-5085 to ask about upcoming dates, or follow their Facebook page for updates.