As the days seem to grow longer with more daylight thanks to the arrival of the recent time change, for many lovers of live music it also signals the beginning of festival season.
For the first time in three years, music festivals across the country seem to be back at full strength. And the state of Mississippi, especially South Mississippi, is ready to prove just that.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast leads the way with a pair of the largest outdoor music festivals in the state with the return of CPR Fest as well as the annual Crawfish Music Festival, both of which take place in April at The Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
“Outdoor music festivals have always been the preferred type of entertainment for us and we are glad to be able to bring back CPR Fest after an eight year absence,” Mississippi Coast Coliseum Executive Director Matt McDonnell said. “Our Crawfish Festival is 28 years strong and just keeps getting better every year.”
Let’s take a look at those two events along with several more music festivals across the state of Mississippi.
Hub Fest (March 26th) — The one-day event is staged in beautiful Historic Downtown Hattiesburg and features four stages of live music. Lainey Wilson headlines this year’s event. The event is free to the public.
CPR Fest (Saturday, April 2nd) — The festival is back after a hiatus of several years, and it’s the first time the event will take place on the grounds of the Coast Coliseum since 2014. In addition to returning to its roots, CPR Fest will also feature a definitive South Mississippi flavor as 3 Doors Down is set to headline the show.
The one-day festival also features Seether and others. Gates open at 1 p.m., and the show starts at 2 p.m.
Crawfish Music Festival (April 21-24) — For almost three decades, the Coast Coliseum has hosted the Crawfish Music Festival on the front lawn.
This year’s festival features live music on the main stage over a four-day span and the talent includes, Koe Wetzel, Whiskey Myers and Jelly Roll among others.
Double Decker Festival (April 23&24) — Billed as “a two day celebration of food, music and the arts” Double Decker takes place on The Square in downtown Oxford. This year the event features Mavis Staples, Brett Young, The Revivalists, Maggie Rose, Samantha Fish and Trombone Shorty among others. It is free to the public.
Downtown Crawfish Jam (April 23) — This Music festival takes place in Hattiesburg at Walthall Park. Dwayne Doopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers are the featured headliners this year.
Mud Bug Music Fest (May 13-14) — Staged along the banks of the Mississippi River in Natchez, the two-day event this year features Bret Michaels, Drive-By-Truckers, Cody Jinks, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Lucinda Williams and more.
Ironhorse Music Festival (May 14) — This takes place at the Bo Diddley Pavillion in downtown McComb. Sweet Tea Trio headlines this years event.
Atwood Music Festival (May 27-28) — Billing itself as “the longest-running music festival in the state”, this event takes place Memorial Day weekend in Monticello.
