The r/festivals subreddit recently hosted a lively discussion on which music festivals are overrated or underrated, revealing a wide spectrum of opinions from the community.
Underrated Festivals Highlighted:
- Gathering of the Juggalos — Praised for its wild but surprisingly safe and community-focused vibe, free amenities, and inclusive atmosphere. Often misunderstood by the public, it stands out as a cult favorite.
- Cascade Equinox (Oregon) — Noted for immersive experiences that deserve more attention.
- Dreamstate SoCal — A unique festival highlighted for its distinct offerings.
- Dark Star Jubilee — Recognized for its special features and smaller scale charm.
- Infrasound — Appreciated for its intimate atmosphere and community feel.
- Deep Tropics Art and Music Festival (Nashville) — Celebrated for blending art and music into a cohesive, underrated event.
Overrated Festivals Called Out:
- Outside Lands (San Francisco) — Though massively popular, criticized for overcrowding and losing an intimate festival feel.
- EDC Las Vegas — Noted for issues with overcrowding and heavy corporatism detracting from the original spirit.
- Bender Jamboree — Some guests feel it’s overrated despite strong headliners like String Cheese Incident and Railroad Earth.
- Lost Lands — Bass-heavy lineup but some visitors are put off by the crowd vibe.
- Electric Sun Desert Music Festival — Cited for serious safety concerns impacting attendee experience.
Community Concerns:
An underlying theme is the tension between growth and atmosphere—smaller fests gaining popularity could lose their intimate, close-knit vibes as crowds swell.
This nuanced convo from r/festivals spotlights how safety, crowd dynamics, community feel, and vibe are core in shaping festival reputations in 2025. Fans seem eager to balance the fame and underground appeal of their fests.
Source: r/festivals