Now that mandates have been lifted, concerts have returned and fans are eager to experience some of their favorite artists live this summer. From outdoor amphitheaters to stadium tours, there is nothing better than seeing your favorite artist and belting your favorite songs at the top of your lungs.
The only way to make the night perfect is by sharing this experience with your loved one and creating memories that will last long after the summer is over. In this study, we here at Shane Co. found out which states are most obsessed with live music and which performer is their favorite!
Methodology
We compiled 134 search terms related to music festivals and artists on tour this summer, using sites like Festicket and Parade. To find out the most popular artist and festivals in each state, we used Google Trends to analyze the search terms in order to find the highest search interest over the past year. To determine the most music-obsessed states, we calculated the total search interest for each artist, musical group, and festival in each state.
The Most Obsessed U.S. States
To dive into the most live music-obsessed states, we took each state’s top artist and festival on tour this summer and calculated each state’s search term interest to find the obsession levels.
It’s official, California is the most live music-obsessed state in the country! This may come as no surprise, as some of the most popular festivals, including Coachella and Stagecoach, take place in the Golden State. The top-searched summer artist of the year, Machine Gun Kelly, won over residents in California this summer as the state’s number one musical artist. Hopefully, his fans got a chance to see him perform live during one of his three concerts in California this summer.
The next most music-obsessed state is Nevada. Nevada is a fantastic destination for live music, attracting fans from all over to see some of the best artists in the world perform in Las Vegas. In Vegas, the bigger, the better, and Nevada’s most searched performer, Lady Gaga, is acclaimed for her flashy and unique shows! Nevada also hosts the Electric Daisy Carnival, a three-day EDM concert in Las Vegas.
Rounding out our top three music-obsessed states is Pennsylvania! This could be due to the influx of festivals hosted by surrounding states, like The Governors Ball in New York or Firefly Music Festival in Delaware. When it comes to the favorite touring artist or band, The Eagles are concertgoers’ favorite in the state. This may be the only time a Steelers fan will say they like the Eagles!
The Most Popular Musical Artist/Group in Every U.S. Region
Machine Gun Kelly, an artist who mixes rap with alternative hip-hop and rock, is the most searched-for artist this summer. In March 2022 he released his new “Mainstream Sellout” album, which he is performing on tour this summer. Machine Gun Kelly ranked as the most popular artist in five states, including Arkansas, California, Iowa, Ohio, and Oklahoma.
You may remember him from his debut single “Baby,” or as one of America’s favorite heartthrobs; Justin Bieber is the next biggest performer on tour this summer. This talented artist is a favorite in four states: Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, and New Jersey. Due to a medical diagnosis, Justin Bieber had to postpone his tour but will relaunch it starting July 31.
There is a melting pot of musical preferences across the country this summer, as the top artists contribute to a variety of genres. Some concertgoers will be belting out “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys, while others will scream “Rock and Roll All Night” by KISS.
The Top-Searched Summer Festival in Each U.S. State
For big music fans, going to a festival may be the best option so that you can watch several of your favorite artists perform at the same venue! The top-searched festival of the summer is Burning Man, topping search interest in 17 states. Burning Man is a week-long festival in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada starting August 28, 2022.
This summer’s second-largest festival is Rolling Loud, ranking number one in 12 states. Rolling Loud showcases some of the biggest rap artists of 2022, with headliners including Kayne West, Kendrick Lamar, and Future, and is hosted in Miami and New York.
If you’re looking for a fun weekend getaway, many festivals are going on this summer. Coachella, Country Music Festival, AFROPUNK, and The Governors Ball are among the other notable festivals. If these festivals are sold out or have already come and gone, be sure to mark your calendars for next year!
Closing Thoughts
We know that music is a great way to express love and can connect people worldwide. The best way to enjoy music this summer is to share it with someone you love.
Maybe you are building that perfect wedding reception playlist or still trying to find that first-dance song that will bring tears of joy to your loved ones’ eyes. While that and many other choices involving your special day can be difficult to make, the team at Shane Co. can help ease some of the stress by helping you find your perfect wedding bands and more.
