Desert Rock

Desert Rock: 20 upcoming festivals. Dates: October 2026 to August 2027. The most Desert Rock: FOUD ROCK, Freak Valley Festival, and Planet Desert Rock 2027.

Desert Rock is characterized by its heavy, fuzzed-out guitar riffs, often played at a mid-tempo groove, creating a hypnotic and expansive soundscape that evokes the vast, arid landscapes of its namesake. Originating in the Southern California desert in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it draws heavily from psychedelic rock, blues rock, and hard rock, with a distinct emphasis on improvisation and jam-band sensibilities. Iconic artists like Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, and Fu Manchu are quintessential examples of the genre's sun-baked, riff-driven aesthetic. Often considered synonymous with stoner rock, its influence extends to various forms of heavy alternative music.

The most Desert Rock festivals

Ranked by the share of the lineup tagged Desert Rock (at least 5 identified artists).

  1. FOUD ROCK

    Nov 13 – Nov 14, 2026

    Trappes, France 🇫🇷

    With HIGH ON WHEELS

    1 / 8 Desert Rock artistsout of a 9-artist lineup13% Desert Rock

  2. Freak Valley Festival

    May 27 – May 29, 2027

    Netphen-Deuz, Germany 🇩🇪

    With Bong Voyage, Lowrider

    2 / 17 Desert Rock artistsout of a 18-artist lineup12% Desert Rock

  3. Planet Desert Rock 2027

    Jan 28 – Jan 31, 2027

    Las Vegas, United States 🇺🇸

    With Sundrifter, Steak

    2 / 21 Desert Rock artists10% Desert Rock

  4. Heavy Psych Sounds Fest London 2026

    Nov 13 – Nov 14, 2026

    London, United Kingdom 🇬🇧

    With Psychlona

    1 / 11 Desert Rock artists9% Desert Rock

  5. Metal and Beer Fest Denver 2026

    Dec 4 – Dec 5, 2026

    Denver, United States 🇺🇸

    With Kylesa

    1 / 12 Desert Rock artists8% Desert Rock

  6. Desertfest London

    May 21 – May 23, 2027

    Camden, London, United Kingdom 🇬🇧

    With Kylesa, Druidess

    2 / 29 Desert Rock artistsout of a 30-artist lineup7% Desert Rock

  7. Headbangers Boat

    Oct 30 – Nov 2, 2026

    Norwegian Jewel, United States 🇺🇸

    With Kylesa

    1 / 18 Desert Rock artistsout of a 20-artist lineup6% Desert Rock

  8. Clockenflap 2026

    Dec 4 – Dec 6, 2026

    Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China 🇭🇰

    With Queens of the Stone Age

    1 / 18 Desert Rock artistsout of a 19-artist lineup6% Desert Rock

  9. Motocultor Festival 2027

    Aug 19 – Aug 22, 2027

    Carhaix-Plouguer, France 🇫🇷

    With SLOMOSA

    1 / 19 Desert Rock artists5% Desert Rock

  10. Sweden Rock Festival 2027

    Jun 9 – Jun 12, 2027

    Sölvesborg, Sweden 🇸🇪

    With Fu Manchu, Queens of the Stone Age

    2 / 48 Desert Rock artistsout of a 50-artist lineup4% Desert Rock

Upcoming Desert Rock festivals

All Desert Rock festivals, near you or worldwide

Narrow down by area, region, country or continent: worldwide by default. With the box unticked, the list also includes festivals whose line-up is still partial, or not announced yet while their previous edition featured this genre.