Wonderfront Announces 2024 Lineup, Focused Schedule & VIP Upgrades
The Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival has announced the lineup for its third bow, taking place May 10-12 alongside San Diego’s scenic bayfront – and it might surprise you. Especially if you were expecting the same level of talent as the last two outings. This year’s six headliners across the three-day event are Haitian-Canadian rapper and DJ Kaytranada and JID on Friday, Weezer and singer-songwriter Dominic Fike on Saturday, and Beck and indie rock band Mt. Joy on Sunday.
Excepting Weezer and Beck, this crew is in sharp contrast to headliners performing at previous Wonderfronts. For its 2019 debut, the bill featured Miguel, Migos and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons. And when the fest returned post-pandemic in 2022, Gwen Stefani, Zac Brown Band and Kings of Leon graced the main stage.
Also new this year: Wonderfront is changing up its daily schedule. Each day is dedicated to specific genres of music, with Friday focused on hip-hop, house and indie groove pop, Saturday on rock and indie-pop, and Sunday featuring a mix of “organic grooves” and “purpose-driven artists.” If that seems difficult to pin down, consider that hip-hop group The Roots, reggae legends Steel Pulse, and British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield are all playing on Sunday.
Additional acts you might recognize include Auto-Tune innovator T-Pain, Dayglow, Carly Rae Jepsen, and German electro-pop duo Milky Chance, which missed out on opening for Young the Giant at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Amphitheater last August due to a schedule change.
Beyond that, each day is stacked with emerging artists like violinist/singer Sudan Archives, Canadian instrumental band BADBADNOTGOOD, and Abby Anderson, a country music singer-songwriter from Southlake, Texas.
“We're excited to showcase the hottest breakout artists and beloved industry veterans across multiple different genres,” Paul Thornton, CEO of Wonderfront, said of the lineup.
Moving to themed days is an interesting strategy – and one that most fests don’t follow. The question is, will it yield higher daily attendance, attracting house lovers on Friday, for example, who might not otherwise spring for all three days to see those artists throughout the weekend?
Another intriguing move this year – particularly in light of a lineup appealing to a younger audience – is an upgraded VIP experience. Typically, these premium experiences target a mature concertgoer with more discretionary income. For high rollers (of any age), there will be multiple VIP areas next to the main stages, as well as front row viewing with more space and multiple access points. Even more luxurious, VIP ticket holders can gain access to a limo boat for harbor party cruises and an exclusive hideaway lounge in the new EDM dance club.
Early-bird pricing kicks off today, with general on sale beginning on Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. PST. General admission early-bird prices are $129 per day and $315 for a three-day pass, while early-bird VIP tickets are $399 per day and $999 for a three-day pass. Visit Wonderfront Festival for tickets, schedules, and more information.