Riverbend Festival facts for kids
The Riverbend Festival is a super popular music festival that happens every year in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It started way back in June 1982 and was originally a five-night event. Over time, it became a three-night festival, which is how it is now. Riverbend is one of the top music festivals in the United States! It has even won many national awards for being so great.
Lots of people love Riverbend. More than 650,000 people come to the festival each year from all over Tennessee, the Southeast, and even other countries. On some nights, as many as 80,000 people might be there! The festival got its name because Chattanooga is built on a big bend in the Tennessee River.
More than a hundred different music acts perform at Riverbend every year. You can hear all kinds of music, like classic rock, country, urban, and bluegrass. There are three stages right next to the Tennessee River. The main stage, called the Coca-Cola Stage, is actually a huge barge (a flat-bottomed boat) that has been turned into a concert stage! It floats just off the shore, and people sit in special seats built into a hillside by the water. Other stages around the riverfront are supported by big companies.
To get into the festival, you need a special wristband. You can buy these wristbands before the festival starts for a cheaper price, or you can buy them at the gate. A wristband lets you in for one night or for all nights of the festival, except for a special event called the Bessie Smith Strut. When you want to buy food or souvenirs from the many vendors, you use a token system.
Contents
- Past Performers and Festival Highlights
- What Happened in 2024?
- Who Played in 2023?
- Who Played in 2022?
- Why No Festival in 2020 and 2021?
- Who Played in 2019?
- Who Played in 2018?
- Who Played in 2017?
- Who Played in 2016?
- Who Played in 2015?
- Who Played in 2014?
- Who Played in 2013?
- Who Played in 2012?
- Who Played in 2011?
- Who Played in 2010?
- Who Played in 2009?
- Who Played in 2008?
- Who Played in 2007?
- Who Played in 2006?
- Who Played in 2005?
- Who Played in 2004?
- Who Played in 2003?
- Who Played in 2002?
- Who Played in 2001?
- More Information
Past Performers and Festival Highlights
What Happened in 2024?
The Riverbend Festival did not happen in 2024. The organizers decided to take a "temporary break" to plan and make the festival even better for the future.
Who Played in 2023?
- Maren Morris
- Nathaniel Rateliff
- Trombone Shorty
Who Played in 2022?
- Brothers Osborne
- Cage The Elephant
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Why No Festival in 2020 and 2021?
There was no Riverbend Festival in 2020 or 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a time when many large events were canceled to keep people safe and healthy.
Who Played in 2019?
Who Played in 2018?
- Hank Williams Jr.
- The Wallflowers
- Luke Combs
- Switchfoot
- Dustin Lynch
- Flo Rida
- Third Eye Blind
- Brett Michaels
Who Played in 2017?
- Boz Scaggs
- Ludacris
- Old Dominion
- Toby Keith
- The Flaming Lips
Who Played in 2016?
- .38 Special
- Salt-n-Pepa
- Brett Eldredge
- Thomas Rhett
- Heart
- REO Speedwagon
Who Played in 2015?
Who Played in 2014?
Who Played in 2013?
- Jake Owen
- CeeLo
- Brandy
- Newsboys
- Dierks Bentley
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
Who Played in 2012?
- Eric Church
- Foreigner
- The Happy Together Tour
- Chris Tomlin
- The Band Perry
- Charlie Wilson
Who Played in 2011?
- Huey Lewis & the News
- The Beach Boys
- The Machine with the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra
- Casting Crowns
- Miranda Lambert
Who Played in 2010?
- Sheryl Crow
- Alison Krauss & Union Station
- Third Day
- Darius Rucker
- George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic
Who Played in 2009?
- Willie Nelson
- Train
- Three Dog Night
- Steven Curtis Chapman
- Commodores
- The B-52's
Who Played in 2008?
- ZZ Top
- The Black Crowes
- MercyMe
- Little Big Town
- Rodney Atkins
- Josh Turner
Who Played in 2007?
- The Alan Parsons Project
- The Avett Brothers
- Blake Shelton
- Craig Morgan
- Daughtry
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- Jars of Clay
- moe.
- Ricky Skaggs
- Steve Miller Band
- Vince Gill
Who Played in 2006?
- The Allman Brothers Band
- Kenny Rogers
- Los Lonely Boys
- Angie Stone
- Hank Williams, Jr.
- Sugarland
Who Played in 2005?
- Kid Rock
- Boyz II Men
- Michael McDonald
- Newsboys
- Cheap Trick
- Big and Rich
Who Played in 2004?
- LL Cool J
- Keith Urban
- Michelle Branch
- Michael W. Smith
- Styx
- Hayseed Dixie
Who Played in 2003?
Who Played in 2002?
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Blues Traveler
- Lonestar
- Nickel Creek
- Art Garfunkel
Who Played in 2001?
- Al Jarreau
- Rascal Flatts
- Collective Soul
- Carman
- Travis Tritt
More Information
- Riverbend Festival Official Website: http://www.riverbendfestival.com/
