Festival Preview: 5 Must-See Artists at Music Midtown 2021

By: Jessica Nakamoto –

A hot spot for music lovers since its formation in 1994, Music Midtown has cemented its place as one of Atlanta’s premier festivals and the perfect destination for a weekend of local eats and top-tier music talent.

Returning to Piedmont Park this September 18-19, this year’s event will include over 30 artists, four stages, and a star-studded lineup featuring Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Megan Thee Stallion, Machine Gun Kelly, Bleachers, and many more.

With such a packed roster and life-long memories just waiting to be made, make sure to check out our picks below for our top 5 artists to see at Music Midtown 2021!

Buy tickets here.

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Jonas Brothers
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TORONTO, ON – AUG. 23 – Jonas Brothers performs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on August 23, 2019. (Photo: Jenna Hum/Aesthetic Magazine)

Everyone’s favorite boy band is back!

News of the Jonas Brothers’ reunion swept headlines in 2019 as former Disney stars Nick, Kevin, and Joe Jonas made one of the most exciting comebacks in recent memory.

Happiness Begins, the brothers’ fifth studio album and first full record since the trio’s almost six-year hiatus, was a monumental success, topping the U.S. Billboard 200 charts and adding to the band’s already impressive list of achievements.

Whether it be dozens of gold and platinum certifications, over one billion streams worldwide, three consecutive No. 1 albums, or sold out shows across the world, the Jonas Brothers are clearly hungry for more. Kids of the 90’s and early aughts are sure to enjoy the brothers’ Music Midtown performance and we can’t wait to sing our hearts out to classics such as “Lovebug” and “Year 3000” back-to-back with brand-new hits like “Sucker” and “Remember This.” Get ready world, our inner teenager is coming out to party!

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Machine Gun Kelly
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Machine Gun Kelly performs at O2 Ritz Manchester in Manchester, UK on September 28, 2017. (Photo: Priti Shikotra/Aesthetic Magazine)

Since his 2012 debut record Lace Up, Cleveland artist and actor Machine Gun Kelly has been a dominant presence on both screen and stage. Fans have come to expect big things from the rapper, and in 2020, MKG delivered an unexpected but extremely effective leap into the world of pop-punk.

Produced by Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and featuring collaborations with Halsey, Blackbear, and others, Tickets to My Downfall emerged as Kelly’s first No. 1 album and was even transformed into a musical drama titled Downfall High.

Don’t miss MKG at Music Midtown!

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Lauv
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Amassing multi-platinum certifications, making Spotify’s Global Top 100, and playing stadium shows opening for Ed Sheeran, all prior to the release of his debut album, Lauv is an artist whose talent and artistic prowess many have kept an eye on for quite some time.

~how i’m feeling~ (out March 2020) was a literal giant of a record with a massive tracklist of 21 total songs and guest stars ranging from Canada’s Alessia Cara to K-pop icons BTS. Highlighting a rainbow of emotions and drawing on personal experience, Lauv’s first album stands out from the crowd and the singer continues to dazzle fans with his delightfully colorful brand of pop music.

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Dashboard Confessional
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 03 – Dashboard Confessional performs at St Andrews Hall in Detroit on March 03, 2020. (Photo: Jamie Limbright/Aesthetic Magazine)

Led by frontman and guitarist Chris Carrabba, Dashboard Confessional is widely recognized as a quintessential leader of the early 2000’s emo-rock scene.

Acoustic guitar and deep heartfelt lyrics collide to form the band’s classic sound, and with seven albums and a greatest hits record under their belt, Dashboard Confessional was primed and ready for a smashing 20-year anniversary tour before the COVID-19 pandemic cut plans short. Proving to be an exceptionally difficult year, Carrabba was also dealt a particularly hard hand, suffering a severe motorcycle accident that left him with broken bones, severed muscles, and the need to completely re-learn how to play guitar from scratch. Yet, with outpourings of support and a fiercely positive outlook, Carrabba and the band are back and ready to rock the big festival stages they deserve.

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Mom Rock
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“We’re in it for the moms and basement gigs” – Mom Rock

Formed out of an impromptu jam session in a college dorm, and cutting their teeth playing sweaty basement and house shows, Boston’s Mom Rock are sure to tear up the stage at Music Midtown.

Known for their invigorating live shows and wild stage outfits, drummer Wilson Reardon, bassist and vocalist Tara Maggiulli, and vocalists and guitarists Curtis Heimburger and Josh Polack’s brand of alternative-rock is inspired by the likes of Weezer, Talking Heads and Catfish and the Bottlemen, smashed together with their own unique brand of chaotic but exhilarating energy.

Currently making their mark in the DIY scene, we can’t wait to see what musical mischief Mom Rock gets up to next!