From Hangout Music Fest to June Jam, Alabama has its share of festivals that will rock your socks off, but Southern Living thinks one rocks harder than them all, at least in our state.

In a piece called “The South’s Best Music Festivals You Should Attend,” writer Cameron Beall logs world-class events such as Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival as well as other familiar favorites in Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee.

“In the South, music festivals are about more than who’s on the lineup: It’s a cultural experience, from food and drinks to the arts, and even your surroundings,” Beall writes, sharing selections that range from “iconic, long-standing festivals to new-and-notable music gatherings” you should hit up ASAP.

RELATED: June Jam 2023 lineup announced for Alabama’s country concert’s return

Landing the 13th spot on the list, one of Alabama’s premiere festivals annually: Rock the South.

“What was intended as a one-time event is now celebrating over ten years of [performances] by some of the top names in country music, from Alan Jackson and Chris Stapleton to Luke Bryan and Brett Eldridge,” Beall writes. “First hosted in 2012 to celebrate how the region came together after the tornadoes that tore across Alabama in April 2011, today Rock The South continues to raise money for community partners across the state.”

Read the full Southern Living list.

Which other Alabama festivals belong on a list highlighting the South’s best? We mentioned Hangout Fest and June Jam as some of the state’s top options, and we certainly miss the days of City Stages, Big Spring Jam and Sloss Fest. But Rock the South is as good a pick as any, annually attracting thousands of die-hard country/rock fans to watch some of the hottest acts in the business.

Chris Stapleton will headline Rock the South 2023. The Cullman festival (located at at York Farms, 1872 County Road 469) will also welcome Cody Johnson, Zach Bryan, Alabama native Riley Green, Travis Tritt, Jo Dee Messina, Bailey Zimmerman, Drake Milligan and several other acts.

Rock the South — officially known as Pepsi Rock the South — is owned and produced by Nathan Baugh of 46 Entertainment and Shane Quick of Premier Productions. The fest started off small in 2012, with a single-day lineup that featured Dierks Bentley, Kellie Pickler, Brent Cobb and Jon Pardi at at Heritage Park in Cullman. It changed significantly in 2013, when the new team of organizers replaced the City of Cullman and its parks department. Birmingham’s Jay Barker and Sara Evans were co-owners of the event in 2013-2015, along with Quick, but left the partnership after three years. The festival expanded its footprint in 2019, moving to the current 140-acre site.

Rock the South has previously booked high-profile performers such as Eric Church, Little Big Town, Florida Georgia Line, Kid Rock, Thomas Rhett, Hank Williams Jr., Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Maren Morris, Alan Jackson, The Band Perry, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Brooks & Dunn, Jamey Johnson, Jimmie Allen and more, mostly mixing country and Southern rock.

More on Rock the South:

Rock the South: 20 big stars who played at the music festival in Alabama

Rock the South 2022: Faces of the festival in Alabama

Rock the South 2023: Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Riley Green, Zach Bryan on lineup

Mary Colurso contributed to this story.