Summer sits around the corner ready to revive us with her warmth and provide extra hours of sunshine to enjoy the beach, barbeques and great music. Here’s an eclectic compilation of the nation’s top music festivals.
May 14-16, Gulf Shores, AL
- Performances run from noon -11 pm each day with over 60 scheduled artists
- Attendance is limited to 35,000 people per day
- $159 gets you a 3 day pass and $500 gets you VIP/hangout privileges
- Accommodations range from campsites to ocean front condos
- According to one New Orleans blog, the festival’s name comes from a restaurant that stands on the beach. In the 50’s and 60’s “The Hangout was the coolest place to meet on the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama...The Hangout wasn’t just a place, it was the place"
- For all other information from a fan’s perspective, check out this interview with the festival director
June 3-6, Mulberry Mountain Ozark, AR
- Eclectic mix of over 70 artists on 4 different stages
- Beautiful, heartland environment conducive to camping
- Attracts music devotees from all 50 States and 5 countries
- For up to date lineup/festival info, be sure to check in with this oft-updated site
- Coventry Music blog predicts that Wakarusa will be “the festival of the summer”
- With an “incredible” lineup in a scenic setting, many attendees love the sunrise yoga sessions that accompany the final music acts which wrap up around 7 or 8 in the morning
June 10-13, Manchester, TN
- 2010 headliners include Dave Matthews Band, Conan O’Brien, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, Regina Spektor, The Flaming Lips amongst many others
- Bring your camping gear, pack organic/eco-friendly foods and avoid waste—smokers are required to bring ashtrays
- Festival passes run $234.50 while supplies last and cost $249.50 thereafter. $23.10 gets you a ticket for an individual act
- For some good tips from a veteran attendee, check out this article which reminds fans to bring money for the overpriced food, beverage etc. they’ll be able to buy
- Another resource for the potential ‘Roo participant , this article was written by another experienced festival-er & reminds newbies to bring their own beer (just no glass bottles)
- For a review of past festivals, check out this participants recollections or this student article from Western Georgia University
June 11-13, Santa Rosa, CA
- 2010 highlights include: Lauryn Hill, Jai Uttal and the Pagan Love
Orchestra feat. Tina Malia, Diego’s Umbrella plus many other eccentric
acts.
Held in northern California, the festival appeals to tofu gnawing, yoga-doing, eco-conscious, progressive, healthy types
- According to one MySpace blog post, the festival is “comprised largely of 'cultural creatives' who actively support the burgeoning Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) movement”
- Full weekend pass for adults costs $119. Day passes also exist and for $30, kids can rock away for the entire weekend
- Lineup also includes quirky performance art reaching into the dance/theater realm
June 24-July 4, Milwaukee, WI
- 2010 lineup includes: Counting Crows, Sheryl Crow, Thievery
Corporation, Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood and Modest Mouse
- A brief article from last year’s festival provides quotes from
attendees offering insights like: stay hydrated, slather on sunscreen
and make sure you have comfy shoes etc.
- For up to date information of added acts and performers, check out
Summerfest’s own blog
- Adult day tickets purchased at the gate are $8. Evening and
weekend adult admission tickets at the gate are $15. Children's and senior's tickets are $3. A 3-day pass costs $33—a $12 off evening and
weekend admission price
July 2-4, New Orleans, LA
- According to Celebrity Lounge,
Janet Jackson headlines opening night of the festival.
- Other scheduled acts include Alicia Keys, Earth, Wind & Fire,
Jill Scott and Mary J Blige.
- Most festival-goers stay in hotels
- Front floor tickets for the weekend will run $540-$636 and terrace
weekend tickets cost $159. Several intermediate options are also
available not to mention 2 VIP options.
July 2-4 Oxford, ME
- Nateva Music & Camping Festival delivers fantastic music and
bands on a sprawling, tranquil 100-acre fairground in Oxford Maine
- This year, the fun includes an eclectic group of performers
including George Clinton, Funkadelic, Phil Lesh (formerly from the
Grateful Dead), blues great Susan Tedeschi, The Felice Brothers, Ryan
Montbleau, Max Creek. Lotus, Moonalice (Here's a full line up)
- At Helium,
a music fan gives her advice as to who and what to expect and how to
prepare for optimal, music enjoyment
- A more cogent account of
scheduled acts is described here
- Tickets for the fest are $199 with camping and $179 without. VIP
packages start at $425
July 8-11 Masontown, WV
- 3 and 4 day passes available
- Prepare for old-fashioned camping in grassy, bucolic surroundings
- Amenities include: ATMs, serviced port-a-johns, designated water
stations, first aid medical unit, children's activities area, shower
house ( for a nominal fee), and (weather permitting) designated
bonfires. Ice, food vendors (of many dietary preferences). Crafts, and
some supplies will be available for sale from official vendors. Please
do not buy from unregistered vendors
- For a link to the full lineup, check out this Baltimore based blog
July 15-18, Cadott, WI
- A great getaway for the all-American rocker in the heartland. With 24 hour security and night lighting, the festival does its part to make visitiors feel comfortable
- A variety of ticketing options exist from VIP to one-day passes. In the cheapest zone, Zone A, a four day adult will run you $155 versus a 1 day adult price of $77.50. There’s also a reserved lawn chair for $250. Prices are slightly higher in zones B and C
- Artist highlights include: Limp Bizkit, Daughtry, John Mellencamp, Collective Soul and 3 Doors Down
- Perks include: free hot showers, two 24 hour convenience stores, ATM, and fresh water stations
- For information on camping ground fees and procedures check in here
July 15-18, Morristown, OH
- Headliners include: Jamey Johnson, Brooks and Dunn, Charlie Daniels Band among others
- Hailed as the super bowl of country music, hotel packages are still available
- Through the official site, attendees can arrange to have all the details of their trip planned for them by festival insiders
- For updated artist and festival information, check out this helpful guide to the Jamboree
July 16-18, Chicago, IL
- Headliners to include: Modest Mouse, Broken Social Scene, Robyn Liars, El-P, The Tallest Man on Earth and Sharon Van Etten
- Sponsored by Whole Foods amongst other artsy patrons, Pitchfork boasts affordability with most tickets costing about 40 bucks
- For a concise full list of acts check out the Chicagoist and Paste Magazine
- This post at Planet Green gives a great, overall view of the festival’s vibe—describing its indie appeal and great location
August 6-8, Chicago, IL
- Of the 124 scheduled acts, major performers include: Soundgarden, Green Day, Lady Gaga, The Strokes, Cyress Hill and many others
- Tips for festival survival from an experienced attendee to avoid festival burn-out
- Revered as the “grand-daddy of summer music festivals” a standard three-day pass costs $215 while VIP packages run around $850.
- For information on a quirky addition to the line-up, Venezuelan acid-funk troupe Los Amigo Invisibles consult this little profile on the crazy-cats from below the equator
August 6-15, Bethlehem, PA
-
This year’s festival promises thrilling performances by the Counting Crows, Adam Lambert, The Doobie Brothers plus a slew more.
- The party truly is in the middle of downtown Bethlehem—roads are closed for a million or so people to jam away.
- There are 14 stages; 11 are completely free and require no ticket.
- Food/drink is available just about everywhere sold via a ticket system. Musikfest has famous beverage mugs that keep your drink cold in the hot summer sun—plus a discount on beer refills.
- For the latest, Leigh Valley music news, specifically Musikfest, keep in touch here with profiles of up and coming acts to be featured this summer.
September 2-5, Rockford, IL
- 2010 featured acts include Hinder, Billy Idol.
- 12 dollars gets you 3 days of unlimited musical awesomeness.
- Since 1986, OTW has helped over 200 non-profits raise over $9.7 million in revenue for their yearly operations.
- For fest updates and practical info check out this helpful MySpace music blog.
September 4-6, Seattle, WA
- 40 years old, Bumbershoot unites the best artists in music, film, comedy, spoken word, dance and theater under one banner.
- North America’s largest urban arts festival, Bumbershoot draws over 150,000 visitors.
- One ticket ($22 in advance, $30 at the gate) gets you open access—hands on involvement encouraged!
- Keep in touch with all things Bumbershoot—as well as other Seattle happenings here—with practical insights into tickets and performances.
- For tips from an experienced festival-er, check out these 11 concise tips on how to milk the most from Bumbershoot.
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