What happens when you just couldn’t swing the trip to SXSW this year? Aside from pouring over festival street style pics and your friends’ Instagram accounts? You check out a list of just-as-amazing musical get-togethers happening all over the country all spring and summer long, and even into next fall. Surely you didn’t think Coachella and SXSW were the only shows around?
From serious EDM fans to the casual top 40 lover; from punk rock riot girls to bluegrass boho babes; and from the couple who just wants to get away to the couple who wants to bring their kids along, there’s a festival for you. And to prove it, here’s a list of 10 shows going on throughout the U.S. that will have your warmer months totally rocking out. You might even want to rethink the band tee and cut-offs you put in your donation pile when you started to spring clean.
Ultra
Just can’t get enough EDM? From March 28-30, the biggest names in the genre will be on hand to please your auditory senses. This is one party in Miami you don’t want to miss. Avicii, David Guetta, Zedd and the incomparable Tiesto are all included in the hit-maker lineup. Lesser knowns will be filling in the gaps. Your new favorite spin artist is waiting for you to discover here. Visit ultramusicfestival.com.
Counterpoint
April 25-27 will mark the second annual festival that’s fast becoming the go-to for all of us who love electronic music with a side of hip hop. Set at a camp site called Kingston Downs, located in Georgia, this lineup features tons of acts from Foster the People to Pretty Lights. OutKast is headlining and an appearance will be made by Janelle Monae. Set to go off in rain or shine, bring your outdoor gear and be prepared to get taken away to another world, lifted up by sound. Visit counterpointfestival.com for tickets, packages, lineup, times and more information. Oh, and if you’re not into RVs or nylon tents, check out their “glamping” packages. It’s camping for boys and girls who don’t like to get too roughed up in the wilderness.
Beale Street
For a mashup of popular artists, you’ve got to hit up Beale Street in Memphis, TN. It’s the 38th year and while it might have started out catering to rock and blues fans, it’s become so much more. May 2-4, you’ll get a chance to see Kid Rock, Snoop Lion (previously Dogg), Blues Traveler, Patti LaBelle, and sets by Foster the People as well as Pretty Lights, just in case you didn’t get to Counterpoint. Over 40 acts are scheduled. While some festivals are over-18 affairs, this is one the whole family can get into. The official site for all the information you need: memphisinmay.org.
Sasquatch!
Last year, this festival sold out in 90 minutes flat. This year, it’s going to be on two separate weekends over Memorial Day and Fourth of July and each version is promising a different lineup, so you might want to check out both if you can swing it over to George, WA twice. Look forward to M.I.A and The National in May, then La Roux and Frank Ocean in June. sasquatchfestival.com will give you all the details.
Summer Camp
With over 70 acts on over seven stages, this is not the summer camp your parents carted you off to in between school years. But it is located in the ultra friendly Midwest, Chillicothe, IL to be exact, during May 23-25. This is another campground affair; you’ll want to bring a tent. There’s no glamping, but for anyone who loves everything from hard rock and funk to electronic and country, it might be worth a couple days without a shower. Get excited for the Zac Brown Band, Primus and bands that haven’t even been announced yet. summercampfestival.com has the details.
Telluride Bluegrass
The title explains it all. Set in gorgeous Telluride, CO on June 19-22, surrounded by mountains, any fan of country bluegrass will be dazzled. Not to mention, the whole town gets in on the fun with special events scheduled indoors to keep the festival alive after the shows. This is a classic festival, over 40 years old, those who make the yearly pilgrimage are called Festivarians. And here’s another family affair. You can pick between camping and hotels for accommodations, too. Check out the lineup at bluegrass.com
Electric Forest
The weekend of June 26 is going to give Rothbury, MI something to talk about for the rest of the year. The Double JJ resort is hosting a festival that includes Glitch Mob, Zedd, STS9 and Ms. Lauren Hill. That’s right, Lauren Hill is performing! Set in, you guessed it, a forest, the atmosphere here is incredible. Light shows at night will give you a reason to stay up until the sun makes its morning appearance over the horizon. electricforestfestival.com is the place to get your tickets, asap.
Lollapalooza
Okay, be honest, you might not have even known this one was still happening. After all, it’s heyday was during the 90s alternative rock era. But guess what? That music still rocks, literally. And a host of amazing acts who’ve taken up the mantle are going to be performing, not to mention our favorite acts from back in the day. The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, the Killers, the Postal Service and so many more are set to take stage. You might want to take a trip to Chicago between August 1-3. Get tickets here: lollapalooza.com
Bumbershoot
Bumbershoot isn’t just about the music, although there’s plenty of it. From Tegan and Sara to Kendrick Lamar, last year’s lineup will get you giddy for what 2014 has to offer, which has yet to be announced. This is a total arts festival that includes visual art shows as well as comedy acts, spoken word and even theater shows. Outdoor and indoor spectacles abound in and around the Seattle Center in Washington between August 1-3. There is seriously something for everyone. Keep track of news at bumbershoot.org
Riot Fest
Like a little anarchy in your life? Or at least to rock out to it? Punk lovers flock to the Riot Fest each year. In 2014, during the weekend of September 12-14, this Chicago, IL festival is the place to be if you’re not over the Met’s punk-themed gala from last year. Pack all your studded and plaid gear to wear here. 2014’s lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but you can check in at riotfest.org. Until then feel free to stock up on music from previous headliners like Fall Out Boy, Blink-182 and the Violent Femmes. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the fashion icon Debbie Harry on stage. She’s performed with Blondie at Riot Fest before.
