Summer music festivals have become an American tradition over the past two decades, with droves of music aficionados flocking to locations around the country to get their groove on. This summer will be no different, as there are plenty of festivals that feature artists and attractions that will appeal to any music fan. Here’s a look at six of this year’s highest profile summer music gatherings.
Lollapalooza
Where: Chicago, Ill.
When: August 5 – 7
Tickets: $215 (before service charges) for three day wristband
Accomodations: Chicago area hotels, booked at own expense
Lollapalooza has gained a bad reputation among those in the music festival in crowd for offering overly mainstream music lineups summer after summer. That being said, there is no denying that Lollapalooza has earned the right to do whatever it wants, as the festival will be celebrating its 20twentieth anniversary this summer. Lolla’ has yet to release their lineup, though Kanye West has been the most rumored headlining act. The lineup is expected to be released by the end of April.
Sasquatch
Where: The Gorge Amphitheatre — George, Wash.
When: May 27-30
Tickets: Sold out. Tickets are currently for sale on stubhub.com for as low as $355.55 for a four-day festival pass.
Headliners: Foo Fighters, Death Cab for Cutie, Wilco, Modest Mouse, The Flaming Lips
Vibe: Offering the most unique venue of any summer music festival, Sasquatch takes up residency in a carved out hillside along the Columbia River. The meat of the festival’s lineup lies in the alternative and indie rock veins, featuring powerhouses of the genre like Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, Wilco and the Flaming Lips. Artists Major Lazer, Skrillex, Chromeo and MSTRKRFT give the 10th anniversary of Sasquatch a leg up on the other festivals in the electronic music department.
Hangout
Where: Gulf Shores, Ala.
When: May 20-22
Headliners: Paul Simon, Cee-Lo Green, Widespread Panic, Foo Fighters, The Avett Brothers
Tickets: $174 for a three-day festival pass
Accommodations: Gulf Shores area hotels, booked at varying expense
Vibe: Hangout’s early event dates both help and hinder the festival. Because it takes place before Memorial Day weekend, there may be less people who have fully transitioned into summer and vacationing mode by the time the music world descends on Gulf Shores. On the contrary, the early dates and relatively cheap three-day pass will attract people deterred by the timing and higher prices of Bonnaroo and Sasquatch. Hangout features a large amount of artist overlap with other festivals, with acts like the Foo Fighters and Widespread Panic also headlining other festivals, but its unique inclusions of Paul Simon and Cee-Lo Green make this festival an attractive ticket. The beach setting makes Hangout a great event for people looking to have a full blown summer experience a little earlier than most.
All Good
Where: Masontown, WV
When: July 14-17
15th Anniversary
Tickets: $204.97 (all fees included) for a four-day festival pass,; $173.04 (all fees included) for a three-day festival pass
Headliners: Furthur, Primus, Pretty Lights, moe., Umphrey’s McGee
Vibe: The All Good Music Festival and Campout doesn’t put on a front —– this is a festival devoted to jam-bands. The festival’s 15fifteenth edition will bring in hippies, wooks and noodle-dancers alike all looking for a weekend of relaxation and chilled-out tunes. Though all of the artists booked for All Good can be considered a part of the jam genre, there are many subgenres represented in the lineup, giving fans of all denominations a chance to jam on and jam out. STS9 and Pretty Lights are two of the most popular electronic-jam outfits performing today,; Umphree’s McGee and moe. bring a progressive rock vibe, and; Furthur and John Butler Ttrio bring a blend of bluegrass and rock elements that the jam-band genre was built on. Jam on indeed.