Grab a tent and your buds for a weekend or week like no other completely filled with music, art and great times. Here’s an overview of some of the best music festivals happening this summer and spring. Will you be attending any?
1. South by Southwest Festival (Austin, Texas): Since 1987, over 2,000 musical acts from all over the world perform annually across Austin every March. The diverse music festival also includes many film screenings and attracts many members of the music industry looking to find the next big thing among the throngs of peoples.
2.Sasquatch! Music and Arts Festival (George, Wash.): Taking place during Memorial Day weekend since 2002 at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Central Washington, this festival draws mainly alternative performers and fans. Musical acts come from all over to perform, but the backdrop of the main stage in a view enough not to miss this trip.
3. Lollapalooza (Chicago, Ill.): Set along the shores of Lake Michigan, this music and arts festival is the biggest in the Midwest, if not the nation. Big crowds draw even bigger performers to hit the stage in Grant Park, but don’t worry, there is a fair share of indie acts present.
4. Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival (Manchester, Tenn.): More hippy alternative to the big city Lolla complete with more alternative acts and up and coming performers, including a extremely popular comedy tent.
5. Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Indio, Calfi.): The heat of the desert burns, but the line-up is worth the chance of sun poisoning. Known for the reuniting bands on hiatuses and the many celebrity attendees.
6. Wakarusa Music and Arts Festival (Ozark, Ark.): After moving a few years ago from Lawrence, Kan, the festival of the Great Plains has a lot to offer with out breaking the bank. Dance the night away or join a drum circle for more added memories.
7. Austin City Limits (Austin, Texas): Indie is the scene for the this highly popular festival sporting a wide variety of acts. It’s always a great time.
8. Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, Ill.): Get the most bang for your buck by skipping the high prices of the more mainstream festivals. A weekend pass goes for about $90 and a single-day pass is $40. However, the festival still manages to draw popular indie bands and music artists that will not leave one disappointed.
9. Ultra Music Festival (Miamai, Fla): Specializing in electronic dance music and annually drawing more than 85,000 people in sunny Florida. Dance the night away and don’t forget your glow sticks!
10. North Shore Music Festival (Chicago, Ill.): The last festival of the summer over Labor Day weekend and just a few weeks after Lolla, NSMF features electronic dance and alternative acts to keep your body moving until next summer.