“The hippie fest to end all hippie fests”
When: June 9-12
Where: Manchester, Tenn.
Headliners: Eminem, Arcade Fire, Widespread Panic, The Black Keys, Buffalo Springfield featuring Richie Furay, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Rick Rosas, Joe Vitale, My Morning Jacket, Lil Wayne, String Cheese Incident, Robert Plant & Band of Joy, Mumford & Sons, The Strokes, The Decemberists, Ray Lamontagne, Bassnectar, Iron & Wine, Girl Talk, Beirut, Florence + the Machine, Matt & Kim
Why you should attend: This year’s diverse line up will satisfy your rap-loving side, quell your desire to see ‘60s prodigies like Neil Young and Robert Plant and give your indie hipster self something to look forward to. If you’re looking to connect with mother earth and forego showering for four days or are generally bummed you weren’t around for the original Woodstock, Bonnaroo is the next best thing.
“River-side indie Rock oasis”
When: May 27-30
Where: George, Wash.
Headliners: Foo Fighters, Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, Wilco, The Flaming Lips, The Decemberists, Bright Eyes, Iron & Wine, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Bassnectar, Death from Above 1979, Robyn, Flogging Molly, Pink Martini, Cold War Kids, Old 97’s, Ratatat, MSTRKRFT, Wolf Parade, Chromeo, Guided by Voices, Yeasayer, Beach House, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Local Natives, Matt & Kim, Deerhunter, Trailer Park Boys, Sleigh Bells, Major Lazer, Fitz & The Tantrums, Archers of Loaf
Why you should attend: You can’t stop listening to Local Natives, you can name all of Conor Oberst’s side projects and you like Matt & Kim — but not just because of that song “Daylight.” This year’s Sasquatch line-up is a dream come true for indie fanatics who also happen to love the woodsy feel and mountainside location of Sasquatch’s Gorge Amphitheatre venue.
“For those who can’t afford bonnaroo”
When: July 14-17
Where: Masontown, W.Va.
Headliners: Furthur featuring Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, Primus, Pretty Lights, moe., Umphrey’s Mcgee, STS9, John Butler Trio, Dark Star Orchestra, Warren Haynes Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, Keller, SOJA, Galactic, Toots and the Maytals, JJ Grey & Mofro, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, The Bridge, Big Gigantic, Donna the Buffalo, The Infamous Stringdusters, Beats Antique, Papadosio, Toubab Krewe
Why you should attend: Though All Good has less hype and doesn’t pack all the big names in that Bonnaroo does, it promises the same hippie heavy environment and the camping experience you’re looking for. For those that want to forego the rap artists, but still get drug happy on a beach towel under the sun, this festival’s for you.
“The Eclectic festival”
When: August 5-7
Where: Chicago, Ill.
Headliners: TBA
Why you should attend: Though Bonnaroo really stole the show this year as far as eclecticism goes, Lolla is generally known for its diverse genre-spanning line-up. This year marks Lollapalooza’s 20th anniversary, so you know they’re not going to slack when it comes to the line-up. Rumored acts include Foo Fighters, Eminem, Muse, Crystal Castles, Deftones and Cee-Lo. Expect big names and a massive celebration in Chi-town’s Grant Park that will rival any prior Lollapalooza blowouts.
Summer Fest
When: June 29-July 3 & July 5-10
Where: Milwaukee, Wis.
Headliners: Kanye West, Katy Perry, Kid Cudi, Hall & Oates, Meatloaf, Toby Keith, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Def Leppard, Heart, The Black Keys, Sugarland, Peter Gabriel
Lighting in a bottle
When: May 27-30
Where: Silverado, Calif.
Headliners: Pretty Lights, Thievery Corporation, Lucent Dossier, Beats Antique
Pitchfork
When: July 15-17
Where: Chicago, Ill.
Headliners: Animal Collective, Neko Case, Destroyer, The Dismemberment Plan, No Age, Fleet Foxes, James Blake, Das Racist, TV on the Radio, Cut Copy
Camp Disco
When: July 7-9
Where: Mariaville, N.Y.
Headliners: The Disco Biscuits, Cut Copy, Wiz Khalifa, Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Death From Above 1979, MSTRKRFT, Ghostland, Observatory
Nateva
When: Aug. 5-7
Where: Oxford, Maine
Headliners: Thievery Corporation, STS9, Gregg Allman band, John Butler Trio, bob Weir, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, Ghostland Observatory
Summer camp
When: May 27-29
Where: Chillicothe, Ill.
Headliners: STS9, Widespread Panic, Girl Talk, The Avett Brothers, Future Roc, moe., Umphrey’s McGee, Bassnectar, Yonder, EOTO
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