Guide to Summer Festivals

Summer is a great time to travel. Some opt for backpacking around Europe, but another viable option is staying in the States and visiting new places while taking in some of the best bands in the world. Here is your guide to summer music festivals all around America. They make an exciting vacation destination.

Sasquatch Music Festival

May 23-25: Quincy, Wash.
www.sasquatchfestival.com
Before May 11:
Single Day Ticket $66.50
Three Day Pass $199.50
After May 11:
Single Day Ticket $76.50
Three Day Pass $229.50

Several hours east of Seattle, music fans take over the Gorge Amphitheater for a Memorial Day Weekend of camping and music. Now in its eighth year, the Sasquatch music festival has blossomed into an independent music hot spot, often selling out whole days entirely (impressive for a massive outdoor music festival).
Headliners: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kings of Leon, the Decemberists, Janes Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, Ben Harper, Fleet Foxes, Erykah Badu

Other Artists to Check Out: Horse Feathers, The Dutchess and the Duke, the Murder City Devils, M83, John Vanderslice, the Wrens, King Kahn & the Shrines
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival

June 11-14: Manchester, Tenn.
www.bonnaroo.com
Four Day Pass $249.50
(includes camping and parking)

Since 2002, the Bonnaroo festival has brought many diverse artists to a 700-acre farm in Manchester. Named by “Rolling Stone” as 50 moments that changed rock history, the festival is famous for booking entertainment superstars as well as independent artists. Last year’s lineup included Pearl Jam, Metallica, Willie Nelson, My Morning Jacket, Robert Plant and more.

Headliners: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Phish, the Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, David Byrne, Wilco, Al Green, Elvis Costello, Snoop Dogg, the Mars Volta
Other Artists to Check Out: Public Enemy, Merle Haggard, Jenny Lewis, Russian Circles, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists

10,000 Lakes Music Festival

July 22-25: Detroit Lakes, Minn.
www.10klf.com
Single Day General
Admission Ticket $75
Single Day Reserved
Seating Ticket $125
Four Day General
Admission Ticket $120

The 7th Annual 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) provides several days of camping and music an hour outside of Fargo, North Dakota and three and a half hours northwest of the Minneapolis/St Paul area. Housed at the Soo Pass Ranch, the venue is immersed in beautiful forest and natural surroundings.
Headliners: Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, Wilco, Atmosphere
Other Artists to Check Out: Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Akron/Family, Cloud Cult

All Points West Music and Arts Festival

July 31-August 2: Jersey City, New Jersey
www.apwfestival.com
Single Day Ticket $89
Three Day Pass $199

All Points West invades Liberty State Park in Upper New York Bay across from Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The first annual festival brought in artists like Radiohead, Girl Talk, the Roots and Jack Johnson. Now in the second year, All Points West is looking to become an East Coast music phenomenon.

Headliners: Beastie Boys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, Tool, My Bloody Valentine, Coldplay, Echo and the Bunnymen, MGMT
Other Artists to Check Out:  Black Keys, Silversun Pickups, Tokyo Police Club, the Cool Kids, the National

Bumbershoot: Seattle’s
Music & Arts Festival

September 5-7: Seattle
www.bumbershoot.com
Single Day Ticket Not Yet Available
Three Day Pass $80

Seattle’s Bumbershoot Festival is located in Seattle Center, right by the Space Needle and Experience Music Project. The festival began as an arts festival in 1980 and has since welcomed music artists like B.B. King, R.E.M., the Ramones, Ray Charles, the Sex Pistols, David Byrne, Mos Def, Black Eyed Peas, Spinal Tap, Chaka Kahn, Roy Orbison and many more.

Headliners: Sheryl Crow, Modest Mouse, The All-American Rejects, Katy Perry, Michael Franti & Spearhead, De La Soul
Other Artists to Check Out: Matt & Kim, No Age, Gang Gang Dance, Cave Singers, Swollen Members, U.S.E