The first week of spring is upon us, and there is one thing that is consuming the minds of all music lovers; festival season. Although summer is still a few months away, it's never too early to start planning your weekend(s) away from reality. In this guide, you will find a mix of festivals big and small, camping and non-camping, and of course a wide array of genres to help you pick your perfect musical adventure.
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
When: June 8-11, 2017
Where: Manchester, TN
What To Expect: Bonnaroo has changed its tune over the course of its 15-year run. From being the epicenter of jam band music to a more of a "something for everyone" type of festival, it still reigns as one of the most popular in the country. Count on seeing the majority of folks in the 18-21 age range. Despite its change of tune, you will still meet lots of nice folks and be given plenty of high-fives. The farm is a big place, so unless you spring for VIP expect a lot of walking. With attendance potentially reaching 80,000 people, expect long lines for just about everything. With that being said, comfortable shoes and cool clothes are a must. There is nothing worse than blistered feet to ruin a weekend.
Notable Acts: U2, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Weeknd, Lorde, Chance the Rapper
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: Cage The Elephant, Umphrey's McGee, Greensky Bluegrass, Portugal. The Man, Big Gigantic, Turkaz
See the full lineup and grab tickets here.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
When: April 14-16, 2017 and April 21-23, 2017
Where: Indio, California
What to Expect: Beautiful scenery, Kardashians, and probably a lot of cultural appropriation.
Notable Acts: Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, Radiohead, Bon Iver
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Mura Masa, HONNE, Glass Animals
See the full lineup here. Tickets are sold out on the official Coachella website, but you can check out the secondary market.
Forecastle Festival
When: July 14-16, 2017
Where: Louisville, Kentucky
What To Expect: There is no camping at Forecastle, so if you plan on staying you will need to secure a hotel or Air BnB. There are always after parties after the music ends for the day, so make sure to talk to some locals about the best spots. Forecastle is all about supporting local businesses, so expect to find a lot of vendors from around Louisville and the rest of the Bluegrass State. Did I mention that Kentucky is the epicenter of bourbon? As in 95% of the world's bourbon is produced in Kentucky. On that note, make sure to check out The Bourbon Lodge and do as Kentuckians do and drink some bourbon. Louisville is a fantastic city so be sure to take in everything it has to offer.
Notable Acts: Weezer, Sturgill Simpson, LCD Soundsystem, Odesza, Cage The Elephant
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: Nathaniel Ratliff and the Night sweats, Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaries, LANY
See the full lineup and grab tickets here.
Lockn' Festival
When: August 24-27, 2017
Where: Arrington, Virginia
What To Expect: The music never stops. Seriously. The original name for Lockn' was Interlockn which stood for interlocking sets of music. When one band ends another one starts right up, so you never have to go a minute without music. This gives way to many surprise sit-ins and collaborations which are what Lockn' is all about. Oak Ridge Farm is large, but the layout of Lockn' doesn't make the walking too miserable. Expect an older crowd, but don't be fooled, they know how to get down. If I can offer one piece of advice, get lined up to get in the gates as early as you can. Lockn' has been known for being a logistical nightmare trying to get people into the festival grounds. Although last year the music start time on Thursday was moved to later in the evening to help with this problem, it's better to be safe than sorry. With all of that said, you will meet the friendliest people who all share a common bond over this scene and will end up becoming family by the end of the weekend.
Notable Acts: The Avett Brothers, The String Cheese Incident, Widespread Panic, moe., Phil Lesh and Friends, Gov't Mule
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Marcus King Band, Keller Williams, Joe Russo's Almost Dead, Tauk, JJ Grey and Mofro
See the initial lineup and grab tickets here
Sweetwater 420 Fest
When: April 21-23, 2017
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
What To Expect: Smack dab in the middle of Downtown Atlanta makes for a pretty interesting atmosphere. With that being said, there is obviously no camping at 420 Fest. So, make sure to grab a hotel or an Air BnB. The earlier the better if you want to save cash for festival extras. 420 fest took on a more "jammy" vibe with the lineup this year with bands like Widespread Panic and Trey Anastasio Band which will lead to an eclectic mix of young and old festival goers. The weather in the south can be a little unpredictable this time of year, so make sure to pack for all four seasons.
Notable Acts: Widespread Panic, Ween, Trey Anastasio Band, Slightly Stoopid
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: Dirty Heads, Trombone Shorty, Dark Star Orchestra, Lettuce, Jackie Green, Big Something, People's Blues of Richmond
See the full lineup and grab tickets here
Mountain Jam
When: June 16-18, 2017
Where: Hunter Mountain, New York
What to Expect: Nestled in a ski resort about 3 hours northwest of New York City is where you will find Mountain Jam. With this cool location, comes unpredictable weather. Be prepared for anything. The mountain is notorious for their red dirt and mud, so don't bother wearing your Sunday best. Mountain Jam offers various options for camping, so you can pick the exact option that suits your needs. Cheesy as it may sound, make sure to spare $20 to ride the Skyride for incredible views of the mountain.
Notable Acts: Steve Miller Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The String Cheese Incident
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: St. Paul And The Broken Bones, The Revivalists, The Infamous Stringdusters
Grab tickets here and check out the rest of the initial lineup
Electric Forest
When: June 22-25, 2017 and June 29-July 2, 2017
Where: Rothbury, Michigan
What To Expect: Check out the sidebar of this subreddit for a complete guide to Electric Forest. This guide covers packing essentials, setting up camp, and all other information that will help you make the best out of your weekend(s) at the Forest.
Notable Acts First Weekend: The String Cheese Incident, Bassnectar, My Morning Jacket, Odesza
Notable Acts Second Weekend: The String Cheese Incident, Bassnectar, Flume, Big Gigantic
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss First Weekend: Papadosio, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Eric Krasno Band, The Floozies
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss Second Weekend: Tauk, Lettuce, The Motet, Matisyahu
Grab tickets here and check out the rest of the initial lineup. However, be aware a lot of options are already sold out, so you might have to look elsewhere to find what you want.
Wanee Festival
When: April 20-22, 2017
Where: Live Oak, Florida
What To Expect: Although this festival is held towards the end of April, you are in Florida so be prepared for the heat and rain. Spirit of Suwannee Music Park is a huge place, so make sure you pack numerous and comfortable shoes for the long walks. Wannee is known for good food, good vibes, and good people. A good mix of young and old, you are sure to leave with plenty of new friends.
Notable Acts: Bob Weir & The Campfire Band, Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio Band, Gov't Mule, Dark Star Orchestra
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: Leftover Salmon(playing the must of Neil Young), Pink Talking Fish, Marcus King Band, Keller Williams Grateful Grass, Pink Talking FU(playing the music of David Bowie and Prince)
Grab tickets and check out the rest of the line up here
Bunbury Music Festival
When: June 2-4, 2017
Where: Cincinnati, Ohio
What To Expect: This year Bunbury offers a wide variety of artists on its lineup, and with its central location in Cincinnati, it provides an opportunity for many different types of festival goers to attend. It should be noted that there is no camping at Bunbury so be sure to secure a hotel or Air BnB. Parking can be really cramped around the festival site, so it is advised reserve your spot early so you don't miss out on any music searching for parking. Cincinnati is a cool place with a lot of different types of people, so make sure to check out all of the local food and vendors.
Notable Acts: Muse, Wiz Khalifa, Bassnectar, G-Eazy
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: The 1975, Moon Taxi, Flogging Molly
Grab tickets here and check out the rest of the lineup.
Summer Camp Music Festival
When: May 26-28. 2017
Where: Three Sisters Park Chillicothe, Illinois
What To Expect: When it is Umphrey's Mcgee and moe.'s signature festival, you know you are in for a rager. There are numerous camping options and it is advised by seasoned "camp counselors" to scope out your concert schedule ahead of time and get the camping option that is closest to the stage you will frequent the most to minimize long walks. Another important thing to note is that you can not camp with your car, which means lugging your gear to your site. Saying that, pack smart. No one wants to be lugging 50 pounds of gear through a field or the woods.
Notable Acts: moe., Umphrey's Mcgee, Primus, Trey Anastasio Band, Pretty Lights
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: The Wood Brothers, The Claypool Lennon Delirium, EOTO, Marcus King Band, The Floozies
Grab tickets and see the rest of the rest of the lineup here
Floyd Fest
When: July 26-30, 2017
Where: Floyd, Virginia
What To Expect: Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Floyd Fest offers its own little oasis in one of the most beautiful regions in the country. Although it is small in size, there are plenty of things going on. From yoga, kayaking, mountain bike tours to all sorts of different workshops, Floyd Fest offers all kinds of activities to reach everyone's interests. Expect to see a pretty wide age range, and even quite a few folks with kiddos in tow as this festival has always been known to be family friendly.
Notable Acts: Thievery Corporation, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Railroad Earth, St. Paul And The Broken Bones
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: Keller Williams, Leftover Salmon, Zach Deputy, Broccoli Samurai
Check out the rest of the lineup and grab tickets here
Hangout Music Festival
When: May 19-21, 2017
Where: Gulf Shores, Alabama
What To Expect: This year, Hangout is hosting a slew of Grammy winners and it is located on the white, sandy beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. Grammy winners and the beach stack up for a pretty incredible atmosphere. However, there is no camping at Hangout(I know who wouldn't want to camp on the beach?) so you need to grab a hotel. Luckily there are numerous hotels and condos located within walking distance of the venue. Check out the official website for suggestions on lodging. With the diverse lineup in music, expect to see a pretty diverse group of people and quite a few locals. The music ends every night at 11:00 pm to combat for the noise curfew, so talk to locals about good after party spots.
Notable Acts: Mumford & Sons, Chance The Rapper, Frank Ocean, Twenty One Pilots
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Young The Giant, LANY, The Suffers
Check out the rest of the lineup and grab tickets here.
Peach Festival
When: August 10-13, 2017
Where: Scranton, Pennslyvania
What To Expect: In 2016, Peach Fest had a few logistical nightmares. Festival goers were left waiting hours in the heat with pounds of gear for shuttles to take them to the campgrounds.Not to mention, storms that caused an evacuation of the festival grounds. Despite a rough start, the music still went on. The Peach is located on a mountain, so come prepared for hills, slopes, and mud if it rains. This year, you have the option to purchase tickets that include camping. It is important to note that Peach Festival operates a little differently than the norm. In order to be in the first six rows during headlining acts, you must purchase a Super VIP pass. However, if you don't wanna spend a ton of cash, GA still offers good views and quality sound. All in all, Peach Fest is always a good time and is a staple of the festival scene.
Notable Acts: Widespread Panic, Gov't Mule & Friends, My Morning Jacket, Joe Bonamassa, Umphrey's McGee
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: Joe Russo's Almost Dead, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, The Werks ft. The Shady Horns, Steve Kimock and Friends, The New Mastersounds
Grab tickets and check out the rest of the lineup here
Dark Star Jubilee
When: May 26-28, 2017
Where: Thornville, Ohio
What To Expect: Centered around the premier Grateful Dead cover band, Dark Star Orchestra, this festival is heaven for old and young Heads alike. Dark Star Jubilee is small, but that's what makes it so awesome. Anywhere you camp you are a short walking distance from the stages, making trips back and forth to camp a breeze. Expect a wide age range of people and lots of families with kids. Everyone at the Jubilee is like family, so even if you have never been before everyone will welcome you with open arms.
Notable Acts: Dark Star Orchestra, Greensky Bluegrass, Hot Tuna(electric), Keller Willians Kwahtro
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: Rumpke Mountain Boys, Owsley County, Tauk
Grab tickets and check out the rest of the lineup here
The Werk Out
When: August 3-5, 2017
Where: Thornville, Ohio
What To Expect: Although The Werk Out is held at the same location as Dark Star Jubilee, what you will find here is quite different. Expect to see a younger crowd and families are few and far between. With that being said, be prepared to get down until sunrise with plenty of late night jams. Like the Jubilee, be prepared to carry your camping gear anywhere between 100-400 yards to your site so be sure to plan accordingly. If you are of age, make sure to bring your own booze for the weekend(and some extra to share) as there are no alcohol sales at the fest.
Notable Acts: The Werks, Gramatik, The Floozies, Emancipator
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: Dopapod, Dumpstaphunk, Big Something
Check out the rest of the lineup and grab tickets here
Shaky Knees Festival
When: May 12-14, 2017
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
What To Expect: Like it's sister festival, Sweetwater 420, Shaky Knees is located in Atlanta. There is no camping so make sure you grab an Air BnB or hotel. Although it is located in the city, Shaky Knees has no shortage of late night jams. Each day of the fest there are plenty of late night shows at local venues to choose from.
Notable Acts: The Shins, The XX, LCD Soundsystem, Pixies
Undercards You Shouldn't Miss: Moon Taxi, Tyler Bryant and The Shakedown, The Growlers
This guide only scratches the surfaces of some of the amazing festivals, big and small, out there this summer. As a fellow festival goer, I encourage you to approach your festival(s) with an open heart and mind. Whether you're new to the scene or a seasoned pro, there are always new friends to be made and new music to discover.
*If a ticket package you want is sold out, I encourage you to visit cashortrade.org. This is the best site for grabbing tickets for face value, and you are purchasing from fellow music lovers and not helping fund scalpers.