Music Blog

Music Blog

Spring + Summer = Music Festivals Galore (plus a couple in your backyard)

Today, was the first day of spring, which means births, weddings, proms, graduations and the start of baseball season. The blooming flowers and warmer weather—which started much earlier this year—also means the music festival season has arrived. These two, three and sometimes four-day events of nonstop tunes, illicit substances, sweat and camaraderie, have been a warm-weather tradition for more than four decades. And they seem to get bigger every year.

The Coachella Festival—at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California—kicks off the season with its first ever two-weekend stint (April 13-15; April 20-22) featuring The Black Keys, The Hives, Radiohead, Dr. Dre, At the Drive-In and an additional presence of more than 100 acts.

Then, there's the monster of all modern-day music fests, Bonnaroo (June 7-10 in Manchester, Tennessee). Tickets for four-day admission for a single person and car are already sold out. But 700 acres isn't really very much when a four-day lineup includes bigwigs like Radiohead, Phish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Beach Boys Reunion, Danzig Legacy (featuring music by Danzig, Samhain and Danzig/ Doyle performing The Misfits), The Roots and Alice Cooper. It may be smart to buy tickets for 2013, now.

There's also a whole bunch of worthwhile shit in addition to the biggies: Sasquatch! Music Festival (May 25-28 in George, Washington with Beck, Jack White and Tenacious D), Lollapalooza (August 3-5 in Chicago, Illinois with Eminem, Foo Fighters and Coldplay) and High Sierra Music Festival (July 5-8 in Quincy, California with Built to Spill, Ben Harper and Deer Tick). And that's only the tip. Check Music Festival Junkies for a complete rundown.

If you live near Big Sur, you won't have to travel very far, spend nearly as much cash or become just another faceless festival-goer in a sea of 100,000, to have a stellar music festival experience (but tickets are very limited).

Hipnic IV: May 4-6, Fernwood Campgrounds: The Mother Hips, Skinny Singers (Jackie Greene and Tim Bluhm), Little Wings, Sarah Lee Gurhrie & Johnny Irons and more.

Woodsist Festival: August 4-5, Henry Miller Library (two-day passes sold out): Real Estate, Woods, Fresh & Onlys, Thee Oh Sees and more.

Get your tickets while they're hot.