Top 5 Destination Music Festivals in the U.S.
festivals, US
Way back in 1969, the Woodstock Music & Art Fair set a bar that music festivals have since attempted to at least match. Destination festivals have come a long way from Max Yasgur’s farm, but both style and substance figure into the equation now, as then. Artistic and cultural diversity, along with rich, experiential aesthetics, continue to shape the productions. Those that succeed, thrive year after year. Here are the top five destination music festivals in the U.S.
1 Austin City Limits Festival
Growing out of the TV show from which it gets its name, the Austin City Limits Festival carries on the grand legacy of genre crossing and talent spotting. And, like the show, the ACL Fest has become one of the hottest tickets on the circuit for both fans and artists. Perhaps only second to Nashville, Tenn., in terms of live music, Austin, Texas, hosts the ACL Fest every September.
2 Bonnaroo
Being crowned by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the “50 moments that changed the history of rock and roll” cemented Bonnaroo’s place in the music festival firmament. For four days every June, on a 700-acre expanse of land in Manchester, Tenn., thousands of people gather to share in the making of rock history at the eclectic, peace-loving Bonnaroo. Started in 2002, “Bonnaroo has revolutionized the modern rock festival,” according to the New York Times, with line-ups that include Arcade Fire, Alison Krauss, Lil Wayne, John Prine, Ray LaMontagne, the Strokes, Brandi Carlile, Gregg Allman, Pearl Jam, and many, many more.
3 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Beginning in 1999 – the same year as the Woodstock anniversary festival – the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif., has been home to Coachella. Though it faltered in its early years, the scrappy event eventually found its footing and even expanded. Such is its popularity, Coachella 2012 will span two weekends rather than three days. Line-ups past have included Madonna, Radiohead, Beck, Rage Against the Machine, Kings of Leon, Love and Rockets, Leonard Cohen, and others.
4 Lollapalooza
In 2011, Lollapalooza celebrates its 20th anniversary. Perry Farrell got things going back in 1991 as a farewell tour for his band Jane’s Addiction. Then, it evolved into a tour with alt-rock acts at the core and hip hop, heavy metal, and punk bands filling things out. Now, though, Lollapalooza comes to life in Chicago’s Grant Park for three days in early August. On the slate over the years have been The National, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Fatboy Slim, Muse, Cypress Hill, Damian Marley & Nas, Deftones, Ween, and too many more to list.
5 Sasquatch! Festival
Taking place on Memorial Day weekend at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Wash., Sasquatch! gets a jump on all of the other summer happenings. Since it started in 2002, indie rock bands and singer/songwriters are the most prevalent acts on the bill, but a smattering of hip hop and alt-rock artists also appear on the four stages. Among the artists have been Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Harper, Beastie Boys, Modest Mouse, Joanna Newsom, The Decemberists, Pink Martini, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, K-Os, Dengue Fever, and The Flaming Lips. Sasquatch! often sells out.
About the author: Writer Kelly McCartney recounts savoring Bread, the Fifth Dimension, and K-Tel compilations as a kid. Her palate has since matured to favor Death Cab for Cutie, The Avett Brothers, and NoiseTrade samplers.
Tags:festivalsUS
You Might Also Like
#
music
10 Beautiful Music Tracks and Songs Used in Movies
Here’s a list of awesome songs and themes from movie soundtracks. These really spring to mind for me when I think of memorable movie moments. The cool thing about tracks like these is that you can often actually picture the scene it was played in. For your convenience I added Spotify, Last.fm and IMDB buttons for easy Read more
#
music
Top 10 Songs For Leaving Home
Anytime you move house, leave home, say goodbye to parents, old flatmates or your old small town, it is essential to have a soundtrack prepared for moving day. It might be that you’re sad to be leaving, or alternatively you can’t wait to get out of there. This list contains the top ten songs for Read more
#
music
The UK’s 10 Biggest Summer Music Festivals
The festival season is nearly upon us and it’s time to take a look at the biggest and best of the music festivals that will be held across the UK this summer. With some big events missing in 2012, this summer is set to see a return to form with some fantastic festivals on the Read more
music
5 Rarest Vinyl Albums in the World: Looking at Records Fans Could Actually Buy
All lists of valuable records will be subjective. Some people will take a look at specific records that sold for a great deal of money at auction. For instance, a 1980 release of Double Fantasy by John Lennon and Yoko Ono that was autographed by Lennon shortly before he was assassinated is valued at over Read more