Whether you are strictly a “Bonnaroovian” (in which case I feel sorry for you) or you have traveled to festivals all over the country. Each year, the festival scene has grown from attendees to the talent. Here is your guide to the highly anticipated festival season of 2016.
Bonnaroo
June 9-12
It’s hot, the water smells and tastes awful, the bathrooms are repulsive and yet, last year, 80,000 people were in attendance. Bonnaroo is known for bringing back some acts who most haven't seen in 20+ years such as The Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Red Hot Chili Peppers, James Brown etc.
This year, you can look forward to seeing Dead and Company (2 sets) Pearl Jam, Adventure Club, Ellie Goulding, Halsey, Third Eye Blind, X Ambassadors, Macklemore, M83 and many more! In my opinion, this year's lineup is better than the last few. So bring plenty of baby wipes, sunscreen and your own water, because with great performance comes a great need for planning. In this case, planning to not stink, be sunburnt or get dehydrated.
The Beach Haven in Gulf Shores:
Hangout Fest
May 20-22
Hangout in Gulf Shores has probably been my favorite festival venue I've been to yet. You’re on the beach, you can walk to and from your condo whenever you please (Showers are a blessing) and the weather is perfect. Hangout is equipped with two large main stages directly on the beach, the “boom boom tent” and two smaller stages on the street.
The acts this year include, The Weeknd, Florence and the Machine, Alabama Shakes, Lenny Kravitz, Flume, The Chainsmokers, Fetty Wap, Alessia Cara etc.
The Forest of Electricity--The Lights and the Music:
Electric Forest
June 23-26
Electric Forest is one of those festivals you just have to attend once. It is seriously nothing you have ever experienced before. It unfortunately sold out in the first few days tickets went on sale but four days in Rothbury, Michigan is an escape unlike any other.
During the day, you can indulge in Spicy Pie while sitting in your eno listening to tropical house music. Or wait until dusk when the freaks on stilts come out and the forest is lit with thousands and thousands of colorful lights. String Cheese Incident, if you are unaware, is a jam band who owns rights to the festival so they automatically get three nights of uninterrupted jamming. Bassnectar and Major Lazor will also be in attendance along with about 50+ DJ’’s for all of your EDM pleasure.
Gettin’ Funky in ‘Nawlins:
BUKU Music and Arts Festival
March 11 and 12
If you haven't already bought your ticket, you'll be missing out. This march, Buku will return to the heart of America’s party city, New Orleans. It is literally stuck in the middle of the city and like Hangout, you can return back to your hotel rooms or condos on your own time #showers.
At Buku this year, you will see Kid Cudi, Pretty Lights, Future, CHVRCHES, Borns, and much, much more. So if you can buy a last minute ticket for your spring break plans, DO IT.
In Case You're Feening For More Bass:
Ultra Music Festival
March 18-20
It is still not too late to join thousands of others in Miami, FL for this crazy three day festival filled with "Kandy" and the most well known DJ's around the world. Those include, Avicii, Tiesto, Zedd, Kygo (my favorite), DJ Snake, Kaskade and a plethora of others.
America’s Country Concert in Nashville’s Backyard:
CMA Fest
June 9-12
If you are like me, and are so fortunate enough to be able to go to Nashville on a daily basis, you would think that CMA fest wouldn't be that big of a deal. Oh, but it is. It is a four day festival filled with Nashville’s most fabulous country stars coming together for the greater public entertainment. Now, if you don't have the luxury of owning your 4-day pass, you can catch some awesome artists for free at the river front stage!
The Most Exciting Thing in Delaware:
FireFly Music Festival
June 16-19
Now, if you are willing to take that long car ride out to Delaware, your trip will be well worth it. I mean they have Blink 182 this year?! You can let your inner 8th grade child sing "All the small things" live. But alongside my childhood punk prodigies, you can hear Mumford & Sons, Kings of Leon, Ellie Goulding (of course) ASAP Rocky, Of Monster and Men etc. It is a wide range of artists attracting basically any genre of music lover.
A Comparison to Woodstock:
Lollapalooza
July 28-31
In the early days, Lollapalooza was considered the Woodstock of the 21st century for its community-building and countercultural vibe. The past lineups have been nothing but impressive. From Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins, the Beastie Boys and many others this years lineup will not disappoint (when it is finally released). Chicago in summer is not half bad either.
Birthplace of Jazz:
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
April 22- May 1
Theres a reason New Orleans has two festivals within 2 months of each other but honestly if you look at this lineup, you wouldn't mind taking two trips up to the birth place of Jazz. It’s two full weekends of amazing music so you have plenty of options. From Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Tedeschi Trucks Band and Van Morrison to My Morning Jacket, Nick Jonas, Elle King, Snoop Dogg and Beck.
Intimacy in Downtown Atlanta:
Sweetwater 420 Festival
April 22-24
If you are looking for a smaller festival, Sweetwater in Atlanta, Georgia is perfect for you. The lineup this year is highly impressive and hopefully the weather can hold up compared to their muddy disaster last year. But while enjoying any Sweetwater beer of your choice, you can sing along to Kid Rock, Bastille, Ben Harper, Dawes, Ludacris (LUDA), Awolnation, some bluegrass and indie rock bands as well. Basically just a wide range of awesome.
Now, I have been to my fair share of festivals so trust me when I say, do yourself a favor and go to at least one festival this summer. Whether you are traveling up North or down South, just do it. The atmosphere, the people, and not to mention the food are indescribable and they are memories you will cherish forever.
