Coachella Music and Arts Festival

As I’m sure all of us know, today is the vernal equinox! Well, that means it’s the first day of spring and what better way to kick-off the new season than to get ready for the next one! This summer is looking to be no slouch when it comes to live music, as several high profile acts will be hitting the road in the next few months, joining the lineup on several big-name festivals.

While some of these aren’t technically happening when summer officially hits, school boys needn’t worry, as most (if not all) will land on a weekend. Read on and check out some of the best music and arts festivals that are just around the corner.

 

Coachella

This is by far California’s premiere music and arts festival, with the biggest of the biggest names in music having played there. This year, Coachella will be spread between two weekends, although the lineup for both will remain the same.

Where: Coachella Valley, California

When:  April 13-15, April 20-22

Who: Radiohead, The Black Keys, Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg, Justice, At the Drive-In (check out the entire lineup here)

 


Sasquatch Music Festival

Sasquatch

While not the biggest festival on the list, Sasquatch features four days of a decent number of well known bands, and better yet, The Gorge might be one of the most beautiful venues in the world, located next to the Columbia River in Eastern Washington.

Where:  George, Washington

When:  May 25-28

Who: Jack White, Beck, Bon Iver, Pretty Lights, The Shins, Girl Talk, Feist, Tenacious D, Nero… (check out the entire lineup here)

 

 

Orion Music + More

The brainchild of Metallica frontman James Hetfield, Orion Music + More is not your standard two day festival. Not only will you be able to enjoy a featured band’s performance, a “lifestyle” element has been incorporated, giving you an insight into their individual tastes, such as the 300 custom, hot rod, and muscle cars Hetfield will be diplaying at the Metallica tent. This will be the festival’s inaugural showing.

Where: Atlantic City, New Jersey

When:  June 23, 24

Who: Metallica, Arctic Monkeys, Avenged Sevenfold, Modest Mouse, The Gaslight Anthem, Cage The Elephant, Best Coast, Hot Snakes, Titus Andronicus (check out the festival's site for more details) 

 


Bonaroo Fountain

Bonnaroo

One of the biggest and well known music and arts festivals in the East Coast, Bonnaroo regularly sees huge crowds of over 100,000 attendees. Held in a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, comedy is also a huge emphasis of the four day festival.

Where: Manchester, Tennessee

When: June 7-10

Who: Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phish, The Beach Boys, Bon Iver, Skrillex (check out the full list here) 

 

Lollapalooza

Back in the ‘90s, this was THE tour to go to until its eventual hiatus. Ten years later it’s back and better than ever, no longer a traveling show but a full blown music festival located in the center of the windy city.  Although the artist lineup for 2012 has yet to be released, if last year’s headliners are any indication (Eminem, Deadmau5, Coldplay), expect some of the biggest names in rap, rock, and electro.

Where: Chicago, Illinois

When:  August 3-5

Who: TBA (check out the festival's site for further details)


Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago