A new year, a new decade, and a new QRO Festival Guide! We're starting earlier than ever, and stretching farther, because this year looks to be a major bounce-back from 2009. See last year's Festival Guide
Total festivals with line-ups announced: 29
Total festivals with dates announced: 85
Updated continuously throughout the year with new acts, dates & festivals
January & February
What: American Songbook
Where: Lincoln Center, New York, NY
When: January 13-March 6
Who: Suzanne Vega, St. Vincent, Dirty Projectors, Marianne Faithful, Nellie McKay, Todd Snider, Martha Plimpton and more - see January & February dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why: Pretty much the classiest venue out there, Lincoln Center celebrates American songwriting in the first three months of 2010 at Allen Room. See our venue review & photos of Lincoln Center's Allen Room here
Web: new.lincolncenter.org/live/index.php/american-songbook-10
What: Sounds Like Brooklyn
Where: Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY
When: January 29-February 6
Who: Ra Ra Riot, Rain Machine, Les Savy Fav, The Antlers, Vivian Girls, Anti-Pop Consortium, tUnE-yArDs, Takka Takka, The Acrylics, Tanlines, Japanther, Blood Warrior and more - see dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why: Challenging for classiest venue out there is Brooklyn Academy of Music's Howard Gilman Opera House - and 'Sounds Like Brooklyn' events play there and throughout the borough, often for free, including upstairs at BAMcafé. See our venue review of Howard Gilman Opera House here See our venue review of BAMcafé here
Web: www.bam.org/view.aspx?pid=1812
What: Together
Where: Boston, MA
When: February 8-14
Who: Neon Indian, Das Racist, Mystery Roar, Sian, Sinden, Royal Bands and more
Why: The first Together New England Electronic Music Festival features a whole week of performer, panels, and even classes. See more in our preview here
Web: www.togetherboston.com
What: Winter AntiFolk
Where: New York, NY
When: February 15-28
Who: Larkin Grimm, Jeffrey Lewis, Jason Trachtenburg, The Lisps and many more - see dates in QRO NYC Concert Calendar
Why: Sidewalke Café, "legendary stomping ground for NYC's Antifolk scene" hosts a half-month of antifolk artists.
Web: www.sidewalkmusic.net/sidewalkblog/?page_id=98
What: Noise Pop
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: February 23-March 1
Who: Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band, Magnetic Fields, !!!, Rogue Wave, Mark Kozelek, The Dodos, Thao Nguyen, John Vanderslice, Atlas Sound, Four Tet, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Deerhoof, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Princeton, Foreign Born, Bear Hands, Free Energy, Nico Vega, Sugar & Gold and many more
Why: Venues across San Francisco start the 2010 festival season, with a nice line-up of acts from the hottest in today's indie-rock to the return of the Plastic Ono Band. See more in our preview here
Web: www.noisepop.com/2010/
March
What: Noise Pop
Where: San Francisco, CA
When: February 23-March 1
Who: Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band, Magnetic Fields, !!!, Rogue
Wave, Mark Kozelek, The Dodos, Thao Nguyen, John Vanderslice, Atlas Sound, Four Tet,
The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Deerhoof, We Were Promised Jetpacks,
Princeton, Foreign Born, Bear Hands, Free Energy, Nico Vega, Sugar
& Gold and many more
Why: Venues across San Francisco start the 2010 festival
season, with a nice line-up of acts from the hottest in today's
indie-rock to the return of the Plastic Ono Band. See more in our preview here
Web: www.noisepop.com/2010/
What: American Songbook
Where: Lincoln Center, NY
When: January 13-March 6
Who: Suzanne Vega, St. Vincent, Dirty Projectors, Marianne
Faithful, Nellie McKay, Todd Snider, Martha Plimpton and more - see March dates in the
QRO Concert Calendar
Why: Pretty much the classiest venue out there, Lincoln Center
celebrates American songwriting in the first three months of 2010 at
Allen Room. See our venue review & photos of Lincoln Center's Allen Room here
Web: new.lincolncenter.org/live/index.php/american-songbook-10
What: Neon Reverb
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: March 11-14
Who: The Ruby Suns, The So So Glos, Twin Tigers, Spindrift, Sole & The Skyrider Band, Finn Riggins, Rainbow Arabia and more
Why: Right before SXSW (see below), Las Vegas has it's own festival in venues across the city (including Vegas' own Beauty Bar).
Web: www.neonreverb.com
What: NX35
Where: Denton, TX
When: March 11-14
Who: The Flaming Lips, The Walkmen, Evangelicals, Midlake, Neon Indian, Ola Podrida and more
Why: Combined with SXSW, Texas is THE place to be in mid-March.
Web: www.nx35.com/blog
What: Nrmal
Where: Monterrey, Mexico
When: March 13
Who: YACHT, Daedelus, Banda de Turistas, Death Set, Nite Jewel,
Yellow Fever, Julianna Barwick, White Rainbow, Awesome Color, Tyvek,
Golden Triangle, and more
Why: The weekend before SXSW (see below), Alianza Francesa in Mexico holds an odd line-up of (presumably) local acts, Brooklyn garage-rock, and experimental artistés like YACHT.
Web: www.festivalnrmal.net
What: Harvest of Hope
Where: St. Augustine, FL
When: March 12-14
Who: Billy Bragg, Broken Social Scene, The Mountain Goats, Dr. Dog, Rogue Wave, Delta Spirit, Senses Fail, Anti-Flag, Man Man, Dead Prez, 7 Seconds, Kimya Dawson, Torche, Anvil, Japanther, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Sea Wolf, Kool Keith, Dead Confederate, Portugal. the Man, Matt Pond PA, Dead To Me, Fruit Bats, Bear In Heaven, Freelance Whales, James Husband and many more
Why: While in 2009 Florida had to deal with the sudden cancellation of Langerado, that same spring saw the inaugural Harvest of Hope Festival, combining punk, indie, hip-hop & more, all in the cause of aiding migrant farm workers, and Hope is back. See more in our preview here
Web: www.harvestofhopefest.com
What: South by Southwest
Where: Austin, TX
When: March 17-21
Who: A million-and-one-and-a-million-again. Read & see much more in our massive SXSW 2010 Preview here
Why: The premiere music industry festival is now extending to
five days. Still the bar by which all other of the multiplying indie
music industry expos are judged by. Read & see much more in our 2009 recap here
Web: sxsw.com
What: Valley of the Vapors
Where: Hot Springs National Park, AR
When: March 17-21
Who: Murder By Death, Lucero, James Husband, Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers, The Woes and more
Why: Those traveling to or from Austin's SXSW
(see above) can go to to the northeast for The Valley of the Vapors, 'America's most humble rock festival', at Hot Springs National Park.
Web: www.valleyofthevapors.com
What: MtyMx
Where: Monterrey, Mexico
When: March 20-22
Who: Liars, Andrew W.K., Los Planetas, No Age, Fucked Up, Dan Deacon, Neon Indian, Acid Mothers Temple, Fucked Up, Thee Oh Sees, Grant Hart, MNDR, Aa, Telepathe, Das Racist, Toro y Moi, Tanlines, DD/MM/YYYY, The Wave Pictures, HEALTH, Kria Brekkan, High Places, Twin Sister, a ton of Mexican bands and more
Why: New York's (well, Brooklyn's...) DIY concert impressario Todd P. is abandoning SXSW (see above) and is heading south of the border for his own shindig in Monterrey (can't be any scuzzier than Danbro Studios... - QRO venue review).
Web: toddpnyc.com/mtymx
What: Winter Music Conference
Where: Miami, FL
When: March 23-27
Who: Tiësto, deadmau5, Orbital, The Disco Biscuits, Paul
Oakenfold, David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, The Crystal Method,
Ghostland Observatory, Groove Armada, Armin Van Buuren, Will.i.am,
Passion Pit, Damian Marley & Nas, Diplo, Carl Cox, Pretty Lights,
Little Boots, Major Lazer, Dan Black, Afrika Bambaataa and more - and that's just Ultra (see below)
Why: The sprawling Winter Music Conference celebrates its 25th year with artists from around the world converging on Miami Beach, all culminating in Ultra Music Festival (see below).
Web: www.wintermusicconference.com
What: Ultra
Where: Miami, FL
When: March 26-27
Who: Tiësto, deadmau5, Orbital, The Disco Biscuits, Paul Oakenfold, David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, The Crystal Method, Ghostland Observatory, Groove Armada, Armin Van Buuren, Will.i.am, Passion Pit, Damian Marley & Nas, Diplo, Carl Cox, Pretty Lights, Little Boots, Major Lazer, Dan Black, Afrika Bambaataa and more
Why: Stay warm at the Winter Music Conference's (see above) Ultra in Miami, a festival that can stand on its own, thanks to two nights of dance & electronica at Bicenntenial Park. See more in our preview here
Web: www.ultramusicfestival.com
What: Big Ears
Where: Knoxville, TN
When: March 26-28
Who: Vampire Weekend, The National, Terry Riley, Sufjan Stevens, Joanna Newsom, St.
Vincent, Dirty Projectors, The xx, Andrew W.K., My Brightest Diamond,
Doveman, Clogs, Gang Gang Dance, Adrian Belew, Javelin, jj, Calder Quartet, Abe Vigoda and more
Why: Tennessee gets artsy in the second year of Big Ears,
featuring a line-up that goes from new classical to big-name indie-art - with some outliers thrown in as well. See more in our preview here
Web: www.bigearsfestival.com/2010
What: Snoe.down
Where: Killington/Rutland, VT
When: March 26-28
Who: .moe, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Assembly of Dust, Railroad Earth, Heavy Pets, and more
Why: Music and skiing rarely go together this well. Talk about a great way to end the northeast ski season.
Web: www.snoedown.com
What: Extreme Thing
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: March 27
Who: The Used, Never Shout Never, Five Finger Death Punch, The Cab, Escape the Fate, Less Than Jake, The Summer Set, Reel Big Fish and more
Why: 'Extreme Thing' is seriously it's name - how much more UNextreme can you get?
Web: www.extremething.com
What: San Diego IndieFest
Where: San Diego, CA
When: March 27
Who: Metric, Far, Nappy Roots and a host of local bands.
Why: Venues across San Diego host an array of indie acts.
Web: www.sayitrecords.com/sdimf/tickets.htm
What: Bamboozle California
Where: Anaheim, CA
When: March 27-28
Who: Something Corporate, AFI, Angels & Airwaves, The
Bouncing Souls, The Maine, Say Anything, Envy On the Coast, Far, Nevershoutnever, Anarbor, The Summer Set and more to
be announced
Why: While pitchers & catchers are still hitting spring training, Bamboozle goes to the home of The Los Angeles Angels at Anaheim.
Web: party.thebamboozle.com/profile/TheBamboozleCalifornia
What: Music Now
Where: Cincinnati, OH
When: March 30-April 1
Who: Joanna Newsom, St.
Vincent, Bon Iver, yMusic and more
Why: Dessner's also bringing some singular artists to his hometown of Cincinnati.
Web: www.musicnowfestival.org
April
What: Music Now
Where: Cincinnati, OH
When: March 30-April 1
Who: Joanna Newsom, St.
Vincent, Bon Iver, yMusic and more
Why: Dessner's also bringing some singular artists to his hometown of Cincinnati.
Web: www.musicnowfestival.org
What: Wanee
Where: Live Oak, FL
When: April 16-17
Who: The Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, Gov't Mule, Stephen Stills, The Black Keys, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, and more
Why: Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park in Florida hosts a jam-band festival with thankfully a few southern blues-influenced acts.
Web: www.waneefestival.com
What: Coachella
Where: Indio, CA
When: April 16-18
Who: Jay-Z, Muse, Gorillaz, Pavement, LCD Soundsystem, Faith No More, Thom Yorke ????, Them Crooked Vultures, Tiësto, Phoenix, Vampire Weekend, MGMT, Orbital, deadmau5, David Guetta, Spoon, The Dead Weather, Public Image Limited, Hot Chip, Sly & The Family Stone, The Specials, Devo, Grizzly Bear, Julian Casablancas, Passion Pit, Echo & The Bunnymen, Dirty Projectors, Gossip, The xx, Sunny Day Real Estate, She & Him, Yo La Tengo, The Avett Brothers, Deerhunter, Mew, Sia, Matt & Kim, Camera Obscura, Tokyo Police Club, Yeasayer, The Big Pink, Little Boots, Ra Ra Riot, White Rabbits, and many, many more
Why: Back with a bang! After going mainstream last year, the biggest & best festival in North America delivers an amazing line-up in 2010, top-to-bottom (with a very weighty middle).
Web: www.coachella.com
What: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: April 23-25 & April 29-May 2
Who: Simon & Garfunkel, Pearl Jam, Aretha Franklin, Widespread Panic, Lionel Ritchie, Allman Brothers Band, The Neville Brothers, Elvis Costello & The Sugarcanes, My Morning Jacket, Van Morrison, Allen Toussaint, Jeff Beck, Black Crowes, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, B.B. King, Gov't Mule, Band of Horses, Levon Helm Band, The Dead Weather, Steve Martin, Richie Havens, Blues Traveler, Elvis Perkins In Dearland, Theresa Andersson, Martin Sexton and many, many more
Why: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is about much more than jazz & The Big Easy (though you will tons of jazz, zydeco, cajun & more), with rock greats going from the brand-new to iconic from the foundation of rock 'n' roll - and all in between (including double your Elvis's...).
Web: www.nojazzfest.com
What: Norman
Where: Norman, OK
When: April 24-25
Who: Dirty Projectors, Electric Six, Leon Russell, The Sword, Grupo Fantasma, Evangelicals, The Non, Unwed Sailor, Chase Pagan and more to be announced
Why: Now in its third year, Norman Oklahoma's own free festival stays sweet with headliners Dirty Projectors, while varying from metal to salsa, as it expands to a second day with an evening spectacle the night before. Read & see more in our 2009 recap here
Web: www.normanmusicfestival.com
What: Sunfest
Where: West Palm Beach, FL
When: April 28-May 2
Who: Patti LaBelle, Weezer, ZZ Top, Flaming Lips, Nas & Damian Marley, Ben Harper & Relentless7, The B-52s, Rise Against, Flogging Molly and more to be announced
Why: The sun always shines on Palm Beach, which hosts this relatively mainstream, but definitely enjoyable festival.
Web: www.sunfest.com
What: Beale Street
Where: Memphis, TN
When: April 30-May 2
Who:
Alice in Chains, Widespread Panic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Flaming Lips, 3 Doors Down, Limp Bizkit, Allison Kraus, Goo Goo Dolls, Blues Traveller, Jeff Beck, Colbie Caillat, The B-52s, Jerry Lee Lewis, 30 Seconds to Mars, Hall & Oates, Bret Michaels, Drive-By Truckers, Gov't Mule, Band of Horse Mutemath and many more
Why: Even amidst the oldies and the bands you wished would just stay away, Memphis has got some diamonds like the always-reliable festival favorites Flaming Lips.
Web: www.thebealestreetmusicfestival.com
What: Truck America
Where: Big Indian, NY
When: April 30-May 2
Who: Mercury Rev, White Rabbits, Hopewell, The Sadies, Ida, The Joy Formidable, Neil Halstead, The Silent League and more to be announced
Why: Following the lead of All Tomorrow's Parties (see below), U.K.'s Truck Festival comes to upstate New York, as U.K. indie festival meets twenty-first century Woodstock.
Web: www.thisistruck.com
May
What: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: April 23-25 & April 29-May 2
Who: Simon & Garfunkel, Pearl Jam, Aretha Franklin,
Widespread Panic, Lionel Ritchie, Allman Brothers Band, The Neville
Brothers, Elvis Costello & The Sugarcanes, My Morning Jacket, Van
Morrison, Allen Toussaint, Jeff Beck, Black Crowes, George Clinton
& Parliament/Funkadelic, B.B. King, Gov't Mule, Band of Horses,
Levon Helm Band, The Dead Weather, Steve Martin, Richie Havens, Blues
Traveler, Elvis Perkins In Dearland, Theresa Andersson, Martin Sexton
and many, many more
Why: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is about much
more than jazz & The Big Easy (though you will tons of jazz,
zydeco, cajun & more), with rock greats going from the brand-new to
iconic from the foundation of rock 'n' roll - and all in between
(including double your Elvis's...).
Web: www.nojazzfest.com
What: Sunfest
Where: West Palm Beach, FL
When: April 28-May 2
Who:
Patti LaBelle, Weezer, ZZ Top, Flaming Lips, Nas & Damian Marley,
Ben Harper & Relentless7, The B-52s, Rise Against, Flogging Molly
and more to be announced
Why: The sun always shines on Palm Beach, which hosts this relatively mainstream, but definitely enjoyable festival.
Web: www.sunfest.com
What: Beale Street
Where: Memphis, TN
When: April 30-May 2
Who:
Alice in Chains, Widespread Panic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Flaming
Lips, 3 Doors Down, Limp Bizkit, Allison Kraus, Goo Goo Dolls, Blues
Traveller, Jeff Beck, Colbie Caillat, The B-52s, Jerry Lee Lewis, 30
Seconds to Mars, Hall & Oates, Bret Michaels, Drive-By Truckers,
Gov't Mule, Band of Horse Mutemath and many more
Why: Even amidst the oldies and the bands you wished would just
stay away, Memphis has got some diamonds like the always-reliable
festival favorites Flaming Lips.
Web: www.thebealestreetmusicfestival.com
What: Truck America
Where: Big Indian, NY
When: April 30-May 2
Who: Mercury Rev, White Rabbits, Hopewell, The Sadies, Ida, The
Joy Formidable, Neil Halstead, The Silent League and more to be
announced
Why: Following the lead of All Tomorrow's Parties (see below), U.K.'s Truck Festival comes to upstate New York, as U.K. indie festival meets twenty-first century Woodstock.
Web: www.thisistruck.com
What: Bamboozle New Jersey
Where: East Rutherford, NJ
When: May 1-2
Who: Weezer, Paramore, MGMT, Drake, Girl Talk, Saves the Day, Angels & Airwaves, Matt & Kim, Hanson, Mutemath, The Maine, Minus the Bear, Say Anything, The Aquabats, Kevin Devine, Francis & The Lights, Architects, Good Old War, OK Go, Kuroma, Wiz Khalifa, Twin Atlantis and more to be announced
Why: Bamboozle New Jersey really hands the smackdown on Bamboozle California (see above), just as Day Two of the east coast festival puts the hurt on Day One, going down at the Meadowlands.
Web: party.thebamboozle.com/profile/TheBamboozleNewJersey
What: Punk Rock Bowling
Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: May 6-9
Who: Flogging Molly, NOFX, D.R.I., Against Me!, Hot Water Music, The Revival Tour, Fucked Up, TSOL, Swingin' Utters, 7 Seconds, The Dickies, Tony Sly and more
Why: Sunset Station Hotel & Casino hosts some combustible elements: punk, gambling, drinking, and bowling.
Web: www.punkrockbowling.com
What: The Hangout
Where: Gulf Shores, AL
When: May 14-16
Who: Trey Anastasio, John Legend, Ben Harper & Relentless7, Black Crowes, Alison Krauss, Gov't Mule, Flaming Lips, Ray LaMontagne, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Matisyahu, Jerry Jeff Walker, The Whigs, Ozomatli, OK Go, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, A.A. Bondy and more
Why: Some nice names in indie-jam head to the beach.
Web: www.hangoutmusicfest.com
What: Bamboozle Chicago
Where: Chicago, IL
When: May 15
Who: Cobra Starship, 3OH!3, Travis McCoy and more to
be announced
Why: Bamboozle moves to the middle of the country.
Web: party.thebamboozle.com/profile/TheBamboozleChicago
What: Rock On the Range
Where: Columbus, OH
When: May 22-23
Who: Godsmack, Rod Zombie, Three Days Grace, Limp Bizkit, Rise Against, Slash, Deftones, Papa Roach, Coheed and Cambria, Helmet and more
Why: How is Columbus, Ohio "where rock lives" (or a "range", for that matter?)? Thought that was Cleveland's Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame...
Web: www.rockontherange.com
What: Rocklahoma
Where: Pryor, OK
When: May 28-30
Who: ZZ Top, Godsmack, Tesla, Buckcherry, Chevelle, Theory of a Deadman, Saving Abel, Year Long Disaster and more to be announced
Why: ZZ Top & a bunch of hard rock acts? At least the name's good (though it doesn't pronounce right...).
Web: www.rocklahoma.com
What: Summer Camp
Where: Chillicothe, IL
When: May 28-30
Who: moe., Umphrey's McGee, STS9, Gov't Mule, The Avett Brothers, Yonder Mountain String Band, Keller Williams, Pretty Lights, Railroad Earth, The Hood Internet and more to be announced
Why: In its tenth year, Summer Camp has returned to being a country-jam-band festival.
Web: www.summercampfestival.com/2010
What: Sasquatch!
Where: Gorge, WA
When: May 29-31
Who: My Morning Jacket, Massive Attack, Ween, Pavement, Vampire Weekend, MGMT, The National, LCD Soundsystem, Band of Horses, Tegan & Sara, She & Him, deadmau5, Broken Social Scene, Passion Pit, New Pornographers, Nada Surf, Dirty Projectors, Public Enemy, The xx, Long Winters, Hold Steady, Camera Obscura, Simian Mobile Disco, Temper Trap, Midlake, Dr. Dog, Girls, Minus the Bear, No Age, Mountain Goats, WHY?, YACHT, Quasi, Japandroids, The Low Anthem, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Patrick Watson, Freelance Whales and more to be announced
Why: Sasquatch! can go toe-to-toe with any festival this year, thanks to one hell of a line-up.
Web: www.sasquatchfestival.com
June
What: Wakarusa
Where: Mulberry Mountain, AR
When: June 3-6
Who: STS9, Umphrey's McGee, The Disco Biscuits, The Black Keys, Blues Traveler, Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa, Railroad Earth, Tea Leaf Green, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Fishbone, Todd Snider, Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band, Earl Greyhound, The Uglysuit, Hoots & Hellmouth and more to be announced
Why: Now fully enscounced in the Ozarks (after having to exit Kansas after 2008), Bill Clinton's backwoods gets their jam on, with many acts playing double sets. See our photos from the last year in Kansas here
Web: www.wakarusa.com
What: Mountain Jam
Where: Hunter Mountain, NY
When: June 4-6
Who: Gov't Mule, Levon Helm, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Avett Brothers, Les Claypool, Drive-By Truckers, Matisyahu, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Dr. Dog, Jay Farrar, The Whigs, Justin Townes Earle, Simone Felice, The London Souls, These United States, and more to be announced
Why: Despite the name, the festival at Hunter Mountain looks to be more than just another jam-fest.
Web: mountainjam.com
What: Do Division
Where: Chicago, NY
When: June 5-6
Who: To be announced
Why: Held on ten blocks of Chicago's Division Street, Ashland
to Leavitt, the Do-Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale features
Chicago indie rock thanks to local music
clubs The Empty Bottle & Subterranean.
Web: do-divisionstreetfest.com
What: Free Press
Where: Houston, TX
When: June 5-6
Who: The Flaming Lips, Girl Talk, Slim Thug, Stars, Mix Master Mike, Medeski Martin & Wood,
Ra Ra Riot, Municipal Waste, Detroit Cobras, Cro-Mags, Dead Prez, Lucero, Sugar & Gold, Lymbc Systym, Kid Sister, Wild Moccasins, and more
Why: Free Press put Houston on the music festival map last year, with its cheap, winning festival, and while it's not quite as ridiculously inexpensive (went up from from $12 to $22.50 - or less than you'll pay anywhere else for a festival this good, and you can buy four, get four more for free by mentioning "SXSW party canceled"), they also went ahead and booked the best indie-festival favorite out there, Flaming Lips.
Web: www.freepresssummerfest.com
What: Celebrate Brooklyn!
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: To be announced May 4th
Who: The National, Passion Pit, Tokyo Police Club, Beach House and many more to be announced May 4th
Why: All we know so far are two ticketed shows, but they're certainly sweet. See our venue review & photos of Prospect Park Bandshell here
Web: www.briconline.org/celebrate
What: Central Park SummerStage
Where: Central Park, NY
When: To be announced in late April
Who: Pavement, Flaming Lips, Broken Social Scene, Hot Chip, Black Keys, John Butler Trio, Stardeath & The White Dwarfs, State Radio and many more to be announced in late April
Why: Pavement reunites for four dates in September at Rumsey Playfield (that sold out over a year in advance!), Flaming Lips in the sun, Broken Social Scene, Hot Chip - it's gonna be a good summer. See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: Bonnaroo
Where: Manchester, TN
When: June 10-13
Who: Dave Matthews Band, Kings of Leon, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Tenacious D, Weezer, Flaming Lips, Dead Weather, Damian Marley & Nas, Phoenix, Norah Jones, John Fogerty, Regina Spektor, Ween, LCD Soundsystem, Avett Brothers, Thievery Corporation, Tori Amos, The National, Les Claypool, Black Keys, Steve Martin, Jeff Beck, She & Him, deadmau5, Dayrl Hal & Chromeo, Disco Biscuits, Kris Kristofferson, The xx, GWAR, Dan Deacon, Gossip, Dr. Dog, Blitzen Trapper, Blues Traveler, OK Go, Dodos, Tokyo Police Club and many more
Why: Bonnaroo's jam-roots helped it endure the mainstream-itis of the big festivals last year better than most, but that's also meant less of a bounce-back this year, with a lot of older-skewing country/folk/jam artists alongside the indie-rock and surprisingly strong electro-dance & hip-hop contingents.
Web: www.bonnaroo.com
What: Metronome
Where: Chicago, IL
When: June 12-13
Who: To be announced
Why: Over two days, Metronome brings four stages to Chi-town's Logan Square: Latin Rock, Indie Rock, Folk & Punk.
Web: metronomechicago.com
What: North by Northeast
Where: Toronto, ON, Canada
When: June 14-20
Who: To be announced
Why: State support has given Canada a ton of great
alternative acts, and even their own version of South by Southwest in
North by Northeast.
Web: www.nxne.com
What: Telluride Bluegrass
Where: Telluride, CO
When: June 17-20
Who: Béla Fleck, Del McCoury Band, Josh Ritter Band, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, and more to be announced
Why: The ski resort of Telluride's
bluegrass festival so far is pretty jam, but last year also saw legendary
acts like David Byrne and Elvis Costello.
Web: www.bluegrass.com/telluride
What: Ann Arbor Summer
Where: Ann Arbor, MI
When: June 18-July 11
Who: To be announced in March
Why: Home of the University of Michigan (and The Dharma Initiative...), Ann Arbor gives Michigan a much-needed reason to smile with its three-week Summer Fest.
Web: www.annarborsummerfestival.org
What: Toronto Island
Where: Toronto, ON, Canada
When: June 19
Who: Pavement, Broken Social Scene, Band of Horses, Beach House, Timber Timbre and more
Why: Though last year's event was cancelled, Broken Social Scene-curated Toronto Island Concert will be back at Olympic Island, and this time with Pavement & Band of Horses - pretty much assured to be awesome.
Web: torontoislandconcert.com
What: Clearwater
Where: Croton Point Park, NY
When: June 19-20
Who: Steve Earle, Pete Seeger, Joan Osborne, Keller Williams, Railroad Earth, Felice Brothers, Rhett Miller, Mike Doughty and more to be announced
Why: After adding alt- to their folk last year, Hudson River's Clearwater festival returns to straight folk.
Web: www.clearwater.org/festival
What: AthFest
Where: Athens, GA
When: June 23-27
Who: To be announced
Why: The home of R.E.M. & The B-52s throw another year of local & imported acts in AthFest.
Web: www.athfest.com
What: Summerfest
Where: Milwaukee, WI
When: June 24-July 4
Who: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Public Enemy, ZZ-Top, Sheryl Crow, Thievery Corporation, 311, Colbie Caillat, STS9, Jeff Beck, The Hold Steady and many, many, many more to be announced
Why: The biggest music festival in the world is also the most mainstream, but there's so many bands over so many days, bound to be someone you want to see. And is there any other festival that can have Flava Flave and Tug McGraw's kid?...
Web: www.summerfest.com
What: Sled Island
Where: Calgary, AB, Canada
When: June 30-July 3
Who: Girl Talk, Melvins, Les Savy Fav, The Black Lips, Fucked
Up, Chain & The Gang, Chuck Regan and many more to be announced up
to May 1st
Why: Calgary's Sled Island has kept up where others have
fallen by the wayside for its fourth year, and will be curated by last
year's Polaris Prize winners, Fucked Up.
Web: www.sledisland.com
July
What: Sled Island
Where: Calgary, AB, Canada
When: June 30-July 3
Who: Girl Talk, Melvins, Les Savy Fav, The Black Lips, Fucked Up, Chain & The Gang, Chuck Regan and many more to be announced up to May 1st
Why: Calgary's Sled Island has kept up where others have fallen by the wayside for its fourth year, and will be curated by last year's Polaris Prize winners, Fucked Up.
Web: www.sledisland.com
What: Summerfest
Where: Milwaukee, WI
When: June 24-July 4
Who: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Tim McGraw, Carrie
Underwood, Public Enemy, ZZ-Top, Sheryl Crow, Thievery Corporation, 311,
Colbie Caillat, STS9, Jeff Beck, The Hold Steady and many, many, many
more to be announced
Why: The biggest music festival in the world is also the most
mainstream, but there's so many bands over so many days, bound to be
someone you want to see. And is there any other festival that can have
Flava Flave and Tug McGraw's kid?...
Web: www.summerfest.com
What: Ann Arbor Summer
Where: Ann Arbor, MI
When: June 18-July 11
Who: To be announced in March
Why: Home of the University of Michigan (and The Dharma
Initiative...), Ann Arbor gives Michigan a much-needed reason to smile
with its three-week Summer Fest.
Web: www.annarborsummerfestival.org
What: Celebrate Brooklyn!
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: To be announced May 4th
Who: The National, Passion Pit, Tokyo Police Club, Beach House and many more to be announced May 4th
Why: All we know so far are two ticketed shows, but they're certainly sweet. See our venue review & photos of Prospect Park Bandshell here
Web: www.briconline.org/celebrate
What: Central Park SummerStage
Where: Central Park, NY
When: To be announced in late April
Who: Pavement, Flaming Lips, Broken Social Scene, Hot Chip,
Black Keys, John Butler Trio, Stardeath & The White Dwarfs, State
Radio and many more to be announced in late April
Why: Pavement reunites for four dates in September at Rumsey
Playfield (that sold out over a year in advance!), Flaming Lips in the
sun, Broken Social Scene, Hot Chip - it's gonna be a good summer. See our venue
review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: High Sierra
Where: Quincy, CA
When: July 1-4
Who: Widespread Panic, The Black Crowes, The Avett Brothers, Ozomatli, Femi Kuti, Railroad Earth, Dr. Dog, Blitzen Trapper, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Nels Cline Singers, Surprise Me Mr. Davis, The Slip and more to be announced
Why: 20th anniversary of California's High Sierra Music Festival, up in the mountains, is stocked with festival staples.
Web: www.highsierramusic.com
What: Nateva
Where: Oxford, ME
When: July 2-4
Who: The Flaming Lips, Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, moe., STS9, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Umphrey's McGee, Zappa Plays Zappa, Keller Williams, Lotus, The Felice Brothers and more to be announced
Why: The wilderness of Maine even gets into summer festival fun this year. Go camping and see some great music in rural Maine this 4th of July for a change of pace.
Web: www.natevafestival.com
What: 80/35
Where: Des Moines, IA
When: July 3-4
Who: To be announced
Why: Better known for corn & presidential primaries, Iowa has also been holding hold a sweet & diverse 80/35 festival, now in its third year.
Web: www.80-35.com
What: Winnipeg Folk
Where: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
When: July 7-11
Who: Andrew Bird, The Avett Brothers, The Swell Season, Levon Helm Band, Arrested Development, Emmylou Harris, The Dodos, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Steve Dawson's Mississippi Sheiks Tribute, Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart, Hoots & Hellmouth, Mishka, Rock Plaza Central, and more
Why: Every city in the Great White North has a folk festival, this one at Winnipeg's Birds Hill Park - and with a prett solid line-up.
Web: www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca
What: Bluesfest Ottawa
Where: Ottawa, ON, Canada
When: July 7-18
Who: To be announced April 14th
Why: Cisco Systems again treats the capital of Canada to a wide span of acts over a wide span of days at a wide span of venues.
Web: www.ottawabluesfest.ca/en/
What: AllGood
Where: Masontown, WV
When: July 8-11
Who: Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, Widespread Panic, Umphrey's McGee, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, Femi Kuti, Railroad Earth, and more to be announced
Why: It's all good, bro...
Web: www.allgoodfestival.com
What: Québec City Summer
Where: Québec City, QC, Canada
When: July 8-18
Who: Rammstein and many more to be announced
Why: The only days of summer north of the St. Lawrence River sees not only Ottawa's Bluesfest (see above), but Québec City's own summer festival.
Web: www.infofestival.com/index.php?lang=en
What: Forecastle
Where: Louisville, KY
When: July 9-12
Who: To be announced
Why: Louisville rocks like Muhammad Ali or Colonel Sanders with the ninth year of Forecastle.
Web: www.forecastlefest.com
What: Camp Bisco
Where: Mariaville, NY
When: July 15-17
Who: The Disco Biscuits, LCD Soundsystem, Ween, Thievery Corporation, Girl Talk, Pretty Lights, Major Lazer, Diplo, The Album Leaf, Felix Cartal, Earl Greyhound, Woodhands and more to be
announced
Why: Festival mainstays jam & electro meet at The Disco Biscuits' ninth year of Camp Bisco.
Web: www.campbisco.net
What: Pitchfork
Where: Chicago, IL
When: July 16-18
Who: Pavement, Modest Mouse, LCD Soundsystem, Broken Social Scene, St. Vincent, Panda Bear, The Jon Spener Blues Explosion, Raekwon, El-P, Lighting Bolt, Girls, Titus Andronicus, Cass McCombs, Bear In Heaven, Here We Go Magic, The Smith Westerns, and more to be announced
Why: Whether you love or hate Pitchfork, you gotta love their
festival in Chicago's Union Park, both big enough & indie enough. See our photos from the 2009 festival here
Web: www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com
What: Siren
Where: Coney Island, NY
When: July 17
Who: To be announced
Why: Though parts of Coney Island have disappeared like so much driftwood, one thing that's still very much there is The Village Voice's Siren Music Festival. Read & see more in our 2009 recap here
Web: www.villagevoice.com/siren
What: Evolve
Where: Antigonish, NS, Canada
When: July 23-25
Who: To be announced
Why: Ever-imperiled by being cut off from the rest of Anglophone Canada by Quebec independence, Atlantic provinces like Nova Scotia have to jump at what they can, like Evolve.
Web: www.evolvefestival.com
What: Vancouver Folk
Where: Vancouver, BC, Canada
When: July 16-18
Who: To be announced
Why: Canadian folk is celebrated at Vancouver's Jericho Beach Park.
Web: thefestival.bc.ca/
What: What the Heck?
Where: Anacortes, WA
When: July 16-18
Who: LAKE, Liturgy, Ian Svenonius, Calvin Johnson, No Kids, Kimya Dawzon, Karl Blau, and more to be announced
Why: "It's Happening For Sure."
Web: whattheheckfest.com
What: Calgary Folk
Where: Calgary, AB, Canada
When: July 22-25
Who: Ohbijou, Timber Timbre, Frank Turner, Mississippi Sheiks Tribute Project and more to be announced through to May 3rd
Why: Another Canadian folk festival, this time in the country's prairie heartland, on Calgary's Prince's Island Park, with an artist announced a week up to May.
Web: www.calgaryfolkfest.com
What: HullabaLOU
Where: Louisville, KY
When: July 23-25
Who: Dave Matthews Band, Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, The Avett Brothers, Dwight Yoakam, Ben Folds, Black Crowes, Gov't Mule, The B-52s and more to be announced
Why: This festival only barely made the list, thanks to some last names like Avett, Folds & 52s (and not Matthews, Jovi or Chesney...).
Web: www.hullabaloufest.com
What: Osheaga
Where: Montréal, QC, Canada
When: July 28 - August 1
Who: To be announced
Why: Osheaga spreads out this year, with the first three nights 'in the city', the next three at the beautiful Parc Jean-Drapeua.
Web: www.osheaga.com/2009/en/
What: Wanderlust
Where: Lake Tahoe, CA
When: July 29-August 1
Who: Moby, Brazilian Girls, Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Yard Dogs Road Show and more to be announced
Why: Lake Tahoe's yoga-sponsored music festival comes back for a second year - so far, the line-ups pretty weak after the headliners, but last year it got some major additions closer to the date; here's hoping they will again.
Web: www.wanderlustfestival.com
What: dFest
Where: Tulsa, OK
When: July 30-31
Who: To be announced
Why: America's heartland will keep a-rockin' with the ninth year of Dfest, held in venues across Tulsa.
Web: www.dfest.com
What: Newport Folk
Where: Newport, RI
When: July 30 - August 1
Who: To be announced
Why: The festival where Bob 'Judas' Dylan went electric just celebrated it's fiftieth year (!).
Web: www.folkfestival50.com
August
What: Wanderlust
Where: Lake Tahoe, CA
When: July 29-August 1
Who: Moby, Brazilian Girls, Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Yard Dogs Road Show and more to be announced
Why: Lake Tahoe's yoga-sponsored music festival comes back for
a second year - so far, the line-ups pretty weak after the headliners,
but last year it got some major additions closer to the date; here's
hoping they will again.
Web: www.wanderlustfestival.com
What: Newport Folk
Where: Newport, RI
When: July 30 - August 1
Who: To be announced
Why: The festival where Bob 'Judas' Dylan went electric just celebrated it's fiftieth year (!).
Web: www.folkfestival50.com
What: Osheaga
Where: Montréal, QC, Canada
When: July 28 - August 1
Who: To be announced
Why: Osheaga spreads out this year, with the first three nights 'in the city', the next three at the beautiful Parc Jean-Drapeua.
Web: www.osheaga.com/2009/en/
What: Celebrate Brooklyn!
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: To be announced May 4th
Who: The National, Passion Pit, Tokyo Police Club, Beach House and many more to be announced May 4th
Why: All we know so far are two ticketed shows, but they're certainly sweet. See our venue review & photos of Prospect Park Bandshell here
Web: www.briconline.org/celebrate
What: Central Park SummerStage
Where: Central Park, NY
When: To be announced in late April
Who: Pavement, Flaming Lips, Broken Social Scene, Hot Chip,
Black Keys, John Butler Trio, Stardeath & The White Dwarfs, State
Radio and many more to be announced in late April
Why: Pavement reunites for four dates in September at Rumsey
Playfield (that sold out over a year in advance!), Flaming Lips in the
sun, Broken Social Scene, Hot Chip - it's gonna be a good summer. See our venue
review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: Edmonton Folk
Where: Edmonton, AB, Canada
When: August 5-8
Who: Ben Harper, Levon Helm, Calexico, Zachary Richard and more to be announced May 26th
Why: Edmonton has its own Canadian folk festival, too.
Web: www.edmontonfolkfest.org
What: Lollapalooza
Where: Chicago, IL
When: August 6-8
Who: To be announced
Why: The granddaddy of today's indie fests at Chicago's Grant Park.
Web: www.lollapalooza.com
What: KahBang
Where: Bangor, ME
When: August 6-14
Who: To be announced
Why: Little ol' Bangor, Maine's Kahbang goes from one day to many in its second year.
Web: www.kahbang.com
What: Musikfest
Where: Bethlehem, PA
When: August 6-15
Who: Norah Jones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Doobie Brothers and more to be announced
Why: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has a bunch of shows in August,
many of which have been free, showcasing bands that were big & an
alternative to the mainstream twenty to forty years ago, along with
some pseudo-younger, pseudo-big name groups.
Web: www.musikfest.org
What: HARD Summer
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: August 7
Who: To be announced
Why: The dancetronic HARD is supposed to come back to L.A. - but last year, fans jumping from the balcony & rushing the stage forced the whole thing to be canceled barely as it began...
Web: www.hardfest.com
What: Sunset Strip
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: August 12-14
Who: To be announced
Why: The Sunset Strip Music Festival moves a month early in 2010.
Web: www.sunsetstripmusicfestival.com
What: Sunset Junction
Where: Los Angeles, CA
When: August 21-22
Who: To be announced
Why: Silverlake's street fair returns to Sunset & Santa Monica Boulevards for its thirtieth year.
Web: www.sunsetjunction.org/streetfair.html
September
What: Central Park SummerStage
Where: Central Park, NY
When: To be announced in late April
Who: Pavement, Flaming Lips, Broken Social Scene, Hot Chip,
Black Keys, John Butler Trio, Stardeath & The White Dwarfs, State
Radio and many more to be announced in late April
Why: Pavement reunites for four dates in September at Rumsey
Playfield (that sold out over a year in advance!), Flaming Lips in the
sun, Broken Social Scene, Hot Chip - it's gonna be a good summer. See our venue
review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web: www.summerstage.org
What: ATP New York
Where: Monticello, NY
When: September 3-5
Who: Sonic Youth, Iggy & The Stooges, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Raekwon, Explosions In the Sky, THe Breeders, Sleep, Mudhoney, Girls, Fucked Up, The Scientists, Vivian Girls, Apse and more to be announced
Why: For the third year of All Tomorrow's Party in upstate New York, Sunday's curator is filmmaker Jim Marmusch (?!?), Friday sees ATP NY return to the first year's 'playing a whole album' theme for 'Don't Look Back', after last year's 'Write the Night' fan-chosen set lists, and between the two is Sonic Youth.
Web: www.atpfestival.com/events/atpnewyork2010.php
What: Electric Zoo
Where: Randall's Island, NY
When: September 4-5
Who: To be announced
Why: Bringing European-style electronic craziness is Electric Zoo, which returns for a second year to a ton of electronic artists over the Labor Day Weekend on New York City's Randall's Island.
Web: www.madeevent.com/ElectricZoo/
What: Musicfest
Where: Cranford, NJ
When: September 11-12
Who: To be announced
Why: About as creative as the name, Union County's Musicfest stil usually has at least one nineties alt-rock band you've always wanted to see.
Web: www.ucmusicfest.com
What: Harvest Jazz & Blues
Where: Fredericton, NB, Canada
When: September 14-19
Who: To be announced
Why: New Brunswick's Harvest mixes the folk festivals of Canada with the jazz & blues of Acadia's lineal descendants, Cajun country.
Web: www.harvestjazzandblues.com
What: Pygmalion
Where: Champaign-Urbana, IL
When: September 22-25
Who: To be announced
Why: Central Illinois's Pygmalion Music Festival returns for a sixth year.
Web: 2010.pygmalionmusicfestival.com
What: Midpoint
Where: Cincinnati, OH
When: September 23-25
Who: To be announced
Why: Queen City's festival-cum-industry showcase returns to the Over-the-Rhine district, after nearly getting flooded out last year, thanks to rain.
Web: www.mpmf.com
October
What: Austin City Limits
Where: Austin, TX
When: October 8-10
Who: To be announced
Why: 'The Live Music Capital of the World' & America's longest-running live music show bring their festival back to Zilker Park. Read much more in our 2009 day-by-day recap here
Web: www.aclfestival.com
What: CMJ
Where: New York, NY
When: October 19-23
Who: To be announced
Why: Even the collapse of Wall Street can't stop the rock, as everyone in the industry comes to New York's plethora of venues, from Bowery to Brooklyn and beyond. Read & see much more in our 2009 day-by-day recap here
Web: www.cmj.com/marathon
What: Voodoo Experience
Where: New Orleans, LA
When: October 29-31
Who: To be announced
Why: The home of the Super Bowl-winnin Saints hosts the wide-ranging Voodoo Experience over Halloween weekend. See much more in our 2009 photo gallery here
Web: http://thevoodooexperience.com/2009/index.php
November
none yet announced
Swedish beauty is mixed with New Orleans soul in the kitchen on Theresa Andersson’s one-woman debut, Hummingbird, Go!. 
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