2010 Festival Guide

<div> <a href="features/features/2010_festival_guide/"><img src="http://www.qromag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/festivalguide2010.jpg" alt="2010 Festival Guide" /></a><br /> </div> <div align="left"> <p> A new year, a new decade, and a new QRO Festival Guide!  We're starting earlier than...
2010 Festival Guide

 

View QRO Magazine 2010 Festival Guide in a larger map

 


January & February

American Songbook

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

Sounds Like Brooklyn

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

Together

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

Noise Pop

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

Noise Pop

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/

American Songbook

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
 

Neon Reverb

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
 

Nrmal 

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

Harvest of Hope

What:  Harvest of Hope
Where:  St. Augustine, FL
When:  March 12-14
Who:  Billy Bragg, Broken Social Scene, 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.  Read & see much more in our recap here
Web:  www.harvestofhopefest.com

South-by-Southwest

What:  South by Southwest
Where:  Austin, TX
When: 
March 17-21
Who:  A million-and-one-and-a-million-again.
Why:  Still the bar by which all other of the multiplying indie music industry expos are judged by.  Read & see much, much more in our recap here
Web:
  sxsw.com

Valley of the Vapors

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

MtyMx

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

Winter Music Conference

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

Ultra

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
 

Big Ears

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 much more in our 2010 photo gallery here
Web:  www.bigearsfestival.com/2010

Snoe.down 

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

Extreme Thing 

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

San Diego IndieFest 

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

Bamboozle California 

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
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
 

Music Now

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

Music Now

WhatMusic 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  

Culture Shock 

What:  Culture Shock
Where:
  Purchase, NY
When:
  April 16-17
Who:
  Bayside, Jay Electronica, The Books, Das Racist, Maps & Atlases, Surfer Blood and more – see dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  SUNY Purchase’s Culture Shock has a rather random line-up for the two-day spring fling.
Web:
  cultureshock2010.blogspot.com

JunoFest

What:  JunoFest
Where:
  St. John’s, NL, Canada
When:
  April 16-17
Who:
  Metric, Land of Talk, Arkells, The Most Serene Republic, Wintersleep, Alexisonfire, Amy Millan, Handsome Furs, Hollerado, Great Lake Swimmers, Julie Doiron, Bahamas, Postdata, Downchild and more
Why:  JUNO Award Nominees & more fill assorted venues in St. John’s, Newfoundland in the biggest celebration of Canadianism since the Vancouver Olympics (but this time all the way to the east, not all the way to the west…).
Web:
  junoawards.ca/juno-week/juno-fest

Wanee

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

Coachella

What:  Coachella
Where:
  Indio, CA
When:
  April 16-18
Who:
  Jay-Z, Muse, Gorillaz, Pavement, LCD Soundsystem, Faith No More, Atoms For Peace, 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

Rites of Spring

What:  Rites of Spring
Where:
  Nashville, TN
When:
  April 23-24
Who:
  Drake, Ben Harper & Relentless7, Phoenix, Passion Pit, Cold War Kids, Doug E. Fresh, Alberta Cross, Two Door Cinema Club and more
Why:  Vanderbilt University knows how to book ’em for its Rites of Spring (fling).
Web:  www.vanderbilt.edu/ros/index.php

Austin Psychfest

What:  Austin Psychfest
Where:
  Austin, TX
When:
  April 23-25
Who:
  The Raveonettes, The Black Angels, Gaslamp Killer, Spindrift, Warpaint, Silver Apples, Indian Jewelry, The Vandelles, VOICEs VOICEs, Pink Mountaintops, Ringo Deathstarr, The Duchess & The Duke and more
Why:  Austin’s Mohawk plays host to a mixture of indie & psych.
Web:
  www.austinpsychfest.com

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage

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

Norman

What:  Norman
Where:
  Norman, OK
When:
  April 24-25
Who:
  Dirty Projectors, Electric Six, Leon Russell, The Sword, Grupo Fantasma, Octopus Project, Evangelicals, Those Darlins, Colourmusic, Unwed Sailor, Chase Pagan, Locust Avenue, Ghost of Monkhood, Indian Jewelry, Wild Moccasins, Bear Colony and more
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 recap here
Web:
  www.normanmusicfestival.com 

Sunfest

What:  SunFest
Where:
  West Palm Beach, FL
When:
  April 28-May 2
Who:
  Patti LaBelle, Weezer, ZZ Top, Nas & Damian Marley, Ben Harper & Relentless7, The B-52s, Smash Mouth, REO Speedwagon, Rise Against, Flogging Molly, We Are Scientists, Alberta Cross, These United States, Tigercity, Gringo Star and more
Why:  The sun always shines on Palm Beach, which hosts this relatively mainstream, but definitely enjoyable festival.  Read & see much more in our recap here
Web:
  www.sunfest.com

Beale Street

What:  Beale Street
Where:
  Memphis, TN
When:
  April 30-May 2
Who:
  Alice in Chains, Widespread Panic, Earth, Wind & Fire, 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 Horses, Mutemath and many more
Why:  Mostly oldies and the bands you wished would just stay away.
Web:
  www.thebealestreetmusicfestival.com

Truck America

What:  Truck America
Where:
  Big Indian, NY
When:
  April 30-May 2
Who:
  Mercury Rev, White Rabbits, The Joy Formidable, Neil Halstead, Ida, The Sadies, Hopewell, The Silent League, Here We Go Magic, Lewis & Clarke, The Dig, Wintersleep, The Roadside Graves and more
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

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage

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

Sunfest

What:  SunFest
Where:
  West Palm Beach, FL
When:
  April 28-May 2
Who:  Patti LaBelle, Weezer, ZZ Top, Nas & Damian Marley, Ben Harper & Relentless7, The B-52s, Smash Mouth, REO Speedwagon, Rise Against, Flogging Molly, We Are Scientists, Alberta Cross, These United States, Tigercity Gringo Star and more
Why:  The sun always shines on Palm Beach, which hosts this relatively mainstream, but definitely enjoyable festival.  Read & see much more in our recap here
Web:  www.sunfest.com

Beale Street

What:  Beale Street
Where:
  Memphis, TN
When:
  April 30-May 2
Who:  Alice in Chains, Widespread Panic, Earth, Wind & Fire, 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:  Mostly oldies and the bands you wished would just stay away.
Web:
  www.thebealestreetmusicfestival.com

Truck America

What:  Truck America
Where:
  Big Indian, NY
When:
  April 30-May 2
Who:  Mercury Rev, White Rabbits, The Joy Formidable, Neil Halstead, Ida, The Sadies, Hopewell, The Silent League, Here We Go Magic, Lewis & Clarke, The Dig, Wintersleep, The Roadside Graves and more
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

Bamboozle New Jersey

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, Something Corporate, Say Anything, The Aquabats, Kevin Devine, Francis & The Lights, Architects, Good Old War, OK Go, The Joy Formidable, Foxy Shazam, Violens, The Morning Of, Wiz Khalifa, The Dig and more
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 

Punk Rock Bowling

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

The Hangout

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, Ray LaMontagne, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Matisyahu, Girl Talk, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Jerry Jeff Walker, The Whigs, Ozomatli, OK Go, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, A.A. Bondy, Wild Sweet Orange and more
Why:  Some nice names in indie-jam head to the beach.
Web:
  www.hangoutmusicfest.com

Bamboozle Chicago 

What:  Bamboozle Chicago
Where:  Chicago, IL
When: 
May 15
Who:  Cobra Starship, 3OH!3, Something Corporate, Travis McCoy, Kill Hannah and more
Why:  Bamboozle moves to the middle of the country.
Web:  party.thebamboozle.com/profile/TheBamboozleChicago

Rock On the Range

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


Rocklahoma

What:  Rocklahoma
Where:  Pryor, OK
When:  May 28-30
Who:  ZZ Top, Godsmack, Three Days Grace, Tesla, Buckcherry, Chevelle, Theory of a Deadman, Sevendust, Saving Abel, Year Long Disaster and more
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


Summer Camp

What:  Summer Camp
Where:  Chillicothe, IL
When:  May 28-30
Who:  moe., Umphrey’s McGee, STS9, Gov’t Mule, The Avett Brothers, Keller Williams, Pretty Lights, Public Enemy, Railroad Earth, The Hood Internet, Rev Peyton’s Big Damn Band, The Uglysuit and more
Why:  In its tenth year, Summer Camp has returned to being a country-jam-band festival.
Web:  www.summercampfestival.com/2010

Movement Electronic

What:  Movement Electronic
Where:  Detroit, MI
When:  May 29-31
Who:  Plastikman, Inner City, Model 500, Kid Sister, Pretty Lights, A-Trak and more
Why:  Electronic music returns to the city where techno (and much more) was born. 
Web:  www.movement.us

Sasquatch

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, Aziz Ansari and many more
Why:  Sasquatch! can go toe-to-toe with any festival this year, thanks to one hell of a line-up.  Read & see much more in our recap here
Web:  www.sasquatchfestival.com

B.O.M.B.

What:  B.O.M.B.
Where:  Old Lyme, CT
When:  May 30
Who:  Lupe Fiasco, 30 Seconds to Mars, of Montreal, Girl Talk, Brand New, Mute Math, Ra Ra Riot, The Cool Kids, Jay Electronica, EULA, The Energy and more
Why:  Finally – a festival in New England, Connecticut’s Durham Fairgrounds hosts the varied Bring Our Music Back Fest.  See much more in our photo gallery here
Web:  www.bombfest.com

 

 


June

Central Park SummerStage

What:  Central Park SummerStage
Where:  Central Park, NY
When:  June 1-September 24
Who:  Pavement, Flaming Lips, Hot Chip, Black Keys, Gov’t Mule, St. Vincent, Public Enemy, The xx, The Specials, The Daily Show & Friends, Gil Scott-Heron, Living Colour, Raphael Saadiq, Jimmy Cliff, Tinariwen, John Butler Trio, Stardeath & The White Dwarfs, The Morning Benders, State Radio, Chairlift, tUnE-yArDs, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Ebony Bones!, Basia Bulat, Jack Peñate and many more – see June dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  Though the benefit concerts are awesome (Pavement reunites for four dates – that sold out over a year in advance!), the free shows don’t heat up until August.  See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web:  www.summerstage.org  


Wakarusa

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
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


Verge

What:  Verge
Where:  Milwaukee, WI
When:  June 4-5
Who:  Weezer, Three Days Grace, She & Him, Rogue Wave, Eagles of Death Metal, AFI, Cold War Kids, The Raveonettes, Manchester Orchestra, Crash Kings, Nico Vega, Locksley and more
Why:  A two-day fest brews up in Milwaukee.
Web:  www.vergemusicfestival.com


Mountain Jam

What:  Mountain Jam
Where:  Hunter Mountain, NY
When:  June 4-6
Who:  Levon Helm & Friends, Gov’t Mule, Alison Krauss & Union Station, 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
Why:  Despite the name, the festival at Hunter Mountain looks to be more than just another jam-fest, including a celebration of Levon Helm’s 70th birthday by some all-star friends.
Web:  mountainjam.com


Roots Picnic

What:  Roots Picnic
Where:  Philadelphia, PA
When:  June 5
Who:  The Roots, Vampire Weekend, Method Man, Ghostface & Raekwon, John Legend, Das Racist, Clipse, Mayer Hawthorne & The County, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jay Electronica, The Very Best, tUnE-yArDs, Pattern Is Movement and more
Why:  "The best band in late night" take a break from their day jobs – just how did Jimmy Fallon get them, anyway?… – to throw their third Roots Picnic.
Web:  www.okayplayer.com/rootspicnic


Do Division

What:  Do Division
Where:  Chicago, NY
When:  June 5-6
Who:  YACHT, Hood Internet, Ponys, Pelican, Headlights, Warpaint, Earl Greyhound and more
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


Free Press

What:  Free Press
Where: 
Houston, TX
When: 
June 5-6
Who:  The Flaming Lips, Girl Talk, Detroit Cobras, Slim Thug & Bun B, Stars, Kid Sister, Mix Master Mike, Ra Ra Riot, Lucero, The Entrance Band, Dead Prez, Medeski Martin & Wood, Lymbyc Systym, Municipal Waste, Cro-Mags, Sugar & Gold, 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  


Gone to Governors

What:  Gone to Governors
Where: 
Governors Island, NY
When: 
June 5-August 14
Who:  She & Him, Yeasayer, Dr. Dog, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Lucero, Local Natives, Neon Indian, The Morning Benders, Portugal. The Man, Justin Townes Earle, Freelance Whales, Dawn Landes & The Hounds, and more – see June dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  Because NYC isn’t blessed with enough free outdoor shows this summer, Converse is sponsoring a series on the island between Wall Street, Red Hook, and the Statue of Liberty, Gone to Governors.  See our venue review & photos of Governors Island here
Web:  www.thebeachconcerts.com  


BFD

What:  BFD
Where:  Mountain View, CA
When:  June 6
Who:  Sublime with Rome, Spoon, Deftones, Gaslight Anthem, Hole, Against Me!, Silversun Pickups, Matt & Kim, Temper Trap, BT, Cage the Elephant, The Soft Pack, Dan Black, Toxic Avenger, Golden Filter, Veil Veil Vanish and more
Why:  A mixture of indie, mainstream, emo, electronic & more come to Shoreline Ampitheatre, thanks to radio Station KITS Live 105.
Web:  www.live105.com/test/


Twangfest

What:  Twangfest
Where:  St. Louis, MO
When:  June 9-12
Who:  Ray Willie Hubbard, Detroit Cobras, Those Darlins, Ha Ha Tonka, These United States and more
Why:  88.1 KDHX brings some twang to Middle America.
Web:  twangfest.com 


Celebrate Brooklyn!

What:  Celebrate Brooklyn!
Where:  Brooklyn, NY
When:  June 9-August 8
Who:  The National, Passion Pit, The Dead Weather, Rufus Wainwright, Norah Jones, Sonic Youth, Metric, Allen Toussaint, The Roots, The Swell Season, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Eugene Mirman, Ozomatli, Konono #1, Tokyo Police Club, Beach House, The Low Anthem, Joan As Policewoman, Budos Band, Holly Miranda and more – see June dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  Once again, Prospect Park Bandshell’s Celebrate Brooklyn! delivers all summer long, starting with Norah Jones on opening night (QRO photos).  See our venue review & photos of Prospect Park Bandshell here
Web:  www.briconline.org/celebrate

Bonnaroo

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.  But it’s also got Ben & Jerry’s newest music-inspired ice cream, ‘Flavoroo’ (photos from flavor launch).
Web:  www.bonnaroo.com

Noise For the Needy

What:  Noise For the Needy
Where:  Seattle, WA
When:  June 10-13
Who:  The Album Leaf, Delta Spirit, Visqueen, John Vanderslice, Portland Cello Project, Horse Feathers and many more
Why:  Seattle’s benefit-cum-festival returns at venues across the city.
Web:  www.noisefortheneedy.org  

What:  Metronome
Where:  Chicago, IL
When:  June 12-13
Who:  Akron/Family, Split Lip Rayfield, Pegboy, Alejandro Marcovich, Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s, The Pack A.D. and more
Why:  Over two days, Metronome brings four stages to Chi-town’s Logan Square: Latin Rock, Indie Rock, Folk & Punk (not that you’ve heard of any of them…).
Web:  metronomechicago.com

North-by-Northeast

What:  North by Northeast
Where:  Toronto, ON, Canada
When:  June 14-20
Who:  Iggy & The Stoogs, Eagles of Death Metal, The Raveonettes, De La Soul, Mudhoney, X, Les Savy Fav, Man… or Astro-man?, Sloan, Japandroids, Cold Cave, Surfer Blood, Kid Sister, WAVVES, The Soft Pack, Walter Schriefels, Thee Oh Sees, Avi Buffalo, The Besnard Lakes, Free Energy, Zeus, HEALTH, A.A. Bondy, Timber Timbre, Women, DD/MM/YYYY, Young Galaxy, Phenomenal Handclap Band, Hollerado, Mannequin Men and more – plus Toronto Island (see below)
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 (though most of the acts are from south of the border…).  Update: now includes Toronto Island (see below)
Web:  www.nxne.com

Telluride Bluegrass

What:  Telluride Bluegrass
Where:  Telluride, CO
When:  June 17-20
Who:  Lyle Lovett, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Leftover Salmon, Béla Fleck, Del McCoury Band, Josh Ritter Band, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Imelda May, Mumford & Sons, Ben Sollee and more
Why:  The ski resort of Telluride’s bluegrass festival brings some legends in along with the jam.
Web:  www.bluegrass.com/telluride 

Taste of Randolph Street

What:  Taste of Randolph Street
Where:  Chicago, IL
When:  June 18-20
Who:  Superchunk, Lucero, Califone, Mucca Pazza, Headlights, The Love Language, Twin Tigers and more
Why:  Middle America gives Randolph Street a taste of indie-rock.
Web:  starevents.com/chicago-events2/taste-of-randolph/

Ann Arbor

What:
  Ann Arbor Summer
Where:  Ann Arbor, MI
When:  June 18-July 11
Who:  Patti Griffin, Chris Isaak, My Dear Disco, NOMO, Mucca Pazza and more
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

Make Music Pasadena

What:  Make Music Pasadena
Where:  Pasadena, CA
When:  June 19
Who:  Matt & Kim, Natalia Lafourcade, Warpaint, The Antlers, Franki Chan and more
Why:  After going weakly world last year, southern California’s biggest free festival gets a more well-rounded sound in 2010.
Web:  www.makemusicpasadena.org

Southern Shore

What:  Southern Shore
Where:  Cumberland County Fairgrounds, NJ
When:  June 19
Who:  Trout Fishing in America, Little Feet, The Lee Boys, Elizabeth Cook, Dala and more
Why:  The southern shore of New Jersey holds a one-day old-school festival – with no one you’ve ever heard of.
Web:  www.southernshoremusicfestival.com

Toronto Island

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.  Read & see more in our recap here   Update: now a part of North-by-Northeast (see above)
Web:  torontoislandconcert.com

Clearwater

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
Why:  After adding alt- to their folk last year, Hudson River’s Clearwater festival returns to straight folk.
Web:  www.clearwater.org/festival

Pacsun Summer Solistice Beach Ballyhoo

What:  Pacsun Summer Solistice Beach Ballyhoo
Where:  Santa Monica, CA
When:  June 19-20
Who:  Circa Survive, Minus the Bear, Ra Ra Riot, Matt & Kim, Yelawolf, As Tall As Lions, Neon Trees, Steel Train, Bad Rabbits and more
Why:  Skateboarding & corporate logos meets indie-rock in the longest-titled festival of the season, which is free – but you can only get your tickets at your local PacSun Store…
Web:  shop.pacsun.com/content.jsp?pageName=ballyhoo 

KCRW World

What:  KCRW World
Where:  Los Angeles, CA
When:  June 20-September 19
Who:  Chemical Brothers, Goldfrapp, The Swell Season, Baaba Maal, Jimmy Cliff, Ozomatli, She & Him, Yeasayer, Chromeo, YACHT, The Brid & The Bee, tUnE-yArDs and more
Why:  KCRW brings the world to the Hollywood Bowl.
Web:  www.kcrw.com/events/world-music-festival-2010

River-to-River 

What:  River-to-River
Where:  Downtown Manhattan, NY
When: June 22-August 13
Who:  Dan Zane, Beth Orton, Steve Hackett, The Wedding Present, YACHT, Bear In Heaven, Thee Oh Sees, Avi Buffalo, Free Energy, Antibalas, Madeline Peyroux, Yellowfever, Golden Triangle, Best Coast, Chris Velan, Woven Bones and more – see June dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  As Wall Street emerges from the wreckage it created (with a taxpayer assist), downtown Manhattan holds another year of the River-to-River Festival, with music from the Hudson to the East River to the Atlantic Ocean.  The whole thing kicks off with the twelve-hour ‘Bang On a Can’ marathon (photos), with a Fourth of July show at Battery Park (unfortunately a kids show this year…), and many more free shows at Castle Clinton, World Financial Center, and especially South Street Seaport.  See our venue review & photos of Battery Park hereSee our venue review & photos of Castle Clinton hereSee our venue review & photos of South Street Seaport hereSee our venue review & photos of World Financial Center here
Web:  www.rivertorivernyc.com 

AthFest

What:  AthFest
Where:  Athens, GA
When:  June 23-27
Who:  Cracker, Perpetual Groove, Holly Golightly & The Broke-Offs, David Barbe & The Quick Hooks, David Dondero, Dead Confederate, Gift Horse, Modern Skirts, The Futurebirds, Bubba Sparxxx and more
Why:  The home of R.E.M. & The B-52s throw another year of local & imported acts in AthFest.
Web:  www.athfest.com 

Northside

What:  Northside
Where:  Brooklyn, NY
When:  June 24-27
Who:  Islands, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Liars, The Fiery Furnaces, Au Revoir Simone, WAVVES, Sondre Lerche, Thao & Mirah with The Most of All, Les Savy Fav, Titus Andronicus, Amazing Baby, Fucked Up, A.A. Bondy, These United States, Aa, Tame Impala, High Places, Twin Sister, Oberhofer, Takka Takka,, The So So Glos, Forest Fire, Takka Takka, Paul & The Patients, Electric Tickle Machine, The Black Hollies, The Grates, Hooray For Earth, PS I Love You, Phil & The Osophers, Class Actress, The Fresh & Onlys, Boy Without God, Violens, Drink Up Buttercup, MiniBoone, Shoney Lamar and more
Why:  L Magazine‘s Northside Festival returns for a second year, taking place in venues across the Williamsburg & Greenpoint neighborhoods, with showcases curated by all sorts of New York City music industry players.  Read & see much more in our recap here
Web:  www.thelmagazine.com/blogs/NorthsideFestivalNews

Summerfest

What:  Summerfest
Where:  Milwaukee, WI
When:  June 24-July 4
Who:  Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Eric Clapton, Santana, Tim McGraw, Usher, Justin Bieber, Rush, Carrie Underwood, American Idols Live, Public Enemy, Roger Daltrey, ZZ Top, Sheryl Crow, Thievery Corporation, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, B.B. King, Passion Pit, Weird Al Yankovic, DEVO, 311, Colbie Caillat, The Bravery, The B-52s, Against Me!, Modest Mouse, The Roots, Tokyo Police Club, STS9, Silversun Pickups, Less Than Jake, The Hold Steady, Guster, The Heavy, Avi Buffalo, Henry Clay People, Steel Train, Earl Greyhound, Carney, London Souls and many, many, many more
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, American Idols, B.B. King, Passion Pit, Weird Al Yankovic and Tug McGraw’s kid?…
Web:  www.summerfest.com 

Jazz Winnipeg

What:  Jazz Winnipeg
Where:  Winnipeg, MB, Canada
When: 
June 25-July 4
Who:  The Roots, Martha Wainwright, Deerhoof, Budos Band, Great Lake Swimmers, Sugar & Gold, Think About Life and more
Why:  Instead of another Canadian city’s folk music festival, a jazz one. 
Web:
  www.jazzwinnipeg.com

Montreal Jazz

What:  Montreal Jazz
Where:  Montreal, QC, Canada
When: 
June 25-July 6
Who:  Lou Reed, Andrew Bird, The Doobie Brothers, The Roots, George Clinton, Smokey Robinson, Spank Rock, Lionel Ritchie, !!!, Gil-Scott Heron, The Besnard Lakes, Land of Talk, Holy Fuck, Plants & Animals, Basia Bulat, Think About Life and more
Why:  Jazz has always fit best in Francophone America. 
Web:
  www.montrealjazzfest.com

Bro-Am

What:  Bro-Am
Where:  Encinitas, CA
When: 
June 26
Who:  Switchfoot, OK Go, Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants, The Almost, Kate Voegele and more
Why:  Switchfoot hold their sixth annual ‘Bro-Am’ at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, with all the proceeds going to StandUp For Kids. 
Web:
  www.switchfoot.com/switchfoot/p/broam 

Green Music

What:  Green Music
Where:  Chicago, IL
When: 
June 26-27
Who:  Cloud Cult, The Wailers, David Bazan, The Aggrolites, Maps & Atlases, Fang Island and more
Why:  The eco-friendly Green Music fest comes to Chicago Ave with eco-friendly acts. 
Web:
  www.greenmusicfestchicago.com

WFNX Clam Bake

What:  WFNX Clam Bake
Where:  Boston, MA
When: 
June 27
Who:  Metric, Silversun Pickups, Gogol Bordello, Nada Surf, Rogue Wave, Matt & Kim, Against Me! and more
Why:  Radio station WFNX holds a clam bake at Boston’s House of Blues on Lansdowne Street. 
Web:
  wfnx.com/clambake

Sled Island

What:  Sled Island
Where:  Calgary, AB, Canada
When:  June 30-July 3
Who:  Dinosaur Jr., Girl Talk, Melvins, GZA, Built To Spill, No Age, The Thermals, Les Savy Fav, The Black Lips, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Fucked Up, !!!, Hot Water Music, King Khan & BBQ Show, Deerhoof, The Bronx, WHY?, Chain & The Gang, James Husband, Hollerado, Turbo Fruits, Jane Vain, Sugar & Gold, Hot Panda and more
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, with over 200 bands.
Web:  www.sledisland.com  

 

 


July

Sled Island

What:  Sled Island
Where:  Calgary, AB, Canada
When:  June 30-July 3
Who:  Dinosaur Jr., Girl Talk, Melvins, GZA, Built To Spill, No Age, The Thermals, Les Savy Fav, The Black Lips, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Fucked Up, !!!, Hot Water Music, King Khan & BBQ Show, Deerhoof, The Bronx, WHY?, Chain & The Gang, James Husband, Hollerado, Turbo Fruits, Jane Vain, Sugar & Gold, Hot Panda and more
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, with over 200 bands.
Web:  www.sledisland.com  

Summerfest

What:  Summerfest
Where:  Milwaukee, WI
When:  June 24-July 4
Who:  Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Eric Clapton, Santana, Tim McGraw, Usher, Justin Bieber, Rush, Carrie Underwood, American Idols Live, Public Enemy, Roger Daltrey, ZZ Top, Sheryl Crow, Thievery Corporation, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, B.B. King, Passion Pit, Weird Al Yankovic, DEVO, 311, Colbie Caillat, The Bravery, The B-52s, Against Me!, Modest Mouse, The Roots, Tokyo Police Club, STS9, Silversun Pickups, Less Than Jake, The Hold Steady, Guster, The Heavy, Avi Buffalo, Henry Clay People, Steel Train, Earl Greyhound, Carney, London Souls and many, many, many more
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, American Idols, B.B. King, Passion Pit, Weird Al Yankovic and Tug McGraw’s kid?…
Web:  www.summerfest.com  

Jazz Winnipeg

What:  Jazz Winnipeg
Where:  Winnipeg, MB, Canada
When: 
June 25-July 4
Who:  The Roots, Martha Wainwright, Deerhoof, Budos Band, Great Lake Swimmers, Sugar & Gold, Think About Life and more
Why:  Instead of another Canadian city’s folk music festival, a jazz one. 
Web:
  www.jazzwinnipeg.com

Montreal Jazz

What:  Montreal Jazz
Where:  Montreal, QC, Canada
When: 
June 25-July 6
Who:  Lou Reed, Andrew Bird, The Doobie Brothers, The Roots, George Clinton, Smokey Robinson, Spank Rock, Lionel Ritchie, !!!, Gil-Scott Heron, The Besnard Lakes, Land of Talk, Holy Fuck, Plants & Animals, Basia Bulat, Think About Life and more
Why:  Jazz has always fit best in Francophone America. 
Web:
  www.montrealjazzfest.com

Ann Arbor

What:  Ann Arbor Summer
Where:  Ann Arbor, MI
When:  June 18-July 11
Who:  Patti Griffin, Chris Isaak, My Dear Disco, NOMO, Mucca Pazza and more
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

Central Park SummerStage

What:  Central Park SummerStage
Where:  Central Park, NY
When:  June 1-September 24
Who:  Pavement, Flaming Lips, Hot Chip, Black Keys, Gov’t Mule, St. Vincent, Public Enemy, The xx, The Specials, The Daily Show & Friends, Gil Scott-Heron, Living Colour, Raphael Saadiq, Jimmy Cliff, Tinariwen, John Butler Trio, Stardeath & The White Dwarfs, The Morning Benders, State Radio, Chairlift, tUnE-yArDs, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Ebony Bones!, Basia Bulat, Jack Peñate and many more – see July dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  Though the benefit concerts are awesome (Pavement reunites for four dates – that sold out over a year in advance!), the free shows don’t heat up until August.  See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web:  www.summerstage.org  


Gone to Governors

What:  Gone to Governors
Where: 
Governors Island, NY
When: 
June 5-August 14
Who:  She & Him, Yeasayer, Dr. Dog, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Lucero, Local Natives, Neon Indian, The Morning Benders, Portugal. The Man, Justin Townes Earle, Freelance Whales, Dawn Landes & The Hounds, and more – see July dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  Because NYC isn’t blessed with enough free outdoor shows this summer, Converse is sponsoring a series on the island between Wall Street, Red Hook, and the Statue of Liberty, Gone to Governors.  See our venue review & photos of Governors Island here
Web:
  www.thebeachconcerts.com  

Celebrate Brooklyn!

What:  Celebrate Brooklyn!
Where:  Brooklyn, NY
When:  June 9-August 8
Who:  The National, Passion Pit, The Dead Weather, Rufus Wainwright, Norah Jones, Sonic Youth, Metric, Allen Toussaint, The Roots, The Swell Season, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Eugene Mirman, Ozomatli, Konono #1, Tokyo Police Club, Beach House, The Low Anthem, Joan As Policewoman, Budos Band, Holly Miranda and more – see July dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  Once again, Prospect Park Bandshell’s Celebrate Brooklyn! delivers all summer long, starting with Norah Jones on opening night (QRO photos).  See our venue review & photos of Prospect Park Bandshell here
Web:  www.briconline.org/celebrate

KCRW World

What:  KCRW World
Where:  Los Angeles, CA
When:  June 20-September 19
Who:  Chemical Brothers, Goldfrapp, The Swell Season, Baaba Maal, Jimmy Cliff, Ozomatli, She & Him, Yeasayer, Chromeo, YACHT, The Brid & The Bee, tUnE-yArDs and more
Why:  KCRW brings the world to the Hollywood Bowl.
Web:  www.kcrw.com/events/world-music-festival-2010

River-to-River 

What:  River-to-River
Where:  Downtown Manhattan, NY
When: June 22-August 13
Who:  Dan Zane, Beth Orton, Steve Hackett, The Wedding Present, YACHT, Bear In Heaven, Thee Oh Sees, Avi Buffalo, Free Energy, Antibalas, Madeline Peyroux, Yellowfever, Golden Triangle, Best Coast, Chris Velan, Woven Bones and more – see July dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  As Wall Street emerges from the wreckage it created (with a taxpayer assist), downtown Manhattan holds another year of the River-to-River Festival, with music from the Hudson to the East River to the Atlantic Ocean.  The whole thing kicks off with the twelve-hour ‘Bang On a Can’ marathon (photos), with a Fourth of July show at Battery Park (unfortunately a kids show this year…), and many more free shows at Castle Clinton, World Financial Center, and especially South Street Seaport.  See our venue review & photos of Battery Park hereSee our venue review & photos of Castle Clinton hereSee our venue review & photos of South Street Seaport hereSee our venue review & photos of World Financial Center here
Web:  www.rivertorivernyc.com

High Sierra

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
Why:  20th anniversary of California’s High Sierra Music Festival, up in the mountains, is stocked with festival staples. 
Web:
  www.highsierramusic.com

Nateva

What: Nateva
Where:  Oxford, ME
When: 
July 2-4
Who:  The Flaming Lips, Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, moe., Ghostland Observatory, STS9, Passion Pit, Grizzly Bear, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, She & Him, Zappa Plays Zappa, Jakob Dylan & Three Legs, Drive-By Truckers, Crash Kings, Umphrey’s McGee, Lotus, The Felice Brothers, You Can Be a Wesley and more
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  

80/35

What:  80/35
Where:  Des Moines, IA
When: 
July 3-4
Who:  Spoon, Modest Mouse, Slightly Stoopid, The Cool Kids, The Heavy, Yo La Tengo, Railroad Earth, Earl Greyhound, The Walkmen, Califone, Avi Buffalo, Evangelicals, Dawes and more
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  

Winnipeg Folk

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 pretty solid line-up.
Web:
  www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca

Bluesfest Ottawa

What:  Bluesfest Ottawa
Where:  Ottawa, ON, Canada
When: 
July 7-18
Who:  Flaming Lips, Iron Maiden, Arcade Fire, Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, Metric, Rush, Weezer, Santana, Passion Pit, The B-52s, Joan Jett, Andrew Bird, Blonde Redhead, Foghat, Crowded House, The Hold Steady, Ozomatli, Rural Alberta Advantage, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Grupo Fantasma, Martin Sexton, Bear In Heaven, Woodhands, Budos Band, Timber Timbre, We Are Wolves, Great Lake Swimmers, Basia Bulat and more
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 stages. 
Web:
  www.ottawabluesfest.ca/en/  

All Good

What:  All Good
Where: 
Masontown, WV
When: 
July 8-11
Who:  Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, Widespread Panic, Umphrey’s McGee, George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Femi Kuti, Tea Leaf Green, Railroad Earth, Dr. Dog and more
Why:  It’s all good, bro…
Web:
  www.allgoodfestival.com

Québec City Summer

What:  Québec City Summer
Where:  Québec City, QC, Canada
When: 
July 8-18
Who:  RUSH, Black Eyed Peas, Arcade Fire, Iron Maiden, Santana, Passion Pit, Andrew Bird, Thievery Corporation, Steve Winwood, Billy Talent, Allen Toussaint, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Land of Talk, Rammstein, Social Distortion, Holy Fuck, Ozomatli, Konono N°1, Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School of Medicine, Budos Band, Caribou, The Heavy, Great Lake Swimmers, Dengue Fever, Phantogram, Born Ruffians, Woodhands, and more
Why:  The capital of Francophone America hosts an odd collection of acts, from old to young, mainstream to indie, jazz to metal, folk to electronica. 
Web:
  www.infofestival.com/index.php?lang=en

RiverRocks

What:  RiverRocks
Where: 
Hudson River Park, NY
When: 
July 8 – August 12
Who:  Deerhunter, The Antlers, Phosphorescent, Real Estate, Dawes and more – see July dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  Pier 54 juts out into the Hudson River as Hudson River Park, and hosts three great free shows this summer.  See our venue review & photos of Hudson River Park here
Web:
  www.riverrocksnyc.com

Twilight

What:  Twilight
Where: 
Salt Lake City, UT
When: 
July 8 – August 26
Who:  Modest Mouse, She & Him, The New Pornographers, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Matisyahu, Girl Talk, Big Boi, Beirut, Chromeo, Jamie Lidell, The Dodos, Avi Buffalo, Dum Dum Girls, Twin Sister, Memory Tapes and more
Why:  Defying your stereotypes about Utah and anything with the world ‘Twilight’ in it, Salt Lake City’s Pioneer Park holds a Big Apple-worthy series of free concerts.
Web:
  www.slcgov.com/arts/twilight

Forecastle

What:  Forecastle
Where: 
Louisville, KY
When: 
July 9-11
Who:  The Flaming Lips, Widespread Panic, Spoon, DEVO, CAKE, She & Him, Drive-By Truckers, Umphrey’s McGee, Against Me!, Minuts the Bear, Manchester Orchestra, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Lucero, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Cloud Cult, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Dead Confederate, Foxy Shazam, Margot & The Nuclear So-and-So’s, Mucca Pazza, Paper Route, Bear Hands, Dawn Landes & The Hounds, and many more
Why:  Louisville rocks like Muhammad Ali or Colonel Sanders with the ninth year of Forecastle, which steps up its indie game from top to bottom.
Web:
  www.forecastlefest.com

Pool Parties

What:  Pool Parties
Where: 
Brooklyn, NY
When: 
July 11 – August 22
Who:  Cut Copy, Chromeo, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, !!!, Cap ‘n Jazz, Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, Murder City Devils, WHY?, Obits, No Age, The Suzan, Delorean, ArpLine, The Death Set, and more – see July dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  After surviving the demise of McCarren Park Pool (QRO venue review) & relocation to Williamsburg Waterfront, not to mention a false line-up release via a hacked official Twitter account, the Pool Parties return for their fifth year.  See our photos & reviews from last year’s pool parties in our Williamsburg Waterfront venue review   
Web:
  www.thepoolparties.com

Camp Bisco

What:  Camp Bisco
Where: 
Mariaville, NY
When: 
July 15-17
Who:  The Disco Biscuits, LCD Soundsystem, Girl Talk, Ween, Thievery Corporation, Bassnectar, Method Man, Ghostface & Raekwon, Girl Talk, Pretty Lights, Major Lazer, Diplo, Holy Fuck, Caribou, The Album Leaf, Felix Telepath, Earl Greyhound, Woodhands, and more
Why:  Festival mainstays jam & electro meet at The Disco Biscuits’ ninth year of Camp Bisco – as well as three members of the Wu-Tang Clan in "Wu Massacre".
Web:
  www.campbisco.net

Pitchfork

What:  Pitchfork
Where: 
Chicago, IL
When: 
July 16-18
Who:  Pavement, LCD Soundsystem, Modest Mouse, Broken Social Scene, Big Boi, Panda Bear, Wolf Parade, Major Lazer, Robyn, St. Vincent, The Jon Spener Blues Explosion, Liars, Raekwon, Lightning Bolt, El-P, Beach House, Titus Andronicus, Tallest Man on Earth, Girls, WHY?, Sharon Van Etten, Real Estate, Bear In Heaven, Cass McCombs, Here We Go Magic, Free Energy, Surfer Blood, The Smith Westerns, Local Natives, Washed out, and many more
Why:  Whether you love or hate Pitchfork, you gotta love their festival in Chicago’s Union Park, both big enough & indie enough.  Read & see much more in our recap here
Web:
  www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com

Siren

What:  Siren
Where: 
Coney Island, NY
When: 
July 17
Who:  Matt & Kim, Holy Fuck, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Cymbals Eat Guitars, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Harlem, Earl Greyhound, Surfer Blood, Ponytail, Screaming Femals, Wye Oak, DOM and more
Why:  Though parts of Coney Island have disappeared like so much driftwood (though there are some new rides), one thing that’s still very much there is The Village Voice‘s Siren Music Festival, celebrating its tenth anniversary.  Read & see more in our recap here
Web:
  www.villagevoice.com/siren


Vancouver Folk

What:  Vancouver Folk
Where: 
Vancouver, BC, Canada
When: 
July 16-18
Who:  Avett Brothers, Colin Hay, Betty LaVette, Calexico, Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Timber Timbre, Bahamas, Steve Dawson, Mississippi Sheiks Tribute Project and more
Why:  Music from all over the world is celebrated at Vancouver’s Jericho Beach Park.
Web:
  thefestival.bc.ca/

What the Heck?

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
Why:  "It’s Happening For Sure."
Web:  whattheheckfest.com

XPoNential

What:  XPoNential
Where: 
Camden, NJ
When: 
July 16-18
Who:  Rosanne Cash, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Yo La Tengo, Dr. Dog, Alejandro Escovedo, Nicole Atkins, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Walkmen, The Felice Brothers, Free Energy, These United States, Robert Francis, Earl Greyhound, Dawes, Fool’s Gold and more
Why:  WXPN 88.5 holds an Americana alt-country fest at Camden’s Waterfront.
Web:
  xpn.org/concerts-events/festival10

Calgary Folk

What:  Calgary Folk
Where: 
Calgary, AB, Canada
When: 
July 22-25
Who:  St. Vincent, The Avett Brothers, Stars, Swell Season, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Man Man, Laura Marling, Dan Mangan, Ohbijou, Timber Timbre, The Cat Empire, Konono N°1, Ghostkeeper, Frank Turner, Mississippi Sheiks Tribute Project, Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens, Dan Mangan, and more
Why:  Another Canadian folk festival, this time in the country’s prairie heartland, that just upped its game.
Web:
  www.calgaryfolkfest.com 

FloydFest

What:  FloydFest
Where: 
Floyd, VA
When: 
July 22-25
Who:  The Levon Helm Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Galactic, Railroad Earth, Soulive, Konono N°1, Deer Tick, Tift Merritt, The Low Anthem, The Budos Band, Joe Pug and more
Why:  Americana-jam?  Yes, but better Americana-jam.
Web:
  www.floydfest.com

Nophest

What:  Nophest
Where: 
Atlanta, GA
When: 
July 22-25
Who:  Nerd Parade, Sunglasses, R_Garcia and many more
Why:  NoPhi records holds its annual Nophest, extended to four days, at Atlanta’s Eyedrum.  Read more in our 2009 recap here
Web:
  nophest.com

Whartscape

What:  Whartscape
Where: 
Baltimore, MD
When: 
July 22-25
Who:  Dan Deacon Ensemble, No Age, Xiu Xiu, Lightning Bolt, HEALTH, Ponytail, Wye Oak, Lonnie Walker, Future Islands, Javelin, Dinosaur Feathers, Talk Normal and more
Why:  Dan Deacon’s Wham City label holds the fifth annual Whartscape at venues across Baltimore – featuring Dan Deacon-style bands.
Web:
  whamcity.com/whart10.html

Capitol Hill Block Party

What:  Capitol Hill Block Party
Where: 
Seattle, WA
When: 
July 23-25
Who:  The Dead Weather, MGMT, Atmosphere, Blonde Redhead, Yeasayer, !!!, Blitzen Trapper, Holy Fuck, The Dutchess and The Duke, Bear In Heaven, Obits, Here We Go Magic, Jaguar Love, Harlem, Past Lives, Fences, and more
Why:  Seattle’s little ol’ Capitol Hill Block Party takes over 3 stages & 50+ bands – and bumps up to a third day.
Web:
  www.capitolhillblockparty.com

Evolve

What:  Evolve
Where: 
Antigonish, NS, Canada
When: 
July 23-25
Who:  Woodhands, Hey Rosetta!, Old Man Luedecke, La Strada, The First Aid Kit and many more
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

Hillside

What:  Hillside
Where: 
Guelph, ON, Canada
When: 
July 23-25
Who:  Stars, Los Lobos, Jason Collett, Holy Fuck, Calexico, Japandroids, Laura Marling, Hidden Cameras, Brasstronaut, Zeus, Basia Bulat, Yukon Blonde, Julie Doiron & Gord Downie, Shapes & Sizes, and more
Why:  While most Canadian festivals are relatively new, Hillside has passed its quarter century mark and is still going strong.
Web:
  www.hillsidefestival.ca 

HullabaLOU

What:  HullabaLOU
Where: 
Louisville, KY
When: 
July 23-25
Who:  Dave Matthews Band, Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Gladys Knight, Doobie Brothers, Huey Lewis & The News, Dwight Yoakam, The Avett Brothers, Ben Folds, Black Crowes, Gov’t Mule, The B-52s, Colbie Caillat and more
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

Land of Nod Experiment

What:  Land of Nod Experiment
Where: 
Jackson, MI
When: 
July 23-25
Who:  of Montreal, Eagle of Death Metal, Tokyo Police Club, Kool Keith, Murder By Death, Rasputina and more
Why:  Michigan may have lost indie-jam of Rothbury (QRO photos), but does have the more beats-friendly Land of Nod Experiment.
Web:
  www.noomoonlandofnod.com

Maha

What:  Maha
Where: 
Omaha, NE
When: 
July 24
Who:  Spoon, The Faint, Superchunk, Old 97’s, Ben Kweller, The Mynabirds and more
Why:  Omaha’s riverfront gets some choice acts.
Web:
  www.mahamusicfestival.com

What:  SPIN 25th Anniversary
Where: 
New York, NY
When: 
July 26-30
Who:  The Flaming Lips, Smashing Pumpkins, The National, Black Keys, Spiritualized, Kill Hannah, Suckers, Fang Island, The Jim Jones Revue, The Whigs, and more
Why:  Major music mag SPIN celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary with five shows in the Big Apple, four at the massive Terminal (QRO venue review) 5 & closing it with Spiritualized playing Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space in its entirety at Radio City Music Hall (QRO venue review) – with full orchestra & choir.  Read and see more in our recap of Night One here
Web:
  www.spin.com/articles/flaming-lips-smashing-pumpkins-rock-spins-25th-anniversary-concert-series

Osheaga

What:  Osheaga
Where:  Montréal, QC, Canada
When: 
July 28 – August 1
Who:  Arcade Fire, Weezer, The National, Metric, deadmau5, Keane, Pavement, Sonic Youth, DEVO, Snoop Dogg, The Black Keys, Stars, Major Lazer, of Montreal, Chromeo, The Gaslight Anthem, Owen Pallett, Beach House, Robyn, Jamie Lidell, Blitzen Trapper, Kele, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Walkmen, Japandroids, Dan Black, The Antlers, Avi Buffalo, Ingrid Michaelson, The Morning Benders, Ra Ra Riot, Bahamas, Tim Barry, Still Life Still and many more
Why:  In addition to delivering one of the sickest headliner line-ups of 2010, Osheaga also spreads out this year, with the first three nights ‘in the city’, the next two at the beautiful Parc Jean-Drapeua.  Read & see much more in our recap here
Web:
  www.osheaga.com/en/

Gathering of Vibes 

What:  Gathering of Vibes
Where: 
Bridgeport, CT
When: 
July 29-August 1
Who:  Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, Primus, Jimmy Cliff, Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley & Nas, Mickey Hart & Bill Kreutzmann, Umphrey’s McGee, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Assembly of Dust and more
Why:  Gathering of Vibes is about as jam band-y as the title would suggest – but New England gets precious few festivals.
Web:
  www.gatheringofthevibes.com  

Wanderlust

What:  Wanderlust
Where: 
Lake Tahoe, CA
When: 
July 29-August 1
Who:  Moby, Brazilian Girls, Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Yard Dogs Road Show and more
Why:  Lake Tahoe’s yoga-sponsored music festival comes back for a second year – but unlike last year, didn’t pick up with late additions, leaving for a pretty weak line-up after the headliners.
Web:
  www.wanderlustfestival.com   

Newport Folk

What:  Newport Folk
Where:  Newport, RI
When: 
July 30 – August 1
Who:  Andrew Bird, Levon Helm, Steve Martin, The Swell Season, Yim Yames, The Avett Brothers, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Steve Martin, The Felice Brothers, Calexico, Blitzen Traper, The Low Anthem, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Richie Havens, Justin Townes Earle, Calexico, A.A. Bondy, O’Death, Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore, Sarah Jarosz and more
Why:  The festival where Bob ‘Judas’ Dylan went electric just celebrated it’s fiftieth year (!).  
Web:
  www.newportfolkfest.net

Sappyfest

What:  Sappyfest
Where:  Sackville, NB, Canada
When: 
July 30 – August 1
Who:  Holy Fuck, Felice Brothers, Gentleman Reg, Old Man Luedecke, By Divine Right, Daniel, Fred & Julie, Shapes & Sizes, Chad VanGaalen, Julie Doiron, P.S. I Love You, and more
Why:  Sackville gets Sappy.  
Web:
  sappyfest.com

Wicker Park

What:  Wicker Park
Where:  Chicago, IL
When: 
July 31-August 1
Who:  Holy Fuck, fun., Plants & Animals, Torche, The Hood Internet, Cap’n Jazz, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights and more
Why:  Not amazing, but better than the crappy movie of the same name (though it did have a good soundtrack)… 
Web:
  www.myspace.com/wickerparkfest

 

 


August

Gathering of Vibes 

What:  Gathering of Vibes
Where: 
Bridgeport, CT
When: 
July 29-August 1
Who:  Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, Primus, Jimmy Cliff, Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley & Nas, Mickey Hart & Bill Kreutzmann, Umphrey’s McGee, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Assembly of Dust and more
Why:  Gathering of Vibes is about as jam band-y as the title would suggest – but New England gets precious few festivals.
Web:
  www.gatheringofthevibes.com  

Wanderlust 

What:  Wanderlust
Where: 
Lake Tahoe, CA
When: 
July 29-August 1
Who:  Moby, Brazilian Girls, Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Yard Dogs Road Show and more
Why:  Lake Tahoe’s yoga-sponsored music festival comes back for a second year – but unlike last year, didn’t pick up with late additions, leaving for a pretty weak line-up after the headliners.
Web:
  www.wanderlustfestival.com  

Newport Folk

What:  Newport Folk
Where:  Newport, RI
When: 
July 30 – August 1
Who:  Andrew Bird, Levon Helm, Steve Martin, The Swell Season, Yim Yames, The Avett Brothers, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Steve Martin, The Felice Brothers, Calexico, Blitzen Traper, The Low Anthem, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Richie Havens, Justin Townes Earle, Calexico, A.A. Bondy, O’Death, Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore, Sarah Jarosz and more
Why:  The festival where Bob ‘Judas’ Dylan went electric just celebrated it’s fiftieth year (!).  
Web:
  www.newportfolkfest.net

Sappyfest

What:  Sappyfest
Where:  Sackville, NB, Canada
When: 
July 30 – August 1
Who:  Holy Fuck, Felice Brothers, Gentleman Reg, Old Man Luedecke, By Divine Right, Daniel, Fred & Julie, Shapes & Sizes, Chad VanGaalen, Julie Doiron, P.S. I Love You, and more
Why:  Sackville gets Sappy.  
Web:
  sappyfest.com

Osheaga

What:  Osheaga
Where:  Montréal, QC, Canada
When: 
July 28 – August 1
Who:  Arcade Fire, Weezer, The National, Metric, deadmau5, Keane, Pavement, Sonic Youth, DEVO, Snoop Dogg, The Black Keys, Stars, Major Lazer, of Montreal, Chromeo, The Gaslight Anthem, Owen Pallett, Beach House, Robyn, Jamie Lidell, Blitzen Trapper, Kele, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Walkmen, Japandroids, Dan Black, The Antlers, Avi Buffalo, Ingrid Michaelson, The Morning Benders, Ra Ra Riot, Bahamas, Tim Barry, Still Life Still and many more
Why:  In addition to delivering one of the sickest headliner line-ups of 2010, Osheaga also spreads out this year, with the first three nights ‘in the city’, the next two at the beautiful Parc Jean-Drapeua.  Read & see much more in our recap here
Web:
  www.osheaga.com/en/

Wicker Park

What:  Wicker Park
Where:  Chicago, IL
When: 
July 31-August 1
Who:  Holy Fuck, fun., Plants & Animals, Torche, The Hood Internet, Cap’n Jazz, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights and more
Why:  Not amazing, but better than the crappy movie of the same name (though it did have a good soundtrack)… 
Web:
  www.myspace.com/wickerparkfest


Gone to Governors

What:  Gone to Governors
Where: 
Governors Island, NY
When: 
June 5-August 14
Who:  She & Him, Yeasayer, Dr. Dog, Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Lucero, Local Natives, Neon Indian, The Morning Benders, Portugal. The Man, Justin Townes Earle, Freelance Whales, Dawn Landes & The Hounds, and more – see August dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  Because NYC isn’t blessed with enough free outdoor shows this summer, Converse is sponsoring a series on the island between Wall Street, Red Hook, and the Statue of Liberty, Gone to Governors.  See our venuew review & photos of Governors Island here
Web:  www.thebeachconcerts.com  

Twilight

What:  Twilight
Where: 
Salt Lake City, UT
When: 
July 8 – August 26
Who:  Modest Mouse, She & Him, The New Pornographers, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Matisyahu, Girl Talk, Big Boi, Beirut, Chromeo, Jamie Lidell, The Dodos, Avi Buffalo, Dum Dum Girls, Twin Sister, and more
Why:  Defying your stereotypes about Utah and anything with the world ‘Twilight’ in it, Salt Lake City’s Pioneer Park holds a Big Apple-worthy series of free concerts.
Web:
  www.slcgov.com/arts/twilight

Central Park SummerStage

What:  Central Park SummerStage
Where:  Central Park, NY
When:  June 1-September 24
Who:  Pavement, Flaming Lips, Hot Chip, Black Keys, Gov’t Mule, St. Vincent, Public Enemy, The xx, The Specials, The Daily Show & Friends, Gil Scott-Heron, Living Colour, Raphael Saadiq, Jimmy Cliff, Tinariwen, John Butler Trio, Stardeath & The White Dwarfs, The Morning Benders, State Radio, Chairlift, tUnE-yArDs, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Ebony Bones!, Basia Bulat, Jack Peñate and many more – see August dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  Though the benefit concerts are awesome (Pavement reunites for four dates – that sold out over a year in advance!), the free shows don’t heat up until August.  See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web:  www.summerstage.org 


Celebrate Brooklyn!

What:  Celebrate Brooklyn!
Where:  Brooklyn, NY
When:  June 9-August 8
Who:  The National, Passion Pit, The Dead Weather, Rufus Wainwright, Norah Jones, Sonic Youth, Metric, Allen Toussaint, The Roots, The Swell Season, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Eugene Mirman, Ozomatli, Konono #1, Tokyo Police Club, Beach House, The Low Anthem, Joan As Policewoman, Budos Band, Holly Miranda and more – see August dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  Once again, Prospect Park Bandshell’s Celebrate Brooklyn! delivers all summer long, starting with Norah Jones on opening night (QRO photos).  See our venue review & photos of Prospect Park Bandshell here
Web:  www.briconline.org/celebrate

KCRW World

What:  KCRW World
Where:  Los Angeles, CA
When:  June 20-September 19
Who:  Chemical Brothers, Goldfrapp, The Swell Season, Baaba Maal, Jimmy Cliff, Ozomatli, She & Him, Yeasayer, Chromeo, YACHT, The Brid & The Bee, tUnE-yArDs and more
Why:  KCRW brings the world to the Hollywood Bowl.
Web:  www.kcrw.com/events/world-music-festival-2010

River-to-River 

What:  River-to-River
Where:  Downtown Manhattan, NY
When: June 22-August 13
Who:  Dan Zane, Beth Orton, Steve Hackett, The Wedding Present, YACHT, Bear In Heaven, Thee Oh Sees, Avi Buffalo, Free Energy, Antibalas, Madeline Peyroux, Yellowfever, Golden Triangle, Best Coast, Chris Velan, Woven Bones and more – see August dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  As Wall Street emerges from the wreckage it created (with a taxpayer assist), downtown Manhattan holds another year of the River-to-River Festival, with music from the Hudson to the East River to the Atlantic Ocean.  The whole thing kicks off with the twelve-hour ‘Bang On a Can’ marathon (photos), with a Fourth of July show at Battery Park (unfortunately a kids show this year…), and many more free shows at Castle Clinton, World Financial Center, and especially South Street Seaport.  See our venue review & photos of Battery Park hereSee our venue review & photos of Castle Clinton hereSee our venue review & photos of South Street Seaport hereSee our venue review & photos of World Financial Center here
Web:  www.rivertorivernyc.com

Edmonton Folk

What:  Edmonton Folk
Where: 
Edmonton, AB, Canada
When: 
August 5-8
Who:  The Levon Helm Band, Jakob Dylan & The Three Legs, Ben Harper, Patrik Watson & The Wooden Arms, Alejandro Escovedo, Calexico, Colin Hay, Jill Hennessey, Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens, Zachary Richard, Basia Bulat, Mississippi Sheiks Tribute Project and more
Why:  Some nice names & more come to Edmonton.
Web:
  www.edmontonfolkfest.org

Wolfe Island

What:  Wolfe Island
Where: 
Wolfe Island, ON, Canada
When: 
August 6-7
Who:  Weakerthans, Think About Life, Bahamas, Cuff the Duke and more
Why:  Located on the largest of the 1,000 islands in the St. Lawrence River, Wolfe Island is accessible to Yanks & Canucks alike.
Web:
  www.wolfeislandmusicfestival.com

Lollapalooza

What:  Lollapalooza
Where:  Chicago, IL
When: 
August 6-8
Who:  Soundgarden, Green Day, Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, The Strokes, Phoenix, Social Distortion, MGMT, Hot Chip, Black Keys, The National, Spoon, Devo, Cypress Hill, Cut Copy, New Pornographers, Grizzly Bear, Gogol Bordello, Chromeo, Wolfmother, Yeasayer, Metric, Dirty Projectors, Matt & Kim, The xx, Temper Trap, Frightened Rabbit, Blitzen Trapper, Stars, The Walkmen, Rogue Wave, The Dodos, Cymbals Eat Guitars, The Antlers, Foxy Shazam, Freelance Whales, Dan Black, These United States and many, many more
Why:  While the headliners are only what your parents (or grandparents) would call ‘alternative’, the granddaddy of today’s indie fests still brings  a hell of a solid line-up right behind them, at Chicago’s Grant Park. 
W
eb:  www.lollapalooza.com

KahBang

What:  KahBang
Where:  Bangor, ME
When: 
August 6-14
Who:  OK Go, Biz Markie, B.o.B., The Gay Blades, Free Energy, Bad Rabbits, Hey Marseilles, and more
Why:  Little ol’ Bangor, Maine’s KahBang goes from one day to many in its second year (though the artists playing are weaker…).
Web:
  www.kahbang.com

Musikfest

What:  Musikfest
Where:  Bethlehem, PA
When: 
August 6-15
Who:  Norah Jones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Avett Brothers, Counting Crows, The Doobie Brothers, Adam Lambert, Styx, Counting Crows, Blue Öyster Cult, Heart, Sublime with Rome, Richie Havens, Sarah Borges, Hoots & Hellmouth, Elvis Perkins, Augustana, and more
Why:  Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has a bunch of shows in August, the many smaller of which are free, but the bands that are those that were big twenty to forty years ago, with only a few younger acts.  
Web:
  www.musikfest.org 

HARD

What:  HARD Summer
Where: 
Los Angeles, CA
When: 
August 7
Who:  Soulwax, Crystal Castles, Major Lazer, Diplo, Flying Lotus, Theophilus London, and more
Why:  The dancetronic HARD comes back to L.A., this time at Los Angeles State Historic Park (even after the M.I.A. HARD L.A.).  Read much more in our recap here
Web:
  www.hardfest.com 

RiverRocks

What:  RiverRocks
Where: 
Hudson River Park, NY
When: 
July 8 – August 12
Who:  Deerhunter, The Antlers, Phosphorescent, Real Estate, Dawes and more – see August date in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  Pier 54 juts out into the Hudson River as Hudson River Park, and hosts three great free shows this summer.  See our venue review & photos of Hudson River Park here
Web:
  www.riverrocksnyc.com

Athens Popfest

What:  Athens Popfest
Where:  Athens, GA
When: 
August 10-14
Who:  Mission of Burma, The Weddign Present, Apples in Stereo, Quintron & Miss Pussycat, Circulatory System, Poison Control Center, Pipes You See Pipes You Don’t and more
Why:  Athens, Georgia gets a second festival (see above), and one that Pops.
Web:
  athenspopfest.com 

Solid Sound

What:  Solid Sound
Where: 
North Adams, MA
When: 
August 13-15
Who:   Wilco, Mavis Staples, The Nels Cline Singers, The Autumn Defense, Avi Buffalo, The Books, Mountain Man, Nels Cline Singers, Vetiver, and more
Why:  Iconic alt-country act Wilco curates the first Solid Sound Festival at MASS MoCA.
Web:
  solidsoundfestival.com

Mile High

What:  Mile High
Where: 
Denver, CO
When: 
August 14-15
Who:   Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Weezer, Steve Miller Band, My Morning Jacket, Phoenix, Nas & Damian Marley, Keane, Cypress Hill, Drive-By Truckers, Railroad Earth, Ozomatli, Amos Lee and more
Why:  You have to be a mile high to enjoy the third year of this festival – they’re only a Jason Mraz away from Saturday Night Live‘s "Mellow Show".
Web:
  www.milehighmusicfestival.com

Outside Lands

What:  Outside Lands
Where: 
San Francisco, CA
When: 
August 14-15
Who:  Kings of Leon, Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, The Strokes, My Morning Jacket, Phoenix, Al Green, Social Distortion, Gogol Bordello, Nas & Damian Marley, Levon Helm, Cat Power, Wolfmother, Chromeo, Temper Trap, Pretty Lights, Tokyo Police Club, Budos Band, Langhorne Slim, Electric Six, Dawes, The Soft Pack, The Whigs and more
Why:  San Francisco’s gorgeous Golden Gate Park plays host to another year of Outside Lands, with some Americana-flavored rock ‘n’ roll (and some special bonus night shows).
Web:
  www.sfoutsidelands.com

Portland Folk

What:  Portland Folk
Where:  Portland, OR
When: 
August 19-23
Who:  Kimya Dawson, Thao & Mirah, Laura Gibson, Loch Lomond, Damien Jurado, Portland Cello Project, Tom Schraeder, and more
Why:  Like the cities just north of the border (see above), Portland has a folk festival. 
Web:
  www.portlandfolkfestival.com

Philadelphia Folk

What:  Philadelphia Folk
Where:  Philadelphia, PA
When: 
August 20-22
Who:  Jeff Tweedy, Richard Thompson, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, A.A. Bondy, Horse Feathers, Joe Pug, and more
Why:  Like the cities to the north in Canada (see above), Philly has a folk festival. 
Web:
  www.pfs.org/PFF.php

Sunset Junction

What:  Sunset Junction
Where:  Los Angeles, CA
When: 
August 21-22
Who:  Ghostland Observatory, Bad Brains, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Fishbone, Dawes, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Mayer Hawthorne & The County, Dam Funk, Girl In a Coma, Fitz & The Tantrums, The Crystal Antlers, Everest, Gringo Star, The Deadly Syndrome, Shiny Toy Guns, Chief, Ferocious Few, Eastern Conference Champions, and more
Why:  Silverlake’s street fair returns to Sunset & Santa Monica Boulevards for its thirtieth year.  
Web:
  www.sunsetjunction.org/streetfair.html

Sunset Strip

What:  Sunset Strip
Where:  Los Angeles, CA
When: 
August 26-28
Who:  Slash, Smashing Pumpkins, Kid Cudi, Common, Travis McCoy, Neon Trees, Semi Precious Weapons, Adler’s Appetite, Lost Patrol, and more
Why:  The Sunset Strip Music Festival includes not only Slash, but also a Slash tribute event…  Read & see much more in our recap here
Web:
  www.sunsetstripmusicfestival.com 

Pool Parties

What:  Pool Parties
Where: 
Brooklyn, NY
When:  July 11 – August 22
Who:  Cut Copy, Chromeo, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, !!!, Cap ‘n Jazz, Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, Murder City Devils, WHY?, Obits, No Age, The Suzan, Delorean, ArpLine, The Death Set, and more – see August dates in the QRO NYC Show Preview
Why:  After surviving the demise of McCarren Park Pool (QRO venue review) & relocation to Williamsburg Waterfront, not to mention a false line-up release via a hacked official Twitter account, the Pool Parties return for their fifth year.  See our photos & reviews from last year’s pool parties in our Williamsburg Waterfront venue review   
Web:
  www.thepoolparties.com

LouFest

What:  LouFest
Where:  St. Louis, MO
When: 
August 28-29
Who:  Broken Social Scene, She & Him, Jeff Tweedy, Built To Spill, Alejandro Escovedo, Airborne Toxic Event, Lucero, Fruit Bats, Titus Andronicus, Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons, Gentleman Auction House, So Many Dynamos and more
Why:  Not a celebration of the bassist from Dinosaur Jr. or the Red Sox player, LouFest celebrates the spirit of St. Louis.  
Web:
  www.loufest.com

 

 


September

Central Park SummerStage

What:  Central Park SummerStage
Where:  Central Park, NY
When:  June 1-September 24
Who:  Pavement, Flaming Lips, Hot Chip, Black Keys, Gov’t Mule, St. Vincent, Public Enemy, The xx, The Specials, The Daily Show & Friends, Gil Scott-Heron, Living Colour, Raphael Saadiq, Jimmy Cliff, Tinariwen, John Butler Trio, Stardeath & The White Dwarfs, The Morning Benders, State Radio, Chairlift, tUnE-yArDs, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Ebony Bones!, Basia Bulat, Jack Peñate and many more
Why:  Though the benefit concerts are awesome (Pavement reunites for four dates – that sold out over a year in advance!), the free shows don’t heat up until August.  See our venue review & photos of Central Park SummerStage here
Web:  www.summerstage.org

KCRW World

What:  KCRW World
Where:  Los Angeles, CA
When:  June 20-September 19
Who:  Chemical Brothers, Goldfrapp, The Swell Season, Baaba Maal, Jimmy Cliff, Ozomatli, She & Him, Yeasayer, Chromeo, YACHT, The Brid & The Bee, tUnE-yArDs and more
Why:  KCRW brings the world to the Hollywood Bowl.
Web:  www.kcrw.com/events/world-music-festival-2010

ATP NY

What:  ATP New York
Where:  Monticello, NY
When: 
September 3-5
Who:  Sonic Youth, Iggy & The Stooges, Sunn 0)) & Boris, Explosions In the Sky, Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions, GZA, Mudhoney, The Breeders, Sleep, Raekwon, Fuck Buttons, Tortoise, Hallogallo 2010, Girls, Fucked Up, The Scientists, Vivian Girls, Avi Buffalo and more
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.  Read & see our recap of original ATP in U.K. here
Web:
  www.atpfestival.com/events/atpnewyork2010.php 

moe.down

What:  moe.down
Where:  Mohawk, NY
When: 
September 3-5
Who:  moe., Black Keys, Nas & Damian Marley, Mike Gordon, Built To Spill, Tortoise, Jakob Dylan, and more
Why:  One of the biggest mainstays of the festival circuit brings in some indie-festival regulars for the eleventh moe.down (now relocated to Gelston Castle Estate, north of the same Labor Day Weekend’s ATP NY – see above).
Web:
  www.moedown.com

North Coast

What:  North Coast
Where:  Chicago, IL
When: 
September 3-5
Who:  The Chemical Brothers, Nas & Damian Marley, Umphrey’s McGee, Paul van Dyk, The Disco Biscuits, Moby (DJ), Pretty Lights, De La Soul, Lupe Fiasco, Cold War Kids, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Flying Lotus, Jakob Dylan & Three Legs, Phantogram, Maps & Atlases, Holy Ghost!, and more
Why:  "Summer’s last stand" features a lot of electronica in Chicago’s Union Park.  Read & see much more in our recap here
Web:
  www.northcoastfestival.com

FYF Fest

What:  FYF Fest
Where:  Los Angeles, CA
When: 
September 4
Who:  The Rapture, Panda Bear, Sleep, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, !!!, Man Man, The Mountain Goats, Local Natives, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, 7 Seconds, Thee Oh Sees, Washed Out, School of Seven Bells, AA Bondy, The Blow, Best Coast, Titus Andronicus, WAVVES, Vetiver, The Soft Pack, Abe Vigoda, Screaming Females, Let’s Wrestle, and more
Why:  After criss-crossing the country two years ago, the FYF Fest (the ‘uck’ was dropped then to appease concert promoters, and since shortened even more, making it ‘fuck yeah fest fest’) is still going in downtown Los Angeles.
Web:
  www.fyffest.com  

Sonic Boom

What:  Sonic Boom
Where:  Edmonton, AB, Canada
When: 
September 4
Who:  Weezer, Bad Religion, Rise Against, Tokyo Police Club, City and Colour, Wintersleep, Arkells and more
Why:  Some of the better names in mainstream-ish punk & indie make for a better line-up.
Web:
  www.sonicboomfestival.com  

Electric Zoo

What:  Electric Zoo
Where:  Randall’s Island, NY
When: 
September 4-5
Who:  The Chemical Brothers, Armin Van Buuren, Benny Benassi, Moby (DJ set), Axwell, Paul van Dyk, Above & Beyond, Kaskade, Pretty Lights, Bassnectar, Major Lazer, Boys Noize, A-Trak, Boris, Fake Blood, Flying Lotus, Pete Tong, The Glitch Mob and many more
Why:  Bringing European-style electronic craziness is Electric Zoo, which returns for a second year to a ton of electronic artists on New York City’s Randall’s Island.
Web:
  www.madeevent.com/ElectricZoo/

Nocturnal

What:  Nocturnal
Where:  Rockdale, TX
When: 
September 4-5
Who:  Disco Biscuits, Kid Cudi, Armin van Burren, Pretty Lights, Bassnectar, Girl Talk, and more
Why:  Another dancetronica festival hits Texas on Labor Day Weekend.
Web:
  www.nocturnalfestival.com

Bumbershoot

What:  Bumbershoot
Where:  Seattle, WA
When: 
September 4-6
Who:  Bob Dylan, Mary J. Blige, Weezer, Drake, Hole, Neko Case, The Decemberists, Rise Against, Ozomatli, Billy Bragg, Jenny & Johnny, Dandy Warhols, Jamie Lidell, Raveonettes, The Thermals, Ra Ra Riot, Surfer Blood, The Bouncing Souls, Japandroids, Anvil, Meat Puppets, Atlas Sound, The Whigs, The Budos Band, The Clientele, Laura Veirs, HEALTH, Plants & Animals, Fences, The Parlour Steps, Great Waves, and many more
Why:  Seattle’s Bumbershoot celebrates it’s 40th year with the immortal Dylan & many more (probably first time ever booked with Mary J. Blige…).
Web:
  http://bumbershoot.org/

Musicfest Northwest

What:  Musicfest Northwest
Where:  Portland, OR
When: 
September 8-12
Who:  The Decemberists, The National, The Smashing Pumpkins, Okkervil River, Panda Bear, Major Lazer, Menomena, Ra Ra Riot, The Thermals, The Helio Sequence, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Man Man, Justin Townes Earle, The Walkmen, Tallest Man on Earth, Laura Viers, Akron/Family, Surfer Blood, Crooked Fingers, Japandroids, Shonen Knife, Phantogram, Titus Andronicus, Surfer Blood, Washed Out, A.A. Bondy, Thee Oh Sees, Abe Vigoda, Rocky Votolato, Let’s Wrestle, Dan Mangan, Princeton, White Hinterland, Free Energy, AU, Y La Bamba, Kevin Devine, and many more
Why:  Musicfest Northwest, held at venues across Portland, has stepped up its game and may even challenge CMJ (see below) for ‘best industry fest after SXSW’ (see above)Read & see much more in our recap here
Web:
  www.musicfestnw.com 

Hopscotch

What:  Hopscotch
Where:  Raleigh, NC
When: 
September 9-11
Who:  Broken Social Scene, Public Enemy, Panda Bear, No Age, Tortoise, Raekwon, Lucero, The Rosebuds, Akron/Family, Fucked Up, Atlas Sound, Bear In Heaven, Bowerbirds, Megafaun, Pontiak, All Tiny Creatures, Washed Out, Sleepy Sun, Marissa Nadler, Tigercity, The Love Language, Lonnie Walker, Pictureplane, Spiderbags, Best Coast, Pattern is Movement, and many more
Why:  The Independent Weekly is throwing a great fest at venues across Raleigh – Broken Social Scene + Public Enemy?!?  You know what time it is!!!
Web:
  hopscotchmusicfest.com

I Am

What:  I Am
Where:  New London, CT
When:  September 11
Who:  We Are Scientists, Mates of State, O’Death, Darlings, EULA, and more
Why:  Avoid the protests at Ground Zero and head to New London, for the free I Am Festival on Waterfront Park.
Web:  iamfest.org

Life Is Good

What:  Life Is Good
Where:  Canton, MA
When:  September 11-12
Who:  Ben Harper & Relentless7, Jason Mraz, Guster, Ziggy Marley, Corinne Bailey Rae, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Dr. Dog, Ozomatli, OK Go, They Might Be Giants (kid show), Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed & The True Loves, and more
Why:  Boston’s Life is Good is holding a two-day fest to raise money for kids – so don’t make fun of this hippie-jam fest.
Web:  www.lifeisgood.com/festivals

Musicfest

What:  Musicfest
Where:  Cranford, NJ
When:  September 11-12
Who:  Spoon, Train, The Bravery, OK Go, Jessie Malin & The St. Marks Social, Suzanne Vega, Soul Asylum, Nicole Atkins & The Sea, and more
Why:  About as creative as the name, but Union County’s Musicfest gets some good acts – and it’s free.  Read & see much more in our recap here
Web:  www.ucmusicfest.com

Harvest Jazz & Blues

What:  Harvest Jazz & Blues
Where:  Fredericton, NB, Canada
When:  September 14-19
Who:  Gregg Allman, Two Hours Traffic, BEAST, David Myles, Share and more
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

Pygmalion

What:  Pygmalion
Where:  Champaign-Urbana, IL
When: 
September 22-25
Who:  of Montreal, Roky Erickson with Okkervil River, Built To Spill, Caribou, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Janelle Monae, Cap’n Jazz, Surfer Blood, Holy Fuck, +/-, Those Darlins, Fang Island, Colour Revolt, David Dondero, Trubo Fruits, Drink Up Buttercup, Jimmy Gnecco, Unwed Sailor, and more
Why:  Central Illinois’s Pygmalion Music Festival returns for a sixth year with a focus on the alt-folk.
Web:
  2010.pygmalionmusicfestival.com

Midpoint

What:  Midpoint
Where:  Cincinnati, OH
When: 
September 23-25
Who:  Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Caribou, Van Dyke Parks, Holy Fuck, Clare & The Reasons, A Place To Bury Strangers, Shonen Knife, Neon Indian, Surfer Blood, Margo & The Nuclear So and Sos, Phantogram, +/-, Male Bonding, Colour Revolt, Drink Up Buttercup, The Seedy Seeds, Via Tania, You, You’re Awesome, Fang Island, So Cow, Best Coast, Unwed Sailor, Light Pollution, and more
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

Rifflandia

What:  Rifflandia
Where:  Victoria, BC, Canada
When: 
September 23-26
Who:  Aesop Rock, Lee Renaldo, K’Naan, Chad VanGaalen, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Chali 2na, You Say Party, Great Lake Swimmers, Hot Hot Heat, Hey Rosetta!, Tanlines, The Dodos, Sarah Harmer, Frog Eyes, Ghostkeeper, Hollerado, Jets Overhead, Kathryn Calder, Yukon Blonde, Rich Aucoin, Brasstronaut, Kate Miller-Heidke, We Are the City, and more
Why:  Rifflandia returns to the Garden City, with mostly Canadian acts for a middling festival. 
Web:
  www.rifflandia.com 

Virgin Mobile Free

What:  Virgin Mobile Free
Where:  Columbia, MD
When: 
September 25
Who:  Pavement, LCD Soundsystem, M.I.A., Ludacris, Joan Jett, Thievery Corporation, Matt & Kim, Jimmy Eat World, Chromeo, The Temper Trap, Sleigh Bells, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Die Antwoord, Yeasayer, Neon Indian, and more
Why:  While Virgin seems to have abandoned its great series of Canadian festivals, its free one at Merriweather Post Pavilion is back, a month later than last year.  
Web:
  www.virginmobilefestival.com 

Epicenter

What:  Epicenter
Where:  Fontana, CA
When: 
September 25-26
Who:  KISS, Eminem, blink-182, Rise Against, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Bad Religion, Big Boi, Against Me!, Suicidal Tendencies, Biffy Clyro, and more
Why:  SATURDAY Saturday saturday… & SUNDAY Sunday sunday… At the Auto Club SPEEDWAY Speedway speedway…  
Web:
  www.epicenterfestival.com  

Abbot Kinney

What:  Abbot Kinney
Where:  Venice, CA
When: 
September 26
Who:  Dam-Funk, Master Blazter, Voxhaul Broadcast, Abe Vigoda, Crystal Antlers, and more
Why:  Venice-on-the-Pacific gets an odd line-up.  
Web:
  abbotkinney.org  

Next Big Nashville

What:  Next Big Nashville
Where:  Nashville, TN
When: 
September 29-October 2
Who:  Yeasayer, WAVVES, David Bazan, A Place To Bury Strangers, Javelin, The Knocks, Tennis, Hood Internet, Washed Out, Casiotone For the Painfully Alone, Peelander-Z, Chief, These United States, Turbo Fruits, RJD2, and more
Why:  Catch the next big thing outta the southeast at Next Big Nashville. 
Web:
  www.nbnsummit.com 

Pop Montréal

What:  Pop Montréal
Where:  Montréal, QC, Canada
When: 
September 29-October 3
Who:  The xx, Menomena, The Temper Trap, Xiu Xiu, Atari Teenage Riot, The Dears, Deerhoof, Liars, Holy Fuck, Danielson, Van Dyke Parks, Les Savy Fav, Bear In Heaven, Naomi Shelton, Shonen Knife, The Depreciation Guild, Twin Sister, Serena Maneesh, The Postelles, Budos Band, Film School, Watson Twins, Miracle Fortress, Hollerado, Buke & Gass, Timber Timbre, Shapes & Sizes, The Danks, and more
Why:  The artistic alt-CMJ (see below) showcases acts based on artistic style, not commercial viability, in the snowly but beautifully European Montreal. 
Web:
  www.popmontreal.com 

OohLaLA

What:  OohLaLA
Where:  Los Angeles & San Francisco, CA
When: 
September 30-October 2
Who:  Sébastien Tellier, The Bewitched Hands On the Top of Our Heads, Gotan Project, Revolver, and more
Why:  OohLaLA returns for a second year, from The Consulate General of France in Los Angeles.  See our photos from the 2009 festival here
Web:
  www.oohlalafestival.com

Starry Nights

What:  Starry Nights
Where:  Bowling Green, KY
When: 
September 30-October 2
Who:  Ghostland Observatory, Daniel Johnston, Cage the Elephant, Keller Williams, Freelance Whales, Colour Revolt, Strange Boys, Turbo Fruits, JEFF: The Brotherhood, The Shackletons, and more
Why:  Back for a third year, Bowling Green’s Starry Nights line-ups different shades of Americana.
Web:
  starrynightsfestival.com

 

 


October

Next Big Nashville

What:  Next Big Nashville
Where:  Nashville, TN
When: 
September 29-October 2
Who:  Yeasayer, WAVVES, David Bazan, A Place To Bury Strangers, Javelin, The Knocks, Tennis, Hood Internet, Washed Out, Casiotone For the Painfully Alone, Peelander-Z, Chief, These United States, Turbo Fruits, RJD2, and more
Why:  Catch the next big thing outta the southeast at Next Big Nashville. 
Web:
  www.nbnsummit.com 

Pop MontrĂ©al 

What:  Pop Montréal
Where:  Montréal, QC, Canada
When: 
September 29-October 3
Who:  The xx, Menomena, The Temper Trap, Xiu Xiu, Atari Teenage Riot, The Dears, Deerhoof, Liars, Holy Fuck, Danielson, Van Dyke Parks, Les Savy Fav, Bear In Heaven, Naomi Shelton, Shonen Knife, The Depreciation Guild, Twin Sister, Serena Maneesh, The Postelles, Budos Band, Film School, Watson Twins, Miracle Fortress, Hollerado, Buke & Gass, Timber Timbre, Shapes & Sizes, The Danks, and more
Why:  The artistic alt-CMJ (see below) showcases acts based on artistic style, not commercial viability, in the snowly but beautifully European Montreal. 
Web:
  www.popmontreal.com 

OohLaLA 

What:  OohLaLA
Where:  Los Angeles & San Francisco, CA
When: 
September 30-October 2
Who:  Sébastien Tellier, The Bewitched Hands On the Top of Our Heads, Gotan Project, Revolver, and more
Why:  OohLaLA returns for a second year, from The Consulate General of France in Los Angeles.  See our photos from the 2010 festival here
Web:
  www.oohlalafestival.com

Starry Nights

What:  Starry Nights
Where:  Bowling Green, KY
When: 
September 30-October 2
Who:  Ghostland Observatory, Daniel Johnston, Cage the Elephant, Keller Williams, Freelance Whales, Colour Revolt, Strange Boys, Turbo Fruits, JEFF: The Brotherhood, The Shackletons, and more
Why:  Back for a third year, Bowling Green’s Starry Nights line-ups different shades of Americana.
Web:
  starrynightsfestival.com

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

What:  Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Where:  San Francisco, CA
When: 
October 1-3
Who:  Elvis Costello & The Sugarcanes, Conor Oberst, Patti Smith, Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Fountains of Wayne, Patty Griffin, Umphrey’s McGee, Indigo Girls, Richard Thompson, Randy Newman, The Avett Brothers, Jenny and Johnny, Martin Sexton, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Nick Lowe, Roseanne Cash, The Felice Brothers, Justin Townes Earle, MC Hammer, Joan Baez, Jonathan Richman, Kinky Friedman, Basia Bulat, Lucero, Bonnie Prince Billy & The Cairo Gang, Jerry Jeff Walker, Nathaniel Rateliff, and many more
Why:  Golden Gate Park welcomes big names from Costello to Hammer (don’t hurt ’em!) that may not be strictly bluegrass, but is free!
Web:
  www.strictlybluegrass.com

Matador at 21

What:  Matador at 21
Where:  Las Vegas, NV
When: 
October 1-3
Who:  Pavement, Sonic Youth, Belle & Sebastian, Guided By Voices, Spoon, Yo La Tengo, Cat Power, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, New Pornographers, Superchunk, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Chavez, Girls, Fucked Up, Harlem, Cold Cave, Shearwater, Kurt Vile and many more
Why:  Following the lead set in the past two years by fellow major indie-labels Sub Pop & Merge, now Matador is hosting its own anniversary – 21st – party, at Pearl at the Palms in the city that knows how to party, Las Vegas.  Oh, and it’s got acts that have only recently joined the family along with longtime Matadors, reunions & even returnees from other labels (including the folks who founded Merge…).
Web:
  www.matadorrecords.com/21

Eagle Rock

What:  Eagle Rock
Where:  Los Angeles, CA
When: 
October 2
Who:  The Soft Pack, Darker My Love, Lucky Dragons, The Submarines, Rainbow Arabia, and more
Why:  Local musicmakers like FYF Fest (see above) and The Ship Studios curate a Saturday on Colorado Boulevard for only $5.
Web:
  www.facebook.com/eaglerockmusicfestival

Riotfest

What:  Riotfest
Where:  Chicago, IL
When: 
October 6-10
Who:  Bad Religion, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Circle Jerks, Cap’n Jazz, Snapcase, Less Than Jake, Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School of Medicine, Bouncing Souls, High On Fire, The Bronx, Torche, Anti-Flag, High On Fire, Cro-Mags, The Meatmen, Off With Their Heads, The Toasters, and more
Why:  Old-school (well, late eighties/early nineties) punk (and some ska) comes to various venues in Chi-town as Riot Fest.
Web:
  www.riotfest.org

Culture Collide

What:  Culture Collide
Where:  Los Angeles, CA
When: 
October 7-10
Who:  Klaxons, Black Lips, Tokyo Police Club, Phantogram, White Lies, Mariachi El Bronx, Monotonix, Cass McCombs, Casiokids, The Besnard Lakes, Land of Talk, The Boxer Rebellion, Sea Wolf, Fran Healy, Amusement Parks on Fire, AM, and many more
Why:  Filter Magazine is throwing together Los Angeles’ own mutli-venue festival in October, culminating in a block party on the final day.
Web:
  culturecollide.com

Austin City Limits

What:  Austin City Limits
Where:  Austin, TX
When: 
October 8-10
Who:  The Eagles, Muse, Phish, Flaming Lips, The Strokes, M.I.A., LCD Soundsystem, Spoon, Vampire Weekend, Norah Jones, Sonic Youth, Band of Horses, Monsters of Folk, deadmau5, The National, Gogol Bordello, The Black Keys, Broken Bells, Yeasayer, Beach House, Matt & Kim, The Sword, The xx, The Temper Trap, Girls, Local Natives, Gaslight Anthem, Lucero, Devendra Banhart, Blues Traveler, The Soft Pack, Gayngs, Manchester Orchestra, Mountain Goats, Miike Snow, Bear In Heaven, White Rabbits, and many more
Why:  ‘The Live Music Capital of the World’ & America’s longest-running live music show bring their festival back to Zilker Park with another ridiculously stocked line-up of both old & new, mainstream & not.  Read much more in our 2010 day-by-day recap here
Web:
  www.aclfestival.com

Treasure Island

What:  Treasure Island
Where:  San Francisco, CA
When: 
October 16-17
Who:  LCD Soundsystem, Belle & Sebastian, The National, deadmau5, Broken Social Scene, She & Him, Miike Snow, Superchunk, !!!, Surfer Blood, Die Antwoord, Rogue Wave, Ra Ra Riot, Four Tet, Monotonix, Holy Fuck, Phantogram, The Sea & Cake, Papercuts, Phosphorescent, and more
Why:  One of the most interesting new festivals, with a Saturday of electronica & a Sunday of indie, continues in one of the most interesting settingsSee more in our photo gallery here
Web:
  www.treasureislandfestival.com

CMJ

What:  CMJ
Where:  New York, NY
When: 
October 19-23
Who:  Phoenix, GZA, DeVotchKa, UNKLE, Four Tet, Two Door Cinema Club, John Vanderslice, The Drums, Surfer Blood, Ghostface Killah, Helmet, Dan Black, Lissie, Dean & Britta, School of Seven Bells, Jason Isbell, Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed, The Blow, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Langhorne Slim, Blood Red Shoes, Extra Lens, Screaming Females, Franz Nicolay, Wild Nothing, DOM, Reggie Watts, BRAHMS, MiniBoone, and many more
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 to MSG and beyond.  Read & see much more in our day-by-day recap here  
Web:
  www.cmj.com/marathon

FEST 9

What:  FEST 9
Where:  Gaineville, FL
When: 
October 29-31
Who:  Municipal Waste, High On Fire, Tim Barry, Torche, Dead To Me, Franz Nicolay, Red Collar, Valient Thorr, David Dondero, Frank Turner, Strike Anywhere, Banner Pilot, Defiance, Ohio, Bomb the Music Industry, Wormburner, Cobra Skulls, Junius, and many more
Why:  Northern Florida helped open the festival season with Harvest of Hope (see above), and helps close it out with the punk rock FEST 9.
Web:
  www.thefestfl.com/fest9/

Moogfest

What:  Moogfest
Where:  Asheville, NC
When: 
October 29-31
Who:  MGMT, Massive Attack, Hot Chip, Thievery Corporation, Big Boi, DEVO, Pretty Lights, Jonsi, Girl Talk, Caribou, Panda Bear, Four Tet, RJD2, Matmos, El-P, Mountain Man, Kuroma, School of Seven Bells, The Octopus Project, Dan Deacon, Sleigh Bells, Neon Indian, and more
Why:  Three days of music celebrate Bob Moog and his wonderful instrument.
Web:
  www.moogfest.net

Voodoo Experience

What:  Voodoo Experience
Where:  New Orleans, LA
When: 
October 29-31
Who:  Muse, Ozzy Osbourne, Weezer, MGMT, Drake, Metric, Hot Chip, Interpol, Paul van Dyk, deadmau5, Paul Oakenfold, Jakob Dylan and Three Legs, Florence and the Machine, Eagles of Death Metal, Minus the Bear, Janelle Monae, Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed, The Airborne Toxic Event, Jonsi, Die Antwoord, The Crystal Method, The Whigs, White Rabbits, Dead Confederate, Theresa Andersson, AM, Fitz & The Tantrums, Rival Sons, and more
Why:  The home of the Super Bowl-winning Saints hosts the wide-ranging Voodoo Experience over Halloween weekend.  See much more in our 2009 photo gallery here
Web:
  thevoodooexperience.com/2010exp/

 

 


November & December

Fun Fun Fun

What:  Fun Fun Fun Fest
Where:  Austin, TX
When: 
November 5-7
Who:  Weird Al Yankovic, MGMT, Bad Religion, Descendents, GWAR, RJD2, Dirty Projectors, The Vandals, Cold Cave, Hold Steady, Monotonix, Man Man, The Bronx, Cap’n Jazz, Deerhunter, The Apples In Stereo, WAVVES, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Margot & The Nuclear So-and-Sos, Valient Thorr, Toro Y Moi, Snapcase, Pharoahe Monch, Woven Bones, and many more  Read much more in our preview here
Why:  The worst-titled music festival in the world somehow survived the rain of ’09 and returns to Austin with a third day to close out the festival season.  Read & see much more our 2009 recap here
Web:
  www.funfunfunfest.com

Next Big Thing

What:  Next Big Thing
Where:  Tampa, FL
When: 
December 5
Who:  My Chemical Romance, The Black Keys, Chevelle, Cage the Elephant, Against Me!, Switchfoot, Neon Trees, and more
Why:  Tampa’s 97X Radio is holding a holiday shindig with their picks for the Next Big Thing.
Web:
  97xonline.com/ads/nbt10.html

Almost Acoustic Christmas

What:  Almost Acoustic Christmas
Where:  Los Angeles, CA
When: 
December 11-12
Who:  Phoenix, Smashing Pumpkins, Vampire Weekend, Social Distortion, My Chemical Romance, Brandon Flowers, The Black Keys, Bad Religion, Jimmy Eat World, The Temper Trap, Cake, Neon Trees, Florence & The Machine, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Broken Bells, Switchfoot, and more
Why:  Los Angeles’ venerable KROQ is holding two nights of its ‘Almost Acoustic Christmas’, and hard rock night one & indie night two (that pretty much crushes night one…).
Web:
  kroq.radio.com/category/kroq-concerts/almost-acoustic-christmas-concerts/

Brooklyn Electronic Music

What:  Brooklyn Electronic Music
Where:  Brooklyn, NY
When: 
December 18
Who:  Kid Sister, Treasure Fingers, Sinden, Javelin, French Horn Rebellion, Penguin Prison, Class Actress, BRAHMS, Lemonade, Body Language, The Glass, The Knocks, Punches, and more to be announced
Why:  Moving from deepest Brooklyn last year to the far more accessible Music Hall of Williamsburg (QRO venue review ) & Public Assembly (QRO venue review), the borough gets an end-of-the-year shot of electronica.  Read & see much more in our 2009 recap here here
Web:
  www.brooklynemf.com

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