This is the year to get happy and camp out while listening to great live music at the most pristine natural locations across the country. The experiences you have at these destination festivals will go down in the record books. Remember, what happens at Lollapalooza stays at Lollapalooza.
South By Southwest, Austin, TX
In our very own Austin, this is a festival that cannot go without mention. The massive event with 2,000 musical acts, South By Southwest. SXSW is a global event where bands from 50 countries includingUraguay, Sweden, Canada, Spain and Ireland (to name just five) play their hearts out.
This festival is not just for concerts, but celebrates everything to do with the music, arts and entertainment industries with seminars and expos to pique any interest. With over 90 stages, downtown Austin gets coo-coo for new music and up-and-coming artists. If you are free March 8-17, this is where you need to be.
Coachella, Indio, CA
Touted the “Ambassador of Music Festivals” by musicfestivaljunkies.com, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival runs this year on the weekends of April 12-14 April 19-21 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California (about 45 minutes outside of Palm Springs). It covers many genres of music and has included stage performances by Oasis, Madonna, The Strokes, Pavement, Iggy Pop and Beastie Boys, to name only a few. Top electronic and DJ acts like Paul Oakenfold and The Orb perform every year, as well. The 2013 lineup will be just as amazing as the 2012 lineup, which boasted artists such as Calvin Harris, Bon Iver, Gotye, the Black Keys and Radiohead.
There are hotels in nearby Indo and Palm Springs as well as on-site and off-site camping. It’s a musical oasis in the desert.
Bonnaroo, Manchester, TN
For four glorious days in June (13-16), 80,000 nature lovers will camp out across 700 acres of the Tennessee wilderness. There will be art, a film festival, hugging, dancing, sandals, chirping birds, food, drink, laughs, a Teen Wolf costume, tears of joy, love and music … lots and lots of music. Prepare yourself for the greenest festival of all.
The Bonnaroo Music Arts Festival is located in Manchester, TN. If you’re not quite into the full Bonnaroo experience and need a shower every other day, consider one of the many apartments for rent in Nashville, considering it is only a 90-minute drive from the festival grounds.
Cool fact: This year will be the first solar paneling array used at a music festival and the setup was all funded by donations, according to the official website.
2012 lineup highlights: Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phish.
Lollapalooza, Chicago
Created back in 1991 by Jane’s Addiction frontman, Perry Farrell, Lollapalooza used to be a touring festival. But by 2004, low ticket sales had the organizers restructuring and planting it as a destination fest in Chicago. Now, Chi-town isn’t the only city lucky enough to have Lollapalooza. There are dates set in Chile, Israel and Brazil. Over the past 21 years, a diverse range of bands have been featured like Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails and Pearl Jam in the beginning, to present day acts like Arcade Fire, The Black Keys and Kanye West.
If you want to see one of the country’s classic music festivals, travel to Chicago August 2-4 and experience over 115 acres of multiple stages, over 130 musical artists, a farmers market and arts and crafts booths. Travel down Green Street and enter Chow Town for unique experiences, as well. Bring your kids (under 10 get in free) to Kidzapalooza, where there are lots of kiddie activities and bands of their own.
Jazz Fest, New Orleans
With 12 stages of a diverse musical lineup, events that highlight Louisiana’s unique culture, crafts people, cooks and around 400,000 visitors each year, the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival is held at the Fair Grounds Race Course. This year it will occur over the weekends of April 26-28 May 2-5. Because it is just 10 minutes from the French Quarter, downtown New Orleans gets going during this festival. Bourbon Street is bouncing with musicians, people are dancing in the streets and the aromas of crawfish and gumbo are wafting through the noses of a jubilant community.
About the author
Once a jazz singer, Nadine Franks reviews music, fashion and anything that is of interest to the downtown bohemian. She’s happy to give her pipes a rest and put her writing pen to work for now.
By Olivia GrilHey Folks! I'm Olivia from California, United States. I'm a blogger, travel lover, I can travel anywhere, whether it's a new place or already visited. I love meeting new people, clicking photos of every movement, and documenting my adventure. I also, write about travel, travel movies, the best places to visit, etc. Read my stories.
