Spring Break
The Daily OrangeDecibel | On the road
By Dave Arey, Erinn Connor and Matt Levin
Posted: 4/29/08, 12:15 AM EST Section: Feature
From the lazy days of June to the sweltering end of August, music fans in every part of the country will be gathering to see their favorite musicians perform - all in one place. Music festivals are a summer trademark, and pilgrimages are made from Seattle to Tennessee. Here is a rundown of this summer's major players:
What: Summerfest
Where/When: Milwaukee, June 26- July 6
Price: $15 on weekends and evenings, $8 during the day and weekdays
(Be warned, if you're seeing a headliner, you have to pay whatever the artist is charging for ticket prices, but it includes admission into the entirety of Summerfest.)
History: Billed as "The World's Largest Music Festival," Summerfest only lives up to that title in sheer land area. Acts have been stuck in the 90s for the past couple years, and the crowd is mainly middle-aged beer lovers.
Lineup: Due to its Midwest location, the festival has always had a bit of a country twang to it - this year's headliners include Rascal Flatts, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer and Alicia Keys. Bands on supporting stages have not yet been announced, but in the past have included Guster, Panic At The Disco, Ben Folds, Peter Frampton and Buddy Guy.
Survival item: A laid-back attitude. Summerfest is full of people that just want to have fun, and if you get in their way, they're bound to say or do something about it. Having beer vendors every ten feet help.
What: Bonnaroo
Where/When: Manchester, Tenn., June 12-15
Price: $210 for a four-day pass, including camping and parking
History: Bonnaroo takes place outdoor on a 700-acre farm. It's a bit of a trek from the campsites to the venues, and when it rains, it veers quickly into Woodstock '94-esque territory, but its consistently good lineup increases attendance year after year.
Lineup: Bonnaroo's lineup is unparalleled for the rock/indie fan, with bands like Pearl Jam, Kanye West, Robert Plant, Death Cab for Cutie, Vampire Weekend, The Raconteurs, B.B. King, Willie Nelson and a whole lot more expected.
What: Summerfest
Where/When: Milwaukee, June 26- July 6
Price: $15 on weekends and evenings, $8 during the day and weekdays
(Be warned, if you're seeing a headliner, you have to pay whatever the artist is charging for ticket prices, but it includes admission into the entirety of Summerfest.)
History: Billed as "The World's Largest Music Festival," Summerfest only lives up to that title in sheer land area. Acts have been stuck in the 90s for the past couple years, and the crowd is mainly middle-aged beer lovers.
Lineup: Due to its Midwest location, the festival has always had a bit of a country twang to it - this year's headliners include Rascal Flatts, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer and Alicia Keys. Bands on supporting stages have not yet been announced, but in the past have included Guster, Panic At The Disco, Ben Folds, Peter Frampton and Buddy Guy.
Survival item: A laid-back attitude. Summerfest is full of people that just want to have fun, and if you get in their way, they're bound to say or do something about it. Having beer vendors every ten feet help.
What: Bonnaroo
Where/When: Manchester, Tenn., June 12-15
Price: $210 for a four-day pass, including camping and parking
History: Bonnaroo takes place outdoor on a 700-acre farm. It's a bit of a trek from the campsites to the venues, and when it rains, it veers quickly into Woodstock '94-esque territory, but its consistently good lineup increases attendance year after year.
Lineup: Bonnaroo's lineup is unparalleled for the rock/indie fan, with bands like Pearl Jam, Kanye West, Robert Plant, Death Cab for Cutie, Vampire Weekend, The Raconteurs, B.B. King, Willie Nelson and a whole lot more expected.
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