Summer is a time for vacation, beaches, relaxation, and MUSIC! The Bonaroo Music and Arts Festival opens today in Manchester, Tennessee and will feature a wide array of artists over the course of four days. This year’s acts include Kings of Leon, Jay Z, Stevie Wonder, Weezer, The Flaming Lips, Regina Spektor, Tokyo Police Club, Kid Cudi, and Local Natives. See the full list here.
Bonnaroo is only one of the many music festivals happening around the country this summer. Check out a few more of the most famous ones:
Lollapalooza
This annual alternative rock, hip hop, punk rock, dance, and comedy festival will kick off August 6th in Chicago and continue through August 8th. Featured artists include Lady Gaga, B.o.B, The New Pornographers, Wavves, Matt & Kim, Stars, Grizzly Bear, Phoenix, Chiddy Bang, MGMT, Green Day, Arcade Fire, Switchfoot, and The National.
Pitchfork Music Festival
The Pitchfork Music Festival, sponsored annually by Pitchfork Media, will take place this year July 16th-18th in Chicago. Headliners for the 2010 fifth annual festival include Modest Mouse, The Tallest Man on Earth, LCD Soundsystem, Why?, Girls, Beach House, and Surfer Blood.
Sirenfest
The Siren Music Festival, run by New York City newspaper The Village Voice, is a free, all-ages fair founded in 2001. The annual all-day event takes place in Coney Island, NYC. This year’s event is on Saturday, July 17th, and will feature Harlem, Surfer Blood, Harlem, Night Marchers, Earl Greyhound, Screaming Females, and Wye Oak, to name a few of the headliners.
Bumbershoot
‘Bumbershoot’ is apparently another name for an umbrella. The name now makes sense, as the Bumbershoot is Seattle’s music and arts festival that will take place this year September 4th-6th. Featured artists this year include Bob Dylan, The Decemberists, Mary J. Blige, LMFAO, Ra Ra Riot, Fences, Atlas Sound, Crash Kings, and Jay Electronica.
Lilith Fair
Music fans in the DC Area, never fear! Summer music festivals aren’t completely leaving our area high and dry. The Lilith fair travels all over the country over the course of the summer, and will be coming through Merriweather Post Pavillion on August 3. The lineup includes Cat Power, Chairlift, Sara Bareilles, Indigo Girls, and a special guest to be announced.
Last, but certainly not least, here are some summer music festival tips. We wouldn’t want anyone to be under-prepared, after all.