A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z 

Let the summer festivities begin

In honor of the most unbearably hot season of the year, we can welcome many things. Summer brings an excuse to go on vacation, take a few extra trips to the beach, drink margaritas and wear that new swim suit. We’re also welcomed with tons of new summer blockbusters, summer music tours and music festivals.

To many, the thought of attending an outside music festival in the middle of the summer is borderline unbearable. For those that don’t mind traveling, aren’t opposed to profuse sweating and love music, here are a few options for you.

1. Bonnaroo
What to expect: Bonnaroo is a four-day music festival extravaganza. When you buy your ticket, you may as well be purchasing a camping spot (because you’re expected to camp out there.) The concerts can begin as early as noon and as late as midnight. The more established artists tend to play later in the day. Also, expect to see some illegal drug action, smell some nasty scents and hear some awesome music.
Dates: June 11-14
Location: Manchester, Tennessee
Featured Artists: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Phish, the Beastie Boys, Snoop Dogg, Paul Oakenfold, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Public Enemy, Girl Talk, The Decemberists and of Montreal, just to name a few.
Cost: Tickets start at around $224.50. Once those run out, prices increase to $234.50…then $249.50. Of course let’s not forget about the “applicable taxes and fees,” which add up to an additional $23.10 per ticket.

2. Sasquatch Music Festival
What to expect: Think of the hippies from Bonnaroo mixed with a few more tattooed indie rockers. It’s in the midst of beautiful landscape and has been praised as one of the better organized music festivals in the U.S.
Dates: May 23-25
Location: Quincy, Washington
Featured Artists: Kings of Leon, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Animal Collective, Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, the Silverspun Pickups, and many more.
Cost: Tickets are $66.50 until the week of the festival. On May 18 tickets increase in price to $76.50. If you’re planning on camping there, you can purchase a weekend camping pass for $160.

3. Wakarusa
What to expect: As always, expect the hippies. What’s really cool about this one is that they have planned activities, including a costume contest, morning yoga, disc golf, hiking and kayaking.
Dates: June 4-7
Location: Ozark, Arkansas
Featured Artists: Gov’t Mule, Matisyahu, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Buckethead, Sly & Robbie, Lucero, Split Lip Rayfield, Moonalice and more.
Cost: Tickets are $139. Each vehicle must have a camping pass, which costs $79 plus applicable fees.

4. Essence Music Festival
What to expect: This one is different from the others because it’s not held outside. This year will mark its 15th anniversary. It’s also sponsored by the Essence magazine. An awesome lineup has come to be expected from this venue.
Dates: July 3-5
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Featured Artists: Beyonce, John Legend, Anita Baker, Ne-Yo, En Vogue, Solange, Irvin Mayfield, Keri Hilson, Big Sam’s Funky Nation and many more.
Cost: You have to buy the tickets through Ticketmaster or some other kind of ticketing service so there’s always a service charge for that, but the base price is around $167. The good news is that there’s no camping involved.

5. Summerfest
What to expect: A lot of sun, people and music.
Dates: June 25- July 5
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Featured Artists: Puddle of Mud, Rancid, Rise Against, Sara Evans, Lupe Fiasco, Skillet, No Doubt, Paramore, Judas Priest, Gavin DeGraw, The Fray, Flogging Molly and…that’s not even half of them.
Cost: General admission is $15 after 4 p.m. and $8 before. If you get the $8, it only keeps you in until 4.