Wed 14 May, 2008
Spring and Summer are prime time for people to get out to some of the best music festivals. Whether your taste is for indie rock, hip-hop, pop, gospel or jazz, there’s a something happening for everyone.
Since keeping it up with everything can be a chore, my gift to you today is a non-exhaustive list of concerts and festivals taking place May through September. The theme for the Summer seems to be going green and getting outside; go figure.
KJLH Gospel Music Showcase
When: May 17 (yes this Saturday!)
Where: Knott’s Berry Farm
Quite possibly one of the biggest gospel music events of the year, the artists featured at this festival are picked straight from the playlist of KJLH radio show “Spread the Word.” Shikinah Glory returns this year! I know some folks super excited about this one.
Rock the Bells
When: Dates vary; see website for a date and venue near you.
This tour featuring Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Mos Def, Rakim, Method Man, Redman and a litnany of hip-hop’s most notable pioneers, the Rock the Bells tour is a must see for any hip-hop lover.
Movement: Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival
When: May 24-16
Where: Hart Plaza; Detroit, MI
Movement Music Festival pays homage to Detroit’s electronic music roots. Featuring performances from Moby, Girl Talk, Alex Smoke, DBX, Dubfire, The Cool Kids, and many more.
Bonnaroo Music Festival
When: June 12-15
Where: “The Farm” in Manchester, TN
This is a four day, multistage, camping festival featuring a comedy theater (Chris Rock!), Arcade, a farmer’s market, yoga classes. Definitely an event fit for any modern flower children, complete with the inclusion of some of the day’s hottest and as well as legendary musical acts. This year’s line-up includes Metalica, Pearl Jam, Kanye West, Jack Johnson, BB King, Death Cab For Cutie, M.I.A., Sigur Rios, The Raconteurs, and a host of others.
Popped! Philadelphia Music Festival
When: June 20-22
Where: Varies; Philadelphia
The organizers of this event hope to provide Philly with a sustainable music festival using Drexel University, Trocadero and World Live Café as venues. The festival starts with an inaugural party on June 12th, marking the launch of this annual event with a performance by Slick Rick. Over the next two days there are sets by Vampire Weekend, The Ting Tings, Mates of State as well as other indie bands.
Rocklahoma
When: July 10-13
Where: Pryor, OK
For those nostalgic for rock of the 80s, Rocklahoma is just what the music gods ordered. According to the website, Rocklahoma is “the world’s largest rock festival featuring music from the 80s.”
Playboy Jazz Festival
When: June 14-15
Where: Hollywood Bowl; Hollywood, CA
This open air festival of jazz is on its 29th year and has yet to lose its luster. Bill Cosby is this year’s master of ceremonies and there will be many live performances including Herbie Hanckock, Al Jerreau, and Pancho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band.
Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival
When: June/July (official announcement forthcoming)
Where: TBA
Even with only a minimal calendar posted yet, the 4th Annunal Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival is likely to be one of the biggest hip-hop events of the summer. June 28th is live performance day with Lyricist Lounge, a multiday film festival and activities for the family on July 12th. Hip-hop aficionados in the area should definitely check this event out.
All Points West
When: August 8-10
Where: Liberty State Park; Jersey City, NJ
Envisioned as an East Coast version of Coachella, the All Points West Festival features Radiohead and Jack Johnson as headliners. Other performers include Animal Collective, The Roots, Cat Power, The Go! Team, Girl Talk and Little Brother. The name gives away nothing, apparently is a theme that event goers will just have to experience.
Virgin Mobile Music Festival
When: August 9 & 10
Where: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, MD
Featuring some of the music industry’s up-and-comers such as Lupe Fiasco and She & Him, as well as a healthy helping of industry powerhouses like Foo Fighters, Jack Johnson, Nine Inch Nails and Kanye West.
San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival
When: August 22-24
Where: Golden State Park
The website boasts, “No artist has ever played at night in Golden State Park before. Radiohead will be the first!” I’ll hitch a ride to San Francisco to get to this one (would that this is all it’d take). Three days with over fifty artists performing; including Beck, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Jack Jonson, Wilco, Lupe Fiasco, Black Keys, Brocken Social Scene, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings…need I go on?
Bumbershoot: Seattle’s Music & Arts Festival
When: Aug. 31 - Sept. 1 @
Where: Seattle Center
As the title indicates, this event is a celebration of music and arts. Bumbershoot features a wide range of arts, from theatre and film, to music and dance, literary and urban. Live performances by Beck, Stone Temple Pilots, Neko Case, Lucinda Williams, and of course more.
Monolith Music Festival
When: September 13 & 14
Where: Red Rocks Amphitheatre; Morrison, CO
Also conceived as a green event, the Monolith festival will be the largest music festival to take place at “the best live music venue in North America.” The line-up includes the Silversun Pickups, Vampire Weekend, Neko Case, Justice, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings and others.
Laura Spencer says:
Kimberlee!
Thanks for taking the time to put this list together.
Vinyl Notes Covering Bumbershoot and Austin City Limits - Vinyl Notes says:
[...] in May, I posted my seasonal music festival guide and began sending out for press credentials to those closest to me. I got decline for a few, but [...]