Hot Summer Music Festivals

Bonnaroo: June 11-14.  Manchester, Tenn.

This four-day festival boasts a lineup of some of today’s best musical acts, and a number of well-known comedians.  Key members of the diverse setlist include Bruce Springsteen, MGMT, Al Green, Snoop Dogg, Wilco and Erykah Badu.  Of the comedians featured, highlights include John Oliver, Jimmy Fallon, Arj Barker, Aziz Ansari and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.  Other attractions of the event are an interactive art show by The Such N Such artists and a silent auction to benefit the needy.  The festival maintains an eco-friendly attitude with solar powered utilities and a responsible waste management program.

Rothbury Music Festival: July 2-5. Rothbury, Mich.

This four-day musical orgasm takes place in rural Michigan over the July 4th weekend. As people on handfuls of hallucinogens run around shouting, “Happy Birthday America,” festival-goers will be treated to The Dead (in their only summer performance), Bob Dylan and a String Cheese Reunion.  Though heavy on the jam, Rothbury offers plenty of indie and electronic acts as well, ranging from Broken Social Scene to the Hold Steady and the Glitch Mob. Conceived as a competitor to Bonnaroo, this is Rothbury’s second year and hopes to continue last year’s tradition of incorporating artistic elements into the festivals atmosphere, much like Burning Man.

Rock the Bells: Locations and Dates to be Announced Soon

This summer-long tour will make stops in major cities including Chicago, Boston, New York City and Los Angeles.  The Hip Hop event, which became tradition in 2003, will feature artists Nas, Common, The Roots, Damien Marley, Big Boi and more.  Rock the Bells has a history of surprise performances that are sure to dazzle audiences nationwide.

Lollapalooza: August 7-9.  Chicago, Ill.

Hosted in Grant Park, this summer festival released a complete set list this week featuring The Killers, Snoop Dogg, Vampire Weekend, Kings of Leon, Beastie Boys, The Decemberists and more. A separate stage devoted to DJs is also returning.  Artists include Kid CuDi, MSTRKRFT and Animal Collective.  Other attractions include a Biergarten and a “Kidzapalooza” section for youngsters.  The event will also work to reduce concert-goers’ carbon footprints by selling $5 Fan Tag souvenirs to offset their festival travel.