While well-established festivals such as Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza have gained popularity over the years, others have either underwhelmed (the much-hyped revival of Lilith Fair) or fallen by the wayside (All Points West), despite impressive lineups. On the other end of the spectrum, niche festivals with a focus on regional culture, such as sold-out Sasquatch in Washington and Austin City Limits in Texas, are chugging right along.
“There are a lot of small festivals that appeal to a specific focus, whether it's jazz, blues or folk. They don't draw six-figure crowds like Bonnaroo or Lollapalooza, but they go on year after year," says Gary Bongiovanni, editor of the concert industry trade magazine Pollstar. “And they're generally tailored to the culture of the regional population."
Pitchfork Music Festival
Chicago (July 16-18)
The festival, now in its sixth year, reflects the online music magazine's focus on indie rock. “In the past few years, the festival market has become saturated, and big festivals are just not sustainable," says Pitchfork publisher Chris Kaskie. “We don't try and compete with the mainstays like Lollapalooza," which also takes place in Chicago. “We curate our festival toward the Midwest music scene and use local businesses."
Lineup highlights: Wolf Parade, Big Boi, St. Vincent, Sleigh Bells, Surfer Blood, LCD Soundsystem, Modest Mouse, Broken Social Scene, Pavement
Bonus points: Buy handmade goods from local artisans, check out the American Poster Institute's art exhibit and bid on items from Pitchfork artists to benefit Rock for Kids, a non-profit organization that provides free music instruction to children in Chicago.
Details: pitchforkmusicfestival.com
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Telluride, Colo. (June 17-20)
Held in the Colorado mountains during the summer solstice, the roots festival, now in its 37th year, is a camping experience geared toward bluegrass enthusiasts and their children.
Lineup highlights: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Court Yard Hounds, Lyle Lovett, Mumford & Sons
Bonus points: In support of the fest's green initiative, “festivarians" get filtered water and organic food. Producers are also buying carbon credits to offset the waste produced by artists and attendees' travel.
Details: bluegrass.com/telluride
Outside Lands Festival
San Francisco (Aug. 14-15)
San Fran's legendary Golden Gate Park celebrates the Bay Area's famous foodie culture, serving dishes from local top-tiered restaurants and sips from California wineries. “This festival is unique in that it's as much of a food and wine festival as it is a music festival," says Bongiovanni.
Lineup highlights: Kings of Leon, Grateful Dead's Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, The Strokes, Levon Helm, Phoenix
Bonus points: You won't find greasy fest fare or watery beer in plastic cups here. The event features Korean tacos, Indian chicken curry and gourmet cupcakes, as well as wine from Napa Valley.
Details: sfoutsidelands.com
Burning Man Festival
Black Rock Desert, Nev. (Aug. 30-Sept. 6)
There's really only one way to describe this cult celebration: radical. The venue is Black Rock City, a “city" built in the middle of the desert, about 120 miles north of Reno, and exists for just the week of the festival. When the party ends, the city is completely dismantled. Thousands of devotees throw caution (and, often, their clothing) to the wind to brave the summer sun and lack of plumbing or running water. Festgoers live in “villages" and spend the week visiting art exhibits and performances. This festival is not for the faint of heart. The Nevada desert is no joke, so attendees should take the festival's “survival guide" to heart.
Lineup highlights: No big-name artists here. Camping out in the middle of the desert for a week surrounded by jaw-dropping art exhibits, wild costumes, sculptures and performances? The headliner is the experience itself.
Bonus points: This year's theme is Metropolis. Details: burningman.com
Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival
Seattle (Sept. 4-6)
Bumbershoot, a colloquialism for “umbrella," is a metaphor for the festival's inclusive approach to all things art-related. The three-day event features exhibits, craft fairs, theater performances, music concerts and comedy acts.
Lineup highlights: Bob Dylan, Mary J. Blige, Weezer, Neko Case, The Decemberists, J. Cole
Bonus points: In honor of its 40th year, organizers are throwing 40 parties highlighting Seattle's famous local arts and music culture. Hosted at various venues around the city, events include a comedy night at Seattle's Laff Hole and an exhibition of Bumbershoot artists (Umbrella for the Arts: 40 Years of Bumbershoot Artwork).
Details: bumbershoot.org
Life Is Good Festival
Canton, Mass. (Sept. 11-12)
Located 15 minutes from Boston on a 40-acre farm near the Blue Hills, this is a kidcentric event. Activities range from high energy (obstacle courses and football) to laid back (a communal art mural and train rides).
Lineup highlights: The Laurie Berkner Band, Dan Zanes & Friends, Big Apple Circus, They Might Be Giants
Bonus points: All proceeds go to the Life Is Good foundation, a non-profit dedicated to helping kids in life-threatening situations such as extreme poverty, violence and natural disasters.
Details: lifeisgood.com/festivals
Austin City Limits Music Festival
Austin (Oct. 8-10)
More than 130 artists, local craftsmen, eateries and family-friendly activities sprawl over the 74-acre Zilker Park. Fans get to sidle up to their favorite artists for autographs at the Waterloo Records tent, grab a drink with friends between shows in the beer garden, and enjoy local cuisine at the Austin Eats food court. Kiddies can nurture their inner musician with free guitar lessons, hip-hop classes and drumming circles.
Lineup highlights: The Eagles, Phish, Flaming Lips, M.I.A., The Strokes, The National
Bonus points: The fest takes place in the fall, so fans don't have to swelter in the Texas summer heat.
Details: aclfestival.com
For more information contact All About Jazz.
