Summer is the time to experience new and exciting things; it’s a time to wear less clothing, to get a tan, to drive with the windows down. Summer is a time of new music and new opportunities to see your favorite bands live.
The months of June, July and August are a busy time of year for the festival aficionado. With so much variety, it can be a bit overwhelming to pick and choose which festival is the right fit.
Here’s a look at some of what’s good and what’s what about this summer’s music celebrations.
Lollapalooza
Where: Grant Park, Chicago
When: August 6-8
Who: Lady Gaga, The Strokes, Green Day, Arcade Fire, MGMT, Phoenix, The Black Keys, The National, Spoon, Gogol Bordello
Cost: $215 for a three-day pass
Pitchfork
Where: Union Park, Chicago
When: July 16-18
Who: Modest Mouse, Broken Social Scene, Pavement, St. Vincent, Beach House, Big Boi, Local Natives
Cost: $40 per day
Lilith Fair
Where: Canterbury Park, Minn.
When: July 18
Who: Metric, La Roux, Sara McLaughlan, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige, Heart
Cost: $250
Bonnaroo
Where: Manchester, Tenn.
When: June 10 -13
Who: Dave Mathews Band, Kings of Leon, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Tenacious D, Regina Spektor
Cost: $250
Warped Tour
Where: Canterbury Park, Minn.
When: August 1
Who: Andrew W.K., Every Time I Die, Alkaline Trio, Reel Big Fish, I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business
Cost: $40
WeFest
Where: Detroit Lakes, Minn.
When: August 5, 6, 7
Who: Kid Rock, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Montgomery Gentry
Cost: $59 per day, or $99 for a three-day pass
Summerfest
Where: Milwaukee, Wis.
When: June 24 – July 4
Who: Sheryl Crow, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Weird Al, Justin Bieber, Public Enemy, STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9), Guster
Cost: $8-15 per day
It is unfortunate The Weekly missed several Christian concerts for this summer.
What a great summer it was for music. I was at Summerfest. I also attended Lilith Fair, my favorite artist being Butterfly Boucher. She is a solo artist that got some L.F. slots by virtue of the fact she is currently playing bass for Sarah McLachlan. Butterfly deserves to have a slot, she is an amazing artist whom I used to play drums for.