As we in the BUST offices anxiously wait for the snow to melt and a warmer breeze to pass through, we couldn’t be more stoked on all of the music festivals of 2013. It won’t be hard to find a fest featuring some of your favorite artists (and other super cool goings-on) since they’re happenin’ all over the place. We’ve compiled a list of festivals you won’t want to miss this spring and summer.
Noise Pop
Where? San Francisco, CA
When? February 26th-March 3rd
Who? Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, DIIV, Rogue Wave, Ceremony, the Thermals, Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside, Wax Idols, Toro Y Moi, and Starfucker to name a few.
Why? In addition to all of those sweet bands (and more!), Noise Pop is going to have film screenings, art openings, delicious food (including baked goods!), a local designer fair, and an interactive workshop exploring DIY culture! Buy tickets here.
BUKU
Where? New Orleans, LA
When? March 8th and 9th
Who? Best Coast, Big Freedia, Kendrick Lamar, Passion Pit, Alt-J, Hundred Waters, Action Bronson, Icona Pop, and a ton more.
Why? A fest with a rather intimate setting, BUKU captures the NOLA spirit with locally-owned food vendors, indigenous art shows, and lots of regional bands playing between the world-reknowned acts’ sets. Buy tix here!
Snowball Music Fest
Where? Winter Park, CO
When? March 8th-10th
Who? Flying Lotus, Delta Spirit, Tennis, Surfer Blood, Japandroids, Kendrick Lamar, Portugal. The Man, Datsik, and STS9.
Why? Not only can you catch great bands and chillax with good food, but Snowball Music Fest is just a few steps away from a Winter Park Resort so you can ski and snowboard up a storm in between sets. Where else but Colorado, amirite? Tickets over here!
South By Southwest
Where? Austin, TX
When? March 8th-17th
Who? Charli XCX, Spirit Family Reunion, Idiot Glee, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Polyphonic Spree, White Lung, Brooke Waggoner, The Death Set, Diarrhea Planet, The Specials, Kitty Pryde, Jacuzzi Boys, Natural Child, Dustin Wong, Flatbush Zombies, and countless others.
Why? SXSW is so huge (it’s the largest music festival of its kind in the world), there is undoubtedly something for everyone. SXSW hosts panels and discussions on technology, film, and music, and spans these events over the course of 10 days. I can guarantee you won’t regret attending this legendary fest. Get at ya tickets here.
Coachella
Where? April 12th-14th, April 19th-21st
When? Indio, CA
Who? Bat For Lashes, Descendents, Beach House, DIIV, Earl Sweatshirt, Grimes, JEFF the Brotherhood, Modest Mouse, Of Monsters and Men, Passion Pit, Spiritualized, Tegan and Sara, Thee Oh Sees, The Gaslight Anthem, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Youth Lagoon, and lots more!
Why? Aside from all of the amazing sounds to soothe your aching earbuds, Coachella is awesome because A. You can camp on-site! Partyyy. and B. Coachella loves Mother Earth. They’re super dedicated to reducing the festival’s carbon footprint by motivating attendees with fun games where you can win prizes. What, whaaaat. Tix ova here!
Red Bull Music Academy NYC
When? April 28th-May 31st
Where? New York City, NY
Who? Brian Eno, Erykah Badu, Kim Gordon, James Murphy, Skream, A-Trak, Four Tet, and 62 Academy students from 35 different countries.
Why? Over 230 artists will be performing at 34 different venues all over the city in celebration of Red Bull Music Academy’s 15th anniversary. There’s going to be art installations, club nights, film screenings, and intimate lectures. Special features: Brian Eno’s audio-visual installation 77 Million Paintings and Kim Gordon’s collaborative project with Bill Nace, Body/Head. Tickets available March 4th.
Sasquatch Music Festival
Where? Quincy, WA
When? May 24th-27th
Who? Mumford & Sons, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Postal Service, Sigur Rós, Vampire Weekend, The xx, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Bloc Party, Grimes, Azealia Banks, Dropkick Murphys, Solange, Danny Brown, Jenny Slate, and a bunch more.
Why? Not only does Sasquatch have an absolutely insane lineup, but it’s also hosting hilarious comedians and takes place in the beautiful venue, The Gorge, carved in the basalt cliffs above the Columbia River Gorge. Jump over here for tickets!
Bonnaroo
Where? Manchester, TN
When? June 13th-16th
Who? Paul McCartney, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Dwight Yoakam, The xx, Wilco, Animal Collective, Wu-Tang Clan, Araabmuzik, Purity Ring, Japandroids, Haim, Cat Power, Death Grips, Two Gallants, and even more than THAT!
Why? Other than that crazy lineup, there’s a shitload of stuff to do at Bonnaroo! You can do yoga, get rewarded for recycling, shop and support independent vendors, splash around on a giant water slide, watch films in a the Bonnaroo cinema tent, bid in a silent auction, take a skill workshop, and even get a haircut! ‘Nuff said. Step right up for your tickets!
Pitchfork Music Festival
Where? Chicago, IL
When? July 19th-21st
Who? R. Kelly, Bjork, and Belle and Sebastian, plus more TBA.
Why? Pitchfork has always taken the cake on genre variety, featuring hip-hop, jazz, indie, folk, dance, hardcore, punk, and electronica artists, just to name a few. This year should be no different, as the three headliners clearly demonstrate. Notable past performers: Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Grimes, Robyn, Fucked Up, The National, Matt & Kim, Yoko Ono, the Mountain Goats, and A$AP Rocky. Get those tix forked over to ya here.
Lollapalooza
Where? Chicago, IL
When? August 2nd-4th
Who? Great bands! (Lineup TBA)
Why? Lollapalooza has been running for 20 years now, and it won’t be stopping any time soon. With past lineups that include Pearl Jam, Hole, Lady Gaga, the Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, Florence and the Machine, Sharon Van Etten, Die Antwoord, Dum Dum Girls, and countless others, the festival has a history of breaking huge names. Plus you can visit farmer’s markets, shop around for handmade arts and crafts, and eat some gourmet food while you’re there! Join Lollapalooza’s e-list to hear when tickets go on sale!
Photos via SXSW.com, WhiteRaverRafting.com, Vans.com , Refinery29.com, MXDWN.com, BrooklynVegan.com, ThisSongIsSick.com, ConsequenceofSound.net, Stereogum.com, Complex.com, and Lollapalooza.com.
