Five fests worth using frequent flier miles (or, in the case of Bonnaroo, renting an RV)
South by Southwest – March 7-16 in Austin, Texas. www.sxsw.com.
Coachella – April 11-13 in Indio, Calif. www.coachella.com.
Sasquatch! Festival – May 23-25 in Quincy, Wash. www.sasquatchfestival.com.
Bonnaroo - June 12-15 in Manchester, Tenn. www.bonnaroo.com.
Electric Daisy Carnival – June 20-22 in Las Vegas. www.electricdaisycarnival.com.
The term “music festival” still immediately conjures images of mud-caked women in bikini tops and Jimi Hendrix wrenching “The Star-Spangled Banner” notes from his guitar.
But Woodstock, iconic as it is, was 40-plus years ago.
These days, you’re as likely to see a highly-paid DJ mixing music from a laptop in front of 100,000 blissful fans as you are a scrubby drummer banging out a 15-minute solo.
That diversity might explain the proliferation of music festivals in the past few years. But for some, the physical surrounding is as valuable as the aural experience.
“In a way it’s almost become like a spring break. People like the overall environment,” said Gary Bongiovanni, president and editor-in-chief of concert industry bible Pollstar magazine. “They might be interested in some of the acts, but they like the social scene. They’re with people of similar interests and there really is something for everybody. Bonnaroo has a different appeal than Music Midtown.”
And artists enjoy playing festivals because they don’t have to carry the shows themselves, Bongiovanni said. “It’s almost like a protective environment.”
This spring, a drive through the region will reveal music ranging from synth-pop (Moogfest in Asheville, N.C.) to electronic dance (Ultra Music Fest in Miami) to the always-hearty gumbo of classic rock, zydeco and yes, jazz (New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival). Of course, events such as the stately Spoleto in Charleston, S.C., and Savannah Music Festival continue their steadfast commitment to the arts.
Since fall breeds its own carnival of multi-act lineups, for now, here is a look at some offerings the first half of the year.
Savannah Music Festival
When: March 20-April 5
Where: Ten venues, including Lucas Theatre for the Arts, Johnny Mercer Theatre and Ships of the Sea North Garden.
Lineup highlights: The Avett Brothers, Chris Thile and Mike Marshall, Christian Sands, Jason Isbell, Vince Gill, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride Trio.
Why you should go: It's dubbed "Georgia's Largest Musical Arts Event" and that's not an exaggeration. For two weeks every spring in the oldest city in Georgia, a cross-pollination of artists both national and international descend upon downtown Savannah with the objective of not only entertaining, but educating. A music education program is part of the plan – as it has been for more than a decade in the festival's 25 years of existence – and more than 20,000 area youth are given access to music seminars and interactions with world class musicians.
Tickets: Prices vary by performance. 912-525-5050, www.savannahboxoffice.com.
Ultra Music Festival
When: March 28-30
Where: Bayfront Park, Miami
Lineup highlights: Avicii, David Guetta, Tiesto, Zedd, Hardwell, Armin Van Buuren, Dizzee Rascal.
Why you should go: A precursor to the U.S. version of TomorrowLand, TomorrowWorld (which comes back to Bouckaert Farm along the Chattahoochee River Sept. 26-28), the mega electronic dance music festival draws hundreds of thousands to the Miami waterfront. (Last year's attendance was about 330,000 over two weekends.) UMF is held in conjunction with the Winter Music Conference (March 21-30), a staple of Miami since the mid-'80s that offers DJ wannabes and experts alike the chance to hobnob and attend panels to learn about EDM necessities such as mixing and editing.
Tickets: $399 general admission three-day access. All ages. 1-866-433-4594 and www.ultramusicfestival.com.
Wanee
When: April 10-12
Where: Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak, Fla.
Lineup highlights: The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Trey Anastasio Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gov't Mule, Jaimoe's Jasssz Band, Chris Robinson Brotherhood.
Why you should go: Allman Brothers, Allman Brothers, Allman Brothers. This is it, folks. The last round of shows by ABB now that Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes have announced they're leaving the storied Southern rock institution this year and Gregg Allman confirmed it was time to move on. It's also the 10-year anniversary of the jam-heavy fest, which ABB has hosted since 2005. Who knows which act, if any, will continue the tradition of spearheading three days of 20-minute guitar solos.
Tickets: $195 (includes three nights of "primitive camping" and all shows). Children ages 7-12 half-price at gate only; children 6 and younger free. A $495 VIP package includes catered meals, private restrooms, special viewing areas and all shows.
Tortuga
When: April 12-13
Where: Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, Florida
Lineup highlights: Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Train, Sheryl Crow, Dierks Bentley, Ziggy Marley.
Why you should go: It's one of those a-little-bit-of-everything fests with benefits. Tortuga started last year and is a partnership between Rock the Ocean Foundation's Chris Stacey – a former diver in Fort Lauderdale – and New Orleans-based HUKA Entertainment. More than $70,000 was raised through ticket sales for marine conservation organizations at the inaugural 2013 run. So that's one reason to go. The other would be for the diverse lineup featuring country mega-bros Bryan and Church.
Tickets: $165 for two-day general admission; $799 for two-day VIP (includes complimentary snacks, beer and wine; private air-conditioned restrooms, special viewing areas); $1,299 for two-day Super VIP (all VIP benefits plus high-end meals and concierge service). www.tortugamusicfestival.com. Travel packages at www.cidentertainment.com.
When: April 18-20
Where: Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta
Lineup highlights: A couple of headliners are still TBA, but so far Steel Pulse, Chris Robinson Brotherhood and Galactic lead the list.
Why you should go: For its 10th anniversary, the event moves from its longtime home at Candler Park (where it was free, unless you were drinking) to a much roomier locale (and a $10 single-day admission price). And it's about more than drinking beer from the Atlanta-based SweetWater brewery. Earth Day – on April 22 – is the impetus for the event, so Planet 420 will be on site to present workshops and exhibits on green practices and environmental tips.
Tickets: $18 for three-day general admission (online only); $135 three-day VIP pass (online only); $10 single-day admission (gate only). Also $60 single-day VIP (gate only). Children 12 and younger free for general admission. www.sweetwater420fest.com.
Moogfest
When: April 23-27
Where: U.S. Cellular Center, Asheville, N.C.
Lineup highlights: Kraftwerk, Pet Shop Boys, M.I.A., Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, Giorgio Moroder.
Why you should go: Not only are the seminars and panels a tech-head’s nirvana (check the website for the full, head-spinning lineup of speakers), but the concerts threaten an overload of synth-pop royalty. That’s as it should be since the event was created to honor Bob Moog, the inventor of the Moog synthesizer (and considered the father of electronic music), who spent the last 30 years of his life in Asheville.
Tickets: $199 (five nights of concerts); $249 (five days of seminars and workshops); $299 (five-day general admission to everything); $499 (VIP includes special entrances, reserved seating, gift bags). 1-800-745-3000, www.moogfest.com.
CounterPoint Music Festival
When: April 25-27
Where: Kingston Downs, Rome Ga.
Lineup highlights: Outkast, Pretty Lights, Foster the People, STS9, J. Cole, Janelle Monae.
Why you should go: The return of Outkast in their hometown after more than a decade? Sign us up. This is the first year CounterPoint, which took on a heavier electronic dance music vibe when it was held at Bouckaert Farm in 2012, will be staged at Kingston Downs, which could prove a picturesque setting. The rest of the lineup, including Atlanta’s soul princess Monae and funk-jazz-electronic instrumental band STS9, cements its eclecticism.
Tickets: $180 for three-day advance general admission (18 and older); $205 for three-day advance general admission and camping (18 and older); $600 three-day VIP (including VIP camping with showers, 18 and older); $899 three-day Gold VIP (21 and older). 1-888-512-7469 and www.counterpointfestival.com. Travel packages at http://www.counterpointfestival.com/tickets/travel-packages.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
When: April 25-27 and May 1-4
Where: New Orleans Fairgrounds
Lineup highlights: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Eric Clapton, Santana, Arcade Fire, Public Enemy, Phish, Vampire Weekend, Robin Thicke, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Lyle Lovett, Christina Aguilera, Chaka Khan.
Why you should go: So maybe calling it “Jazz Fest” is a bit of a misnomer in recent years, at least in relation to the headliners. With a lineup bursting with superstar rock veterans – does it get much bigger than Springsteen, Clapton and Santana? – it’s understandable why jazz purists might wrinkle their noses. But there is still plenty of traditional music lurking behind the marquee names – Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Robert Earl Keen and, of course the Nevilles – among them. Plus, it’s a giant musical party in New Orleans. What else do you want?
Tickets: $55 (advance) and $70 (at the gate) for single-day tickets each weekend; $1,125 for Big Chief VIP tickets the first weekend (three days of music) and $1,300 the second weekend (four days of music) as well as VIP viewing areas and hospitality lounges. 1-800-745-3000, www.nojazzfest.com. Travel packages available at www.cidentertainment.com.
Shaky Knees Music Festival
When: May 9-11
Where: Atlantic Station, Atlanta
Lineup highlights: The National, Modest Mouse, The Replacements, Alabama Shakes, Spoon, The Gaslight Anthem, Violent Femmes.
Why you should go: In only its second year, the indie rock-focused opus created by local concert promoter Tim Sweetwood is already expanding from last year’s home at Masquerade Music Park to the more mainstream locale at Atlantic Station. We were already impressed with the inaugural lineup of the Lumineers, Gary Clark Jr. and Jim James of My Morning Jacket (the fest takes its name from a line in a MMJ song). But this year’s parade of acts adeptly bridges the current indie rock scene with its forefathers (talking to you, Replacements and Violent Femmes).
Tickets: $84 single day; $150 three-day advance; $575 three-day VIP (special viewing areas, complimentary food and beer, private restrooms). 1-800-745-3000, www.shakykneesfestival.com.
Spoleto Festival USA
When: May 23-June 8
Where: Various locations in Charleston, S.C., including TD Arena at College of Charleston, College of Charleston Cistern Yard and Simons Center Recital Hall at College of Charleston.
Lineup highlights: Lucinda Williams, Rene Marie, Michael Nyman, Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn.
Why you should go: While mainstream roots and jazz music are highlights, they’re not the only focus of the 17-day festival, now in its 38th year. Dance, theater, chamber music and opera also fill Charleston’s churches, theaters and outdoor spaces, bringing a high art environment to the masses. Spoleto also prides itself on spotlighting young artists to make sure the fest’s legacy endures.
Tickets: 843-579-3100, www.spoletousa.org. Ticket and hotel packages also available at http://spoletousa.org/gospoleto/.
