Go undigital this summer, and witness your favorite artists raw, live, and sharing the spotlight at one of these seven star-studded, mega-music festivals. Besides supporting the music you love, your ticket will be putting your money toward a purpose. More than just showcasing everything from the slickest blues, classic rock, and R&B sets to the hottest hip-hop, indie rock, and 80s nostalgia performances, this year’s summer festival season is sending a message that music can mobilize the masses toward a greener and greater good.
Dates: July 3–6, 2008
Location: Rothbury, Mich.
Tickets: Standard weekend pass $244.75, VIP $475 (includes access to prime viewing locations, specialty bars, and VIP camping grounds with private, air-conditioned bathroom and shower facilities), Good Life Lodging Package $1,423 (includes on-site lodging options, a brunch buffet each morning, and access to VIP viewing areas, parties, and exclusive Good Life bars)
Parking: Included in ticket price
Headliners: Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Snoop Dogg, Widespread Panic, 311, Thievery Corporation, Modest Mouse, and Primus
In its inaugural year, the Rothbury Music Festival will run on sustainable power and use an eco-friendly waste disposal system, setting up shop on a 2,000-acre ranch, complete with lakes and nature trails. The festival will supplement its three-day music run with a multimedia presentation and discussion on energy independence, circus and theater performances, yoga sessions led by renowned teachers such as Vanessa Lee and Ian Lopatin, and a canned food drive sculpture that will be competing for the Guinness World Record for largest “cansculpture.”
Other artists scheduled to perform include The Black Keys, Citizen Cope, Beth Orton, Ingrid Michaelson, Brett Dennen, Drive-By Truckers, Taj Mahal, and Medeski Martin & Wood.
Dates: July 3–13, 2008
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Tickets: Day pass $32.50–$40, three-day weekend passport (July 11–13) $95, four-day weekend passport (July 3–6) $120, full festival passport $220, student full festival passport $125 (ages 10–18 with student ID)
Parking: No on-site parking; public transportation available
Headliners: Fergie, The Black Crowes, Wyclef Jean, Snoop Dogg, The Tragically Hip, Lucinda Williams, Taj Mahal, Jakob Dylan, Great Big Sea, James Taylor, Brian Wilson, Donna Summer, and Steely Dan
Now in its 15th year, the Ottawa Bluesfest has grown from a one-stage, three-day event to a multistage, 11-day showcase, featuring both established and emerging artists in a range — its “Bluesfest” name notwithstanding — of diverse musical genres, from mainstream and alternative pop and rock to blues, roots, jazz, funk, soul, and world sounds.
As a nonprofit charitable organization for the past nine years, the Ottawa Bluesfest has also organized and sponsored the Blues in the Schools programs, which brings blues artists and educators to Ottawa for a two-week residency in local elementary, middle, and high schools.
Other artists scheduled to perform include TV on the Radio, Akon, Keb' Mo', The Blind Boys of Alabama, Chuck Prophet, Calexico, Angelique Kidjo, Kathleen Edwards, Richard Thompson, Joan Armatrading, Ladytron, Infected Mushroom, and Primus.
Dates: July 4–6, 2008
Location: New Orleans
Tickets: $56–$110
Headliners: Rihanna, Kanye West, Mary J Blige, Chris Brown, LL Cool J, Jill Scott, and Patti LaBelle
Being billed as the nation’s largest African-American event celebrating black music and culture, the Essence Music Festival, in addition to its marquis-name hip-hop, R&B, and neo-soul lineup, will host three days of free seminars and panel discussions featuring well-known speakers and public figures. These festival presentations will be open to the public and are scheduled to include an audience Q&A with actor-director Tyler Perry, a talk by Bill Cosby on the nation’s education crisis, a conversation with the Reverend Al Sharpton, a keynote address by radio host Tom Joyner, and Sunday afternoon musical performances by Regina Belle and the Greater St. Stephens Full Gospel Baptist Church Choir.
Other artists scheduled to appear include Musiq Soulchild, J Holiday, Keyshia Cole, Irma Thomas, and Grandmaster Flash.
Dates: July 9–13, 2008
Location: Pryor, Okla.
Tickets: VIP $350 (all other seats sold out)
Headliners: Bret Michaels, Sebastian Bach, RATT, Warrant, Lita Ford, and Queensryche
If you hold fond memories of gravity-defying hair mousse, bangs over headbands, mesh tops, and leg warmers, you can’t miss this second annual hair-band ’80s extravaganza. Rock out with your fellow nostalgic concertgoers as just part of the audience, or shell out $1,999 for a Rock Camp package and join your favorite musicians on the main stage as part of the festival’s Rock n’ Roll Fantasy Camp — and whatever you do, don’t forget your leather pants and eyeliner.
Other artists scheduled to perform include Dokken, Tesla, Triumph, Night Ranger, L.A. Guns, Extreme, and Firehouse.
Dates: July 18–20, 2008
Location: Chicago
Tickets: Day pass $30 (two- and three-day passes sold out)
Headliners: Public Enemy, Animal Collective, Vampire Weekend, Dinosaur Jr., Jarvis Cocker, and Spoon
Organized by Pitchfork Media, the Pitchfork Music Festival brings together longtime stars with some of the hottest breakthrough indie rock and punk acts to hit college radio this year. With way-reasonable ticket prices and a heady lineup that spans the new-school map, Pitchfork gives indie hipsters the chance to discover new bands performing next to their lo-fi faves. Go for the special opening night, and you’ll get to see Public Enemy, Sebadoh, and Mission of Burma perform entire albums — not bad for $30.
Get even more for your money by visiting the Pitchfork Festival recycling store, where you can exchange your recyclable materials for t-shirts, posters, and other Pitchfork fest schwag. There will also be recycling containers throughout the grounds — Pitchfork recycled over seven tons of waste last year — and all generators will run on bio-diesel fuel.
Other artists scheduled to appear include Titus Andronicus, M. Ward, The Apples in Stereo, Ghostface and Raekwon, Les Savy Fav, and The Hold Steady.
Dates: July 19–20, 2008
Location: Commerce City, Colo.
Tickets: Day pass $85, two-day pass $150, two-day VIP package $495 (includes VIP parking and entrance, exclusive viewing platform, executive air-conditioned restrooms, complimentary beverage service, food tastings, a massage therapist, and a commemorative poster)
Headliners: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Steve Winwood, and The Black Crowes
Featuring some of the most high-demand bands this year, there’s music for everyone, even mom and dad. And as one of the cheaper festivals this summer, you may even be able to afford to bring the folks along. Go green by carpooling, and you’re eligible for a carpool discount on your tickets, as well as preferred parking. Bicycle parking, public transportation, and hybrid taxi service will also be available.
Other performing artists include Flogging Molly, Lupe Fiasco, The Roots, Spoon, O.A.R., OneRepublic, Jason Mraz, Martin Sexton, moe., Bob Schneider, Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Josh Ritter, and The Whigs.
Dates: July 25–27, 2008
Location: Pemberton, British Columbia
Tickets: Day pass $149.50, three-day pass $259.50, VIP three-day pass $599.50 (includes VIP parking, entrance, and access to a VIP viewing platform). Prices are in Canadian dollars, which are currently roughly equal to U.S. dollars.
Parking: Free parking if you have at least four people in your vehicle; otherwise, three-day parking $90, five-day camper parking $50 (with Festival Camping Tickets), three-day motorcycle parking $45. VIP parking included in VIP ticket price.
Headliners: Coldplay, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Nine Inch Nails, Jay-Z, Interpol, Death Cab for Cutie, and The Tragically Hip
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Mount Currie in the Pemberton valley, known for its open expanses of backcountry, outdoor recreation, and organic produce, the Pemberton festival will be powered mainly by hydro-electric energy and offer locally grown farm products at food kiosks throughout the concert grounds. In addition to music-industry megastars like Coldplay and Jay-Z, the festival also features some of the summer’s most in-demand indie groups like Vampire Weekend and Death Cab for Cutie.
Other artists scheduled to appear include My Morning Jacket, Mates of State, Serj Tankian, The Flaming Lips, Junkie XL, The Crystal Method, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist, N.E.R.D., Brazilian Girls, and Matisyahu.
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