A Running Scorecard to Keep the Stats on Festival Season 2013
Festival Season is upon us, and we know that sorting through email blasts, Facebook invites, and an onslaught of random fests that need not apply to your iCal can be daunting.
VIBE brings this easy-to-use scorecard to help you (and us!) never miss a beat this festival season. Stay tuned for updates. →
VIBE brings this easy-to-use scorecard to help you (and us!) never miss a beat this festival season. Stay tuned for updates. →
SXSW
When: Interactive: March 8–12, Film: March 8–16, Music: March 12–17
Where: Austin, TX
The 411: Self proclaimed “premier destination for discovery,” SXSW is a mixture of concerts and festivals focusing on merging technology, indie flicks, and music.
People You’ll Meet: Techie Geniuses, Media Geeks, Music Freaks of every size, shape and color.
Expect: An onslaught of indie bands experimenting in some cuttings edge productions as well some that may not make the cut. A lot of delicious BBQ.
History Highlight: Jay-Z kicked off the Interactive sector of SXSW at Austin City Limits Live 2012. 3,000 fans got jiggy with Jigga as he threw down signature Hova hits like “99 Problems" and “Jigga Man.”
SXSW Website
When: Interactive: March 8–12, Film: March 8–16, Music: March 12–17
Where: Austin, TX
The 411: Self proclaimed “premier destination for discovery,” SXSW is a mixture of concerts and festivals focusing on merging technology, indie flicks, and music.
People You’ll Meet: Techie Geniuses, Media Geeks, Music Freaks of every size, shape and color.
Expect: An onslaught of indie bands experimenting in some cuttings edge productions as well some that may not make the cut. A lot of delicious BBQ.
History Highlight: Jay-Z kicked off the Interactive sector of SXSW at Austin City Limits Live 2012. 3,000 fans got jiggy with Jigga as he threw down signature Hova hits like “99 Problems" and “Jigga Man.”
SXSW Website
Snowball Music Festival
When: March 8-10
Where: Winter Park, Colorado
The 411: While people get shaped and tanned for the Ultra Music’s Miami beaches, another rave community had just finished dancing their butts off in the snow-caped mountains of Colorado.
People You’ll Meet: Xtreme snowboarders/skiers, Cute snow bunnies, Laidback potheads (it’s legal there now!)
Expect: Once get passed the entrance, you’re transported into a winter wonderland with three performance stages (two in tents, one outdoors), a snowboard ramp, and a heat & lounge bar.
Snowball Website (http://lineup.snowballmusicfestival.com)
When: March 8-10
Where: Winter Park, Colorado
The 411: While people get shaped and tanned for the Ultra Music’s Miami beaches, another rave community had just finished dancing their butts off in the snow-caped mountains of Colorado.
People You’ll Meet: Xtreme snowboarders/skiers, Cute snow bunnies, Laidback potheads (it’s legal there now!)
Expect: Once get passed the entrance, you’re transported into a winter wonderland with three performance stages (two in tents, one outdoors), a snowboard ramp, and a heat & lounge bar.
Snowball Website (http://lineup.snowballmusicfestival.com)
SnowBall Music Festival 2012 from Spenser Harrison on Vimeo.
Ultra Music Festival
When: March 15-17 and March 22-24
Where: Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami, FL
The 411: 330,000 electronic music enthusiasts exploring many stages and showcases put forth by every DJ from across the globe.
People You’ll Meet: Candy ravers in neon, business men disguised as EDM heads, old-school turntable aficionados and fun-loving peeps who just want to dance.
Expect: Large rushes to the main stage come nightfall as this year's headliners - including deadmau5 and Swedish House Mafia - close out the evenings with fireworks-blasting sets. Also, traffic getting back to South Beach for the afterparties is long. Be patient.
History Highlight: Last year Madonna came out to introduce Avicii on the main stage and stayed on to sing alongside the "Le7el" producer.
Ultra Music Festival Website
When: March 15-17 and March 22-24
Where: Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami, FL
The 411: 330,000 electronic music enthusiasts exploring many stages and showcases put forth by every DJ from across the globe.
People You’ll Meet: Candy ravers in neon, business men disguised as EDM heads, old-school turntable aficionados and fun-loving peeps who just want to dance.
Expect: Large rushes to the main stage come nightfall as this year's headliners - including deadmau5 and Swedish House Mafia - close out the evenings with fireworks-blasting sets. Also, traffic getting back to South Beach for the afterparties is long. Be patient.
History Highlight: Last year Madonna came out to introduce Avicii on the main stage and stayed on to sing alongside the "Le7el" producer.
Ultra Music Festival Website
Cypress Hill Smokeout Festival
When: TBD
Where: San Bernardino, CA
The 411: Dude, it's only the biggest stoner music festival, like, ever. Masterminded by the insane in the membrane Cypress Hill posse in 1998, it's grown steadily over the years and attracts a motley crew of Mary Jane's best friends from the worlds of Rap, Punk, Ska, and EDM, including Jurassic 5, Ozomatli, Armand Van Helden, DJ Sneak, Suicidal Tendencies, and Incubus.
People You'll Meet: Skaters, ravers, Latino punks, hydroponic experts.
Expect: To forget where you parked your car
History Highlight: Wiz Khalifa and Cypress Hill delivered dynamite sets preceding Korn's closeout performance at the diverse Smokeout last year.
Cypress Hill Smokeout Festival Website
When: TBD
Where: San Bernardino, CA
The 411: Dude, it's only the biggest stoner music festival, like, ever. Masterminded by the insane in the membrane Cypress Hill posse in 1998, it's grown steadily over the years and attracts a motley crew of Mary Jane's best friends from the worlds of Rap, Punk, Ska, and EDM, including Jurassic 5, Ozomatli, Armand Van Helden, DJ Sneak, Suicidal Tendencies, and Incubus.
People You'll Meet: Skaters, ravers, Latino punks, hydroponic experts.
Expect: To forget where you parked your car
History Highlight: Wiz Khalifa and Cypress Hill delivered dynamite sets preceding Korn's closeout performance at the diverse Smokeout last year.
Cypress Hill Smokeout Festival Website
Coachella
When: April 12-14, and April 19-21
Where: Indio, CA
The 411: A comprehensive pile up of new and mainstay acts, from reunions of giants past to white hot upstarts buzzing with hype, Coachella has expanded from one weekend to two to accommodate all the performances.
People You'll Meet: Actors who really want to be rock stars, California trust fund babies, old ravers reliving their halcyon days, young kids with no idea who the Stone Roses are; eco-conscious hipsters.
Expect: to spend a lot of time in traffic getting there, long lines at designer port-a-potties, live-streaming cameras everywhere, and surprise guest stars joining the band on the bill.
History Highlight: In 2006, the fest, not known for bringing mainstream hip-hop acts, announced 24 hours before its start that Kanye West would take the stage.
Coachella Website
When: April 12-14, and April 19-21
Where: Indio, CA
The 411: A comprehensive pile up of new and mainstay acts, from reunions of giants past to white hot upstarts buzzing with hype, Coachella has expanded from one weekend to two to accommodate all the performances.
People You'll Meet: Actors who really want to be rock stars, California trust fund babies, old ravers reliving their halcyon days, young kids with no idea who the Stone Roses are; eco-conscious hipsters.
Expect: to spend a lot of time in traffic getting there, long lines at designer port-a-potties, live-streaming cameras everywhere, and surprise guest stars joining the band on the bill.
History Highlight: In 2006, the fest, not known for bringing mainstream hip-hop acts, announced 24 hours before its start that Kanye West would take the stage.
Coachella Website
Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC)
When and Where: May 17-18 (New York), May 24-26 (Chicago), June 21-23 (Las Vegas), TBA (Puerto Rico), TBA (Orlando)
The 411: Like most great festivals, EDC started off as a one-venue gig started up by dance mogul powerhouse, Insomniac Events. Fast forward five years later, and it boasts a crowd of over 300,000 people and is hosted in six different cities.
People You’ll Meet: Ravers, Spring Breakers, EDM fanatics
Expect: The creative kaleidoscope of Burning Man fused with the funds of a big corporation, so basically there’s an amusement park at a concert.
History Highlight: Insomniac and EDC received much negative press after two deaths occurred during the event.
Electric Daisy Carnival Website
When and Where: May 17-18 (New York), May 24-26 (Chicago), June 21-23 (Las Vegas), TBA (Puerto Rico), TBA (Orlando)
The 411: Like most great festivals, EDC started off as a one-venue gig started up by dance mogul powerhouse, Insomniac Events. Fast forward five years later, and it boasts a crowd of over 300,000 people and is hosted in six different cities.
People You’ll Meet: Ravers, Spring Breakers, EDM fanatics
Expect: The creative kaleidoscope of Burning Man fused with the funds of a big corporation, so basically there’s an amusement park at a concert.
History Highlight: Insomniac and EDC received much negative press after two deaths occurred during the event.
Electric Daisy Carnival Website
Bonaroo
When: June 13-June 16
Where: Manchester, TN
The 411: Launched in 2002 with a focus on Country, Bluegrass, Folk and other Americana genres, Bonnaroo now includes indie rock, hip hop, reggae and electronic music acts. This year, headliners include Death Grips, Wu Tang, Bjork, A-Trak, Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Araabmuzik, and Paul McCartney.
People You'll Meet: industry types, good ole' boys, farmers' daughters, and suburban hippies.
Expect: Lots of pickup trucks in the parking lot, some mud puddles and mosquitoes on site and Weird Al Yankovic.
History Highlight: After 12 years keeping a low profile, D’Angelo wowed attendees when he showed up at QuestLove’s Superjam performance last year along with members of Parliament and The Time.
Bonaroo Website
When: June 13-June 16
Where: Manchester, TN
The 411: Launched in 2002 with a focus on Country, Bluegrass, Folk and other Americana genres, Bonnaroo now includes indie rock, hip hop, reggae and electronic music acts. This year, headliners include Death Grips, Wu Tang, Bjork, A-Trak, Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Araabmuzik, and Paul McCartney.
People You'll Meet: industry types, good ole' boys, farmers' daughters, and suburban hippies.
Expect: Lots of pickup trucks in the parking lot, some mud puddles and mosquitoes on site and Weird Al Yankovic.
History Highlight: After 12 years keeping a low profile, D’Angelo wowed attendees when he showed up at QuestLove’s Superjam performance last year along with members of Parliament and The Time.
Bonaroo Website
Lollapalooza
When: August 2-4
Where: Chicago, IL
The 411: Started in 1991 as farewell show to Jane’s Addiction, band member Perry Farrell had bigger plans to bring a music, culture and community to fans all over North America before the Internet brought YouTube and Soundcloud.
People You’ll Meet: Rockers, hipsters, ballers.
Expect: A place to park your bike, hit the farmers market, grab some gourmet grub, and rock out to some of the best music of the world.
History Highlight: Daft Punk shocks audiences with a surprise performance opening for Lollapalooza in 2007.
Lollapalooza Website
When: August 2-4
Where: Chicago, IL
The 411: Started in 1991 as farewell show to Jane’s Addiction, band member Perry Farrell had bigger plans to bring a music, culture and community to fans all over North America before the Internet brought YouTube and Soundcloud.
People You’ll Meet: Rockers, hipsters, ballers.
Expect: A place to park your bike, hit the farmers market, grab some gourmet grub, and rock out to some of the best music of the world.
History Highlight: Daft Punk shocks audiences with a surprise performance opening for Lollapalooza in 2007.
Lollapalooza Website
Governors Ball Music Festival
When: June 7-9
Where: New York, NY
The 411: Pretty much Electric Zoo, only it takes place in spring and extends its lineup beyond electronic acts with artists from the R&B, hip-hop and rock genre.
People You’ll Meet: Young professionals reliving college days, trust-fund babies, Brooklyn hipsters.
Expect: A random concoction of different music styles and genres that is diverse as the city hosting it.
History Highlights: Major Lazer’s Walshy crowd surfs in a human-sized hamster ball.
Governor’s Ball website (http://governorsballmusicfestival.com)
When: June 7-9
Where: New York, NY
The 411: Pretty much Electric Zoo, only it takes place in spring and extends its lineup beyond electronic acts with artists from the R&B, hip-hop and rock genre.
People You’ll Meet: Young professionals reliving college days, trust-fund babies, Brooklyn hipsters.
Expect: A random concoction of different music styles and genres that is diverse as the city hosting it.
History Highlights: Major Lazer’s Walshy crowd surfs in a human-sized hamster ball.
Governor’s Ball website (http://governorsballmusicfestival.com)
Sasquatch! Music Festival
When: May 24-27
Where: Goerge, Washington
The 411: Centering mainly on the indie rock scene, Sasquatch has recently expanded its venue to include a more diverse assemblage of genres, as seen in this year’s lineup where Steve Aoki and Laidback Luke with make an appearance.
People You’ll Meet: Fedora-clad West coast inhabitants, environmental enthusiasts, and alternative rockers in hoodies.
Expect: Basically like your typical EDM concert but instead of Molly, patrons are escorted by Mary Jane.
History Highlight: Comedian and actor John C. Reilly made an appearance when he performed with his band John Reilly & Friends.
Sasquatch! Website (http://www.sasquatchfestival.com)
When: May 24-27
Where: Goerge, Washington
The 411: Centering mainly on the indie rock scene, Sasquatch has recently expanded its venue to include a more diverse assemblage of genres, as seen in this year’s lineup where Steve Aoki and Laidback Luke with make an appearance.
People You’ll Meet: Fedora-clad West coast inhabitants, environmental enthusiasts, and alternative rockers in hoodies.
Expect: Basically like your typical EDM concert but instead of Molly, patrons are escorted by Mary Jane.
History Highlight: Comedian and actor John C. Reilly made an appearance when he performed with his band John Reilly & Friends.
Sasquatch! Website (http://www.sasquatchfestival.com)
Pitchfork Music Festival
When: July 19-21
Where: Chicago, IL
The 411: An independently run festival, this event comes at a reasonable price and offers a great and diverse selection of artists and genres.
People You’ll Meet: Urban Outfitters clientele, College freshmen and sophomores, Chi-town’s art scene.
Expect: Art and music collide in this granola mix of fresh face youths and alternatively driven adults.
History Highlight: Patrons at the 2007 edition got to watch Yoko Ono display her musical talents in a special performance.
Pitchfork website (http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com)
When: July 19-21
Where: Chicago, IL
The 411: An independently run festival, this event comes at a reasonable price and offers a great and diverse selection of artists and genres.
People You’ll Meet: Urban Outfitters clientele, College freshmen and sophomores, Chi-town’s art scene.
Expect: Art and music collide in this granola mix of fresh face youths and alternatively driven adults.
History Highlight: Patrons at the 2007 edition got to watch Yoko Ono display her musical talents in a special performance.
Pitchfork website (http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com)
Movement Electronic Music Festival
When: May 25-27
Where: Detroit, MI
The 411: Tech meets music in this outdoor festival featuring free Wi-Fi access, an interactive technology center, and dozens of after parties throughout the city.
People You’ll Meet: Techies, Music nerds, hipsters, jammers
Expect: Alternative electronic and hip-hop acts performing in a visually innovative atmosphere, producing a wave of creative energy.
History Highlight: In 2011, the event’s ‘secret artist’ Ricardo Villalobos was not allowed to attend after being denied entrance into the U.S.
Movement Detroit Website
When: May 25-27
Where: Detroit, MI
The 411: Tech meets music in this outdoor festival featuring free Wi-Fi access, an interactive technology center, and dozens of after parties throughout the city.
People You’ll Meet: Techies, Music nerds, hipsters, jammers
Expect: Alternative electronic and hip-hop acts performing in a visually innovative atmosphere, producing a wave of creative energy.
History Highlight: In 2011, the event’s ‘secret artist’ Ricardo Villalobos was not allowed to attend after being denied entrance into the U.S.
Movement Detroit Website
Electric Zoo
When: August 30-September 1
Where: New York, NY
The 411: It’s THE Labor Day Weekend destination for those who want to enjoy their last days of summer as they remember them – chilling on a lawn listening to today’s hottest musical acts.
People You’ll Meet: College students (mostly from NYU and Columbia), parents who are still trying to stay ‘relevant’ and their sugar high kids, working professionals looking for a quick escape before returning to the hamster wheel.
Expect: Woodstock electrified – minds are blown away with the latest music from the industry’s top DJs while they play with a background of the New York skyline.
History Highlight:
Electric Zoo Website
When: August 30-September 1
Where: New York, NY
The 411: It’s THE Labor Day Weekend destination for those who want to enjoy their last days of summer as they remember them – chilling on a lawn listening to today’s hottest musical acts.
People You’ll Meet: College students (mostly from NYU and Columbia), parents who are still trying to stay ‘relevant’ and their sugar high kids, working professionals looking for a quick escape before returning to the hamster wheel.
Expect: Woodstock electrified – minds are blown away with the latest music from the industry’s top DJs while they play with a background of the New York skyline.
History Highlight:
Electric Zoo Website
Bounce Music Festival
When and Where: TBA
The 411: Unlike most festivals with hometowns to call there own, Bounce Music Festival (founded by Brandon Silverstein and Jared Lyons) tours across the country providing an unique concert experience in each city they drop off at.
People You’ll Meet: The people who make up the rave/EDM community in your hometown.
Expect: The unexpected. These producers-DJs have been on the road for hours and are ready to start some mayhem.
History Highlight: None that we know about…yet. What happens on the road stays on the road.
Bounce Music Festival Website (http://www.bouncemusicfestival.com)
When and Where: TBA
The 411: Unlike most festivals with hometowns to call there own, Bounce Music Festival (founded by Brandon Silverstein and Jared Lyons) tours across the country providing an unique concert experience in each city they drop off at.
People You’ll Meet: The people who make up the rave/EDM community in your hometown.
Expect: The unexpected. These producers-DJs have been on the road for hours and are ready to start some mayhem.
History Highlight: None that we know about…yet. What happens on the road stays on the road.
Bounce Music Festival Website (http://www.bouncemusicfestival.com)
Rock The Bells
When and Where: August 18-19 (San Bernardino, CA), August 25-26 (Mountain View, CA), September 1-2 (Holmdel, NJ)
The 411: THE annual music festival where you can see firsthand a diverse line-up of the industry’s top hip-hop acts.
People You’ll Meet: Young g’s, old g’s, wannabe g’s and VIBE.
Expect: A festival for the people who rock hard music and street cred. You won’t see any fuzzy boots or fairy wings here.
History Highlight: Hip-hop pioneer Big Daddy Kane lays it down in a performance last year to show he can still run the game.
Rock The Bells Website
When and Where: August 18-19 (San Bernardino, CA), August 25-26 (Mountain View, CA), September 1-2 (Holmdel, NJ)
The 411: THE annual music festival where you can see firsthand a diverse line-up of the industry’s top hip-hop acts.
People You’ll Meet: Young g’s, old g’s, wannabe g’s and VIBE.
Expect: A festival for the people who rock hard music and street cred. You won’t see any fuzzy boots or fairy wings here.
History Highlight: Hip-hop pioneer Big Daddy Kane lays it down in a performance last year to show he can still run the game.
Rock The Bells Website
