Essence Music Festival
July 3-6 – New Orleans, La.
Line-up: Prince, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, The Roots, Lionel, Richie, Erykah Badu, Charlie Wilson, Tamar, Ledisi, Tank, more
What began as an anniversary party for Essence magazine is just one year shy of its 20th anniversary of bringing in stars, legends and heroes to the New Orleans stage. Certainly, go for the music, but also stay for the great events and speakers, including U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters of California, Al Sharpton and Iyanla Vanzant. www.essence.com/festival
Pitchfork Music Festival
July 18-20 – Chicago, Ill.
Line-up: Beck, Neutral Milk Hotel, Kendrick Lamar, St. Vincent, Grimes, Tune-Yards, Earl Sweatshirt, Sun Kil Moon, Danny Brown, more
There’s something to be said for keeping things small, like the way Pitchfork Music Festival keeps the number of acts to around 40 and only hosts about 50,000 attendees from around the world. All right, so at least the festival keeps prices reasonable and focuses on local business and economy. www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com
Newport Folk Festival
July 25-27 – Newport, R.I.
Line-up: Ryan Adams, Nickel Creek, Mavis Staples, Band of Horses, Deer Tick, Jeff Tweedy, Jenny Lewis, The Milk Carton Kids, more
When the world wants to know what’s up in folk music, ears have tuned in to this summer tradition since 1959. Pete Seeger, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan helped put this ultimate tribute to music on the map back then, and fresh, new acts keep the festival viable and important to fans as well as the industry today. www.newportfolk.org
Lollapalooza
Aug. 1-2 – Chicago, Ill.
Line-Up: Eminem, Outkast, Kings of Leon, Lorde, Arctic Monkeys, The Avett Brothers, Calvin Harris, Foster the People, Skrillex, Zedd, Spoon, Phantogram, Glen Hansard, Lykke Li, The 1975, Sebastian Ingrosso, more
Lollapalooza began in 1991, the brainchild of Perry Farrell, lead singer of Jane’s Addiction. That being said, the festival has moved beyond its grungy beginnings to settle permanently in Chicago’s Grant Park and feature the best rock of all modes and varieties on radio and Internet. Grunge has been known to resurface at this outdoor fete, however, when rain turns the grounds to mud. www.lollapalooza.com
Fayetteville Roots Festival
Aug. 29-31 – Fayetteville, Ark.
Line-up: Lucinda Williams, The Wood Brothers, Darrell Scott & Tim O’Brien, Jay Farrar, Anais Mitchell, Ben Kweller, Tony Furtado, Willie Watson, Hurray for the Riff Raff, more
Few places in this world are better suited to the sound of roots music than the city of Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas Razorbacks sports program 10 months out of the year and a mountain backdrop for this emerging festival on Labor Day weekend. Look for big names and local favorites at venues all around town. www.fayettevilleroots.com
Bumbershoot
Aug. 30-Sept. 1 – Seattle, Wash.
Line-up: Death Cab for Cutie, Fun., MGMT, Kendrick Lamar, Bassnectar, Tegan and Sara, Alt-J, The Breeders, Deerhunter, Heart, more
This Pacific Northwestern gem began in 1971 as a way to lift Seattle spirits during an economic free fall. Although it’s reinvented itself over the years, Bumbershoot is still one of the biggest music festival draws for the region and frequently defines the pace of entertainment and lifestyle for Seattle. www.bumbershoot.org
