Originally the exclusive domain of only the dirtiest of hippies, outdoor music festivals have become hugely popular with both showering and non-showering members of society.
Festivals like Bonnaroo and Coachella have established reputations and pull in massive crowds every year, and new festivals are constantly popping up with ever-improving lineups.
The constantly-growing popularity of these events has made them important opportunities for bands to increase their popularity, and every new year sees more mainstream artists performing in outdoor venues. This year in particular has festival lineups looking similar to one another, with bands like Mumford and Sons and Arcade Fire playing multiple festivals.
With so many spring and summer festivals going on around the country, it can be difficult to decide which one to attend. And while the best decision would obviously be to attend them all, it helps to examine each one individually before choosing which to go to.
Coachella — April 15-17
One of the largest and most popular festivals in California, Coachella is everything a music festival should be. Located just outside of Los Angeles, Coachella is similar to Bonnaroo in that there is a designated campsite for those interested in roughing it. Unlike Bonnaroo, festival goers are allowed to stay in hotels outside the festival and come and go as they please.
In years past, Coachella has primarily featured rock, hip-hop and electronic artists. However, this year sees a larger incorporation of indie and other genres. Grammy winners Mumford and Sons will be performing, as well as The Black Keys, Kings of Leon and others.
Anyone attending this year should be wary of headliner Kayne West — while his habit of spontaneously rambling about his own persecuted genius is hysterical, his live festival performances are often disappointing.
“I love the location,” said Caitlin Mobley, University alumna. “Everywhere you look, you’re surrounded by mountains.”
Jazz Fest — April 29-May 8
A homegrown favorite, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival goes down each year in the Big Easy. A less hardcore festival than many of its counterparts, Jazz Fest offers no campgrounds or tent cities. But this doesn’t make the experience any less extraordinary.
The lineup at Jazz Fest includes a bevy of eclectic and fantastic artists. From previous headliners like the Allman Brothers Band and The Dead Weather to upcoming performances from Kid Rock and The Roots, Jazz Fest has a lot to offer music fans. No New Orleans event would be complete without an infusion of the art, food and culture that makes the city famous.
Jazz Fest comes complete with all these things. It’s a Louisiana marketplace that offers goods native to the state as well as products from other cultures. The food at Jazz Fest is unlike any other festival, offering traditional Cajun and Creole dishes as well as authentic international cuisine.
The opportunity to return somewhere each night and shower makes Jazz Fest a must for anyone new to music festivals.
“Growing up in New Orleans, Jazz Fest was always an exciting cultural event,” said Matthew Sewell, business management sophomore. “I’ve seen Dave Matthews Band, Jimmy Buffet and a lot of other big-name bands there.”
The Hangout Music Festival — May 20-22
A newcomer to the world of music festivals, The Hangout is in only its second year of existence. Located in Gulf Shores, Ala., this festival is unique because it takes place on the beach. Just like Jazz Fest, there aren’t any campgrounds designated for this beach festival. Instead, The Hangout encourages people to reserve a condo and enjoy the festival in style.
Despite its young age, The Hangout is catching major attention for the strength of this year’s lineup. With headlining performances from Paul Simon and Foo Fighters, as well as performances by Primus, Pretty Lights and Cee Lo Green, The Hangout is quickly establishing itself as a festival not to be missed.
“I’m really excited about The Black Keys and My Morning Jacket,” said Craig Chandler, geography junior. “Having a festival on the beach is probably the coolest thing about it.”
Bonnaroo – June 9-12
Arguably the biggest festival in the East, Bonnaroo is a four-day extravaganza of music, art, comedy and cinema. Following in the footsteps of legendary festivals like Woodstock, Bonnaroo takes place on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenn., and attendees are arranged into giant campsites where everyone sets up tents.
With yearly crowds of nearly 100,000 people, these campsites fuse into one giant tent city. There’s a noticeable sense of community that quickly develops within the city of Bonnaroo, and it’s not uncommon to leave having made new friends from all over the country.
What makes Bonnaroo truly extraordinary is the “something for everyone” approach it has with regard to the entertainment lineup.
Traditionalists can find plenty of the jam bands that always accompany any outdoor music festival, but Bonnaroo boasts a huge variety of musical acts from electronic artists like Tiesto, who performed in 2008, to Eminem, who was recently announced as one of this year’s headlining performers.
This year’s lineup incorporates even more mainstream genres than usual. Hip-hop legend Lil Wayne will perform, as well as indie darlings Mumford and Sons, Arcade Fire and My Morning Jacket. With so much to do and see, most people find themselves faced with the agonizing task of deciding which bands, comedians and other activities they can afford to miss, as it’s nearly impossible to see and do everything. For those looking to have the full-on festival experience, look no further than Bonnaroo.
“I like the atmosphere,” said Andrew Calogero, biological engineering junior. “You always meet random people, and everyone shares. It’s ‘One Love.'”
 
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Contact Andrew Price at [email protected]