Bamboozle
Date: May 18-20, 2012
Location: Asbury Park, New Jersey
Tickets: General admission ranges from $65 to $190
Bands: Skrillex, Mac Miller, Blink 182, Brand New, DJ Pauly D
Why?: Bamboozle hosts seven stages in which all headliners perform full sets! There are also after-parties in which artists from that day perform, and tickets to get in are only an extra $30.
Sasquatch
Date: May 25-28, 2012
Location: George, Washington
Tickets: 4-Day tickets are on sale for $315, currently no plan to sell 1-day passes.
Bands: Bon Iver, Beirut, Grouplove, Jack White, Silversun Pickups
Why?: Sasquatch has five stages and is a nine time winner of Pollstar Magazine’s award for Best Outdoor Music Venue.
Bonnaroo
Date: June 7-10, 2012
Location: Manchster, Tennessee
Tickets: Most General Admission tickets are sold out, but there are still some available for $259.
Bands: Radiohead, Phish, Foster the People, The Beach Boys, The Roots
Why?: Not only is there an obscene amount of amazing artists performing, but there are also comedy shows, a cinema tent, a silent auction, and so many more fun activities. This is definitely worth the money.
Pitchfork
Date: July 13-15, 2012
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Tickets: 3-Day passes are sold out, but 1-day passes are still on sale for $45.
Bands: Feist, Vampire Weekend, Flying Lotus, Youth Lagoon, Wild Flag
Why?: It hosts artists and bands from alternative rock, rap & hip-hop, electronica, and dance music, offering a different environment from other music festivals.
Firefly
Date: July 20-22, 2012
Location: Dover, Delaware
Tickets: The majority of tickets are sold out, but there are still some for just under $200.
Bands: The Black Keys, Passion Pit, Death Cab for Cutie, The Killers, John Ledgend
Why?: It is the East Coast’s premier music festival. Events also include hot air balloon rides, decorating your own TOMS, and an interactive art gallery.
Newport Folk Festival
Date: July 28-29, 2012
Location: Newport, Rhode Island
Tickets: The majority of tickets are sold out, but Friday night tickets are still available for $45.
Bands: My Morning Jacket, Iron & Wine, Of Monsters and Men, Jackson Browne, First Aid Kit
Why?: Located right on the water, it features 4 stages of music, as well as food, arts and crafts, and different displays.
Lollapalooza
Date: August 3-5, 2012
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Tickets: 3-Day passes are sold out, but 1-day passes are still on sale for $95.
Bands: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Florence and the Machine, The Shins, Jack White, FUN.
Why?: Not only can you meet at some of your favorite bands, but you can also hang out in different lounges hosted by a diverse group of companies.
Austin City Limits
Date: October 12-14, 2012
Location: Austin, Texas
Tickets: There are only 3-Day passes for $200 still available.
Bands [2011]: Coldplay, Kanye West, Stevie Wonder, Fleet Foxes, Sara Bareilles
Why?: This festival also hosts a lot of really talented musicians, as well as having the possibility to meet them and hanging out in different lounges and tents.