When: June 18th – June 21st 2015
Where: The Woodlands, Dover, Delaware
Headliners: The Kooks, Paul McCartney, Kings of Leon, and The Killers
Price: General Admission: $299, VIP: $699
This fest has a special place in my heart because my favorite band in the entire world, Kings of Leon, is a headliner! Firefly also stands out because you/ your group can camp out at The Woodlands. The headliners might all feel like a similar genre, but Firefly has artists from all spectrums, including Snoop Dogg, Walk the Moon, Zedd, and Kid Cudi. The festival is also four days long; most last only three days. You will definitely get your money’s worth at Firefly!
When: June 5th – June 7th 2015
Where: Randall’s Island, NYC
Headliners: Drake, Deadmau5, The Black Keys
Price: General Admisson 3day: $260, Single day General Admission/VIP: $105/$240
Ah, Governor’s Ball. My first time with this festival was one of the craziest things I’ve ever experienced. My favorite band (mentioned above) was the headliner on the first day, which is the only day I bought tickets for. Of course, in true ironic fashion, there was a bad storm that day and at 10 pm, right before my boys were supposed to go on, they were forced to cancel. I was devastated, but the next day, the band tweeted that whoever had a ticket from the first day could come back! It was the day of my High School graduation. As soon as it ended, I ran to my boys and got there just in time for their set. Long story short…you will have a great time. And omg, the food. The FOOD!
When: May 30th and May 31st 2015
Where: Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Maryland
Headliners: Kendrick Lamar, Calvin Harris
Price: 2-day General Admission/2-day VIP: $175/$350. Single day General Amission/ Single Day VIP: $97.50/$225
I heard about this festival because I recently discovered and became obsessed with the creators, an amazing salad place called Sweetgreen. I never thought salads could taste so good. Seriously, anyone I’ve ever taken to Sweetgreen loves it. Unfortunatley, it’s only located in NYC, DC, PA, MA, CA, MD, and VA, basically, there is no Sweetgreen in Syracuse. Anyway, Sweetgreen created this music festival to combine two things that people love, great music and great food! Although, this fest is only two days long, this is the one I’m most excited about!
4. Farmborough Country Music Festival
When: June 26th – June 28th
Where: Randall’s Island, NYC
Headliners: Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan
Price: General Admission: $225, VIP: $599
Finally, a country fest that I wouldn’t have to get on a plane for! Farmborough is something my friends from home and I are really stoked for; a country fest has never been in NYC! While the full lineup isn’t available yet, the fest has awesome headliners, as well as country hitmakers like Joe Nichols and Kip Moore, and my favorites Charlie Worsham and Dallas Smith!
When: May 15th – May 17th 2015
Where: Gulf Shores, Alabama
Headliners: Foo Fighters, Zac Brown Band, Beck
Price: General Admission: $299. VIP: $1,099
Now this is obviously a festival that requires a plane…OR an awesome road trip! Yes, it’s out of the way, but think of how fun it would be to hear some of your favorite artists on a beach with your friends, eating great food, and spotting celebs in the crowd? The full lineup is long and incredible. Sam Smith, Skrillex, Paramore, Tove Lo, Joey Bada$$, St. Lucia; the list just goes on and on. Give this festival a shot!
When: May 23rd & May 24th 2015
Where: Met Life Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Headliners: Armin Van Burren, Calvin Harris, Kaskade
Price: General Amission 3day: $299, VIP 3day: $379. Single Day General/VIP: $129/$219
Like Farmbourugh Fest, this is a genre based festival. Essentially every artist performing is an EDM artist. EDC is hugely celebrated by the kids I went to high school with, and even some of my friends. There’s music, rides, flame throwers, crazy outfits; this really is a carnival!
When: July 24th- July 26th 2015
Where: Burl’s Creek Event Grounds, 134 8 Line South Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Headliners: Neil Young + Promise of the Real, Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar
Price: General Admission: $230 CAD, VIP: $600 CAD
This Canadian fest has a diverse lineup, but has an overall indie feel to it. Notable artists include G-Eazy, Danny Brown, The Sheepdogs, Hozier, Passion Pit, and more! According to its website, Wayhome feels that, “Life was different before the internet. Probably better”. This mentality and vibe is what the people of Wayhome want the festival to be about. If you’re craving a change in scenery and to really experience everything around you, from music, to food, to art, and film, then this festival is for you.
7. WXPN Xponential Music Festival 2015
When: July 24th – July 26th
Where: Camden Waterfront, Camden, NJ
Headliners: My Morning Jacket, Grace Potter
Price: $150
This is one festival that I’ve never heard of, but it still sounds super cool! Plus, it’s local, well… kind of. Some great bands in this lineup include Dawes and Lord Huron; I actually got to see/hear Lord Huron perform at a super small MTV event, and they were soooo good. They also dressed really nice and were very attractive, as well as great musicians. Dawes is one of the best bands out there, so if you do go to this fest, check both of those bands out!
I hope this widened your perspective on festivals! Now, save up some money and get ready for what might be the best experience of your life!