Vans Warped Tour
A yearly music festival, the Vans Warped Tour is a touring indie rock festival that eagerly fulfills our hidden teenage angst leftover from the punk rock days of Linkin Park and Anberlin. The event often also provides extreme sports exhibitions such as skateboarding, BMX biking and other sports on half-pipes and other ramps, encouraging attendees to participate. This year’s lineup will include throwback punk-based rock bands such as the Motion City Soundtrack, Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish. Hawthorne Heights, Forever The Sickest Kids, Chiodos, blessthefall and more.
When and Where: Various locations but will be stopping nearby at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View on June 22, 2013
Website: http://www.vanswarpedtour.com/…
[pagebreak]
Coachella
Renowned for showcasing many popular music artists, Coachella is a three day music and arts festival featuring many different types of music genres – predominately indie, rock, hip-hop and electronic music. If there is anything to know about Coachella – it’s the fact that that it is a massive event that never fails to impress, drawing its own cult following. It’s not too hard to imagine its popularity considering how last year, Coachella pulled an incredible stunt in featuring hologram of the deceased hip-hop legend, Tupac, to perform with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Who knows what this years Coachella has in store, but headlining artists expected to attend include the likes of The Stone Roses, Blur, Phoenix, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Modest Mouse, Lou Reed, Tegan and Sara, Bassnectar, the xx, Vampire Weekend, 2 Chainz, and more.
When and Where: Indio, California; two weekends: April 12-14 & April 19-21
Website: http://www.coachella.com/
[pagebreak]
Outside Lands
For those planning to be in San Francisco for the last waning days of summer, Outside Lands is a perfect option for SFSU students to attend before starting fall semester. Outside Lands is a music festival held annually in Golden Gate Park and is famous for including over 60 musical acts from around the world and including many art installations since its conception in 2008. This year’s lineup is still to be announced but in the past, the event has attracted the likes of Metallica, Radiohead, Skrillex and Stevie Wonder. Outside Lands has also been lauded for its green thumb – it is one of the most eco-friendly music festivals in the nation!
When and Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California; August 9-11
Website: http://www.sfoutsidelands.com
[pagebreak]
Noise Pop
Another alternative to Outside Lands is Noise Pop, a popular indie music festival also happening in San Francisco. The festival features a film series that explores the connection between music and art, and promotes art through a local desginer fair called Pop-n-Shop and an interactive workshop exploring DIY culture called Culture Club. This year, Noise Pop will be featuring bands such as Toro Y Moi, Amon Tobin, STARFCKR, Yacht, XXYYXX and more.
When & Where: San Francisco, California; February 26-March 3
Website: http://www.noisepop.com
[pagebreak]
Bottle Rock
This is the first year that the city of Napa will host a five-day music and comedy festival called Bottle Rock Napa Valley Music Festival. Napa is famous for its sprawling vineyards and amazing wine so attendees can not only enjoy the festivities of Bottle Rock, but also drink in the beautiful scenery that the city of Napa has to offer. The event is expected to have three stages for its rock and indie music dominated lineup and feature food and wine from local producers. Headlining bands include Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, Furthur, The Shins and more.
When and Where: Napa, California; May 9-12
Website: http://bottlerocknapavalley.com/
[pagebreak]
Stagecoach
The “cousin” to Coachella, Stagecoach is every country fan’s dream, featuring music ranging from folk, mainstream country, bluegrass, roots rock and alternative country. This year’s lineup will feature more crooning classic country with special appearances by Country Hall of Fame stars, Don Williams and Connie Smith – and definitely more alternative country upstarts. This year will even feature a special appearance by rock-n-roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis. Other headliners include Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Toby Keith and more.
When and Where: Indio, California; April 26-28
Website: http://www.stagecoachfestival.com
[pagebreak]
Make Music Pasadena
The best part about this one-day music festival is that it puts on over 150 shows from different music artists entirely free and family-friendly! Notable music artists that have performed in Make Music Pasadena included well-loved indie players such as Ra Ra Riot, Meiko and Matt & Kim. As radio station KCRW have commented on one of the largest free music events in the country, “It is a real celebration of music.”
When and Where: Pasadena, California, June 1
Website: http://www.makemusicpasadena.org
[pagebreak]
California Roots 2013
A notable music festival famous for its multicultural display of reggae and rock music from around the world, California Roots features three full days of music. It is also famous for providing a dynamic live art experience involving craft vendors from all over the nation. This year’s notable lineup includes Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, Matisyahu, The Expendables and more.
When and Where: Monterey, California, May 24-26
Website: http://californiarootsfestival…