We're only a few weeks into spring, but it's not too soon to start thinking about summer music festival season - and with one of the biggest fests in the U.S., Coachella, starting this weekend, what's the point of waiting?
Since Bonnaroo launched in 2002, more and more festivals have cropped up, some falling by the wayside after just one installment and others enduring annually. It's a tricky landscape to navigate, but we have you covered with our guide to the 2015 summer (and spring) festival season.
Bonnaroo
June 11-14, Manchester, Tenn.
The granddaddy of the modern music fest has its roots in the jam-band scene, but the 'Roo expanded well beyond those borders years ago.
Notable artists: Billy Joel, Mumford & Sons, Kendrick Lamar, Robert Plant & The Sensational Shape Shifters, My Morning Jacket, Alabama Shakes, Hozier
www.bonnaroo.com
Coachella
April 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 19 Empire Polo Club, Indio, Calif.
The most buzzed-about festival in the U.S. kicks off the first of its two weekends on April 10 with a revamped AC/DC getting top billing on the first night. You might discover some up-and-coming artists at Coachella, but the focus is on the boldface, established names.
Notable artists: AC/DC, Jack White, Drake, St. Vincent, Florence + The Machine, Steely Dan, Alt-J, Ryan Adams
www.coachella.com
Firefly
June 18-21, The Woodlands, Dover, Del.
A relative newcomer (it started in 2012), Firefly has emerged as one of the East Coast's destination music festivals, modeled on Bonnaroo's open-air concept.
Notable acts: Paul McCartney, Morrissey, Snoop Dogg, The Killers, Foster The People, Kings Of Leon, Spoon, Hozier
fireflyfestival.com
Governors Ball
June 5-7, Randall's Island, New York City
The rare New York City music festival tethered to one central location, Governors Ball has gained a steady audience since its 2011 inception.
Notable acts: Conor Oberst, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Weird Al Yankovic, The War On Drugs, Charli XCX, Drake, The Black Keys, Lana Del Rey
governorsballmusicfestival.com
Lollapalooza
July 31-Aug. 2, Grant Park, Chicago
From 1991 to 1997, the touring festival known as Lollapalooza helped shepherd in a golden age of alternative rock, helping expose artists like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alice In Chains, Ice Cube and Primus to a growing audience. After a one-year return to the touring circuit in 2003, Lollapalooza is now just a one-weekend event in Chicago.
Notable artists: Paul McCartney, Metallica, Florence + The Machine, Sam Smith, Bassnectar, The Weeknd
www.lollapalooza.com
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
April 24-May 3
The Crescent City's sprawling annual blowout is another festival that has strayed quite a distance from its roots - even the slickest PR flack can't argue that Pit Bull is a jazz artist. But the jazz purists' loss is rock and pop fans' gain, as the NOLA festival has grown into one the top mainstream music fests in the U.S.
Notable artists: Elton John, The Who, Jimmy Buffet and The Coral Reefer Band, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga, No Doubt, Keith Urban, John Legend
www.nojazzfest.com
Newport Folk Festival
July 24-26, Fort Adams State Park, Newport, R.I.
Founded in 1959 and probably most famous for being the site of Bob Dylan's first-ever performance on electric guitar (the folkies were not happy), Newport holds a special place in American cultural history. The 2015 edition is brimming with some of the brightest lights atop the current folk revival.
Notable artists: First Aid Kit, Iron & Wine and Ben Bridwell, Brandi Carlisle, Sturgill Simpson, Courtney Barnett, Lord Huron, Calexico
www.newportfolk.org
Outside Lands
Aug. 7-9, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Golden Gate Park, known for hosting free concerts in the 1960s, is the setting for Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival, which offers a rather diverse lineup, from St. Vincent to Billy Idol.
Notable artists: The Black Keys, Sam Smith, D'Angelo and The Vanguard, Wilco, Tame Impala, Elton John, Kendrick Lamar
www.sfoutsidelands.com
Pitchfork
July 17-19, Union Park, Chicago
Pitchfork, the taste-making music blog, hosts its own festival in its hometown of Chicago. The festival is careful not to book anyone who's too popular (that would be uncool), so the biggest names you'll find here are along the lines of Wilco. Think quality over quantity.
Notable artists: Wilco, Chance The Rapper, Chvrches, Run The Jewels, Future Islands, Sleater Kinney, The New Pornographers
pitchforkmusicfestival.com
Rock On The Range
May 15-17, Columbus, Ohio
Billed as "America's premiere hard rock festival," Rock On The Range boasts a lineup that blends veteran performers like Judas Priest, Anthrax and Slipknot with relative upstarts like The Pretty Reckless and Rival Sons.
Notable artists: Slipknot, Judas Priest, Linkin Park, Godsmack, Breaking Benjamin, Rise Against
rockontherange.com
Sasquatch!
May 22-25, Gorge Amphitheatre, George, Wash.
What better way to spend your Memorial Day Weekend at the picturesque Gorge, with breathtaking views of Columbia River and the sounds of Lana Del Rey, Sleater Kinney and Modest Mouse?
Notable artists: Lana Del Rey, The Decemberists, Modest Mouse, Sleater Kinney, Robert Plant & The Sensational Shape Shifters, Kendrick Lamar
www.sasquatchfestival.com
Stagecoach
April 24-26, Empire Polo Club, Indio, Calif.
The Stagecoach festival is held on the same grounds as Coachella, but the music has a decidedly different flavor: country. However, in addition to stars like Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton, the lineup is spiced with some rock acts with Southern leanings, like ZZ Top and Gregg Allman.
Notable artists: Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, Jake Owen, Kip Moore, Sara Evans, ZZ Top, Gregg Allman
www.stagecoachfestival.com
Summerfest
June 24-28 and July 30-July 5, Henry W. Maier Festival Park, Milwaukee
Summer fest is the biggest music festival in the world, an 11-day event expected to attract 900,000 fans this summer. This year's lineup includes some of the biggest acts in any genre like The Rolling Stones, Ed Sheeran and Keith Urban.
Notable artists: The Rolling Stones, Zac Brown Band, Kings Of Leon, Florida Georgia Line, Ed Sheeran, Keith Urban
summerfest.com
Telluride Bluegrass
June 18-21, Telluride, Colo.
Telluride Bluegrass has managed to stay true to its roots, with mostly bluegrass stalwarts like Ricky Skaggs, Bela Fleck and Jerry Douglas dominating a lineup featuring just a smattering of performers from other genres, like Janelle Monáe and Kacey Musgraves.
Notable artists: Ry Cooder, Sharon White & Ricky Skaggs, Janelle Monáe, Kacey Musgraves, Trampled By Turtles, Yonder Mountain String Band, Greensky Bluegrass
www.bluegrass.com/telluride
