2016 Summer Music Festivals

Introduction

Remaining a tradition from the developmental roots of human evolution, summer gatherings and celebrations are a must for psychological release after the challenges of winter. While some people dedicate their entire summer to outrageous revelry, others go to a few select festivals. Those who never go to a summer music festivals are truly missing out on a once in a lifetime experience. However, picking the right one to go to can make all the difference in the enjoyment of the experience, as there are festivals for heavy metal as well as hippies, and the two do not mix well. Here is a sampling of a few of the hundreds of festivals happening around this summer of 2016. 

Austin City Limits

Running from September 30-October 2, 2016; October 7-9, (cost $100) 2016 in Zilker Park, TX, the Austin City Limits music festival is as diverse as the city of Austin. While an average of 75,000 people attend each year, this is a relatively small festival in comparison to some of the other mainstays of partying. Some of the headliners are, “Kendrick Lamar, Radiohead, LCD Soundsystem, Mumford & Sons, Kygo, Willie Nelson, Flume, Chris Stapleton, M83, Haim, Cage the Elephant, Schoolboy Q, Two Door Cinema Club, LL Cool J, Young the Giant, Band of Horses, Local Natives, Foals, Die Antwood, etc.” (Gonzales). Unlike many festivals which have an intense city vibe, Austin City Limits retains a more small time inclusive feel which is non-combative and welcoming (Roffman, Hall, McMahon, and Kaplan). A huge bonus of the festival is that it is located in a sprawling park with many trees and green, which helps dissipate intense crowd vibes. Those who regularly attend this highly successful festival emphasize, “it’s a fairly breezy experience, one that always ends with a lofty walk under the park’s sprawling trees, from where the moon replaces any lamp post and the cicadas pick up where the bands left off” (Roffman, Hall, McMahon, and Kaplan). Thus, this festival is great for beginners, and those looking to relax as much as get down. 

Summerfest

Summerfest is a huge blow out music festival covering eleven days (June 29-July 3, July 5-10, 2016) in Milwaukee, WI. This venue features affordable tickets (as low as $20), and a huge amount of music of a more mainstream variety such as “Sting, Alabama Shakes, Blake Shelton, Def Leppard, DNCE, Kacey Musgraves, Martin Garrix, Willie Nelson, Death Cab for Cutie, Jason Derulo, Fitz and the Tantrums, Nelly, Barenaked Ladies, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Young the Giant, Cheap Trick, Commodores, and more” (Gonzales). While there is a huge amount of food and drink choices as well as many shops to explore, it must be emphasized that Wisconsin is a drinking place, and no one under 18 should go to this festival (Trip Advisor). It is full of adult drinking and all the behaviors which go with it. This is definitely not a hippie festival, which is often family friendly. This festival has been running since the 70s, and has established itself as world class. 

Bonnaroo

One of the more psychedelic music festivals, Bonnaroo runs from June 9-12, 2016. In Manchester, TN. This is one of the more expensive festivals, at $349.50 before fees. However, those who make the investment of fun often return, finding this festival a “permutation of nirvana —  a raw, unrivaled experience” (Kaye, Madden, Mcmahon, O’Shoney, Koellner, and Hall). A few of this year’s headliners; Pearl Jam, J. Cole, Elie Goulding, LCD Soundsystem, Dead & Company, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Tame Impala, Death Cab for Cutie, M83, Haim, Halsey, CHVRCHES, Miguel, Chris Stapleton, Judd Apatow & Friends, The Chainsmokers, Phantogram, Band of Horses, Leon Bridges, Grace Potter, Father John Misty, etc. (Gonzales).

Bonnaroo is well known for being welcoming and as safe as a festival can be. Revelers celebrate music and art while feeling, “For four days, I’m among new friends who are willing and able to hold a pleasant conversation. This is a beautiful tradition of Bonnaroo and one they’ve kept going for 14 years strong” (Kaye, Madden, Mcmahon, O’Shoney, Koellner, and Hall). There is no sign that this tradition will be waning any time soon. 

Afropunk Fest

For those who like rap, funk, and R&B, Afropunk Fest runs from August 27-28, 2016 in Commodore Barry Park, Brooklyn, NY. An established culture club, “Brooklyn’s weekend-long blowout celebration of the diaspora of black music and culture” (Ryzik). This is a celebration of passion which transcends the performers to include the audience, and draws the fashionista of New York. A few headliners are “Ice Cube, TV On The Radio, Tyler, the Creator, Ceelo Green, Flying Lotus, Janelle Monae, The Internet, Fishbone, Living Color, Earl Sweatshirt, Benjamin Booker, Kelela, Angel Haze, Thundercat, Sango, Gallant, Seinabo Sey, and more” (Gonzales). While this is not a hippie fest, “People are out there hula-hooping and sweating and having a good old time” (Ryzik). Unlike many festivals, Afropunk Fest stops relatively early due to the close quarters of many homes. However, there have developed many after-party options to keep the party going; 

Reggae-and dancehall-tinged parties at clubs like Friends and Lovers, in Crown Heights. On Saturday, the comedian and commentator Amada Seales will host stand-ups, including Jessica Williams of ‘The Daily Show,’ at Splitty. The sharp Brooklyn rapper Nena Reddd Foxxx performs at Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg. (Ryzik). If you are going to this festival prepare to compete with some of the most stylish people in the nation. 

Outside Lands

The West Coast is a hotbed of music and art festivals, and Outside Lands runs from August 5-7, 2016 at the Golden Gate Park, in San Francisco, CA. This festivals features the diverse music tastes of California with a little for everyone. A few of the anticipated headliners are, “Radiohead, LCD Soundsystem, Lionel Richie, Lana Del Rey, J. Cole, Duran Duran, Zedd, Ryan Adams, Major Lazer, Air, Sufjan Stevens, Chance the Rapper, Beach House, Miguel, Halsey, Big Grams (Big Boi + Phantogram), Grimes, Miike Snow, Third Eye Blind, etc.” (Gonzalez). There is often drama associated with this festival, which is not uncommon, but overall it is kid-friendly. 

Vertex Festival

An emerging mainstay of Colorado culture, the Vertex Festival runs from When: August 5-7, 2016 in Buena Vista, CO. This new approach t festivals “features a mixture of jam, electronic and general-interest acts, a genre split neatly summed up by its headliners: the Trey Anastasio Band (two sets), ODESZA and the Alabama Shakes” (Ownes). This is a smaller festival, drawing 20,000 visitors, Vertex incorporates local Colorado culture with whitewater rafting and hiking opportunities to offset the jams. Not knowing exactly what to expect from this newer festival, analysts guess,

Colorado’s music scene is too strong to not have a big-box music festival to call its own. Though we won’t know until August, Vertex seems to have the location nailed down; Buena Vista is a beautiful area, and neighbors willing, a lovely place to take in a weekend of music. Now we’re left to wonder if the EDM focus is a first-year strategy or a long-term one. After all, “Vertex” does sound like a name for an EDM festival. (Owen)

Pitchfork Music Festival

Representing the Midwest, and experimental music Pitchfork Music Festival runs from July 15-17, 2016 in Union Park, Chicago, IL. Vying for quality over quantity, this festival offers “Miguel, FKA Twigs, Carly Rae Jepsen, Jeremih, Blood Orange, Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, Sufjan Stevens, Beach House, Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals, Holy Ghost!, Porches, Twin Peaks, and more” (Gonzales). This is a relatively low key festival as festivals go, confined within the city of Chicago without a ton of room for vendors it is for those dedicated to quality music. 

Mo Pop Festival

Offering an indie-pop flavor for Michigan, Mo Pop Festival runs from July 23-24, 2016 located in West Riverfront Park, in Detroit, MI. A more laid back lay out, this festival offers, “Haim, M83, G-Eazy, The Head and The Heart, Matt and Kim, Glass Animals, Father John Misty, BØRNS, Mac DeMarco, Shakey Graves, Fidlar, Twin Peaks, Banners, Panama Wedding, Alex G, Raury, and more” (Gonzalez). At the ticket price of GA $100 this festival offers value and quality. A new festival, 

Mo Pop and Faster Horses were the only ones to graduate to year two, and Mo Pop’s expansion this year is a good sign of its strength heading forward. In addition to a lineup of two dozen bands, the fest will also highlight local beers, food trucks, local handmade goods and a space focused on local tech. (Graham)

Warning

A warning must be made for festivals in general, and it applies more the bigger the party is. Everyone people die at these gatherings, from dehydration, accidents, trampling, willful violence, drug overdoses, etc. There is reports of rape, manslaughter, kidnapping, and theft every year, and unfortunately while there are many people who are just looking to have a good time there are those who use this as an excuse for mischief (and not the fun kind). Some cities, like Miami, have found that the consistent violence of festivals is not worth the influx of money they bring in and this should be taken into account. Many festivals offer camping on-site options, which increases a sense of party and solidarity, but also increases vulnerability. In short, children should be taken to festivals which focus on family fun more than the general scene which is heavy in drugs and drinking. 

Conclusion

There are hundreds of music festivals in the summer of 2016 in America, and many more around the world. The celebration of the joie de vivre of the favored season grows each year as more and more people set apart their time and money for revelry. While festivals can be off the charts fun they can also be dangerous, so party safe, keep it real, and do not forget to lock your car. 

Works Cited

Gonzales, Erica. “Your unofficial guide to summer 2016’s Music festivals.” Harpers Bazaar, 20 Jun. 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a13027/summer-music-festivals-2016/

Graham, Adam. “Mo Pop expands to two days, moves to Detroit riverfront.” The Detroit News, 2 Apr. 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/04/02/mo-pop-expands-two-days-moves-detroit-riverfront/70820262/

Kaye, Ben, Michael Madden, Kevin Mcmahon, Carson O’Shoney, Amanda Koellner, and David Hall. “Bonnaroo 2015 Festival Review: From Worst to Best.” Consequenceofsound.net, 2015. Retrieved from: http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/06/bonnaroo-2015-festival-report-from-worst-to-best/

Owens, Dylan. “Analysis: Vertex festival lineup goes for Colorado music fans’ sweet spot.” Reverb, 15 Mar. 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.heyreverb.com/blog/2016/03/15/114796/114796/

Roffman, Michael, David Hall, Kevin McMahon, and Heather Kaplan. “Austin City Limits 2015 Festival Review: From Worst to Best.” Consequenceofsound.net, 2015. Retrieved from: http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/10/austin-city-limits-2015-festival-review-from-worst-to-best/

Ryzik, Melena. “Afropunk Fest Brings music, dancing and haute treet fashion to Brooklyn.” The New York Times, 20 Aug. 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/21/arts/afropunk-festival-brings-music-dancing-and-haute-street-fashion-to-brooklyn.html?_r=0

Trip Advisor. “Summerfest.” Tripadvisor.com, n.d. Retrieved from: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60097-d8820364-Reviews-Summerfest-Milwaukee_Wisconsin.html