The Rock Days Of Summer

Let's not get totally fooled by the 60 degree weather outside. Yes, it is March Madness time, and yes, the days are longer now, though lets not forget that at a moments notice, we could be back to sub 40 degree temps and baseball games being cancelled because of snow. That being said, this gorgeous weather inevitably makes you think about the summer. Summertime gets you thinking about music and music in the summertime can only mean one thing...festivals. Weekends filled with wonderful bands, new experiences, lots of sunscreen, and even more sweat and stink. In the end though, we all say the same thing about our beloved music marathons, "It was totally worth it, I have to go next year". Of course it is only March, but with the weather turning, what better time than now to plan out your rock days of summer? Here is a breakdown of the three major summer music festivals in the country. Where will you be?

Bonnaroo
June 10th-13th
Manchester, TN
www.bonnaroo.com

Dave Matthews Band
Kings of Leon
Stevie Wonder
Jay-Z
Conan O'Brien
Tenacious D
Weezer
The Flaming Lips performing Dark Side of the Moon featuring Stardeath and White Dwarfs
The Dead Weather
Damian Marley and Nas
Phoenix
Norah Jones
Michael Franti and Spearhead
John Fogerty
Regina Spektor
Jimmy Cliff
Ween
LCD Soundsystem
The Avett Brothers
Thievery Corporation
Galactic
Rise Against
Tori Amos
The National
Zac Brown Band
Les Claypool
John Prine
Umphrey's McGee
The Black Keys
Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers
Jeff Beck
Dropkick Murphys
She & Him
Against Me!
Deadmau5
Daryl Hall & Chromeo
Jamey Johnson
Margaret Cho
Clutch
Bassnectar
Kid Cudi
Aziz Ansari
The Disco Biscuits
Kris Kristofferson
Medeski Martin & Wood
Brandi Carlile
The xx
Jeffrey Ross Roasts Bonnaroo
John Butler Trio
GWAR
Dan Deacon Ensemble
Tinariwen
Wale
Baaba Maal
The Melvins
The Gaslight Anthem
Miike Snow
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
The Gossip
Greg Giraldo
Dr. Dog
They Might Be Giants
Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile
Isis
Blitzen Trapper
Blues Traveler
Miranda Lambert
Calexico
Gary Chardonnay
OK Go
Bo Burnham
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Martin Sexton
Lotus
Doug Benson
Baroness
Dave Rawlings Machine
Mayer Hawthorne and the County
Nick Kroll
Japandroids
Jay Electronica
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Ingrid Michaelson
The Dodos
Manchester Orchestra
The Temper Trap
Paul Scheer & Rob Huebel
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Circa Survive
Big Sam's Funky Nation
Carolina Chocolate Drops
John Roberts
NEEDTOBREATHE
Tokyo Police Club
The Entrance Band
Local Natives
Mumford & Sons
Rebelution
Baron Vaughn
Diane Birch
Monte Montgomery
Fanfarlo
Julia Nunes
The Postelles
Lucero
Here We Go Magic
Chelsea Peretti
Hot Rize
Neon Indian
B.O.B

***What a lineup this is. Great headliners like DMB, Kings Of Leon, Jay-Z, and Weezer coupled with a great supporting lineup of The Dead Weather, The Black Keys, The Gaslight Anthem, and Rise Against will undoubtedly lead to a great 3 days. If you can withstand the conditions of a fest like this one, it has something for everyone. Rap and hip-hop, to hard alternative rock, to jazz, Bonnaroo has it all.

Pitchfork Music Festival
July 16th-18th
Union Park, Chicago, IL
www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com

Modest Mouse
Broken Social Scene
El-P
LCD Soundsystem
Panda Bear
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Raekwon
Titus Andronicus
Bear in Heaven
Freddie Gibbs
The Smith Westerns
Dàm-Fun
Pavement
St. Vincent
Lightning Bolt
Girls
Cass McCombs
Here We Go Magic
Sleigh Bells
CAVE
Allá

***This is the indie event of the summer. Though some of the bands are relatively unknown, they are all worth checking out. With a headliner group featuring Pavement, LCD Soundsystem, Modest Mouse, and Broken Social Science, you really can't go wrong. More bands will be added and we will keep you updated as they are released. Great things happen at Pitchfork, make sure you are there to see it.

Lollapalooza
August 6th-8th
Grant Park, Chicago, IL
www.lollapalooza.com

The official lineup release will take place on April 6th. All we have to go by as of now is the rumors, and there are a lot of them.

AFI - Rumored
Against Me! - Rumored
Arcade Fire - Expected
B.o.B. - Expected
Brendan Benson - Rumored
Bright Eyes - Highly Rumored
Caspa - Expected
Cut Copy - Expected
Cymbals Eat Guitars - Rumored
Dirty Projectors - Expected
Drive-By Truckers - Rumored
Green Day - Highly Rumored
Hockey - Expected
Hot Chip - Expected
Infected Mushroom - Expected
Lady Gaga - Expected
MGMT - Rumored
Phoenix - Expected
Public Enemy - Rumored
Slightly Stoopid - Rumored
Soundgarden - Expected
The Constellations - Expected
The Cribs - Expected
The Flaming Lips - Rumored
The Hold Steady - Rumored
The National - Rumored
The New Pornographers - Rumored
The Strokes - Confirmed (via the band)
The xx - Expected
Tinariwen - Rumored
X Japan - Rumored
Yeasayer - Expected

***The meca of all summer festivals as far as we are concerned. It has the big names, the best in indie bands, up and comers, a DJ tent, and something for virtually every music lover out there. While nothing is 100% confirmed as of yet, potential headliners of Green Day, Arcade Fire, Lady Gaga, and a returning Soundgarden should leave the crowd with something to look forward to each and every night. Add to that potential sets by The Hold Steady, MGMT, The Flaming Lips, and Phoenix and you are about set. The great thing is, these are just rumors so far. If previous years are any indication at all, creator Perry Ferrell has something waiting up his sleeve for all of us.

So, what do you think will be the best festival this summer? Do you have the unfortunate task of having a budget and only being able to afford one? Or are you just saying the heck with it and attending all three. No matter what, summer 2010 is looking sweeter and sweeter every day.