It’s that time of the year again, boys and girls. The semester is halfway done, and summer will be here before we know it. If the seasonably warm weather this winter hasn’t gotten you excited for summer already, then the recent release of summer music festival lineups should.
The South has become a hot bed for quality music festivals over the past few years, and now Bonnaroo is not the sole destination in close proximity to Alabama. Big name artists from around the world are coming to a number of venues across our region, with each varying in their location – from big cities to the mountains – and musical selection. No matter what genre of music you enjoy, from Phish to Three 6 Mafia; these festivals have selected a wide variety of artists to perform that anybody can appreciate.
Beale Street Music Festival: Starting the weekend after exams, Beale Street Music Festival brings tens of thousands of people from all over the country to the streets of Memphis. This year’s headliners include rappers Wiz Khalifa, Lupe Fiasco and Yo Gotti. Other noteworthy rock bands include Florence + the Machine, My Morning Jacket and Jane’s Addiction. With stages located on the banks of the Mississippi River and famous Beale Street only a short walk away, Memphis offers a big-city backdrop to the performances.
Hangout Music Fest: Located in Gulf Shores, the city has done an exceptional job at bringing big name artists to the Gulf Coast. Artists like Dave Matthews Band, The String Cheese Incident and The Flaming Lips, who will be performing a rendition of Pink Floyd’s famous “Dark Side of the Moon,” make the Hangout’s lineup one of the best. In the end, it’s hard to pass up the opportunity to see great music performed on the shores of the Gulf.
Bonnaroo: Every year, Bonnaroo continues to remain one of the most acclaimed festivals in the country. They provide wide diversity not seen in most concert settings, with comedy acts such as Aziz Ansari, as well as a brewery festival and a water park featuring a 40-foot water slide. With acts like the Avett Brothers, Phish and the return of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bonnaroo will continue be one of the most notable destinations this summer.
Wakarusa: While maybe not as well-known as Bonnaroo or Hangout Festival, Wakarusa still offers a large lineup with a whole lot of variety. The Ozark Mountains in Arkansas offer a great location for a festival, with the Mulberry River to swim in and a scenic landscape to explore when you’re not enjoying the music. Names like Pretty Lights, Matisyahu and Umphrey’s McGee also give you the opportunity to experience some great music of different genres. Trip distance provides the only downside for Wakarusa, as the seven-hour drive from Tuscaloosa to Ozark is the longest compared to the others on this list.
When deciding what summer music festival you want to attend, you need to make sure to decide what exactly you’re looking for in your experience. Tickets and trip expenses aren’t cheap, and you are going to be spending a few days at the festival’s location, so enjoying all of its different features is essential. If you are the outdoors type and enjoy camping in a tent for a few days, then Wakarusa or Bonnaroo would be great options. If you’d much rather enjoy the experience of a festival, but still get to sleep indoors in a hotel room or house, Hangout or Bealle Street Music Festival might be more your taste.
I strongly encourage everybody to go out and enjoy one of these great musical opportunities if you have the chance, especially those who have never attended one before. Its a great use of a few summer vacation days, and as Nietzsche said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.”
Brad Tipper is a sophomore majoring in political science and economics. His column runs bi-weekly on Thursdays.
