Hot Festival Fun in the Summertime
From Milwaukee to Montreal, you can shake your groove/opera/country/rock thing at dozens of venues this summer.
By: Richard Gehr | Source: AARP.org | Date Posted: 2008-05-22
Richard Gehr is a veteran music critic based in New York City.
When it comes to summer music festivals, we are enjoying nothing less than a golden age. Whether due to economics (more bang for your entertainment buck) or the return of an ancient yearning for live music enjoyed in the company of others, the time has never been better to jump on a train, bus, or some other form of public transportation (O.K., drive if you must) and belly up to one or more of North America's many musical banquets.
Here are some of the best music fests on tap. Why not suggest your own favorites in the comments section?
Spoleto Festival
Charleston, S.C.
May 23–June 8
The American debut of British musician Damon Alharn's timely, China-inspired multimedia extravaganza, "Monkey: Journey to the West," is the highlight of a festival jammed to the rafters with top-notch opera, dance, theater, jazz, and classical music. You'll also find the location as charmingly sophisticated as its offerings.
River to River Festival
New York, N.Y.
June 1–Sept. 22
This annual downtown arts festival, along with Central Park SummerStage, Celebrate Brooklyn, and many other series, offers several hundred free outdoor concerts and performances throughout the city over the course of the summer. In addition to more bands than you can shake an iPod at, River to River's highlights include the May 31 “Bang on a Can Marathon” of new music and a Johnny Cash tribute on July 26.
Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival
Sedalia, Mo.
June 4–8
The spirit of ragtime lives in the town that pianist Scott Joplin called home during the 1880s. This festival celebrates the seriocomic, turn-of-the-century fusion of pop and classical music with rapidly changing free performances throughout the day on nine stages. You can also bust out your classiest cakewalk moves during the somewhat more formal concerts and dances in the evenings.
CMA Music Festival
Nashville, Tenn.
June 5–8
Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Billy Ray Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Dwight Yoakam are just a few of the 400 or so contemporary country performers eager to press the flesh and doff a big hat at the longtime extravaganza formerly known as Fan Fair. With 30 hours of autograph signings and 100 hours of live music over four days, the CMA offers country fans their own paradise.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Telluride, Colo.
June 19–22
The location, a box canyon surrounded by the rugged San Juan Mountains, is as spectacular as the music at this 30-year-old event. Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, and Uncle Earl will keep the spirit of Bill Monroe alive and picking at this always memorable summer solstice celebration.
Summerfest
Milwaukee, Wis.
June 26–July 6
The self-proclaimed "world's largest music festival" promises 700 bands on 11 stages over 11 days. Stevie Wonder, Steve Miller, Joe Cocker, Miranda Lambert, and Blondie are among the bigger names at this over-the-top, something-for-everybody celebration of pop music.
Montreal Jazz Festival
Montreal
June 26–July 6
About 3,000 musicians will take over nearly every venue in this beautiful city for 11 days devoted to jazz and its kin genres.
Headliners include Aretha Franklin, Woody Allen, Return to Forever, Abbey Lincoln, Dianne Reeves, Hank Jones, McCoy Tyner, Brad Mehldau, James Taylor, the Wailers, David Murray, Ravi Coltrane, Steely Dan, and the long-awaited return of Leonard Cohen.
North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic
Potts Camp, Miss.
July 4–5
The children and grandchildren of North Mississippi blues legends, such as Mississippi Fred McDowell, R. L. Burnside, and Othar Turner carry the baton at this relatively intimate rural hullabaloo. Shake a hip to the rough-and-ready sounds of T-Model Ford, Kenny Brown, Duwayne Kimbrough, Alvin Hart, and the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band.
Newport Folk Festival
Newport, R.I.
August 1–3
Unplugged rock and folk-rock are the centerpiece of this venerable festival, which takes place on three stages in Fort Adams State Park.
Contemporary acts with a classic-rock vibe, such as the Black Crowes, Trey Anastasio, and My Morning Jacket's Jim James, dominate the lineup, although you'll also find Jimmy Buffett, Levon Helm, and Richie Havens in this multigenerational mix.
Bumbershoot
Seattle, Wash.
August 30–September 1
A mere $80 (in advance) provides access to hundreds of acts on stages throughout the Seattle Center during this extremely popular (150,000 attended last year), 38-year-old tradition. The music tends toward the independent end of the pop spectrum, with the likes of Beck, Stone Temple Pilots, Lucinda Williams, Neko Case, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Jakob Dylan, and Xavier Rudd confirmed. You'll also find plenty of film, dance, theater, readings, kid stuff, and three stages of comedy.
Here are some of the best music fests on tap. Why not suggest your own favorites in the comments section?
Spoleto Festival
Charleston, S.C.
May 23–June 8
The American debut of British musician Damon Alharn's timely, China-inspired multimedia extravaganza, "Monkey: Journey to the West," is the highlight of a festival jammed to the rafters with top-notch opera, dance, theater, jazz, and classical music. You'll also find the location as charmingly sophisticated as its offerings.
River to River Festival
New York, N.Y.
June 1–Sept. 22
This annual downtown arts festival, along with Central Park SummerStage, Celebrate Brooklyn, and many other series, offers several hundred free outdoor concerts and performances throughout the city over the course of the summer. In addition to more bands than you can shake an iPod at, River to River's highlights include the May 31 “Bang on a Can Marathon” of new music and a Johnny Cash tribute on July 26.
Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival
Sedalia, Mo.
June 4–8
The spirit of ragtime lives in the town that pianist Scott Joplin called home during the 1880s. This festival celebrates the seriocomic, turn-of-the-century fusion of pop and classical music with rapidly changing free performances throughout the day on nine stages. You can also bust out your classiest cakewalk moves during the somewhat more formal concerts and dances in the evenings.
CMA Music Festival
Nashville, Tenn.
June 5–8
Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Billy Ray Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Dwight Yoakam are just a few of the 400 or so contemporary country performers eager to press the flesh and doff a big hat at the longtime extravaganza formerly known as Fan Fair. With 30 hours of autograph signings and 100 hours of live music over four days, the CMA offers country fans their own paradise.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Telluride, Colo.
June 19–22
The location, a box canyon surrounded by the rugged San Juan Mountains, is as spectacular as the music at this 30-year-old event. Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, and Uncle Earl will keep the spirit of Bill Monroe alive and picking at this always memorable summer solstice celebration.
Summerfest
Milwaukee, Wis.
June 26–July 6
The self-proclaimed "world's largest music festival" promises 700 bands on 11 stages over 11 days. Stevie Wonder, Steve Miller, Joe Cocker, Miranda Lambert, and Blondie are among the bigger names at this over-the-top, something-for-everybody celebration of pop music.
Montreal Jazz Festival
Montreal
June 26–July 6
About 3,000 musicians will take over nearly every venue in this beautiful city for 11 days devoted to jazz and its kin genres.
Headliners include Aretha Franklin, Woody Allen, Return to Forever, Abbey Lincoln, Dianne Reeves, Hank Jones, McCoy Tyner, Brad Mehldau, James Taylor, the Wailers, David Murray, Ravi Coltrane, Steely Dan, and the long-awaited return of Leonard Cohen.
North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic
Potts Camp, Miss.
July 4–5
The children and grandchildren of North Mississippi blues legends, such as Mississippi Fred McDowell, R. L. Burnside, and Othar Turner carry the baton at this relatively intimate rural hullabaloo. Shake a hip to the rough-and-ready sounds of T-Model Ford, Kenny Brown, Duwayne Kimbrough, Alvin Hart, and the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band.
Newport Folk Festival
Newport, R.I.
August 1–3
Unplugged rock and folk-rock are the centerpiece of this venerable festival, which takes place on three stages in Fort Adams State Park.
Contemporary acts with a classic-rock vibe, such as the Black Crowes, Trey Anastasio, and My Morning Jacket's Jim James, dominate the lineup, although you'll also find Jimmy Buffett, Levon Helm, and Richie Havens in this multigenerational mix.
Bumbershoot
Seattle, Wash.
August 30–September 1
A mere $80 (in advance) provides access to hundreds of acts on stages throughout the Seattle Center during this extremely popular (150,000 attended last year), 38-year-old tradition. The music tends toward the independent end of the pop spectrum, with the likes of Beck, Stone Temple Pilots, Lucinda Williams, Neko Case, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Jakob Dylan, and Xavier Rudd confirmed. You'll also find plenty of film, dance, theater, readings, kid stuff, and three stages of comedy.
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