Other Festival Recommendations

[MassiveChemicalPunk]

So, this was my 5th consecutive year at Coachella and it was defintely my last time (for a while). I love the festival, I love the lineups and the vibe but I just don't feel that magic I felt in 2008 anymore. Besides, I have to do some serious spending to get from El Salvador to California each year and I don't think it's worth it anymore.

I think I might be taking a festival break next year, but I will definitely be back on the circuit in 2014.

The question: Based on your experience, which other US Festival would you recommend checking out?

[PlayaDelWes]

So, this was my 5th consecutive year at Coachella and it was defintely my last time (for a while). I love the festival, I love the lineups and the vibe but I just don't feel that magic I felt in 2008 anymore. Besides, I have to do some serious spending to get from El Salvador to California each year and I don't think it's worth it anymore.

I think I might be taking a festival break next year, but I will definitely be back on the circuit in 2014.

The question: Which other US Festival do you think is definitely worth checking out?

I would definitely check out the Other Music Festival sub-forum

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

uh, yeah, there's an entire forum devoted to this. Why don't you click around and read what people think about them.

[MassiveChemicalPunk]

Thanks for the help, but I actually want personal recommendations. I know of the existance of all those fests. I do read. But, I want to invest my money on something really worthwhile. I have been thinking of Bonnaroo, Oustide Lands or Sasquatch.

[MassiveChemicalPunk]

And also, some of you have actually been to some of these, so, you know what the fuck is up.

[TomAz]

Tennessee is not closer to El Salvador than California is.

edit: Actually I don't know if that's literally true or not. My point is, it's almost certainly just as hard and expensive to get to Manchester, Tennessee as it is Coachella.

[MassiveChemicalPunk]

Tennessee is not closer to El Salvador than California is.

I know Tom. It's not about the money, Im just bored with Coachella.

[Phunkevil]

Try the festival subforum.

[Drinkey McDrinkerstein]

And also, some of you have actually been to some of these, so, you know what the fuck is up.

Er, yeah, exactly, you can find crazily detailed write ups, photos, etc in those threads. just run searches. i'm just saying that everything you want is right there

[MassiveChemicalPunk]

Ok cool. Thanks Drinkey.

[JustSteve]

And also, some of you have actually been to some of these, so, you know what the fuck is up.

what do you think goes on in the festival subforum?

edit: was writing it while drinkey was hitting the post button.

[TomAz]

short answers: Bonnaroo is like Coachella except the men are dirtier and the women are uglier but the drugs are much more out in the open and while it's humid it's not quite so hot and there are trees.

ACL is like Coachella except that the men are older and the women are older and uglier and the beer is everywhere and it can be hot as fuck and plus it's a lot of Ryan Adams-type stuff which some people don't like so much. But, my most-favorite-ever shows by LCD Soundsystem, Arcade Fire, and Wilco were all at ACL, so it does seem to bring out great performances.

SXSW is completely different and a huge blast but a totally different thing.

[amyzzz]

Sasquatch is smaller than the other festivals (I think around 20-25,000 people?), and the weather is changeable (could be hot, could be wet, could be COLD), but it has a pretty good vibe. People there are more polite than at other festivals, and it does not seem quite as druggy as Bonnaroo and Coachella. The food is really bland and boring. Try camping at the Wild Horse campground -- not quite as noisy as the main campground, there are showers, a coffee bar, and the little restaurant stand with pretty good food, and FREE SHUTTLES to the festival.

[trendski]

I decided to take a break as well and not bothering with tomorrow's pre-sale.... I'm hitting up Lolla and Outside Lands for the first time this year so I'll write up my thoughts on the festival sub-forum. Next year I'm also planning on either Sasquatch (since I've been dying to get to The Gorge) and/or Bumbershoot in Seattle... I've done Bonnaroo once, the walk between stages and the humidity suck balls big time!

[Goatchella]

corn and leno

[TomAz]

how far is it between the stages and the humidity at bonnaroo?

[bmack86]

Pitchfork is in a small area, which was nice when it didn't sell out and not so nice now that it does. You can get close to the stages, but you're also pretty crowded in once people flock to an area. It can be really hot, and sometimes really humid since it's in Chicago in the summer. That said, they have some really good lineups if you like current indie rock, and it's very well priced. They used to have a good beer selection, but I hear it's now the standard Heineken thing. They're in the middle of Chicago, and they always have good aftershows throughout the city. You can take the El right to the festival, so it's really easy to get to and drinking isn't an issue. I've had a blast every time I went.

ATP skews noisier and more obscure in their tastes. If the lineup works for you, it's the best festival ever. They sell a small amount of tickets for the fests and people stay in a small town area around the venues. There isn't a real back stage, the artists stay with the fans, there is (usually) great sound, and they get some fantastic performances. The crowds are the best I've ever experienced, and it's always a booze and craziness filled escape from the real world: like summer camp for music nerds, you go to an awesome place for a weekend then think about it for the rest of the year. I cannot recommend ATP highly enough (and they do them in England as well.)

[Mr. Dylanja]

how far is it between the stages and the humidity at bonnaroo?

Just a drop, rip, and bump away.

[zircona1]

Lollapalooza is alright. I went in 2010 and one day in 2009, saw some great bands, but I don't think I'll go back. It's just too crowded (though I've heard they've opened a few streets up to deal with the capacitys since then) and at Coachella it's easier to move between stages and you can get a really good spot for a set and not have to show up 30 minutes or more before it starts. Both main stages are at opposite ends of the park and to get from one to the other can be a hassle depending on the time of day. The crowd (and the lineup, for that matter) are skewed towards younger folks - last year's headliners were Eminem, Foo Fighters, Muse, Coldplay, My Morning Jacket and Deadmau5. As bmack said about Pitchfork, it does get hot and humid in Chicago during the summer.

One good thing about Lolla is that it is easy to get to - Grant Park is right there in the city, so you can just walk to the park (if you're staying downtown), take an El train, or park your car nearby. Also, they have lots of great food stands, and beer and wine for sale that you can take with you everywhere.

[MassiveChemicalPunk]

Thanks for the input guys! ATP sounds amazing Bmack.

I think I would avoid Lolla because of the crowd. I want to change setting/crowd and Coachella/Lolla are too similar in those aspects.

Sasquatch, ATP, and maybe ACL or OSL are sounding nice.

[Grant]

short answers: Bonnaroo is like Coachella except the men are dirtier and the women are uglier but the drugs are much more out in the open and while it's humid it's not quite so hot and there are trees.

sorry but this is wrong on so many levels.

i'm going to keep it short. if you love yourself, for the love of god don't go to bonnaroo. it's a bitch.

[gypsygrl]

I suggest checking out www.fletchfest.com

Its a smaller event where goers are well taken care of. Worth checkin' out!!!

[TomAz]

PANAMA RED! PANAMA RED! HE'LL STEAL YOUR WOMAN, THEN HE'LL ROB YOUR HEAD!

[Mammoth85]

People hate on Outside Lands, but I love it. It's in a gorgeous location (San Francisco's Golden Gate Park), you're surrounded by lush trees and vegetation the whole time. A real beautiful environment. It's especially great for foodies. They focus on gourmet foods from the bay area, wine tasting from SF and Napa, as well as the music. The experience is more holistic.

Only draw back: way expensive. Tickets are over $100 less than Coachella, but there's no camping, etc. You have to get a hotel or crash at someone's place which isn't the easiest thing to do in SF.

If that's not an issue for you, you will have an amazing time. Awesome environment, very friendly people, laxed security, delicious food and beverage, and diverse but excellent music. I'm going again this year.