If you’re anything like me, a typical summer is filled with long days by the pool, longer nights with friends hanging out by the fire, and early mornings sipping on the freshest lemonade and planning out what the day holds. Although I certainly cannot wait for these mellow minded days and getting some sunshine on my skin, there are weekends where I need a little bit more of a jump start. And no, not necessarily a morning run or a quick cup of coffee. I’m talking about a chance to get away and celebrate friends, warm days, and music — yep, thats right! I’m looking to indulge my senses in a summer music festival!
So join me — add some miles to your car and musical beats to your soul this summer. Pack up all your favorite snacks, refreshments, flower crowns – and hey, maybe even a ukulele! It’s road trip time! I have several music festivals on my list of things to do this Summer, so I came up with a round up to help you decide which one (or all) to go to!
From the mountains to the desert and every genre in between, gather your besties and check out these unforgettable concerts at music festivals where every twenty-something is headed this summer:
1. Bonnaroo Music Festival 
Where: Manchester, TN
When: June 8-11
Who’s Playing: U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more!
Who wants to get their grove on at a 700-acre farm? Check out Bonnaroo 2017 in Manchester, Tennessee where the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chance The Rapper and more hit the stage June 8 to June 11.
Bonnaroo is considered by Rolling Stone to be among 50 moments in music history that changed rock and roll for the better. Once a jam and folk rock festival, it’s grown to encompass multiple genres of music, from pop to rap. You can groove in a secret silent disco on a farm! How cool is that!
2. Lollapalooza 
Where: Grant Park, Chicago
When: August 3-6
Who’s Playing: Muse, Lorde and more!
In Grant Park, Chicago, Lollapalooza 2017 will feature well-known performers, such as The Pretty Reckless and The Killers, from August 3 to August 6 on stage.
Lollapalooza gathers musicians of multiple genres on stage with crafts, comedians and dance acts. This festival also serves as a platform for nonprofit agencies, politicians and other activist groups to get the word out to the community. If you care about causes and music, this is your destination.
3. Pitchfork Music Festival 
Where: Union Park, Chicago
When: July 14-16
Who’s Playing: LCD Soundsystem, A Tribe Called Quest and more!
In Union Park, Chicago, Pitchfork 2017 is ready to make you dance to A Tribe Called Quest and PJ Harvey, from July 14 to July 16.
Forget the mainstream and get underground with interesting and vibrant musical sub-genres at this three-day festival. Dance between the beats of rock, alternative, punk, electronic, hip-hop and jazz. Enjoy area art, amazing street food and vendors from across the nation.
4. The Governors Ball Music Festival 
Where: Randall’s Island Park, NYC
When: June 2-4
Who’s Playing: Wu-Tang Clan, Tool and more!
Take a bite out of the Big Apple with bright red lipstick! Hit up Randall’s Island Park in New York City for the Governors Ball of 2017 to soak up some tunes from the Wu-Tang Clan, Tool and more, from June 2 to June 4.
Get ready for a park takeover, from folk and electronic, to hip-hop and rock. Immerse yourself in different cultural experiences because the food vendors at The Governors Ball are more diverse than any other place you’ll grab a bite.
5. Summer Fest 
Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
When: June 29-July 2 and July 4-9
Who’s Playing: Luke Bryan, Pink and more!
Handmade flower crowns and feathered fedoras were made for Summerfest 2017. From June 29 to July 2 and July 4 to July 9, you’re getting two weeks of nonstop independent and mainstream music. Those bands include the independent group Deerhoof out of San Francisco and popular group The Red Hot Chili Peppers, which older millennials will have known since birth. Feeling old yet?
Get out to the action in Milwaukee, and dance it out. Eat tasty food and peruse classic records and musical instruments, because your muse will surely be inspired. Get ready to sleep, breathe and eat music — well, not literally eat music, unless you’ve olives shaped like notes in your wrap.
6. Newport Folk Festival 
Where: Newport, Rhode Island
When: July 28-July 30
Who’s Playing: Blind Pilot, Robert Ellis and more!
In Fort Adams State Park, enjoy nature and music in Newport Rhode Island where Bob Dylan shocked the nation stylistically decades ago, after the festival was founded in 1959. In modern times, Newport Folk Fest 2017 is still shaking up the music scene, with names new to stage and bigger ones, featuring the likes of The Avett Brothers and Hooray for The Riff Riff, from July 28 to July 30.
Your grandfather will tell you that the Newport Folk Festival is the ultimate summer destination if you want to see real music in action. Get back to real folk music roots, and experience new waves in folk, too. Back in 1965, Bob Dylan rocked the folk world when he was backed by electric, nearly causing folk purists to faint. Traditional folk, country and old and new Americana will take the stage in 2017.
7. Burning Man 
Where: Black Rock Desert of Nevada
When: August 27-September 4
Who’s Playing: TBD
Are you a free spirit who needs to get out of dodge and to the desert stat? Rediscover yourself and build a true community at Burning Man, which has been defined as a soul journey and experiment in radial self-reliance, open expression and community.
From August 27 to September 4, Burning Man 2017 will bring together multi-genre and multi-creative performers manifesting the art theme “Radical Ritual” on impromptu stages. Don’t miss the burning of the iconic man-shaped effigy, adding a true ritual element to the mix.
If you’ve never taken a road trip, this is the time to get out there. Like in the days of Woodstock, the best road trip stories come from summer music concert and festival road trips. Chase the headliners and discover new tunes this summer to inspire your own musical and creative stylings.
