Summer Music Festivals Close to Home

Over the last five years, summer tours have become dominated by festivals. For everyone in Mississippi and surrounding states, this is a welcomed change. Being that our part of the country is known for its relatively low population density, large musical acts generally avoided our territory. Now, that has all changed. Thanks to the longterm success of New Orleans' Jazz & Heritage Festival, and more recently Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, and Beale Street Music Festival, the festival scene has continued to grow. Don't waste an opportunity to see some of your favorite acts all at the same time. Here's a taste of what's on offer this summer:

SXSW - Austin, Texas
http://sxsw.com/music
March 17-21

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - New Orleans, Louisiana
http://www.nojazzfest.com/
First Weekend - April 23,24,25
Major Acts:
My Morning Jacket, Allman Brothers Band, Simon & Garfunkel, Black Crowes, Dr. John, Lionel Richie, Better Than Ezra, Darius Rucker, George Clinton Parlament/Funkadelics, Levon Helm, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Blind Boys of Alabama


Second Weekend - April 29,30, May 1,2
Major Acts:
Pearl Jam, Van Morrison, Widespread Panic, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, The Neville Brothers, Elvis Costello, Aretha Franklin, Gov't Mule, Old Crow Medicine Show, Galactic, Blues Traveler, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Allen Toussaint

Beale Street Music Festival - Memphis, Tennessee
April 30, May 1,2
http://www.thebealestreetmusicfestival.com/
Major Acts:
The Memphis In May artist lineup will be announced on Thursday, March 4th.


The Hangout Beach, Music, & Arts Festival - Gulf Shores, Alabama
http://hangoutmusicfest.com/
May 14,15,16
Major Acts:
Ben Harper & Relentless7, Trey Anastasio & TAB, Zac Brown Band, Ray LaMontagne, John Legend, Michael Franti and Speahead, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Gov't Mule, Girl Talk, The Black Crowes, Alison Kraus & Union Station, Ozomatli, Keller Williams, North Mississippi All Stars, The Flaming Lips, Back Door Slam


Wakarusa - Ozark, Arkansas
http://www.wakarusa.com/
June 3,4,5,6
Major Acts:
Widespread Panic, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, John Butler Trio, JJ Grey & MOFRO, STS9, Umphrey's McGee, Slightly Stoopid, The Black Keys, Blues Traveler, Lotus, ALO, Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, and friend of the blog ZOOGMA


Bonnaroo - Manchester, Tennessee
http://www.bonnaroo.com
June 10,11,12,13
Major Acts:
Kings of Leon, Dave Matthews Band, Stevie Wonder, John Butler Trio, Norah Jones, Jay-Z, Jimmy Cliff, The Avett Brothers, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Cliff, The Flaming Lips performing "Darkside of the Moon", Tenacious D, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Damian Marley & Nas, Les Claypool, The Black Keys, John Prine, Weezer, Kris Kristofferson, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Blues Traveler, Zac Brown Band, The Disco Biscuits


Austin City Limits Music Festival - Austin, Texas
http://www.aclfestival.com/default.aspx
October 8,9,10
The Austin City Limits lineup has not been announced.


I'll be enjoying the 2nd weekend of Jazz Fest and also Wakarusa. I'm willing to bet that I'll make it to either the Friday or Saturday shows of Memphis in May as well. I hope everybody takes advantage of these great options.

Cheers