Spring is in the air, which means only one thing for lovers of live music and concerts—music festival season is almost here. These giant summer parties are more popular then ever, with dozens of new ones popping up each year, each with a more diverse line-up than the last. Choosing which festival(s) to go to can be a huge headache, so we compiled a guide to hottest festivals in the Midwest, from indie rock to EDM and even hip-hop. See you there!
Dark Star Jubilee – The Dark Star Jubilee, at Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio (3 hours from Toledo), is the perfect festival for fans of smaller gatherings and improvisational music. The concert is headlined all three nights by the Dark Star Orchestra, a Grateful Dead tribute band that faithfully recreates actual concerts from the Dead's 30 year catalog. Rounding out the line-up are bluegrass superstars Yonder Mountain String Band, New Orleans funk-masters Galactic, the acoustic folk-punk of the Devil Makes Three as well as a slew of other talented musicians.
May 23-25 ● Thornville, Ohio ● $150 ● darkstarjubilee.com
Movement – This annual three-day electronic event held during Memorial Day weekend takes place smack dab in the middle of Detroit at Hart Plaza. Typically a sold out event, Movement is presenting an eclectic mix of modern artists ready to rave the night away. With a lineup capable of carrying Action Bronson, Just Blaze, Baauer, Boys Noize, Bonobo, and over 115 performers from around the world, it's a guarantee that the Dirty D is the place to be Memorial Day weekend.
May 24-26 ● Hart Plaza, Detroit, MI Three day Pass, $130, Single day, $55 ● movement.us
Summer Camp Music Festival – In its 13th year, Summer Camp is one of the largest music festivals in the Midwest. With three nights of Moe and three nights of Umphrey’s Mcgee, the bands are largely improvisational, with some curve balls thrown in for a good mix up of genres. If you’ve had enough jam bands for a day, check out country rockers, the Zac Brown Band, DJ’s such as Girl Talk and Bassnectar and Ann Arbor folk darlings, The Ragbirds. There will be alcohol and food for sale, but no outside alcohol is permitted. And pack a poncho—it’s May in the Midwest.
May 23-25 ● Chillicothe, Il ● $194.50 ● summercampfestival.com
Bonnaroo Music Festival – Bonnaroo is, simply put, the most over the top musical festival in America. Every year since 2002, the 700 acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee has flooded with crowds in excess of 100k. This summer looks to be no exception.Though the Roo’ originally started as a Jam band fest, it’s evolved to feature the most eclectic and *cough* mainstream *cough* lineups around. The headliners this year are all over the map: Elton John, Jack White, Lionel Richie (Not sure why?), and Kanye West.
June 12-15 ● Manchester, Tennessee ● General admission, $284.50 (payment plans are available.) ● bonnaroo.com
Electric Forest – Imagine an amazing music festival taking place in the woods… Now imagine adding millions of dollars worth of futuristic lighting, interactive art displays, an all star electronic musician lineup, over 30,000 people, and a Northern Michigan ranch. That's exactly what you get when you visit the Electric Forest. Double J Ranch plays host to the four day electronic festival located in Rothbury, Michigan. Bonnaroo makes use of 700 acres for their event. The Electric Forest has 20,000. Think about that.
June 26-29 ● Double J Ranch, Rothbury, MI ● General Admission Weekend Passes, $264.50 ● electricforestfestival.com
Bunbury Bee Free – Now in its third year, Bunbury is the perfect weekend for festival-goers that enjoy a fresh line-up amongst a Midwest urban sprawl. With Paramore, The Flaming Lips and Fall Out Boy as this year's headliners, Bunbury will be filled with everything from radio-pop to experimental indie-rock. The festival sits along the beautiful Ohio River on the border of Cincinnati, with a handful of stages and delicious local fare.
July 11-13 ● Cincinnati ● One-day ticket, $65/ Three-day ticket, $145/ Three-day VIP, $325 ● bunburyfestival.com
Mo Pop Music Festival – This single day festival fills its three stages at Freedom Hill Amphitheater with rock-n-roll, synth-heavy pop and circus acts throughout the day. The visual performances are complemented with a craft beer garden, artist village and food trucks. Beyond the big draws, including City and Colour, Young the Giant and Cold Wars Kids, is the Mo Sideshow stage featuring the Lil Darlins Vaudeville burlesque dancers, jugglers, hoola hoopers, magicians and more. Warning: parking is $10 and is not included with the ticket.
July 12 ● Detroit, MI ● $49.50 adv/$60 day of show ● mopopfest.com
Forecastle – Last year, Forecastle stole my heart as one of the most charming and best-run festivals I’ve been too. I knew I would return in 2014 even before the Forecastle lineup was released. But what a lineup it is—maybe the strongest of the summer, featuring headlining sets from beloved singer/songwriters Beck and Jack White. If that isn’t good enough, Louisville will also host the return of the mighty Outkast, still the strongest hip-hop duo to come from south of the Mason-Dixon.
July 18-20 ● Louisville, KY ● $184.50 ● forecastlefest.com
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Lollapalooza– General admission is sold out, but travel packages and platinum passes are still available online
August 1-3 ● Grant Park, Chicago ● lollapalooza.com
Werk Out Music and Arts Festival – Another gathering in Central Ohio’s Legend Valley, The fifth annual Werk Out Music and Arts festival appears to be living up to its reputation of having the laidback feel of a small festival with the talent level of it’s much larger counterparts. Some of the not-to-miss-acts, other than the three nights of The Werks, include West African inspired instrumental group Toubab Krewe, “trip hop” producer Emancipator, two nights of Papadosio and the Ann Arbor bred Macpodz. Alcohol will be flowing, but BYOB because it will not be sold there.
Aug. 7-9 ● Thornville, Ohio ● $100 2 Day/$120 3 Day ● thewerkoutfestival.com
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Peach Music Festival – The Peach Festival, which takes place August 14-17 at Montage Mountain in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is one of the last chances to see The Allman Brothers Band in their current incarnation—guitarists Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks are leaving the group at the end of 2014. Featuring four days of camping, multiple stages and amazing live music, the festival even has an on-site water park with admission included in the ticket price. Joining The Allman Brothers are former Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir and his band Ratdog, the Trey Anastasio Band and Gov't Mule alongside an impressive list of musicians. thepeachmusicfestival.com
August 14-17 ● Montage Mountain in Scranton, Pennsylvania Ticket prices TBA ● thepeachmusicfestival.com
