At the end of the claustrophobic tunnel of final exams, projects and term papers, the tiny light of summer sun holds the promise that better times are to come. With festival season straight ahead, the Golden Gate Xpress has compiled a guide to 2015’s most anticipated summer music festivals spanning from the northern forests to the southern desert.
Lightning in a Bottle
WHERE: Bradley, CA
WHEN: May 21-May 25, 2015
TICKETS: $260
CAMPING: Yes
HEADLINERS: Flume, Sbtrkt, Odesza, RL Grime, Tycho, Panda Bear
THE SCENE
Lightning in a Bottle is a celebration of music, art, community and sustainable living. Along with experimental electronic music performances, the festival features “immersive environments” ranging from burlesque workshops and improv acts to vintage frontier-style trading posts.
BottleRock
WHERE: Napa, CA
WHEN: May 29-May 31, 2015
TICKETS: $99-$275
CAMPING: No
Headliners: Imagine Dragons, No Doubt, Robert Plant, Foster The People, Passion Pit, Snoop Dogg
THE SCENE
BottleRock emulates the world-class taste of Napa Valley. The festival pairs the biggest names in music with Napa’s choicest selection of food and wine.
Make Music Pasadena
WHERE: Pasadena, CA
WHEN: June 6, 2015
TICKETS: Free
CAMPING: No
Headliners: How To Dress Well, Sir Sly, Kishi Bashi, Hundred Waters, Nick Waterhouse, Kaleo
THE SCENE
The city of Pasadena closes their roads for festival attendees to roam the streets and enjoy the sounds of soulful singer-songwriters.
Northern Nights
WHERE: Piercy, CA
WHEN: July 17-July 19, 2015
TICKETS: $169
CAMPING: Yes
Headliners: Gold Panda, Rufus Du Sol, Goldfish, Slow Magic, Autograf, Goldlink
THE SCENE
Nestled among towering Redwood trees and winding rivers, Northern Nights offers a comprehensive camping experience that includes four stages of music, art, burlesque, comedy and yoga workshops.
Hard Summer
WHERE: Pomona, CA
WHEN: Aug. 1- Aug. 2, 2015
TICKETS: $169
CAMPING: No
Headliners: The Weeknd, Ratatat, Boys Noize, Bro Safari, Caribou, Chromeo, Die Antwoord
THE SCENE
Hard Summer is a wild mixture of electronic dance music, sweltering LA heat and festival culture. This year’s event will incorporate more hip-hop acts in past years with performances from Fetty Wap, Young Thug and ILoveMakonnen.
Outside Lands
WHERE: San Francisco, CA
WHEN: Aug. 7- Aug. 9, 2015
TICKETS: $325-$625
CAMPING: No
Headliners: Elton John, Kendrick Lamar, Porter Robinson, Sam Smith, Tame Impala, The Black Keys
THE SCENE
Outside Lands calls for lots of layers to stay warm in San Francisco’s characteristically foggy summer. The festival promotes art, music and eco-friendly living.
FYF Fest
WHERE: Los Angeles, CA
WHEN: Aug. 22- Aug. 23, 2015
TICKETS: $109-$329
CAMPING: No
Headliners: Death Grips, Mac Demarco, Flume, Solange, Neon Indian, FKA Twigs, Frank Ocean
THE SCENE
In the last weeks of summer, F*ck Yeah Fest is an indie fan’s dream. FYF attendees can float through Los Angeles State Historic Park visiting each of the festival’s four stages for their last hoorah before fall.
