Summer 2010 Music Festival Guide

photo by Laura Dart

Can’t get enough music this summer? Check out our list below with some of this year’s must-see music festivals. From Iowa to New York, New Orleans to Maine, the 2010 summer festivals feature acts for all music enthusiasts.

Nateva Music and Camping Festival
Oxford, Maine
July 2 – 4
Why you should go: The festival will feature Furthur, Drive By Truckers and Jakob Dylan
Official website: http://natevafestival.com/

80/35 Music Festival 2010
Des Moines, Iowa
July 3 – 4
Why you should go: The 2010 lineup will feature Spoon, Modest Mouse and Dawes
Official website: http://80-35.com/

All Good Music Festival and Campout
Masontown, West Virginia
July 8-11
Why you should go: The four days of music and camping will include performances from  Keller Williams, Travelin’ McCourys and Widespread Panic
Official website: http://www.allgoodfestival.com/

Pitchfork Music Festival
Chicago, Illinois
July 16-18
Why you should go: Check out Pavement and Modest Mouse as well as the Pitchfork Music Festival’s first ever comedy stage on Friday, July 16.
Official website: http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/

Green River Festival
Greenfield, Massachusetts
July 17-18
Why you should go: Catch the 2010 lineup, which features Old Crowe Medicine Show, The Felice Brothers, Sarah Guthrie and Green River Festival’s first ever 93.9 The River’s Meltdown Kids’ Stage.
Official website: http://www.greenriverfestival.com/

Siren Music Festival
Brooklyn, New York
July 17, noon-9pm
Why you should go: Don’t miss sets from Matt and Kim, Surfer Blood and Ted Leo
Official website: http://siren.villagevoice.com/2010/

XPoNential Music Festival
Camden, New Jersey
July 16-18
Why you should go: Don’t miss The Walkmen, Rosanne Cash and Yo La Tengo
Official website: http://www.xpn.org/concerts-events/festival10/

FloydFest 9
Floyd, Virginia
July 22-25
Why you should go: Make sure to see Levon Helm and Tift Merritt
Official website: http://www.floydfest.com/

HullabaLOU Music Festival
Louisville, Kentucky
July 23 -25
Why you should go: Big country names mingle with rockers, R&B legends and jam bands at legendary racetrack, Churchill Downs
Official website: http://www.hullabaloufest.com

Gathering of the Vibes
Bridgeport, Connecticut
July 29-August 1
Why you should go: You will get to see Damian Marley & Nas, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
Official website: http://www.gatheringofthevibes.com/Home

George Wein’s Folk Festival
Newport, Rhode Island
July 30 – August 1
Why you should go: Catch The Punch Brothers and Calexico
Official website: http://www.newportfolkfest.net/

Lollapalooza
Chicago, Illinois
August 6-8
Why you should go: The 2010 lineup will include B.o.B., The Strokes and Lady Gaga
Official website: http://www.lollapalooza.com/

Solid Sound Festival
North Adams, Massachusetts
August 13-15
Why you should go: Solid Sound Festival, curated by Wilco, will make its debut this year and will include performances by Jeff Tweedy (solo), Outrageous Cherry and Wilco.
Official website: http://festival-outlook.consequenceofsound.net/fests/view/211/solid-sound-festival

Mile High Music Festival
Denver, Colorado
August 14-15
Why you should go: Performances by Jack Johnson, Phoenix, Keane, Weezer and much more.
Official website: http://www.milehighmusicfestival.com/

Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival
San Francisco, California
August 14-15
Why you should go: Don’t miss Kings of Leon, The Strokes and My Morning Jacket
Official website: http://www.sfoutsidelands.com/

No Depression Festival
Redmond, Washington
August 21
Why you should go: This year’s lineup will include the Swell Season, Lucinda Williams and Cave Singers
Official website: http://www.nodepression.com/page/no-depression-festival

ATP New York
Monticello, New York
September 3-5
Why you should go: Make sure to check out Sonic Youth, Avi Buffalo and the White Hills
Official website: http://www.atpfestival.com/events/atpnewyork2010.php

Bumbershoot
Seattle, Washington
September 4-6
Why you should go:  This year’s lineup includes Bob Dylan, the Decemberists and Mary J. Blige
Official website: http://bumbershoot.org/

Life Is Good Festival
Canton, Massachusetts
September 11-12
Why you should go: Check out Jason Mraz, Ben Harper and Guster
Official website: http://www.lifeisgood.com/festivals/

BONUS: Even more festivals to light up your Fall

Matador at 21
Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: October 1 – 3
Why you should go: Matador Records will celebrate its 21st birthday in Vegas with a music festival including performances from Ya Lo Tengo, Spoon and Harlem

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
San Francisco, California
October 1-3
Why you should go: See classics Earl Scruggs,  Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder and Emmylou Harris
Official website: http://www.strictlybluegrass.com/

Austin City Limits Music Festival
Austin, Texas
October 8-10
Why you should go: A diverse lineup including The Eagles, Muse, Phish, The Strokes, M.I.A. and Flamings Lips
Official website: http://www.aclfestival.com/

CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival
New York, New York
October 19-23
Why you should go: The festival includes more than 1200 artists and takes place in more than 75 New York City nightclubs and theaters.
Official website: http://cmj.com/marathon/music.php

Voodoo Experience
New Orleans, Louisiana
October 29-31
Why you should go: See acts including Drake, Interpol and Ozzy Osbourne
Official website: http://thevoodooexperience.com/2010exp/