In Tune

By Cameron Kober

As in years past, summer 2012 is expected to play host to several large-scale music festivals presenting the best in modern pop music. In recent years, the number of music fests has grown steadily throughout the country, and this year is no exception.

Students mentioned various shows they have attended in the past and gave advice for future excursions. James Clay, a freshman business marketing major from Chicago, said last year he enjoyed attending the Pitchfork Music Festival in his hometown.

He hopes to either return again to the festival this summer, or to go to the Bonnaroo Music Festival, a gathering of more than 100,000 music enthusiasts in Tennessee. He said in order to survive music festivals, “Wear proper attire and be prepared to stand a long time. Make sure you drink lots of water.”

Devin Willie, a sophomore in English secondary education from Utah, gave some unusual advice for attending festivals. “I would say one thing that you probably wouldn’t think of if you haven’t gone before is to bring a bandana. Sometimes the fields where people are playing are so dusty that is will almost choke you. You should probably bring one to cover your face just so you don’t die.”

Alex Lang, who has gone to Coachella and Warped Tour, offered some insight based on his experience. “I’m not planning on going this year, but I might. I really enjoyed Warped Tour because of the free Monster drinks. I drank seven of them and a hot dog at the show in 2005,” he said.

Here’s a small list of some of the best music festivals to be anticipated this summer:

• The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California begins the last day of finals this year. If you can’t manage to get home in time, never fear. This year, for the first time ever, the festival takes place between two weekends, with the same bands performing during both weekends. Headliners this year include Radiohead, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog, Bon Iver and The Black Keys.

• Every year, Salt Lake City presents the Twilight Music Festival. The festival takes place every Thursday throughout July and August. Admission in the past has always been free. Currently no lineups have been announced, but last year’s festival featured artists such as The Decemberists, Lupe Fiasco and Bright Eyes.

• Washington state’s Sasquatch Festival is taking place this year over Memorial Day weekend. Sasquatch promises to be an enjoyable weekend for students from the Pacific Northwest. This year’s lineup includes favorites like Beck, Tenacious D and Jack White (formerly of the band the White Stripes).

• Those students from the Southeast need not fret that everything is taking place on the West Coast. This year’s Bonnaroo is expected to bring in huge crowds to Manchester, Tennessee. Headliners this year include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foster the People, Skrillix and the Beach Boys, fully reunited for the first time in forty years. The festival is scheduled to take place from June 7-10.

• The Vans Warped Tour returns again this year, starting their run across America at the Utah State Fairpark. Since 1995, the tour has gone across the country, presenting some of the most popular punk and emo bands of the last two decades. This year the festival plans on maintaining its tradition with bands like Yellowcard, Taking Back Sunday and New Found Glory included in the more than 100 bands planning to make appearances throughout the summer.