ChordStrike

Sasquatch!

 

May 27-30, 2011

George, WA

Sasquatch! caters to up and coming indie and electro acts, as well as those bands that established the genres. Out of the 92 acts, there’s an emphasis on Pacific Northwest artists, and there’s a comedy tent, which is sweet, ‘cause we love funny stuff. The festival sells out every year, with 50K music lovers making the pilgrimage to the center of the state; the small town of George, WA on the Columbia River.

Headliners include Foo Fighters on the heels of a new album, WA acts Death Cab for Cutie and Modest Mouse. Indie granddaddies Wilco will make an appearance, as will Rodrogo Y Gabriela and The Flaming Lips, both back for their second go-round (in 2008 The Lips brought their UFO show and it was bananas). Portland, Oregon’s Decemberists and Bright Eyes, as well as Ireland’s folk punksters Flogging Molly are all coming to the party, too. Even Canadians Death from Above 1979 are reforming and descending from the Great White North.

The emphasis on electro-rock excites us and there are a lot of acts about which we are pumped. Swedish muse Robyn, DJ genre-blurer Bassnectar, and duos Ratatat, MSTRKRFT and Chromeo have us all a-twitter.On the groove- side is Seattle’s own Wheedle’s Groove band, funkateers of the highest caliber from 1965-1975, as well as vocal powerhouse, Ms. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings.

Sasquatch! Official site

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Bestival

 

September 8-11, 2011

Isle of Wight, UK

We have it on good authority that one of Eurpoe’s finest smaller scale events – compared to Glastonbury or Roskilde – is the Isle of Wight’s Bestival. About two hours outside of London to the southeaast, the festival boasts an eclectic lineup in a beautiful, leafy park. Campers can rent tipis or yurts, but there’s more traditional tent camping, too. The event is family friendly and since its inception in 2004, the festival has won numerous awards from the UK Festival Awards.

The Cure, Primal Scream Screamadelica Live, Brian Wilson, Magnetic Man, Robyn, Crystal Castles, DJ Shadow, Katy B, LFO, Omar Souleyman, Boys Noise, Diplo, A Trak, Norman Jay, Grandmaster Flash, David Rodigan, 65 Days of Static – Live Film Score, Cranes, The Two Bears, Carte Blanche, Pantha Du Prince, Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

Bestival Official site

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Camp Bisco Ten

July 7-9, 2011

Mariaville, NY

Line-up TBA

This three-day music and arts event at picturesque Indian Lookout Country Club in Mariaville, New York is one of the original and longest running electronic/rock festivals. Founded by electro-rockers, The Disco Biscuits and boasting 70+ acts over two stages, it’s small wonder that Camp Bisco was named one of the "Top Ten Summer Music Festivals" by Forbes Traveler. The event has been happening since 2001, so if you want to experience some of the tenth anniversary party, make tracks to New England in early July!

Camp Bisco Official site

Camp Bisco Twitter

Camp Bisto Facebook page

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

 

Lightning In a Bottle

 

Lightning in a Bottle

May 27-30, 2011

Silverado, CA

This sustainable festival put on by The Do Lab at Oak Canyon Ranch is a beautiful participatory weekend of live music and dance-friendly beats, breathtaking art installations, smiling faces, yoga, workshops and more. Since 2004, LiaB has established itself as the antithesis to soulless raves; the four-day outdoor event is uniquely full of heart and a true community experience.

Pretty Lights, Thievery Corporation, Beats Antique, Lucent Dossier Experience, MiM0SA, Nick Warren, PANTyRAiD, Random Rab and the Infinidroid, Dub Kirtan Allstars (feat. Freq Nasty & David Starfire),, Emancipator, The Malah, The Great Mundane, Stephan Jacobs, NastyNasty, duckbutter, Flook, Mark Zabala, Kaminanda, MAV3N, Melanie Moore, Metal Mother, The Mowgli’s,KRADDY, Claude VonStroke, Eskmo, Jay Tripwire, Virtual Boy, Low Riderz, Y La Bamba, Android Cartel, Sammy Bliss, Octopus Nebula, Heyoka, ill-esha, Dj Maggie, Gladkill, Wobs, Lulacruza, Joe Rodriguez, Russ Liquid, Phutureprimitive, Desert Dwellers, Joplin, Thievery Corporation, Bonobo, Lee Burridge, Paper Diamond, Fools Gold, John Kelley, Baths, Invisible Allies, Idiot Savant, LYNX, Syd Gris, El Papachango, Pumpkin, Shawna, Brad Moontribe, dela Moontribe, Love in the Circus, Matt Xavier, Inspired Flight, GoldRush, Brutus

Lightning In a Bottle Official site

Lightning In a Bottle Twitter

Lightning In a Bottle Facebook page

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

 

Wakarusa

 

June 2-5, 2011

Mulbery Mountain, AR

Deep in Arkansas' charming Ozark Mountains, along the Mulbery River you will find the Wakarusa music and camping festival. The festival sold out in 2010, due in large part to the non-music pursuits of festival-goers. The area’s natural beauty makes it perfect for hiking, Frisbee golf, yoga, swimming, and just existing outside of the rigors of daily life.

And then there’s the music. Wakarusa boasts one of the largest and most eclectic festivals in the country. There is something here to please everyone’s ears  - from devout to casual music fans - day and night.

My Morning Jacket, Ben Harper and RELENTLESS7, Thievery Corporation, STS9, Bassnectar, Umphrey's McGee, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Mumford & Sons, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Toots & the Maytals, Ghostland Observatory, Buckethead, Modeselektor, Shpongletron, Hallucinogen, Ozomatli,Rebelution, Galactic, Lotus, The New Deal, Skrillex, JJ Grey & MOFRO, Quixotic, Dark Star Orchestra, North Mississippi Allstars Duo, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses, Lucero, Minus the Bear, The Heavy, Perpetual Groove, Wookiefoot, Budos Band, Grupo Fantasma, Split Lip Rayfield, Cornmeal, Ekoostik Hookah, MarchFourth Marching Band, EOTO, Beats Antique, Stanton Warriors, Big Gigantic, The Beautiful Girls, Here Come The Mummies, Hot Buttered Rum, Langhorne Slim, Truth & Salvage Co., Iration, John Brown’s Body, Delhi 2 Dublin, Dana Fuchs, Hugo, Ott, VibeSquaD, Peelander-Z, Roy Davis Jr., Eliot Lipp, Karsh Kale, SBTRKT, Two Fresh, Resident Anti-Hero, Janover, Paper Diamond (Alex B), ANA SIA, Syd Gris, Lance Herbstrong,An-Ten-Nae, Emancipator, TOKiMONSTA, Random Rab, Those Darlins, Jay Nash, Carrie Rodriguez, TFDI, Dubskin, Dirtfoot, The Pimps of Joytime, Ha Ha Tonka, Mountain Sprout, Mountain Standard Time, Lubriphonic, Papa Grows Funk, Papadosio, Hoots & Hellmouth, Scythian, Spoonfed Tribe, Zoogma, Family Groove Company, These United States, Josh Phillips Folk Festival, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Marrakesh Express, Honey Island Swamp Band, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Spiritual Rez, Frontier Ruckus, The Werks, Moon Taxi, Kinetix, The Congress, The Floozies, Somasphere, The Ben Miller Band, Radiohiro w/ MC Zulu, MO7S, TAKE, SPANKALICIOUS, FSTZ, Jason Sterling, The E.Z. Brothers, Dave Brock, DJ Miss J

Wakarusa Official site

Wakarusa Twitter

Wakarusa Facebook page

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Roskilde Festival

June 30-July 3, 2011

Roskilde, Denmark

Roskilde Festival is the largest North European music and camping festival and has existed since 1971 and it draws bands from far and wide to their yearly event. Artists from North America join those from Africa, Australia and Europe, with an emphasis on Danish groups. 2011 sees an eclectic lineup from Cuban jazz to American metal and all genres in between.

The festival is a non-profit organization consisting of about 25 full-time employees and thousands of volunteers. Each year, The Roskilde Festival Charity Society, which is the association behind Roskilde Festival, ensures that the profits from the festival are donated directly to humanitarian and cultural purposes.

Iron Maiden, Mastodon, Kings of Leon, PJ Harvey, Big Boi, M.I.A., Janelle Monae, Afrocubism, Autopsy, Beatsteaks, Anna Calvi, Congotronics vs. Rockers (feat. Konono No. 1, Deerhoof, Kasai Allstars, Juana Molina, Wildbirds & Peacedrums and Skeletons), De Eneste To, Matthew Dear, Destroyer, Daath, Eyehategod, How to Dress Well, Iceage, Jagwa Music, Kloster, Little Dragon, L.O.C., Lukestar, Parkway Drive, Shangaan Electro, Tame Impala, Terror, Veto, Kurt Vile & The Violators, Weekend

Roskilde Festival Official site

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Northwest String Summit

 

July 21-24, 2011

North Plains, OR

Tucked away in a small gully about 45 minutes west of Portland, Oregon, Horning’s Hideout is one of the most picturesque small-scale destination venues in America. It is beautiful, Pacific Northwest forested private land and features a sturdy stage, vending, ample family-friendly camping, a lake for cooling off, and one of the most laid-back party vibes of anywhere on earth. It’s really the best setting possible for enjoying some bluegrass, and now in its 10^th year, the NWSS can boast as being one of the finest acoustic music events in the country.

Northwest String Summit Official site

Northwest String Summit Facebook page

Yonder Mountain String Band, Keller Williams & The Keels, Emmit Nershi Band, Greensky Bluegrass, Cascadia Project, Todd Snider & Great American Taxi (feat. Vince Herman), Danny Barnes, And many, many more!

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Essence Music Festival

July 1-3, 2011

New Orleans, LA

Conference by day and music event by night, the Essence Music Festival is the largest African American event in the country. Acts take the stage at two stages at the Louisiana Superdome from 7PM-1AM each night while attendees can visit the Ernest J. Morial Convention Center for seminars, the arts and culture marketplace, and food pavilion from 9AM-5PM each day.

Essence Music Festival Official site

Essence Music Festival Twitter

Essence Music Festival Facebook page

Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, Kanye West, Jill Scott, Boyz II Men, Charlie Wilson, Fantasia, Alexander O’Neal, Charmaine Neville Band, Cherrelle, Dwele, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Hal Linton, Hot 8 Brass Band, Irma Thomas, Kelly Price, Kourtney Heart, Macy Gray, Mavis Staples, MC Lyte, Mint Condition, Naughty By Nature, Rebirth Brass Band, Stephanie Mills, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Tank

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Pitchfork Music Festival

July 15-17, 2011

Chicago, IL

Tastemakers Pitchfork Media have announced the preliminary lineup for their sixth annual festival in Chicago. The focus is primarily on indie and alternative hip-hop, electronica, experimental rock, punk, and jazz. Sub-genres chillwave, freak-folk, synth-pop loom large at this Chicago event.

Animal Collective, TV on the Radio, Fleet Foxes, Cut Copy, The Dismemberment Plan, Deerhunter, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Destroyer, James Blake, OFWGKTA, Das Racist, Kylesa, Curren$y, Woods, Yuck, Sun Airway, more TBA

Pitchfork Music Festival Official site

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Rocklahoma

 

May 27-29, 2011

Pryor, OK

Ya know, you can make all the jokes about Aqua Net, spandex, high-pitched rawk wails, but there is a reason that bands like Motley Crue, Poison, and Whitesnake continue to exist and play Rocklahoma: they made some great music that is the soundtrack of current attendees formative years. Many of these artists taught us how to party!

Rocklahoma is kind of tongue-in-cheek; they know that a handful of these acts are well past their prime, but the event features up and coming artists in a genre that was dealt a near death blow by alternative and pop. Pop-metal has given way to alt-metal and post-grunge with many of these bands fostering a devoted following, but trying to cut it at a time when popular music tastes and the industry that supports it are in flux. Kudos to them, I say, and in Oklahoma no less...

The event has gone outside U.S. borders to recruit the best artists in the heavy metal genre. Acts from Canada, Germany, South Africa, and more are flying in, so if you want something familiar with a side of nostalgia, head for central Oklahoma and bring a couple cases of beer.

Mötley Crüe, Staind, Whitesnake, Papa Roach, Seether, Hinder, Skillet, Saving Abel, Sick Puppies, Sebastian Bach, Black Label Society, Drowning Pool, My Darkest Days, Rev Theory, All That Remains, Escape the fate, Cavo, The Gracious Few, Hail the Villain, Pop Evil, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights, Taddy Porter, Crooked X, Texas Hippie Coalition, New Medicine, Art of Dying, Electric Touch, One Less Reason, Gypsy Pistoleros, Alias, Wildstreet, The Glitter Boys, Gunner Sixx, Black Tora, Mad Max, Aura Surreal, Firestryke, Aska, Pretty Little Suicide, Arena, Blue Tiger, Bad Things, Cutlass, Mock Star

Rocklahoma Official site

Rocklahoma Twitter

Rocklahoma Facebook page

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Electric Forest

June 30-July3, 2011

Rothbury, MI

Taking place over the 4^th of July weekend in Michigan, Electric Forest has taken the place of the now-defunct Rothbury Festival and is tag-teamed by talent agency Madison House Publicity and rave promoter Insomniac (Electric Daisy).

Now in its second year, the 2011 line-up for this event has a rocker hippie mentality with a Party-with-a-capitol-P atmosphere. A good amount of rock, funk, bluegrass, and reggae, but what makes this festival so popular is the whoop-squeal of the dance music. Electronic musicians rule and there are more DJs than you can pump a fist to populate the weekend.

The event features the nighttime attraction, The Sherwood Forest, filled with art installations and crazy lights. On-site camping for easy access.

String Cheese Incident, Tiësto, Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, REO Speedwagon, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Stephen Marley, Kaskade, Shpongle Presents The Shpongletron Experience, Railroad Earth, Laidback Luke, JJ Grey & Mofro, Excision, The New Deal, EOTO, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Skrillex, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Toubab Krewe, Bonobo (DJ Set), Beats Antique, Big Gigantic, Chiddy Bang, Eskmo, Lettuce, Eliot Lipp, Paper Diamond, The Infamous Stringdusters, Zion I & The Grouch, Greensky Bluegrass, Feed Me, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band,, The Beautiful Girls (Acoustic), 12th Planet, The Pimps of Joytime, Rubblebucket, Archnemesis, Emancipator, Break Science, The Macpodz, VibeSquaD, Euforquestra, The Hood Internet, Lynx, Two Fresh, KRAZ (DJ Set), The Treasures, Steez, SuperDre, Panic Bomber, Dragon Wagon

Electric Forest Official site

Electric Forest Twitter

Electric Forest Facebook page

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Electric Forest Facebook page

Movement: Detroit Electronic Music Festival

 

May 28-30, 2011

Detroit, MI

Turns out Motown, Kid Rock, and Eminem aren’t the only musical things to come out of Detroit: The Detroit Electronic Music Festival has been slowly and steadily making a name for itself since 2000.

The dance music festival has gone through name and venue changes, but the love of DJ and electronic music remains. The event is held at several locations with evening and late night shows. The event claims to draw over 1M visitors.

Initial line-up: Ana Sia, Art Department, Bruce Bailey, Cio D’or, Dam-Funk & Master Blazter, DJ T-1000, Echospace, Goldie, Green Velvet, Kerri Chandler, Marcel Deltman, Mimosa, Reference, Scuba, Shlomi Aber, Skrillex, Soul Clap, Sven Väth, Tini, Visionquest, and more TBA

Movement: DEMF Official site

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Newport Folk Festival

 

July 29-31, 2011

Newport, RI

Founded in 1959 as a counterpart to the previously established Newport Jazz Festival, the Newport Folk Festival features performances by folk, blues, country, bluegrass and folk rock musicians.

Perhaps most well know for the festival where Bob Dylan in 1965 shocked the audience by going electric, since the 1990's the NFF has featured performers from related contemporary genres, such as alternative country, indie folk and folk punk.

The setting, Fort Adams State Park, is renowned for its natural beauty with the stage situated at the end of a small, green peninsula surrounded by sparkling water littered with sail boats and small craft.

The Decemberists, Gillian Welch, Earl Scruggs, Gogol Bordello, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Tegan & Sara, Mavis Staples, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello (Solo Acoustic), Amos Lee, M. Ward, Wanda Jackson, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Middle Brother, Justin Townes Earle, The Secret Sisters, Trampled by Turtles, The Civil Wars, The Head and The Heart, The Cave Singers, The Felice Brothers, Delta Spirit, Freelance Whales, Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three, What Cheer? Brigade, The Devil Makes Three, Song Circle with Dar Williams, Ellis Paul, John Gorka & Liz Queler, The Wailin’ Jennys, Typhoon, The Ebony Hillbillies, River City Extension, PS22 Chorus, David Wax Museum, Mountain Man, The Seeger Clogging All-Stars, BrownBird

Newport Folk Festival Official site

Newport Folk Festival Twitter

Newport Folk Festival Facebook page

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Northwest Folklife Festival

May 27-30, 2011

Seattle, WA

2011 sees the Northwest Folklike Festival celebrating 40 years, which means for 40 years Pacific Northwesterners have been honoring the local arts and different cultures. The event, held on the Seattle Center grounds in the shadow of the Space Needle, brings together foodies, arts buffs, music lovers, and dance enthusiasts for a four-day event.

All the performers play for free, upholding one of the core tenets of the festival; that arts make communities stronger and better, and that everyone is a bearer of folk arts. It is as important to participate in the arts as it is to share them and Folklife welcomes communities across all cultures to come and be a part of the arts conversation.

The event is free.

NW Folklife Official site

NW Folklife Twitter

NW Folklife Facebook page

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Beale Street Music Festival

April 29-May 1, 2011

Memphis, Tennessee

Each spring for the past 34 years musicians from a wide swath of genres, many with a blues-inspired Southern flair, have come to Memphis’ 25 acre Tom Lee Park where Beale Street meets the mighty Mississippi River. The event features over 60 acts on four stages and draws some of the biggest names in contemporary music and the touring business.

From a fan website: “The Beale Street Music Festival has grown into one of the largest parties in the United States, drawing people from all over the country to come experience a celebration of the birth of an expressive art form that materialized as the music known as the Blues. Gritty, raw, and full of emotion; Beale Street symbolizes everything that the Blues was born from. Like a mother rearing its young, the Blues took shape from its surroundings and became one of the most expressive musical outlets today. You cannot appreciate music without understanding the roots of the Blues, and you cannot appreciate the Blues without visiting the place where it was born: Beale Street, Memphis.”

In addition to the music, central to the festival is the food and beverages for which the South is known – BBQ and tall, cold drinks provide the sustenance for hours of fantastic music. No camping, but many hotels within walking distance to Beale Street.

Stone Temple Pilots, Jason Mraz, Cake, Cage the Elephant, Everclear, Big Bill Morganfield, Free Sol, Manchester Orchestra, Egypt Central, Will Tucker Band, Kenny Brown, Grady Champion, Flaming Lips, Jimmie Vaughan with Lou Ann Barton, B.o.B, MGMT, Slightly Stoopid, Tommy Castro, John Mellencamp, The New Pornographers with Neko Case, Hinder, Magic Slim and the Teardrops, Charlie Wilson, Mumford & Sons, 8Ball & MJG, Paul Thorn, Amy LaVere, Reba Russell Band, Devon Allman's Honeytribe, Sick Puppies, The Experimental Tropic Blues Band, Jimbo Mathus & The Tristate Coalition, One Less Reason, Lotus, Travis Wammack, Blind "Mississippi" Morris, Brad Webb, Ke$ha, Cee-Lo, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lucinda Williams, Macy Gray, Kirk Whalum, Otis Clay, Wilco, Ziggy Marley, Sublime with Rome, Avett Brothers, Lucero, Amos Lee, Al Kapone, Buckcherry, Saving Abel, Drowning Pool, J.J. Grey & Mofro, The Lee Boys, Hubert Sumlin, John Hammond, Preston Shannon, Bettye LaVette, Robert "Wolfman" Belfour, Eric Hughes, The Experimental Tropic Blues Band, Godsmack, Ludacris, Gregg Allman

Beale Street Official page

Beale Street Twitter

Beale Street Facebook page

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Summer Camp

 

May 27-29, 2011

Chillicothe, Illinois

Now in its tenth year, Summer Camp has become the premier Midwestern festival for the aficionados of “jambands” and other staples of the American music scene as well as bands pushing the boundaries of their respective genres. Festival attendees virtually double the population of Chillicothe over the course of the three-day event, which is held at Three Sisters Park and features on-site camping and over 65 bands on five stages.

From hip-hop to bluegrass and everything in between, Summer Camp has it all. Daytime shows run into the night and for those who wish to keep the party going, late-night shows push into the early morning hours.

moe., Umphrey’s McGee, Widespread Panic, STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector Nine), Bassnectar, Cypress Hill, The Avett Brothers, Girl Talk, Yonder Mountain String Band, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Slightly Stoopid, Lotus, Wiz Khalifa, Skrillex, EOTA, Conrmeal, Punch Brothers, Daedelus, The Pimps of Joytime, Ryan Montbleau Band, Paper Diamond, and dozens more…

Summer Camp Official site

Summer Camp Twitter

Summer Camp Facebook page

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Decibel Festival

 

Early fall 2011

Seattle, WA

Line-up TBA

Similar to Ultra and the Detroit Electronic Music Fest, the five-day Decibel Festival is part conference-part showcase. Self-described as seeking to “bridge the gap between technology and creativity through visual art, workshops, panel discussions, and cutting-edge electronic music performances,” Decibel Festival actually hosts electronic and DJ shows year-round in Seattle, but early fall brings the some of the best performers and thinkers in the genre to town.

The festival is a non-profit and has been running since 2003 and takes place at a handful of venues (and parks, as you can see from the Gaslam Killer video above) around Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. Note: it is one heck of a good time.

Decibel Festival Official site

Decibel Festival Twitter

Decibel Festival Facebook page

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

 

Summerfest

 

June 29-July 3 & July5-10, 2011

Milwaukee, WI

Line-up TBA

Billed as the World’s Biggest Festival and also known as “The Big Gig,” Milwaukee’s Summerfeset is an 11-day event with artists performing at 11 stages. The festival has been going since the mid-1970’s and is run by the non-profit organization, Milwaukee World Festival, which hosts over 700 stylistically diverse bands each year. The festival draws between 800K and 1M people!!

But the event isn’t just music; there are comedy acts, food and artisan vendors, fireworks, and many other family-friendly attraction and activities. Part music fest, part carnival, all fun!! There is also a run associated with the event.

One ticket provides admittance to the entire festival with the exception of headliners at the Marcus Amphitheatre.

Preliminary music headliners announced include Toby Keith w/ Eric Church (July 1), Katy Perry (July 7), Sugarland w/ Sara Bareilles (July 10, and The Black Keys w/ Florence & the Machine and Cage the Elephant (July 6). More TBA

Summerfest Official site

Summerfest Twitter

Summerfest Facebook page

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

Nateva Music & Camping Festival

 

August 4-7, 2011

Oxford, ME

Rolling Stone described the Maine Festival as “intimate, family-friendly, jammy paradise.” Though 2011 will only be the festival’s second year, they gained attention by bringing in bands that play much larger festivals and venues, but capping ticket sales at 15K folks. The event draws musicians from multiple genres, including indie rock, electronica, alt-country, bluegrass, funk and folk.

The event is held at the Oxford Fairgrounds, which is about three hours from Boston. Camping is encouraged.  

Thievery Corporation, STS9, Gregg Allman Band, Bob Weir (solo acoustic), Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Guster, Ghostland Observatory, Chris Robinson & Jackie Greene (acoustic duo), Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, 7 Walkers, Keller Williams, Martin Sexton, The New Deal Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Dave Mason, Peter Wolf, EOTO, Donna the Buffalo, Max Creek, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Tim Reynolds and TR3, Moonalice, McLovins, Gypsy Tailwind, Eskmo, Zach Deputy, Strangefolk, Ryan Montbleau Band, Session Americana, Sister Sparrow, Dopapod, Indobox, Roots of Creation, The Mallett Brother Band, Nutritious, Billy Keane and the Misdemeanor Outlaws, Ghost of Jupiter, featuring Nate Wilson, Otis Groove, Nephrok! Allstars, The Ron Noyes Band

Nateva Official site

Nateva Twitter

Nateva Facebook page

SoundUnwound's editorial team write about the latest big music news and quirky stories which catch the eye. We also post a selection of these news stories on Chordstrike; for much, much more, visit SoundUnwound.com, the new music site from IMDb and Amazon. Follow us at twitter.com/soundunwound.

2011 Festival Guide

Welcome to the SoundUnwound/Chordstrike 2011 Festival Guide!

Sure to thrill anyone with ears, a love of the interplay between rhythm and melody, and an appreciation of the hedonistic arts, the artist lineups for the 2011 summer festival season are rolling in. This is by no means a comprehensive list of American, European, and world festivals - we'll be adding more, so if we're missing something you'd like to see, please let us know! Likewise, please share your comments so others may benefit from your experiences.

We’ve tried to include multi-day and one-off events, genre-based and more egalitarian, large and small, some for families and some where you’d be crazy to bring the kids. The point is get out there, soak up some vitamin D, rage around with your friends, and discover some new music!!