1. 19may/june 2014
The 2014 music festival season is in full
swing. SXSW, Coachella and Stagecoach
have come and gone, though there are
still many music festivals on this year’s
calendar. Gather some friends, hit the
road and enjoy a few days of sweet
summer sounds from your favorite bands.
Rock Out Like It’s 1991
Lollapalooza, the historic music festival
started in 1991 by Jane’s Addiction lead
singer, Perry Farrell, is back in 2014! According
to the Jane’s Addiction website, Farrell’s
goal was "…to bring artists and fans of very
different types of music to a single touring
festival." Lollapalooza will land in Grant Park August
1-3, boasting a lineup that includes Eminem, Outkast,
Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys, Lorde, Calvin Harris,
Foster the People and Kate Nash. While general
admission tickets are sold out, Platinum passes are
available for $3,600. Three-night hotel and show
packages are available from $1,749 per couple.
As the East Coast’s answer to popular West Coast
music festival Coachella, Firefly Music Festival
showcases the pioneering, popular and emerging
talent in alternative, indie and hip-hop music. Now in
its third year, the festival’s 2014 roster includes artists
such as Foo Fighters, Outkast, Jack Johnson, Imagine
Dragons, Beck, The Lumineers, Band of Horses,
Childish Gambino, Big Gigantic and more than one
hundred additional artists. Firefly takes place at The
Woodlands at Dover International Speedway, deep
within the forest of Dover, Del., June 19-22. Four-day
general admission passes are available from $299 with
VIP and camping packages offered at additional fees.
A Little Bit Country
WE Fest has offered a place for country music fans to
convene since 1983.While this year’s roster includes
Brad Paisley, Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean,The Band
Perry and Florida Georgia Line, pastWE Fest performers
have included Dolly Parton, Little Richard and Alabama.
Taking place August 7-9 at Soo Pass Ranch, in Detroit
Lakes, Minn., overlooking Lake Sallie and surrounded
by forestland,WE Fest provides the perfect setting
for a country music festival. Soo Pass Ranch also
accommodates 9,000 campsites, allowing festivalgoers
to camp within walking distance of the event.While
three-day general admission tickets currently cost $119
and camping passes are available starting from $65,
prices will increase as the festival date draws near.
For the ultimate country music experience, head
down to Nashville June 5-8 during the 2014 CMA
Music Festival. Since 1972, the CMA Music Festival
has afforded unmatched access to artists by
organizing intimate settings throughout Nashville
that allow fans up-close-and-personal access to their
favorite artists. Originally named Fan Fair,
performers at the first festival included
Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Minnie Pearl
and Marty Robbins. This year,
performers include Brad Paisley,
Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker,
Dierks Bentley, Eric Church,
Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum,
Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw
and Rascal Flatts.
Local Sounds
Northeast Ohio’s 13th
annual Canton Blues
Festival will take place
June 20-21. During this
year’s“Women in Blues”-
themed event, Ana
Popovic and Shemekia
Copeland will take the
stage on Friday and
Saturday evening, respectively.While Popovic and
Copeland will headline, a variety of artists will play
each day from noon until 10:30 p.m.Though general
admission is complimentary,VIP passes are available,
allowing holders complimentary food and beer after
5 p.m., and a reserved section.Two-dayVIP passes are
available for $75 and one-day tickets cost $45. Hosted
by the Canton Development Partnership, the Canton
Blues Festival will take place in Market Square.
Ohio residents who prefer their music with a bit
heavier flavor can check out Rock on the Range, taking
place May 16-18 at Columbus Crew Stadium.This year,
acts such as Slayer, Living Colour, Avenged Sevenfold,
Guns N’Roses, Kid Rock and Five Finger Death Punch
will perform. Attendees are also invited to participate in
Crazy Dave’s Music Experience, an interactive attraction
affording attendees the opportunity to create music
in a professional setting. Catch some comic relief in
the ROTR ComedyTent, which will feature comedians
including Jim Breuer and Don Jameson. Single day
ticket prices start at $69.50 (plus fees).Weekend
packages are available starting at $119.50 (plus fees)
and a special Zippo Encore Fan Package forTwo is
offered for $399. Rock on the Range also provides
special pricing for members of the military following
status verification.
by Dorothy Crouch
Brad Paisley and Charlie Daniels
perform during the 2013
CMA Music Festival.
Sounds of the Season
Lollapalooza 2013
Canton Blues Festival at dusk.
Downton Canton, Ohio –
Market Square.