WMHC Radio Column: The Concert Experience

As long as you’re lucky with the weather and you drink plenty of water (seriously!), summer music festivals are pretty much the best thing ever. Summer sun, friends, food from trucks, hundreds of great bands in the same place – we’re pretty sure if we make it to heaven, that’s what it’ll look like. The only bad thing is trying to decide which of the world’s myriad festivals you’re going to blow a paycheck on tickets for, so we narrowed it down for you – behold, the shortlist of summer festivals we’d hit up, if we were you.

Primavera Sound: Barcelona, Spain, May 22-26

I’m late for my appointment to sell my soul to the devil in exchange for a round-trip flight and a ticket to Primavera Sound, which literally every good band is playing. Seriously though, from arty electro (Dan Deacon, Crystal Castles, the Knife, Disclosure) to ‘90s greats returned from the grave (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, the Breeders, My Bloody Valentine) to some of our favorite, consistently great indie bands (Deerhunter, Liars, Menomena, Merchandise), this lineup’s pretty much unreal.

Governor’s Ball: Randall’s Island, NYC, June 7-9

New York seems to have bad luck hosting big, multi-day outdoor festivals (remember All Points West?), but Governor’s Ball, now in its third year, is going strong. They’ve always been great about diverse lineups, but this year is particularly impressive – headliners Kanye West, Kings of Leon and Guns N’ Roses (seriously) lead a solid list of lesser-known acts both local and international (we’re particularly excited about Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Haim, and MS MR).

Lollapalooza: Grant Park, Chicago, August 2-4

One of the country’s longest-standing music festivals, Lollapalooza’s already sold out (no doubt on the strength of its lineup), but if you managed to cop tickets or can afford to scalp them, we’re jealous – headliners like the Cure and Mumford and Sons are all well and good, but check out the small font for an impressive array of burgeoning artists, like Palma Violets, the Orwells, Angel Haze and Deap Vally.

HARD Summer: Los Angeles State Historic Park, L.A., August 3 and 4

If you’re into EDM and/or hip-hop, you’re going to want to check out L.A.’s HARD Fest – big names like Bassnectar, Empire of the Sun and Dog Blood (Skrillex and Boys Noize’s collaborative project) front the whole thing, and the festival’s fleshed out by talented, exciting newcomers like TNGHT, XXYYXX, Baauer (of “Harlem Shake” fame) and Azealia Banks.

Budweiser Made in America: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, August 31 and September 1

Last year, Obama made a video address to concertgoers at this festival; this year, his pal Jay-Z curated. Beyonce and the reunited Nine Inch Nails co-headline and Queens of the Stone Age, Deadmau5, Phoenix and Calvin Harris round out the big names. If you’re anywhere near Philly, the decision’s kind of made for you.

Whatever festival(s) you decide to go to this season, we hope you have a great time, and sincerely urge you to drink plenty of water and tell us all about it in excruciating detail when you get back. Have a wonderful and music-filled summer!