Summer music fest survival guide

The warm weather and sunshine are bringing out the summer vibes in everyone. However, the warm weather and sunshine don’t just mark the beginning of the summer. They also mark the start of the music festival season. With Bonnaroo, Electric Forest and Spring Awakening only a few short weeks away, there are some important things to consider before heading out. Whether you’re festival hopping locally in Chicago or making rounds to various cities around the country, there are certain tips and things you should know before you attend.

Overnight festivals

All Good

This year, the All Good music festival is a four-day musical adventure through Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio. Last year, the festi­val was held at Marvin’s Mountaintop, in Ma­sontown, W. Va. with appearances by Furthur, Primus, Pretty Lights and Moe. This new Ohio site has hosted performances by the Grateful Dead and The Allman Brothers. With this is mind, the festival headliners include Phil Lesh and Friends/Bob Weir along with an appropriate revival of The Allman Brothers.

Camping is provided throughout sectors of Legend Valley, but because the venue has only hosted events catered to mainly residential fes­tivalgoers, fans are still uncertain as to which spots they are going to be most partial to. But in a letter posted on their website, it is mentioned that there is going to be shaded campground in the nearby woods.

Since the ticketing process began in early March, tickets were sold at the early bird price, but the last chance for early bird tickets was around March 9. Last week, tickets were a total of $209. As of 5 p.m. Monday, May 14, the four-day ticket price rose by $10, which, compared to most festivals ticketing brackets, is a relief. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket now, you will be paying a total of $220. However, unlike Summercamp Music Festival, these al­ready paid tickets include your late night tickets to see scheduled artists perform after hours.

Bonnaroo

Bonnaroo Music Festival started in 2002 with artists such as Widespread Panic, Old Crow Medicine Show and Umphrey’s McGee. The festival holds true to its mission to pro­vide people with musical entertainment as well as cinematic, comedic, artistic and alternative forms of entertainment to explore throughout the four-day experience.

The festival holds two main stages along with several different tents for performers and audiences alike. This year, performing on these stages are Radiohead, Phish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, along with a very large group of well-known artists. To most, this festival is known for its large size. Woodstock music fes­tival was a one-time event known for its large­size, but surprisingly, Bonnaroo is only 70 acres smaller and in 2011.

The Bonnaroo general admission ticket in­cludes morning and wellness opportunities like yoga, demonstrations on how to grow your own garden, the “big ass waterslide” and access to the Bonnaroo salon hosted by Garnier Fructis along with so much more.

Like most festivals there are several differ­ent ticketing options to choose from. Bonna­roo takes that concept to a whole other level. Yes, there are general admission tickets and payment plans, but there are also hotel pack­ages, VIP packages, “roll like a rockstar” pack­ages, travel packages and group camping. The festival does a great deal to accommodate its diverse audience. But if you are interested in purchasing a g.a. ticket at this point, get ready to part with $300.

Electric Forest

Electric Forest, once known as Rothbury, is a festival highly concentrated with artists heav­ily involved in the electronic music scene. The festival first started in 2008 during Fourth of July weekend. The festival lasted for four days and included performances by Trey Anasta­sio of Phish, Greensky Bluegrass, Lotus, The Wailers, Widespread Panic, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Yonder, Bob Dylan, The Dead, Wil­lie Nelson, The Black Crowes, Frank Zappa, String Cheese and melodic old-school Bassnec­tar.