Posted on February 9th, 2010

Waiting for hours, standing in long lines, surrounded by the weirdest people – squeezing to make their way to the front, trying to get a good view of the stage. The odor isn’t pleasant, but that doesn’t matter after all. Sometimes people are not even sure who is playing, but it sounds good, and the crowd is jumping. Sleeping in tents, not showering or brushing your teeth for 3 days, and sharing the same toilet with thousands of other people just enhances the experience. Sometimes it is not even about the music, it’s about friends, family, and community… and yet, somehow people keep showing up to music festivals year after year.

2010 promises a lot of good music, and hundreds of festivals to attend. Here’s a list of the best festivals going on around the country.

Noise Pop / Feb. 23 – Mar. 1

Where: San Francisco, CA
Who is playing: Magnetic Fields, Mezzanine, Atlas Sound, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Zee Avi… many more.
More Info: http://www.noisepop.com

About Noise Pop:

The Noise Pop Festival returns Tuesday, February 23rd through Monday, March 1st, 2010 showcasing the best local music alongside national and international indie rock favorites. For our the 18th anniversary, Noise Pop 2010 will honor what’s made it the best-loved celebration of indie music and culture since its humble birth in 1993. Since then the festival has grown into a widely respected brand. Noise Pop prides itself on bringing exposure to emerging artists, many of whom have gone on to widespread acclaim, including the White Stripes, Modest Mouse, The Flaming Lips, Death Cab for Cutie, The Shins, Bright Eyes, The Donnas, Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco), Silversun Pickups, Wolfmother, the Dodos and many, many more. The festival has also featured underground music legends such as Bob Mould, X, Frank Black (of the Pixies), Sleater Kinney, and Television. Noise Pop also includes the ever popular Noise Pop Film Festival, Pop ‘N Shop, gallery art shows and much more.

South By Southwest / Mar. 17-21

Where: Austin, Texas
Who is playing: Not available yet. Previous line up included Yeah Yeah Yeahs, King Of Leons, Coheed & Cambria and many others.
More Info: http://sxsw.com

About The South by Southwest:

The South by Southwest (SXSW) Conferences & Festivals offer the unique convergence of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies. Fostering creative and professional growth alike, SXSW is the premier destination for discovery.

Big Ears Festival / Mar. 26-28

Where: Knowxville, TN
Who is playing: Sam Amidon, Andrew W.K, Bang On A Can All-Stars, The Books and many more.
More info: http://www.bigearsfestival.com

About Big Ears:

The mission of BIG EARS is to offer an exciting and dynamic platform of musical and artistic discovery by artists possessed of singular and unique visions that stand apart from the mainstream.

The Bamboozle West / Mar. 27-28

Where: Anaheim, CA
Who is playing: AFI, Something Corporate, Story of The Year, Circa Survive and many more.
More Info: http://www.thebamboozle.com

Coachella / Apr. 16-18

Where: Indio, CA
Who is playing: The XX, Paparazzi, MuteMath, Gorillaz, Deerhunter and many more.
More info: http://www.coachella.com

About Coachella

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is a three-day annual music and arts festival organized by Goldenvoice held at the Empire Polo Fields in Indio, California, in the Inland Empire’s Coachella Valley. The event features many genres of music including alternative rock, hip hop, and Electronic music as well as large sculptural art.

Agape Fest / Apr. 30 – May 1

Where: Greenville, IL
Who is playing: Me In Motion, Run Kid Run, Addison Road, Wavorly and many more.
More info: http://www.agapefest.com

About Agape Fest:

Contemporary Christian music festival hosted by the students of Greenville College in Greenville, IL.

The Bamboozle East / May 1-2

Where: East Rutherford, NJ
Who is playing: Paramore, Weezer, Drake, Kesha, OK Go, Relient K and many more.
More info: http://www.thebamboozle.com

Bonnaroo / Jun. 10 – 13

Where: Manchester, Tennessee
Who is playing: Line up will be announced by the bands themselves.
More info: http://www.bonnaroo.com

About Bonnaroo:

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a four-day, multi-stage camping festival held on a beautiful 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee every June. Bonnaroo brings together some of the best performers in rock and roll, along with dozens of artists in complementary styles such as jazz, Americana, hip-hop, electronica, and just about any contemporary music you can think of. In addition to dozens of epic performances, the festival’s 100-acre entertainment village buzzes around the clock with attractions and activities including a classic arcade, on-site cinema, silent disco, comedy club, theater performers, a beer festival, and a music technology village. For its peaceful vibe, near-flawless logistics, and unrivaled entertainment options, Rolling Stone magazine named this revolutionary entertainment experience one of the 50 moments that changed the history of rock and roll.

Itchthus / Jun. 16-19

Where: Wilmore, KY
Who is playing: TFK, Skillet, Relient K, Anberlin, The Wedding and many more.
More info: http://www.ichthusfestival.org

About Itchthus:

Even though Ichthus has been around for 40 years there are still people out there who may not know who we are and what we’re all about. While we have used music to draw the crowd, we are all about pointing people to encounters with Jesus Christ. Music is the method, Jesus is the message!

Alive / Jun. 23-26

Where: Mineral City, OH
Who is playing: House of Heroes, Relient K, Family Force 5, Skillet and many more.
More info: http://www.alive.org

About Alive:

The Alive Festival has continued its initial mission to bring individuals together from various churches, denominations and backgrounds to enjoy four days of music, worship, teaching, camping, swimming, and recreational fun!

Cornerstone / Jun. 28 – Jul. 3

Where: Bushnell, IL
Who is playing: Haste The Day, Switchfoot, David Crowder Band, MeWithoutYou and many more.
More info: http://www.cornerstonefestival.com

About Cornerstone:

Cornerstone Festival is a music and arts festival held every year near Bushnell, Illinois

Creation Festival East / Jun. 30 – Jul. 3

Where: Mt. Union, PA
Who is playing: TobyMac, Skillet, Switchfoot, Red, Remedy Drive, TFK and many more.
More info: http://www.creationfest.com

About Creation Festival:

Creation Festivals are two annual events that have become the Nation’s Largest Christian Music Festivals. The Creation Experience includes four jam-packed days of music, teaching, baptism, camping and fellowship – a summer’s worth of fun for one low price.

Pitchfork / Jul. 16 – 18

Where: Chicago, IL
Who is playing: Modest Mouse, Pavement, Here We Go Magic, Sleigh Bells and many more.
More info: http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com

About Pitchfork:

The Pitchfork Music Festival is a three-day event showcasing over 40 of independent music’s best bands and artists on three stages. With so many blockbuster festivals gouging their attendees out of absolutely obscene sums of money, only to confine them in uncomfortable, tight spaces and skimp on basic necessities, our goal is to do the right thing: That is, to create a reasonably priced summer music festival that provides an overwhelmingly positive, comfortable and fun festival experience for both attendees and musicians.

Creation Festival West / Jul. 21-24

Where: Enumclaw, WA
Who is playing: TobyMac, Skillet, Switchfoot, Red, Remedy Drive, TFK
More info: http://www.creationfest.com

Lollapalooza / Aug. 6-8

Where: Chicago, IL
Who is playing: Not announced yet. Big name bands and indie bands.
More info: http://www.lollapaloozaq.com

About Lollapalooza:

What started as a touring music festival in 1991 by Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, Lollapalooza has become a definitively unique music experience. Lollapalooza takes place every summer in historic Grant Park, Chicago, between the iconic Chicago skyline and the shores of Lake Michigan.

Purple Door / Aug. 13 – 14

Where: Lewisberry, PA
Who is playing: Family Force 5, Thousand Foot Krutch, August Burns Red, Project 86, Lecrae, The Classic Crime and many more.
More info: http://www.purpledoor.com

Austin City Limits / Oct. 8-10

Where: Austin, TX
Who is playing: Not announced yet.
More info: http://www.aclfestival.com

CMJ Music Marathon / Oct. 19-23

Where: New York, NY
Who is playing:
More info: http://cmj.com/marathon

About CMJ Music Marathon:

In addition to hundreds of showcase performances, cutting-edge films and informative panels, CMJ 2010 will feature exclusive parties, meet and greets, seminars, mentoring sessions, community initiatives, networking events, Q&As, special events, and exclusive areas like the Exhibitors’ Loft and Artist Lounge.