Music festivals in 2014

blog-sxsw-500x280-v01 Where:Austin, TX
When: March 7 – 16 (Music portion, March 11- 16)
Why: A two week party masquerading (in some instances) as a corporate conference, SXSW is the ultimate event for all types of online and offline entertainment. The Interactive portion of SXSW showcases digital innovations and a host of speaking engagements tailored to the online space and marketing professionals. The Film portion pushes the boundaries of the medium and screens film entries both big and small. SXSW Music is one of the largest music festivals of its kind in the world, with more than 2, 200 “official” performers and bands playing in more than 100 venues. Stars like John Mayer, Hanson, and James Blunt have been discovered while plying small shows at SXSW Music. SXSW is all about discovering new talent all around – whether it’s the next box office smash, the up-and-coming band, or the small kernel of an idea that becomes an Internet revolution. These three tracks, but specifically the music, make SXSW a must-go event every single year.

Where: Boise, ID
When: March 20 – 23
Why: Treefort Music Fest is a four-day, indie music festival which is held at various venues throughout downtown Boise. Being that it is just after SXSW, it makes TreeFort a natural follow up for featured bands to the bigger conference. A relatively new festival (only three years old) TreeFort aims to continue on the momentum of the up-and-coming music and art scene in Boise. There is also a concurrent film festival complimentary to Music Fest attendees. jazzfestband Other related happenings in the same time frame are AleFort (brewing), HackFort (TED-style innovation conference), YogaFort (dance and yoga classes), and StoryFort (a literary section with details coming soon.) Tickets cost $119 for a 4-day pass for Music Fest and up to $999 for a “Secret Handshake” package which includes a private meet/greet and backstage access among other perks. Artists include Run the Jewels, Built to Spill, The Joy Formidable, and RJD2. The proceeds from Treefort benefit community radio station Radio Boise, KRBX 89.9 FM.

Coachella Valley, CA
When: April 11-13, April 18-20
Why: If you haven’t booked your ticket yet, you may be out of luck, as the Coachella website is advertising this two-weekend event as now “sold out.” Bummer. It’s not surprising considering Skrillex, Nas, Kid Cudi, Calvin Harris, Lana Del Ray, Ellie Goulding, Lorde, Foster the People, and MGMT are performing among many many other acts. bonnaroo-2014-lineup Coachella is one of the most famous and profitable annual music festivals in the US, and since it takes place in the California desert, temperates can range from 107F to 41F. On-site campgrounds house many attendees and spots include free wifi internet cafe, free showers, and a general store, and toilets. A cool green-incentive is called Carpoolchella, where if you arrive in a car with 4 or more passengers you may be selected for a VIP upgrade. Coachella is sponsored by large brands including Heineken, Red Bull, and H&M. General admission tickets were $375 and VIP were $799.

Where: Las Vegas, NV
When: April 17 – 20
Why: In 2014 Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend comes to the Orleans Hotel and welcomes car, music, and dancing enthusiasts. From supped up hot rods to swing dance competitions and even a burlesque show (it is Las Vegas, of course) Rockabilly Weekend offers something for everyone. There’s a show for guitar geeks where some of the most amazing instruments are played, the car show is probably the most popular event as all types of automobiles are featured, and both the Tiki Pool Party and Tattoo Lounge are heavily visited. Tickets range from $30 for a one-day pass to $120 for the High Roller package.