Top 10 Music Festivals
Put down the iPod, turn off MTV, and surround yourself with the rock, rap, folk, bluegrass, jazz, pop, hip-hop, reggae, and, well, you get the picture, sounds of the Top 10 Music Festivals. Whether you're rocking out at Coachella or nodding your head to improv jazz piano in New Orleans, you'll have a good time at these acclaimed, sweet-sounding festivals. Sounds like it's time for a vacation.
Coachella Valley Music Festival
Where: Indio, California
When: April 17 – 19, 2009
Coachella is a consistent hit each and every year, taking over Indio, California for three days straight in April. The mega music festival’s 2009 lineup will impress even the snobbiest of music snobs. It includes big names like Franz Ferdinand, Leonard Cohen, Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse, James Morrison, the Killers, and the Cure. If you’re a music lover, you’ll love Coachella, but the desert heat's not so lovable. Try to take a break from dancing and mouthing the words to your favorite tunes every now and then by cooling off in one of our Coachella vacation rentals.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
When: April 24 – 25 & May 1 – 3, 2009
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, or simply “Jazz Fest,” is hardly just jazz, but all the sounds of New Orleans rolled into one big citywide celebration – that means you’ll hear Cajun crooners, gospel singers, and Bon Jovi (he’s already scheduled for 2009). During the two music-filled weekends, the Fair Grounds Horse Race Track turns into the daytime venue for Jazz Fest. If you’re planning to attend the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, better book your New Orleans vacation rental soon!
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Where: Manchester, Tennessee
When: June 11 – 14, 2009
Get down on the farm at Bonnaroo, a four-day celebration of rock and roll set on a 700-acre piece of serene countryside. While Bruce Springstreen, Wilco, and Nine Inch Nails will keep Bonnaroo remembering its rock roots in 2009, plenty of music styles will be represented, thanks to artists like Snoop Dogg, Al Green, and Erykah Badu.
Chicago Blues Festival
Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: June 12 – 14, 2009
What better place to listen to blues than in the “Blues Capital of the World?” 2009’s performers won’t be announced until April, but if the past tells us anything, festival goers won’t be disappointed. The Chicago Blues Festival has featured the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bonnie Raitt, and Ray Charles. Not bad. Book your Chicago condo rental now.
Isle of Wight Festival
Where: Isle of Wight, England
When: June 12 – 14, 2009
From 1968 to 1970, the Isle of Wight Festival was the Woodstock from across the pond. The Who, the Doors, and Jimi Hendrix are just a handful of classic rock bands Isle of Wight has showcased. However, for 32 long years, the festival was nonexistent – Parliament shut it down because it was too dang popular and couldn’t be contained. But thankfully, everything's under control these days, so you can check out the Prodigy and the Ting Tings in June 2009. More acts will be announced soon.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Where: Telluride, Colorado
When: June 18 – 21, 2009
When the summer melts the snow away in Telluride, locals turn in their skis and turn to the stage, for bluegrass music. While many attendees of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival are banjo-loving, all types of country music can be heard here – this year’s lineup includes Elvis Costello, Tim O’Brien, and Emmylou Harris. Just another reason Telluride condo rentals are a year-round thing.
Glastonbury Festival
Where: Worthy Farm in England (just east of Glastonbury)
When: June 24 – 28, 2009
Inspired by the aforementioned Isle of Wight, the Glastonbury Festival is one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive – not only does it feature such diverse artists as Kings of Leon, Jay-Z, Arctic Monkeys, and the Who, but many other unique amusements, including cabaret and circus acts.
Summerfest
Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
When: June 29 – July 3, 2009
Summerfest is one of the longest and most affordable music festivals on the planet. It may even be the world’s largest! At least the 1999 Guinness Book of World Records says so. 700+ musicians, hailing mostly from the pop and country charts (think Tina Turner and Kenney Chesney), as well as kid-friendly activities, comedy shows by Lewis Black and other famous funny men (and women), fireworks, and a whole lot more, await eager attendees.
Lollapalooza
Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: August 7 – 9, 2009
Lollapalooza has undergone lots of evolution to become what it is today, a world-renowned, weekend-long shindig featuring a variety of bands, ranging from Radiohead to Nine Inch Nails. Between 1997 and 2003, Lollapalooza was on hiatus because it just couldn’t attract the big headliners. That’s certainly not true anymore, though, so get ready for Lollapalooza 2009 with one of our Chicago vacation rentals.
Austin City Limits
Where: Austin, Texas
When: October 2 – 4, 2009
The three-day music festival in Texas’ state capital gets better every year. Eight stages and 130 bands mean anything can happen at ACL 2009. Past acts include Bob Dylan, Coldplay, the Foo Fighters, Tom Petty, and Willie Nelson. Whether it's hip-hop or pop you have an ear for, no genre of music is left out in Austin, the self-proclaimed “Music Capital of the World.” Beat the Texas heat with a private Austin vacation condo.
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