Posted 3/9/2011 by cal
Now that festivals are big business again, even the hippies have gone hipster, and every year is a PR race to announce the most diverse and crowd-pleasing lineup. The sense of community is all but gone now from the major three-day parties, and the pioneering spirit that created
Bonnaroo is nowhere to be found. This is already causing a decline in festival attendance and the cancellation of several formerly big names (
10,000 Lakes and
Rothbury spring to mind). Still, for the music lover with eclectic tastes, there is an incredible bounty to be had. Events succeed because with the demise of making records as a career, more and more bands are learning that they must be able to draw crowds playing live if they ever want to quit their day jobs. Thus, while the big festivals may be on the verge of going dormant again, we concert-goers win by packing as much music as possible into the bulk ticket price. But which ones are worth the hassle that IS festival life? Just in case you’re still mulling things over for this year, here’s a handy guide.
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