Top 5 Destination Music Festivals in the U.S.

Way back in 1969, the Woodstock Music & Art Fair set a bar that music festivals have since attempted to at least match. Destination festivals have come a long way from Max Yasgur’s farm, but both style and substance figure into the equation now, as then. Artistic and cultural diversity, along with rich, experiential aesthetics, continue to shape the productions. Those that succeed, thrive year after year. Here are the top five destination music festivals in the U.S.

1 Austin City Limits Festival

Growing out of the TV show from which it gets its name, the Austin City Limits Festival carries on the grand legacy of genre crossing and talent spotting. And, like the show, the ACL Fest has become one of the hottest tickets on the circuit for both fans and artists. Perhaps only second to Nashville, Tenn., in terms of live music, Austin, Texas, hosts the ACL Fest every September.

2 Bonnaroo

Being crowned by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the “50 moments that changed the history of rock and roll” cemented Bonnaroo’s place in the music festival firmament. For four days every June, on a 700-acre expanse of land in Manchester, Tenn., thousands of people gather to share in the making of rock history at the eclectic, peace-loving Bonnaroo. Started in 2002, “Bonnaroo has revolutionized the modern rock festival,” according to the New York Times, with line-ups that include Arcade Fire, Alison Krauss, Lil Wayne, John Prine, Ray LaMontagne, the Strokes, Brandi Carlile, Gregg Allman, Pearl Jam, and many, many more.

3 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival

Beginning in 1999 – the same year as the Woodstock anniversary festival – the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif., has been home to Coachella. Though it faltered in its early years, the scrappy event eventually found its footing and even expanded. Such is its popularity, Coachella 2012 will span two weekends rather than three days. Line-ups past have included Madonna, Radiohead, Beck, Rage Against the Machine, Kings of Leon, Love and Rockets, Leonard Cohen, and others.

4 Lollapalooza

In 2011, Lollapalooza celebrates its 20th anniversary. Perry Farrell got things going back in 1991 as a farewell tour for his band Jane’s Addiction. Then, it evolved into a tour with alt-rock acts at the core and hip hop, heavy metal, and punk bands filling things out. Now, though, Lollapalooza comes to life in Chicago’s Grant Park for three days in early August. On the slate over the years have been The National, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Fatboy Slim, Muse, Cypress Hill, Damian Marley & Nas, Deftones, Ween, and too many more to list.

5 Sasquatch! Festival

Taking place on Memorial Day weekend at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Wash., Sasquatch! gets a jump on all of the other summer happenings. Since it started in 2002, indie rock bands and singer/songwriters are the most prevalent acts on the bill, but a smattering of hip hop and alt-rock artists also appear on the four stages. Among the artists have been Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Harper, Beastie Boys, Modest Mouse, Joanna Newsom, The Decemberists, Pink Martini, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, K-Os, Dengue Fever, and The Flaming Lips. Sasquatch! often sells out.

About the author: Writer Kelly McCartney recounts savoring Bread, the Fifth Dimension, and K-Tel compilations as a kid. Her palate has since matured to favor Death Cab for Cutie, The Avett Brothers, and NoiseTrade samplers.