Dan's Papers - June 19, 2009

For music fans, the summer can only mean one thing: music festivals. And with numerous events to choose from across the country and locally, representing many different genres of music and bands of all kinds, choosing which festivals to attend can be an overwhelming decision.

Just last weekend, Bonnaroo Music Festival, which has grown into one of the industry's most well known music events over the past few years, took place in the hills of Manchester, Tennessee, setting the stage for summer festivals. Originally a jam band festival, drawing primarily hippies, Bonnaroo has evolved into a festival featuring more indie rock fare as well as some of rock's heavy hitters. Bruce Springsteen headlined Saturday night, making only the second festival appearance of his career. Industrial group Nine Inch Nails performed and also announced that Bonnaroo would be its last-ever performance in America. Elvis Costello performed an inspired acoustic set, culling from his wealth of classic material and fan favorites to songs off his most recent album, and was joined on stage by some guest musicians, including Alan Toussaint and Jenny Lewis, who had performed just before him. Hip hop was even represented at the festival, with Public Enemy, Snoop Dogg and Beastie Boys all taking one of the various stages. Even local Jimmy Buffet made a last minute appearance, with a noon performance on Saturday. And, of course, the festival's jam band roots were well represented with a reunited Phish headlining both Friday and Sunday nights.

Coming up, the Rothbury Festival takes place in Michigan July 4 weekend. This festival seems to have retained more of its jam band, hippie roots than Bonnaroo has, with The Dead making its only summer appearance, (Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson headline as well) and bands such as G. Love and Special Sauce, Gov't Mule, The Black Crowes and The String Cheese Incident set to perform. Still, you'll be able to catch such varied artists as Ani DiFranco, Broken Social Scene, Chromeo and Flogging Molly.

The historic Newport Folk Festival turns 50 this year, taking place in scenic Newport, Rhode Island on August 1 and 2. Pete Seeger will be headlining both nights (joined by special guest Judy Collins on Sunday night). This year features a nice mix of both legendary artists (Arlo Guthrie, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Mavis Staples, Joan Baez) and more contemporary acts (The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, Neko Case, Josh Ritter).

Bumbershoot, which takes place in Washington state, closes the summer festival circuit September 5 through 7. It features more mainstream artists, such as the Black Eyed Peas, Sheryl Crow and Katy Perry, with a mix of alternative favorites such as Modest Mouse, Franz Ferdinand and a bunch of more indie artists.

Of course, you might not be interested in traveling that far for your summer music festival fix. Well, there's a number of events to check out here in New York.

Each summer, New York City hosts the River to River festival, with free events - music, dance, film and more - on nearly a daily basis at various locations around Manhattan. And Central Park also hosts a number of great free events (also varying from music to readings to comedy to film). This year's musical highlights include M. Ward, The Pretenders with Cat Power and Juliette Lewis, and Dinosaur Jr.

On July 18, held at the always colorful Coney Island, will be the annual Siren Music Festival, hosted by the Village Voice, and, as usual, is free. Though the line-up is still being finalized, Built to Spill is set to headline. And from July 31-August 2, New Jersey will host the All Points West festival, with Beastie Boys, Tool and Coldplay headlining.

So whether you feel like traveling or staying local, there's a music festival for everyone to enjoy.