Collegio Online

Issue date: 5/10/07 Section: After Hours

The temperatures are climbing and the end of the year draws ever closer. For music fans, it's nearing time to pack up the coolers and tents and prepare for their annual local and long-distance concert pilgrimages. That's right: Summer music festival season is upon us. It's a promising one, too, with high profile bands headlining Lollapalooza in Chicago and Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tenn., while the more local Wakarusa festival in Lawrence boasts popular acts and returning festival favorites.
To give festival travelers a taste of this year's offerings, here are a few of the events taking place this year.

Lollapalooza
Location: Chicago, Ill.-Grant Park
Dates: Aug. 3-5
Selected artists: Pearl Jam, Modest Mouse, the Black Keys, My Morning Jacket, Muse, Amy Winehouse, Spoon, TV on the Radio, Snow Patrol, Blue October, The Roots, Daft Punk.
Web site: lollapalooza.com.

What to expect: Lollapalooza has been around since the '90s, when it served as the ultimate in alternative rock offerings, the yearly Woodstock of the underground culture. The festival has since broadened, combining older alternative bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam, this year's headliner, with new up-and-coming acts like the Cold War Kids. Unlike Bonnaroo and Wakarusa, Lollapalooza doesn't offer campgrounds, so make sure you've got accommodations elsewhere.

Bonnaroo
Location: Manchester, Tenn.
Dates: June 14-17
Selected artists: The Police, The Flaming Lips, the White Stripes, the Hold Steady, Widespread Panic, The Decemberists, Franz Ferdinand, Wilco.
Web site: bonnaroo.com.

What to expect: Bonnaroo is easily one of the largest festivals in the United States. Known more for hosting jam bands like The String Cheese Incident and Widespread Panic, the festival also includes big names like the Police and the White Stripes. Bonnaroo not only offers music venues but a stand-up comedy tent and a movie tent where festival-goers can watch all six Star Wars films from the comfort of a bean-bag chair. Those planning to go should buy tickets soon; organizers put a cap on the number sold. Also, String Cheese Incident fans may not want to miss this one, as the band has announced that it plans to break up after touring this summer.

Wakarusa
Location: Lawrence
Dates: June 7-10
Selected artists: Alejandro Escovedo, The Be Good Tanyas, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Animal Liberation Orchestra, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Son Volt, The Avett Brothers, Yonder Mountain String Band.

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