Top 11 Music Festivals for College Students to Check Out

Music festivals have been attracting college students from all over for many years. The huge crowds, eclectic lineups, and unique settings are just a few reasons why attending a music festival have become an essential item on any college bucket list. College is also the best time to go to festivals because it’s the only time when you’ll probably be able to do it. Below are 11 festivals that you should think about attending the next time the festival itch takes hold of you.

1. Electric Daisy Carnival

http://youtu.be/e-PRse6jsiE

One of the most popular EDM festivals around, EDC is a touring festival that goes to different cities around the world. The biggest acts in EDM like Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, and Kaskade have all played in past years to over 300 thousand attendees. With the big festivals like Ultra waning in popularity due to costs, EDC’s popularity is continuing to grow. EDC also offers quite a visual spectacle with uniquely designed stages and even carnival rides.

2. Pitchfork Festival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0syhOVo1RJQ

The Pitchfork Festival takes place in Chicago and is produced by the popular indie music mag of the same name. An annual festival that happens for three days in July and features a lot of big name artists encompassing all genres and generations. Past acts include A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, Vampire Weekend, Major Lazer, and Flying Lotus.

3. Bonnaroo

http://youtu.be/BeJ9N_FsRMw

Bonnaroo is arguably the most popular music festival in existence, and has even been claimed to be the “Festival of the Decade.” Thousands flock to a wide expanse of land in Tennessee to see some of the biggest names in music jam in four days. Festival goers camp out in tents and the acts perform until the crack of dawn. Bonnaroo also has vendors and artisans selling their stuff throughout the festival grounds, further adding to the experience.

4. Buku

http://youtu.be/i7ME8Z65CZY

One of the newer music festivals (started in 2012), Buku is quickly becoming one of the essentials for fans of hip hop and electronic music. A three day event taking place in New Orleans, one of the prime places to have a great time. Buku offers a chance for those weary from the big festivals to still see some of the bigger acts in music (Kid Cudi, Passion Pit, and Calvin Harris to name a few) without having to deal with the huge number of people. There are also art exhibits and local food vendors that capture the culture of New Orleans. Buku has quickly become a popular spot for those who are tired of the big festivals.

5. Electric Forest

http://youtu.be/JQZmcrBa5g0

Originally called the Rothbury Festival, Electric Forest takes place in Michigan towards the end of June and features many acts in the electric music genre. Artists like Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Benny Benassi, and A-Trak have performed in the forested area that the festival takes place. For those who want to get in touch with nature and enjoy some thumping EDM music, Electric Forest is the place to go.

7. Wakarusa

http://youtu.be/CunpGcq5fE8

Wakarusa is named after the Wakarusa River, which is located in the festival’s original location in Kansas. Moving to Arkansas in 2009, Wakarusa is a four day festival that features many big names like The Black Keys and Mumford and Sons to name a few. Camping is a big part of Wakarusa too, so be prepared to bring tents and anything else that you would bring on a camping trip. Additional activites include hiking on the Mulberry Mountain, yoga, and swimming in the Mulberry River.

8. Mayhem Fest

http://youtu.be/n1bgSiy4bcE

For those who aren’t into rap or techno and would rather tear it up in the pits should look to Mayhem Fest for your needs. A touring festival run by the same guys who made Warped Tour, Mayhem showcases the biggest names in hard rock and metal. Bands that have performed at Mayhem include Slayer, Mastodon, Disturbed, and Machine Head.

9. Sunfest

http://youtu.be/SZ0Uc3_1cak

The West Palm Beach festival offers a lineup suited for Alternative rock fans. Bands like The Offspring, Smashing Pumpkins, Slightly Stoopid, and Reel Big Fish perform over four days that includes musical performances, an art show, and a fireworks show.

10. Rock On the Range

http://youtu.be/PgosegT_IHQ

Rock On the Range is another option for the hard rock/metal crowd. It takes place in Columbus, Ohio and takes place over three days and has three stages. There is also a comedy tent that offers a break from the music. The concert has brought in big names like Soundgarden and Alice In Chains, as well as other big names in metal like Lamb of God and In Flames.

11. Coachella

http://youtu.be/adyEE0hxAGA

Located in the Coachella Valley where the festival gets its name sake, Coachella has been happening for over a decade. The biggest draw is the music festival, with just about every big act from the last few decades performing. The other half of Coachella is an art festival with a focus on visual arts. Many of the pieces are interactive stages and rigs that are built by different architecture skills. You can see a video recap of some Coachella pieces here. Coachella also made headlines by bringing Tupac back from the dead.

Music festivals are something that every college student should do before they graduate. There are many different kinds of music festivals that cater to all tastes, and a lot of them are reasonably priced, so it is a great opportunity to go to things that you definitely won’t forget.