PRINTSummer festival music guide
Vox presents the best fests in the Midwest
May 10, 2012 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Near, far, wherever you are, this music guide will help find the best Missouri musical festival for you. We broke down the guides by location — local, in-state or regional. You're welcome.
Local
Missourian file photo
Where: Katy Trail, Columbia to Boonville
When: May 26 to 27
Cost: $30 ($40 after May 13)
Performers: Southern Culture on the Skids, Dirtfoot, The HipNecks, The Ben Miller Band, Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy and more
Online: offtrackevents.com/jamboree
Pedaler’s Jamboree offers an active option for the music lover on the go. Start your musical journey at Shiloh Bar & Grill, and enjoy concerts in local communities along the Katy Trail. The trail will test your stamina with a 30-mile bike trek. If you want more audio than cardio, the concert at Boonville is open to noncyclists as well.
Missourian file photo
Where: Missouri Theatre, Columbia
When: June 11 to 13
Cost: $25 advance, $30 at the door
Performers: John Reed-Torres, Martin Spitznagel, The Sedalia Ragtime Orchestra, Adam Swanson, Max Morath, Richard Dowling and more
Online: concertseries.org
Not a fan of summer heat and hours on your feet? Listen to music in comfortable plush chairs. The Blind Boone Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival celebrates the music of its namesake. Featuring masters of ragtime, jazz and blues and also daylong music fairs and seminars, this festival turns Columbia into honky-tonk heaven.
Missourian file photo
Mizzou New Music Summer Festival
Where: Missouri Theatre, Columbia
When: July 26 to 28
Cost: $40 for pass, $20 for students
Performers: Alarm Will Sound, Steven Stucky, Donnacha Dennehy, Stephanie Berg, Brian Ciach, David Crowell, Stylianos Dimou and more
Online: newmusicsummerfestival.missouri.edu
Although a classical music festival in its infancy, the Mizzou New Music Summer Festival boasts a rigid application process when selecting from 144 emerging composers. Only eight applicants get the chance to rub elbows with Pulitzer Prize-winning professor Steven Stucky. The weeklong festival includes workshops, rehearsals and a look at the creativity of making music.
Photo Credit: Darren Ankenman
Where: Richard L. Berkley Riverfront Park, Kansas City
When: June 1 to 2
Cost: $99 ($129 after May 28)
Performers: Wiz Khalifa, Flo Rida, 3OH!3, Matisyahu, Dev, New Boyz, Morgan Page, Yelawolf, 2 Live Crew, Breathe Carolina, Outasight and more
Online: dancefestopia.com
Distance: 128 miles
Dancefestopia is for the hip-hop and rap enthusiast. Within the city limits, this festival makes overnight accommodations a convenience with hotels close by. After a long night partying, a nearby bed might come in handy.
Photo by Jason Shea
Where: Arrowhead Campground, Grassy
When: June 28 to 30
Cost: $60 ($70 day of show)
Performers: Yonder Mountain String Band (two nights), The Del McCoury Band, Bluegrass Ball, Cornmeal, Split Lip Rayfield and more
Online: bloomheavy.com
Distance: 232 miles
Bloom Heavy’s River Romp provides an intimate atmosphere. With only 2,500 tickets available, this small three-day fest brings jam band, rock and country to the same stage. Although a day-of-show price is listed, don’t risk the gamble. This event is known to sell out.
Photo by Todd Owyoung
Where: Forest Park, St. Louis
When: August 25 to 26
Cost: $70 weekend pass, $40 for single-day pass
Performers: The Flaming Lips, Girl Talk, Phantogram, Dinosaur Jr., Dr. Dog, Son Volt, Dawes, Cults, Cotton Mather and more
Online: loufest.com
Distance: 120 miles
Not all music festivals are family-friendly affairs. LouFest provides two days of music with top-tier artists and also Area K, a space for rocking toddlers, which includes music, magic and a rock-climbing wall. The festival is nestled among the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Saint Louis Zoo and the Central West End.
Regional
Courtesy of Greater Des Moines Music Coalition
Where: Western Gateway Park, Des Moines, Iowa
When: July 6 to 7
Cost: $49-65 for weekend pass, $29-45 for day pass
Performers: The Avett Brothers, Dinosaur Jr., Death Cab For Cutie, Freddie Gibbs, Leftover Salmon, Greensky Bluegrass and more
Online: 80-35.com
Distance: 259 miles
With interstates 80 and 35 meeting at two corners of Des Moines, Iowa, the city’s young festival showcases a wide selection of musical acts including electronica, hip-hop, alt-country and indie rock. Western Gateway Park is close to famous restaurants and bars.
Photo by Tod Brilliant
Where: Mulberry Mountain; Ozark, Ark.
When: May 31 to June 3
Cost: $179
Performers: Pretty Lights; The Avett Brothers; Primus; Weir, Robinson & Greene Acoustic Trio; Umphrey’s McGee; RJD2; Primus and more
Online: wakarusa.com
Distance: 317 miles
Many multi-day music events put bands front and center. Although Wakarusa provides a diverse lineup, music is only one option for the weekend. Ozark, Ark., is the perfect setting for any adventurer with canoeing, kayaking and rafting at nearby Turner Bend. Oh, there’s also a water slide.
Photo by Danny Clinch
Where: Waterfront Park, Louisville, Ky.
When: July 13 to 15
Cost: $144.50-159.50 for weekend, $57.50-$65.50 for single-day pass
Performers: My Morning Jacket, Wilco, Bassnectar, Atmosphere, Sleigh Bells, Girl Talk, Andrew Bird, Bonobo, Dr. Dog and more
Online: forecastlefest
Distance: 391 miles
Not all of us have the flair (or patience) for event planning. This Kentucky-based festival offers a variety of travel packages that include hotel amenities, VIP passes and tickets to after parties. This peace-of-mind planning will be helpful after the long road trip.
