Music Festivals: Feasts for the Ears
Imagine traveling to a destination just to join thousands of other like-minded music lovers. Not only will you get to see and hear some of your favorite musicians in person, you’ll hang with friends, meet other fans and maybe even discover a new favorite band or two – all surrounded by days of lyrical wonder far from home.
Imagine traveling to a destination just to join thousands of other like-minded music lovers. Not only will you get to see and hear some of your favorite musicians in person, you’ll hang with friends, meet other fans and maybe even discover a new favorite band or two – all surrounded by days of lyrical wonder far from home. Music festivals, in a wide range of musical styles and varying amenities, offer that chance to visit a new place while pleasing your ears with tunes. A few BOOMER favorites:
Big Ears Festival | March 23-26 | Knoxville, Tennessee
Dive into a full weekend of music from classical composers and performers and film. Since the festival’s inception, musicians such as Phillip Glass, Kronos Quartet and The Bad Plus have rocked the stages.
BigEarsFestival.com
Beale Street Music Festival |May 5-7 | Memphis, Tennessee
Musical diversity reigns along the banks of the Mississippi River. 2016 performers included Neil Young with Promise of the Real, Paul Simon, Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Lucinda Williams, the Indigo Girls.
MemphisInMay.org/beale-street-music-festival
Summerfest | June 28-July 02, July 4-9 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
One of the longest-running music festivals in the world, this lakefront feast for the ears offers diverse tunes at 11 stages over the course of 11 days. Last year, performers included Paul McCartney, Tim McGraw, Peter Gabriel, REO Speedwagon, Def Leppard and Willie Nelson. This year, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will be one of many headliners for Summerfest’s 50th anniversary.
Summerfest.com
Cincinnati Music Festival | July 27-29 | Cincinnati, Ohio
This annual event promises three full days of R&B music in one comfortable venue, Paul Brown Stadium. Past performers have included Babyface, Pattie LaBelle, Judith Hill and New Edition. The music is guaranteed to get you up and out of your seat!
CincyMusicFestival.com
Telluride Jazz Festival | Aug. 4-6 | Telluride, Colorado
Enjoy the sounds of jazz and funk with the gorgeous San Juan Mountains as the backdrop for this three-day and -night event. Last year, artists such as jazz musician Marcus Miller and funk group Galactic hit the stage. Make sure to snag your tickets in advance, because the event tends to sell out by the week of the event.
TellurideJazz.org
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion | Sept. 15-17 | Bristol, Virginia
Celebrate Bristol’s heritage plus bluegrass, country and rock music. Over three days, hear tunes from dozens of artists at various stages throughout the musically historic downtown. Previous performers include The Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Emmylou Harris and Folk Soul Revival.
BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org/festival/
Stop at one of Virginia’s historic hotels.
