Daytrippin': Music Festivals Worthy Of A Road Trip
By Samantha Abernethy in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 11, 2012 7:00PM
Every weekend we're swamped with options for street festivals within the city. We're rarely left wanting for a band or style of music. But if we've learned anything from the 100-degree temperatures, it's that sometimes it's good to escape this steaming pile of pavement called Chicago and get a fresh perspective. Here are some music festivals within driving distance from Chicago that are worth the road trip, whether for the change of scenery or the variety of music.
Forecastle Fest
Louisville, Ky.
Approx. distance: 300 miles, 5 hours
Forecastle (pronounced FOK-sol) is a structure at the bow of a ship where the crew is housed. It's also a music and art festival at the riverfront in Louisville. It's celebrating its 10th year by collaborating with Louisville-natives My Morning Jacket this year. The lineup features Chicago favorites Wilco, Andrew Bird, Neko Case, Kelly Hogan and Justin Townes Earle. Plus Girl Talk, Sleigh Bells, Dr. Dog and Bassnectar.
While you're in Louisville, be sure to consume barbecue and bourbon. Forecastle has a special "Kentucky Bourbon Lodge" to help you with the latter.
Forecastle Fest is at the Louisville riverfront from July 13 to 15.
Sleepy Bear Music Festival
Lake Ann, Mich.
Approx. distance: 325 miles, 5 hours
Martin Sexton is the top draw for this Michigan camping festival, and the scenic lakefront near Traverse City is a close second. Sleepy Bear was formerly known as Dunegrass, but it went through some location changes, and now they're set up on a farm with a permanent natural amphitheater. One stage is set aside for acoustic acts, and bring your instruments to partake in music workshops, or just a frisbee to play on the disk-golf course.
Sleepy Bear Music Festival is on a 350-acre farm in Lake Ann, Mich., from July 27 to 29.
Bix Biederbecke Memorial Jazz Festival
Davenport, Iowa
Approx. distance: 175 miles, 3 hours
This is the 41st annual jazz festival celebrating artist Bix Biederbecke in Davenport. Name a style of jazz, and it's represented on the lineup by artists across the country. While you're in the neighborhood, fill up on some Quad City-style pizza.
Bix Biederbecke Memorial Jazz Festival is in downtown Davenport, Iowa, from August 2 to 5.
Gathering of the Juggalos
Cave-in-Rock, Ill.
Approx. distance: 325 miles, 5.5 hours
You all know that we love the Juggalos here. We write about them often, usually mocking them, but you have to respect a group of people that are so deeply and passionately attached to a band that they wear their makeup. The headliner to see is, obviously, Insane Clown Posse. Beyond that, there are other bands that are also loud and wear makeup on the schedule. Comedians and wrestlers are also on the agenda, and the crowd tends to be mean to at least one of its guests every year, i.e. Tila Tequila.
Gathering of the Juggalos is from August 8 to 12.
LouFest Music Festival
St. Louis, Mo.
Approx. distance: 300 miles, 5 hours
Flaming Lips. Do we need to say more? Ok, fine, we will. LouFest also features Dinosaur Jr., We Are Scientists, Son Volt and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. As for food, check out the vendors in the Nosh Pit, which includes solely brick-and-mortar (no food trucks) restaurants.
LouFest is on Central Field in Forest Park in St. Louis on August 25 and 26.
Pygmalion Music Festival
Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
Approx. distance: 150 miles, 2.5 hours
Champaign is a great place to go to drink like you're in college again. It's also a good place to go see Grizzly Bear and Dirty Projectors to kick off your fall. Best Coast, Tennis and Owen will be there, but Willis Earl Beal is the artist that will get us driving downstate.
Pygmalion is at multiple locations, indoor and outdoor, in the Champaign-Urbana area from Sept. 27 to 29.