From an 11-day smorgasbord in the north to metal-heads tearing up the south, there is something for everyone this summer. Check out this list of this summer’s music festival line-up to choose your poison.

 by Monica Derevjanik

If you like your leather black and your stage make-up blacker…

The once touring, metal-mania Ozzfest is now settling in a super-tiny town (anyone heard of Frisco?) north of Dallas on August 9. While the location doesn’t rock, the   bands still do: Ozzy-tour favorites Metallica and Sevendust are on-board, as well as Drowning Pool, Jonathan Davis of Korn and many more. And don’t forget the Ozz-man himself—he’ll be making a cameo as always.

For more information: http://www.ozzfest.com

If you like a little bit of everything…

Lollapalooza is back at Chicago’s Grant Park from August 1-3. The three-day festival has quite the cornucopia of major bands, with Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, and Kanye West headlining. If you’re feeling guilty about paying $200 to see the show, keep in mind that ticket proceeds will help the Parkways Foundation, Chicago’s landscape enrichment foundation.

For more information: http://www.lollapalooza.com

If you can never seem to avoid bridges and tunnels…

All Points West will be here in early August for all of you east-coast college students who have dreamed of        going to Coachella, but can never make it due to finals week and that pesky 3,000 mile drive. Situated in the picturesque Liberty State Park, concertgoers can enjoy both a rockin’ lineup and a mind-blowing view of the Big Apple—and that’s something you can never get in Indio. In its first year, APW is proud to present headliners Jack Johnson and Radiohead as well as up-and-coming artists Rodrigo y Gabriela, Andrew Bird and Rogue Wave.

For more information: http://www.apwfestival.com

If you still have your original VHS recording of Nirvana’s Unplugged…

Seattle is out to prove that it is still one of the greatest alternative-music hubs with the Bumbershoot festival this August. In addition to being a stomping ground for a double-handful of prominent musicians, the festival will also feature other art-moguls ranging from literary artists to dancers to comedians. But for those of you who are here for the music, be ready for alternative favorites like Beck, Paramore, Stone Temple Pilots, The All-American Rejects and John Vanderslice.

For more information: http://www.bumbershoot.org

If you insist on teasing your hair…and you’re a dude…

Rocklahoma will by far be the most rocking concert in Oklahoma this summer. The loudest hair bands (and singers) of the 80s, including Sebastian Bach, Cinderella, Bret  Michaels, and the 15-year-absent Lita Ford, will take the stage in Pryor, OK for four days in mid-July. The festival just might have the best set-up out of all of this summer’s concerts: the Catch the Fever facilities boast seating for almost 60,000 guests, 4,000 campsites, overnight security, and the Picture Alley—an area where fans can take      pictures of the   bands from close range during any part of the performance.

For more information: http://rock.feverfest.com

If you have a lot of time on your hands…

11 days. 11 stages. Over 700 bands. Eight bucks? Only Milwaukee’s infamous Summerfest can make this possible. Starting on June 26, the mind-blowingly extravagant (and cheap!) festival opens its doors for concert-goers to check out a variety of musicians, including (deep breath): Stevie Wonder, Gnarls Barkley, Dashboard Confessional, Blondie, The Polyphonic Spree, Paramore, Alicia Keys, O.A.R., Tim      McGraw, John Mayer, Kansas, Ingrid Michaelson, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, TheJonas Brothers, 311, and The Bravery (phew).

For more information: http://www.summerfest.com

If you’re from north of the border…

America has some of the best summer festivals in the world, but Canada can still holds its own with the Pemberton Festival in British Columbia. Located in the snow-topped valleys north of Vancouver, Pemberton is the prime locale for taking in the best scenery as well as the best music. From July 25-27, you can catch bands like Coldplay, The Flaming Lips, Jay-Z, and Canada’s own The Tragically Hip.

For more information: http://www.pembertonfestival.com

If you prefer patchouli to jasmine…

Manchester, TN is giving up a massive farm to stage Bonnaroo’s seventh showcase, which takes place this June. They’ve kept the lineup calm with Jack Johnson, Death Cab for Cutie, and Sigur Ros, but Talib Kweli and M.I.A. will also be there to keep you awake through the three-day Woodstock-esque celebration. In addition to the musical acts, Janeane Garofalo, Reggie Watts, and many other notable comedians will also appear on the Bonnaroo comedy stage.

For more information: http://www.bonnaroo.com

Want to see more? Check out these other summer 2008 music festivals:

Rothbury, July 3-6, Rothbury, MI

http://www.rothburyfetival.com

Siren, July 19, Coney Island, NY

http://www.villagevoice.com/siren/

Mile High, July 19-20, Denver, CO

http://milehighmusicfestival.com/

Virgin Mobile, August 9-10, Baltimore, MD

http://www.virginmobilefestival.com/

Outside Lands, August 22-24, San Francisco, CA

http://www.sfoutsidelands.com/

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