Bonnaroo 2011 (Courtesy of bonnaroo.com)
Suwanee Springfest, Live Oak, FL, March 22-25
If you can’t wait until summer for a weekend of music, Suwanee Springfest specializes in roots, alt-country and bluegrass with more than 40 acts such as Yonder Mountain String Band, Justin Townes Earle and the Infamous Stringdusters. Need a break from the crowds? The festival is held at a gorgeous 580 acre park along the Suwanee river that includes hiking and biking trails as well as areas for fly-fishing and canoeing. suwaneespringfest.com
Forecastle, Louisville, KY, July 13-15
This three-day fest at downtown Louisville’s Waterfront Park is celebrating its 10th anniversary with hometown boys My Morning Jacket headlining Saturday night. MMJ will help curate the festival by booking some of their favorite music acts as well as choosing charities that will benefit from the festival’s proceeds. "Expect a few surprises," says Jim James, lead singer of My Morning Jacket. " It's a opportunity to show people what Louisville is all about, and why this is such a special city." Early bird tickets go on sale TODAY for a bargain $100. forecastlefest.com
For info on other festival options (including the inimitable New Orleans Jazz Fest in April), peruse the exhaustive list at Consequence of Sound, which is updated daily.