Frolicking from stage to stage, enjoying acts ranging from bands to rappers to pop singers, the music festival has become one of the biggest growing trends in the entertainment industry in the past couple years. All over the country there are single day events, three day weekends and even week long gatherings that offer much more than a sole one-performer show can provide. Being that California and specifically the Los Angeles area are music industry hotspots, there are many festival options every year for Sea Kings to take advantage of.
Last year in May kids sat in class, laptops open, hands poised above the keyboard waiting for the time to officially hit 10 AM PST. As the clock marked the hour, thousands of people all over the globe, including many Sea kings, scrambled to add tickets to their cart and secure their spot at one of the most popular, star studded music festivals on the west coast, Coachella. The original presale began almost a year in advance of the 2015 festival’s predicted dates, and these buyers had no idea as to who would even be performing. In general the music genres are all over the board with acts like AC/DC, David Guetta, Clean Bandit, Drake, and more. The chance and high prices around $375 were worth it for these music lovers, as the three day event (held two different weekends as of last year) provides not only star power, but the adventures of meeting new people, unforgettable fashion, and a unique location at the Polo Fields in nearby Indio.
Similarly the Stagecoach festival, held a little after Coachella in the same location, has at least one of every country music lover’s favorite artists. From heartthrob Hunter Hayes to Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, the Band Perry and more, the event brings crowds of all ages and backgrounds together for three days. Its price tag is a bit cheaper than Coachella at around $270, though festival-goers only have no weekends to choose from rather than Coachella’s weekend one or two.
KIIS FM holds a seasonal Jingle Ball in the winter, and also has a spring counterpart in May called Wango Tango. Wango Tango has been held at the Stub Hub Center for the past couple years and lasts one day. There are usually around 15 artists either as big as Maroon 5, Shakira, and Ed Sheeran or just coming onto the music scene like Rixton. Tickets are $50 to $100 depending on seating and are usually available up until the day of the show. Some years they also host a free afternoon Village Stage with on the rise artists, held outside the actual stadium before the main events.
A less heard of festival, Burgerama, is held in Santa Ana at the Observatory at the end of March and boasts many artists like Weezer and Ty Segall, providing a more alternative sound in opposition to pop or EDM. Spanning two days and featuring over 40 bands and musicians, the event costs under a hundred dollars and is much more affordable than some of the bigger happenings.
The Musink Tattoo Convention and Music Festival takes place March 20-22, and features a punk and rock lineup. Headliners include Blink 182 and Bad Religion, who will be performing over the course of the three day event. Tickets go for around $85 for a weekend pass, or single day passes can be bought from $30 to $40 depending on the day. The venue for this festival is also conveniently located only about an hour away at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa.
Looking a little further into the future, UCLA hosts its annual JazzReggae Festival on April 25 of this year. The lineup has yet to be officially announced but past performers include Snoop Dogg, Aloe Blacc, The Roots, Ziggy Marley, Lupe Fiasco, and many more. Due to construction on campus, the usually two day festival has been shortened to one day, and will be held at the Los Angeles Tennis Center instead of UCLA’s intramural fields. Founded in 1986 by UCLA students, this more mellow gathering offers those with an ear for Jazz the opportunity to enjoy a weekend with some of their favorite artists.
Overall these events can not only offer a great time but also a great deal. As compared to seeing each artist separately, the savings are evident. The experience is also something completely different than concerts, especially the several day festivals that have everything from crazy foods to crazy people. Out of the many options available there is a music festival for everyone if they look hard enough.