It's beginning to look at a lot like festival season. Has Dallas always had so many? And with such... random lineups? Here's a guide to some of the upcoming ones. And feel free to consult with Festy for more tips on how to maximize your summer festival experience, like the foolproof "Get backstage by telling the security guard you're lost and looking for your mom," which may only work at Warped Tour or Wildflower Fest.
Wildflower Fest Joe Walsh, Nelly, Dashboard Confessional and Nile Rodgers are just a few of the acts on the festival bill, which happens in Richardson May 18-20. There are also some great locals performing, but that aforementioned combo is so perplexing I might just have to go.
Homegrown Fest Eisley and Ben Kweller were just added to the already impressive all-Texas lineup. This past weekend and the weekend before, local bands "battled" for a spot on the May 26 bill. Breakfast Machine and the Madisons won the judges' vote. Stay tuned after the May 12 finals for the winner.
Meltdown Music Festival After my last trip to QuikTrip Park, I don't know if I'm ready to face another electronic music event. Local favorites Pretty Lights headline the June 2 fest, along with Passion Pit, Shiny Toy Guns and Flux Pavilion.
KXT's Summer Cut KXT's first ever festival brings the boisterous bill of the Flaming Lips, St. Vincent, Fitz & the Tantrums and more. This June 1 lineup makes a bit more sense than others, even if Gexa's a little hot in the summer heat. Hopefully Wayne Coyne is done extracting blood from musicians by then. What's he doing with the blood that doesn't go in vinyl? Cloning some sort of psychedelic army? I deem thee FRANKENCOYNE.
H2O Festival This is Univision Radio's first fest as well, June 9 at the Cotton Bowl, and it's touted as a "bilingual, bicultural" festival. Makes sense that Juanes, Damian Marley, Ozomatli and Paulina Rubio are on board. Not sure where Snoop Dogg and Weezer fit in, but if you're blazed enough, who cares?
DeSoto SolJazz Fest Sooo, the DeSoto Jazz Fest looks sort of awesome: MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh and Cameo? Road trip to DeSoto, anyone?
Soul 94.5 Summer Jam And, on that note, so does Soul 94.5's Summer Jam on Memorial Day weekend: En Vogue, Charlie Wilson, Babyface, Dazz Band, Kurtis Blow and more. Finally, accidentally dressing like a member of En Vogue will pay off for some of us.
Vans Warped Tour The last time I went to a Warped Tour, W. had just been elected President, and Fat Wreck Chords were selling those "Not My President" shirts. I found that shirt when I was moving recently, and it doesn't fit anymore, which says something about that eight-year span of time that I can't quite articulate. The July 3 show at Gexa features Falling In Reverse, Mayday Parade, New Found Glory, The Used and Taking Back Sunday, and Dallas' own Larry g(EE) recently won a spot on the bill as well.
