5 Fests to Bookmark in 2010

© Dave Vann

Winter is in full effect, which means the country is pretty much blanketed in snow and plagued with the big chill. But, take a few minutes with reading material by the fireplace; RumBum’s got a fest preview to get your juices flowing again. More than 50 music festivals plan to hit the good ‘ol US of A during the ’10 season, but here are five from our roster worth snagging early birds for.

Winter Music Conference / Ultra Music Festival 12

When: March 24 - 28
Where: Bicentennial Park, Miami, FL
Cost: $139.95
Artists Include: Carl Cox, Diplo, Armin Van Buuren, Sasha & John Digweed, Pretty Lights, Lotus, The Disco Biscuits, Damian Marley and Nas, Deadmau5, Passion Pit, Swedish House Mafia, Boys Noize vs. Erol Alkan, The Bloody Beetroots, Steve Aoki, The Crystal Method, Calvin Harris, Rabbit in the Moon (3D set), Paul Oakenfold, Tiesto, David Guetta, Rusko, Skream, Benga, Ghostland Observatory, A-Trak, Infected Mushroom, The Glitch Mob, Eric Prydz

Every March, thousands of international electronic music fanatics hit sunny Miami Beach for what’s known © Ian Witlenas Winter Music Conference. Since WMC is celebrating it’s 25^th Anniversary this year, you better believe the Magic City is raking in the top talents in the electro world. Throughout the week, nightclubs, pools, lounges and dives will be overtaken by the ‘oontz.’ So, don’t worry if you miss one show for another, chances are your favorite spin master will be triple-booked (at least) throughout the week. On Friday, March 26, WMC is brought to fruition, correlating with the two-day Ultra Music Festival. This year’s UMF has booked a variety of artists from downtempo to dubstep, livetronica to electro house, and every dirty beat in between. The ultimate electro dance party will take over Downtown Miami’s Bicentennial Park, transforming into a monstrous playground of sound. The park closes at midnight, so plan on after-hours partying, more to come from RB on the post-Ultra front in the coming weeks.

Wanee Festival

When: April 15 - 17
Where: Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak, FL
Cost: $158
Artists Include: The Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, Gov’t Mule, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band, Stephen Stills, The Black Keys, The Word (featuring John Medeski, Robert Randolph and North Mississippi Allstars), Hot Tuna Electric, JJ Grey and Mofro, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, The Wailers, A Family Affair with Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Particle, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

Fans of Spirit of the Suwannee are treated to the fest experience bi-annually. In the fall, there’s Bear Creek, but for those who are jonesin’ for a woodsy fix in the middle at an old Florida stomping ground, Wanee Festival is the ideal way to ring in springtime. The Allman Brothers headline this blues-funk-jam fest, attracting a loyal following for the past five years. 2010 promises to be just as laid-back and unique as years past, with adventures to the river by day and warm late-nights by campfire’s light. With an onsite convenient store and Sweetwater kegs galore, SOTS has its perks, and there’s something in the air that evokes that family vibe. Wanee goes up against Coachella out on the West Coast on the same weekend, but rest assured, this little gem can hold it’s own against any super-sized fest.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

When: April 23 – 25, April 29 – May 2
Where: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, LA
Cost: $53.13 per day and up
Artists Include: Simon & Garfunkel, Pearl Jam, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Lionel Richie, Anita Baker, The Neville Brothers, B.B. King, Irma Thomas’ Tribute to Mahalia Jackson, The Allman Brothers Band, My Morning Jacket, Galactic, The Black Crowes, Bonerama, King Sunny Ade & His African Beats, Johnny Lang, Elvis Costello & The Sugaranes, Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers, Martin Sexton, Soul Rebels, Gipsy Kings, Allen Toussaint, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Band, The Dixie Cups, Jeff Beck, Band of Horses, Rebirth Brass Band, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Juvenile & DJ Mannie Fresh, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars

It was Ms. Mahalia Jackson, Duke Ellington and the Eureka Brass Band that launched the phenomenon known as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 1970. Now 41 years old, the fest, which once lasted one weekend, drawing only 350 enthusiasts, has reached epic proportions. The two-weekend retreat highlights the roots of NoLa jazz, its relatives and celebratory culture with hundreds of scheduled artists and thousands of visitors. The tribe of Jazz Fest followers is treated to a scope of tunes, from jazz to rock, blues to jam. Legendary performers come together to honor one of America’s liveliest cities, a buzzing combination of tunes and lifestyle. Hand grenades, po’ boys and beads galore, it’s Jazz Fest that’ll get those feet fancy and that spirit free.

Wakarusa Festival

When: June 3 - 6
Where: Mulberry Mountain, Ozark, AK
Cost: $151
Artists Include: Railroad Earth, The Disco Biscuits, Umphrey’s McGee, STS9, Widepsread Panic, Blues © Tasha RigginsTraveler, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Lotus, State Radio, EOTO, Bluetech, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, LYNX & Janover, The Heavy Pets, BomBox, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstafunk, Ott, Slightly Stoopid, The Machine performs Pink Floyd, Bassnectar, Future Rock, Fort Knox Five, Pimps of Joytime

Colorado might have its own booming hipster scene, but let’s face it – there are plenty of scenic mountain ranges at which to throw a bangin’ festie. Welcome back, Wakarusa! Sneaking onto the circuit in 2004, Waka is one of those fests that still keeps an underground following, while maintaining heavy foot traffic and a most-impressive lineup. Raging in the Ozarks upon Mulberry Mountain is a high-grade adventure. Once a grassroots experience, Waka has grown to great heights, now welcoming more than 100 live acts and attendees from all over the country. Yoga, costume parties, fishing and hiking set Waka apart from other lackadaisical weekenders, and we hear the crowd is all about that age-old hippie love. And that’s more than OK by us. 

Camp Bisco 9

When: July 15 - 17Where: Indian Lookout Country Club, Mariaville, NY
Cost: $135
Artists Include: The Disco Biscuits, along with 50 live music acts from all over the world...stay tuned!

The Disco Biscuits are known for their hearty tour schedule, including appearances at multiple fest stops throughout the season. In addition to the three-day Colorado experience known as Bisco Inferno on Memorial Day weekend (three scheduled shows, including one night at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre), the boys prepare for their namesake getaway. Camp Bisco 8, AKA The Dirty Ocho, proved that monsoons and mudslides can’t put a damper on mind-blowing music. With the return of CB9, Bisco headz can expect a list of new additions. A new dance tent location, an additional stage, sunrise sets and a “bill me later” option have locked in almost 800 eager Biscuits already. And, while we can’t wait to see who’s jammin’ and spinnin’, three days of tDB is a straight blessing in itself.