Summer festivals draw music enthusiasts
Amira Eskander
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Culture
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Chattanooga's summer music run will kick off with Nightfall, a free concert series in Miller Park every Friday night beginning May 25.
"I always love going to Nightfall because you can hear everything from bluegrass to soul to indie rock," Chris James, a Chattanooga junior said.
Its proximity to downtown and campus adds to its appeal, according to James.
"Miller Park is also dog-friendly so it's a really fun atmosphere for both you and your pet," James said. "Great music, Big River beers and a giant pretzel all within three blocks from my apartment. Who can ask for more?
"I can't really travel much in the summer due to my job, so I really live up the local music scene," James said.
Riverbend is another huge highlight for him because big bands are drawn to Chattanooga for the festival, and the whole city comes out to listen, he said.
"Last year I got to see Galactic and Toubab Krewe," he said.
"I never would have thought they would be in my city," James said.
Mark Simpson, a Nashville senior, said the lineup for Bonnaroo, one of the nation's largest music festivals that takes place in Manchester, Tenn., this year is one of the best he has ever seen.
"There are going to be over 120 bands and 20 comedians this year," he said.
"The Beastie Boys, Wilco, Andrew Bird, Jimmy Fallon, MGMT, The Decembrist, Public Enemy, Of Montreal, Pretty Lights, the list goes on and on," Simpson said.
Simpson said: "Bonnaroo is more than just the music. It's an experience and to be this close and miss out would be a huge mistake."
Courtney Fultineer, a Johnson City, Tenn., senior, said, it is possible to attend many of the upcoming music festivals on a budget.
"Festivals like Rothbury in Rothbury, Mich., All Good, Masontown, W. Va., and Wakarusa Ozark, Ark., have work exchange programs so that you can still enjoy the festival without breaking the bank," Fultineer said.
Lauren Moore, a Cleveland junior, said she plans to finance her summer festivals by selling handmade hula hoops at concerts.
"Festivals are the perfect place to sell hula hoops, and you can't find a place more fun to do it," she said.
Moore said: "Every year I can't wait to go to Summer Camp in Chillicothe, Ill. It's totally worth the drive because I get to see Moe, Umphreys McGee, Girl Talk, Keller Williams, Bassnectar, Medeski, Martin & Wood and so many more bands all at the same festival."
