A Quick Guide to Coachella Counterparts

By Katrina Gueverra

I was a sophomore in high school when I was hooked on the notion of this Coachella after seeing that The Flaming Lips rode in a hamster ball over the crowd at Coachella 2004. And no, no one died like at EDC. Eight years later, the sold out musical festival is ironically more in reach with just a last minute bid on Ebay. It’s also extended its arms to more known acts like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog in the recent years.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is a rain or shine event that’s been operating since 1999. The event took a hiatus in 2000, but it looks like nothing is going to stop the three-day festival run by Goldenvoice as it quickly sold its Weekend 1 and 2 three-day passes in just hours this year. I know, I’ve waited…for nothing.

Coachella may be the biggest music and arts festival in California with celebrities storming in, as well as visitors from Australia, Canada and Mexico, among its top international attendees.

The wave of festivals has generally taken over the world from the Netherland’s Lowlands to the Crimean peninsula’s Kazantip. For those who don’t want to endure language barriers or risk losing passports, here are some festivals in America. This time, we Californians can also be the ones traveling to other states for February’s SXSW or the summertime’s Sasquatch!

Sasquatch! Music Festival May 24-26 at Gorge Amphitheater in George, WA
If you’ve ever seen an old Youtube clip of a dancing guy on a grassy slope who is exponentially joined in by hundreds of dancers, then you’ve already had a glimpse of Sasquatch! Though the event was sold out as of last week, the show, run by House of Blues, has been killing it, especially with its indie music acts. This year, Beck, Jack White and Tenacious D, are just a few on the lineup to disperse on the main Sasquatch stage or other three stages.. Those like DJs Girl Talk and Araabmuzik, who also performed at Coachella, will be making their rounds. For those who really wanted to see the “Loser” singer, there’s Outside Lands for a second chance!

UCLA Jazz Reggae Festival May 27-28 at UCLA’s Intramural Field in Los Angeles, CA
The 26th annual festival will have headliners The Roots and Shaggy to represent both shades of music to the student population and beyond.

Make Music Pasadena June 16 at E. Colorado Blvd in Pasadena, CA (FREE)
The withstanding event, pales in comparison to San Francisco’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, in that it’s a free for all. This year, the earlier confirmed guests are Grimes, Dam Funk and Long Beach’s very own Dengue Fever, among others with tons of stages from all over E. Colorado Blvd.

Pitchfork Music Festival July 13-15 at Union Park in Chicago, IL
Take a step back, it’s not as hipster as you think, or is it? It even sounds more like a cult gathering, but the only stakes you’ll be taking are a full course platter of musical acts from indie to hip hop. Held by the indie music bible Pitchfork Media

Clams Casino, Vampire Weekend, Atlas Sound and A$AP Rocky are on its music plate for the weekend.

Outside Lands August 10-12 at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA
This weekend festival is a role reversal for Southern Californians planning to take a trek north. Headliners Stevie Wonder, Beck, Metallica, Neil Young, Jack White, Justice are just a few of the big names who will be performing in the lowkey forest setting. It may take a much longer time walking from stage to stage, but this event can potentially be a cooler experience compared to Coachy.

FYF Fest End of August? TBA