Southeast Music Festival Roundup

Today is Valentines Day so it is only appropriate to do a roundup of one of my biggest loves, music festivals. Below is an overview of some of the great music fests hitting the southeast over the next few months. Music fests are a great way to enjoy a years worth of music in a 1-4 day span, see big name bands while discovering the lesser known groups.

Savannah Stopover Music Festival 

March 7-9

Savannah, GA

A collaborative effort of MusicFile Productions and countless volunteers, partners, vendors, and media sponsors, the Savannah Stopover will showcase more than 100 bands in multiple venues across Savannah’s walkable Historic District. Bands will enjoy the quirky, shamelessly social elements of Georgia’s Hostess City while festival goers will be exposed to up-and-coming bands in closer, more personal environs. The full schedule is available on their website. 

BUKU Music + Arts Project
March 8 & 9
Mardi Gras World ::: New Orleans, LA

Premiered in 2012 by Winter Circle Productions, the Buku Music + Art Project has established itself as the premier progressive music and arts festival in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. For those tired of the mega-festival and wanting an intimate setting with close stage views and clear/loud audio, BUKU fills that void. The location's post-industrial vibe fits perfectly with BUKU's fusion of EDM, hip-hop and various sub-genres of indie rock. Paying homage to the NOLA setting, BUKU features local food vendors, indigenous art exhibits and dozens of regional support acts playing stage changeover sets.

Tickets  General Admission passes start at $149.50 

Through FanFueledEngaged you can WIN tickets through completing easy social media actions like posting the lineup to facebook via HERE!!!

SweetWater 420 Fest

April 19-21

Candler Park ::: Atlanta, GA

Nestled in Candler Park the SweetWater 420 Festival has become the unofficial start to spring in Atlanta. What better way to bloom into spring than with a solid musical lineup and over 20 craft beers brewed just a few miles away. In its 9th year 420 takes a more funk flavor compared to previous lineups. Seeing Robert Randolph & The Family Band put on a show that is hard for anyone to beat. George Clinton was right along side Randolph in showmanship, but has taken a more subdued approach in recent years as the Paliament Funkadelic has taken a large portion of their shows. Ivan Neville has a storied musical career being a part of great acts. His latest venture, Dumpstaphunk, started in 2003 will bring a house down with their energy leading them to be one of Flea's favorite acts.

For $5 its hard to beat good weather, delicious craft beer, and quality music.   

Magnetic Music Festival
April 20
Kennesaw State University Athletic Complex ::: Kennesaw, GA

This first time festival, brought to you by Liquefied, brings a mix of dubstep and EDM music to the athletic fields of Kennesaw State Festival. Liquefied is known for putting on great dance music shows across Atlanta and having a part in the inaugural Counterpoint Festival (that is expanding to multiple cities). The festival hit a minor PR snafu in December when they announced they would be releasing phase one of their lineup and ultimately delaying it over a month. The wait looks to be worth it after releasing phase one of the lineup including Flux Pavillion, Zeds Dead, and Flosstradamus.
Tickets range from $65 for one-day general admission ($25 payment plan available) to $165 for VIP.
We'll wait until phase two is announced to level our final verdict on this one-day festival, but after working out some kinks MMF seems to be working towards a good future where it could grow.


Shaky Knees Music Festival
May 4 & 5
Old Forth Ward Park, Masquerade Music Park::: Atlanta, GA

Atlanta will welcome a brand new music event, Shaky Knees Music Festival, to the Historic Fourth Ward Park and the Masquerade Music Park on May 4 and 5th. The two-day festival will feature 28 bands across three outdoor stages as well as local food trucks, artisans and vendors. Two-day general admission tickets as well as VIP passes go on sale on February 7 at Ticketmaster.

The creators of this american folk festival has the Atlanta music scene cornered. Seemingly going right after the 18-35 range this is right in their wheelhouse. Shaky Knees has put together a great 2-day lineup that is deep enough to bring people from outside Atlanta to enjoy the inaugural festival. Headlined by The Lumineers and Band of Horses and followed up with quality acts including Gary Clark Jr, Jim James (whose new album is very good), Dr. Dog, Delta Spirits, and the Joy Formidable. 

Tickets start at $99 for both days and are moving quickly. VIP Packages ($265) including free Fox Bros. BBQ (WOAH!), beer, and water among other amenities are already sold out. Single day passes are available for $61 and there are still single day VIP Package available. 

Hangout Beach, Music and Arts Festival
May 17-19
Gulf Shores, AL

The Hangout Festival is the first music festival of it's kind in North America. Since it's beginning in 2010 the beach music festival has grow including Duluna Fest in Florida. Located directly on the white sandy beaches of Gulf Shores, AL. The festival treats guests to a unique festival experience and consistently features a diverse selection of top touring artists. In its 4rd year the festival continues to grow. In 2010 the festival welcomed around 14,000 festival goers per day. The beach fest more than doubled that up to 35,000 per day in 2011. Last year Hangout sold out rather quickly after adding Red Hot Chili Peppers as their third headliner alongside Jack White and Dave Matthews Band. With the insane depth music has these days the 2013 lineup is an initial disappointment to the YOTHT crew. There is still one headliners still to be announced and other possible additions to help the cause. 

Like other festivals in the city limits of larger cities Hangout has a curfew for the acts which puts a slight damper on the weekend. Highlights of the festival include the return of Kings of Leon after a drunken sabbatical, Kendrick Lamar, Bassnectar, Bloc Party, Passion Pit, and Best Coast. Hangout did a good job of securing a large amount of acts that will be more prominent on the European music festival circuit than in America over the summer including Bloc Party, Ellie Goulding, Grouplove, the Breeders and Kings of Leon.

Wakarusa Festival
May 30-June 2
Mulberry Mountain ::: Ozark, AR

For those who find themselves wanting to be taken back to Bonnaroo's original roots when it started in 2002, Wakarusa is the spot for you. Located in the between Little Rock and Fayetteville Arkansas, in the heart of the Ozark Mountains provides great views for a music fest. A mix between Bonnaroo and Wannee festivals Wakarusa has put together a nice mixture of genres with something for everyone.

Headlined by jamband forefathers Widespread Panic and genre defeating Dispatch the undercard is made up of everything from Snoop Dog's reggae persona Snoop Lion, The Black Crowes, Of Monsters and Men, Allen Stone, and endurance champions Umphrey's McGee. Wakarusa is a camping festival so be sure to prepare adequately.

Tickets  come in a variety of packages.


FloydFest~12
July 25-28
Floyd, VA

A 4-day celebration of music and art nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia! Bridging the gap between genres, generations and cultures, the festival features over 100 performers on 10 stages! Americana, folk, and string bands your cup of tea? This festival was made for you. One of the more family friendly festivals Floyfest invited you to enjoy great music, art, and fun in the tiny town of Floyd, Virginia located near Blacksburg and Roanoke. 

Tickets  are available in a range of different packages including 1, 2, 3, or all 4 days with camping, VIP, and even a kids option. If this is your preferred genre this is a very good and deep lineup for this level of festival. 

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
June 13-16
Great Stage Park ::: Manchester, TN
Lineup Announcement ::: February 19 on YouTube at Noon (lineup at 1pm EST)
(note the below lineup is a mock lineup created by me)

The 12th version of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival proves to be one of the best. We will have a full breakdown of the lineup when it is announced next Tuesday, but until then below is my mock lineup created from scratch using/recreating this year's theme.

Please leave feedback on the mock lineup, your favorite festival, or festival experiences!