Time flies, summer sizzles, and the F-bomb has been on the tongues of a lot of babes lately. By F-bomb we mean FALL of course. As the earth’s orbit shifts, a new batch of music festivals arrives – less for tank tops and booty shorts, more for blankets and hoodies. See our top picks!
#10 Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival
November 6-7 @ Various Williamsburg Venues, $80+
They’ve just begun selling “Blind Faith” tickets, meaning the lineup isn’t out – but if it’s anything like past iterations of the fest, you can expect headliners like Gold Panda, Oneotrix Point Never, Prefuse 73, The Gaslamp Killer, and Little Boots scattered across a ton of different venues.
October 4 @ Rumsey Playfield, $48
Back in NY, Beijing’s large-scale one-day music festival finds its place with the birds and the bees at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield. The music is diverse, with Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band and Gang of Four taking the headlining spots and Chinese indie rock bands HEDGEHOG 刺猬乐队 and NEW PANTS 新裤子.
September 19 @ Stone Pony, Asbruy, NY $50
A festival in its first year with a telling name and a lineup of musicians who blend mainstream pop and city cool, including How To Dress Well, Bleachers, Charlier XCX, and Cults. Plus! Carnival Games, food trucks, and the boardwalk… there’s no reason to say no as Asbury Park is practically the new Rockaway and only a little further of a train ride away.
September 18-20 @ Camp Mingewood, Hancock, NY
A little funk, a little electro, a lot of jam – this fest has got vibes on its side; the lineup this year features MOE., Lotus, Lettuce, Moon Hooch and more. Plus, camping or renting a cabin with members of the “chillfam”— if this is your thing then you’ll have a better time nowhere else.
September 4-5 @ Randall’s Island $109-240
After 2013’s slew of drug deaths at the festival then last year’s freaky drug PSA, we figured Electric Zoo was probably dunzo. But what great branding can do! It’s back, “transformed,” with a gorgeous redesign and pretty sweet lineup to match, with The Chemical Brothers, Above & Beyond, Alesso, & Cashmere Cat. Fun to check out for a day, or if you’re really into the electronic scene, splurge on a weekend pass.
September 26 @ The Great Lawn, $FREE
The festival with a cause, Global Citizen aims to end extreme poverty through education and activism. This year, huge headliners Beyonce, Pearl Jam, and Coldplay lend their voices to the movement. You can earn free tickets here and feel good about doing something powerful on your weekend!
Sept 11-13 @ Camp Lakota, Wurtsboro, NY $SOLD OUT
This close-knit electronic gathering, in its second year, takes place in the NY woods and has already sold out (although if you’re dying for a ticket you might scoop one up on this forum). Even if you can’t go, it’s worth knowing about because it’s truly one of a kind, offering two stages, pools, a lake for jumping, bonfires, cabins, camping and a stellar lineup including KASSEM MOSSE and DJ sets from THE BLACK MADONNA, JUS-ED, and so much more.
September 10-13 @ Oak Ridge Farm, Arrington, VA $285
Lock’n is a diverse (not so) little festival that features nonprofits, greening, and awesome food & drink selection…oh, and a great lineup. Robert Plant and Bob Weir attract crowds of all ages whereas Deer Tick and Trombone Shorty get the fresh crowds rolling in. A great place to get rootsy and meet non-city folk.
October 13-17, 2015 @ Various Venues $Free-500
It’s CMJ and we love it. Unless you can take off work for a whole week to take full advantage of the festival, skip the pass and pick and choose which free and cheap events where you’ll no doubt discover your new favorite bands.
September 11-13, 2015 @ Basilica Hudson, Hudson, NY $60 Weekend Pass
For the second year we’ll be heading upstate to cover this one-of-a-kind musical experience. Musical genres avant garde, experimental, and metal find a home in a hundreds year old converted Basilica and its community in intellectual music nerds from across the Eastern seaboard. This year look out for headliners, including Health, Viet Cong, Lydia Ainsworth, Weyes Blood, Perfume Genius, and Wolf Eyes.
