“Hear ye, hear ye! From deadhead hippies to electro pop hipsters,” screeched the harlequin gliding on rainbow roller skates, “come one, come all.” And did they ever! Over 50,000 audiophiles packed into San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park for Outside Lands Festival to sample a delectable smorgasbord of rock immortals, indie stalwarts, and rookie sensations. Directions? No need, just follow that sweet, pungent aroma!

Blottopia is the Midwest local band festival of longtime loyalists. The heartland paints a portrait of the Fox River, fine accommodations, and family reunions for all ages. This year being the 11th annual, boasts the biggest Blottopia ever. While they did not release official attendance numbers, estimates range from 1500 to 2000 people with weekend passes.

The Wuhnurth Committee is proud to announce Stable Studios in Spencer, Ind., as the new home of the Wuhnurth Music Festival. Stable Studios, located in the foothills of South Central Indiana, is a beautiful environment with so much to offer. This year’s festival will be held on Friday, September 17 through Sunday, September 19.

The current line-up includes the following bands:

Celebrating 3 years with a mission to support community, arts, camping, yoga and conscious uplifting music, EMP is pleased to announce the artists presenting at the 2010 Liberate Music & Yoga Festival (www.liberatevt.com) on Friday, August 20 & Saturday, August 21^st at 845 Poor Farm Rd. in Sheldon, Vermont:

Big IV Productions owner and CEO Lyle Williams and director/Chief promoter Paul Levine continue to shape Florida’s music scene with plans to bring two festivals to Live Oak, Florida’s Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in 2010. Returning for its fourth consecutive year, Bear Creek Music Festival will take place November 12-14 and the inaugural Blackwater Music & Art Festival will touch down August 26-28.

I almost don’t want to tell you how cool a festival FloydFest has become.. I don’t want to risk ruining it.  Long past the growing-stage of a fledgling hippy-fest; FloydFest, now in her 9th year, is fully-realized and a true contender amongst events in the Central Virginia and mid-Atlantic region.

Until I arrived at this year’s Gathering of The Vibes Festival in Bridgeport, CT, I didn’t know I was looking for something. Until I left, I didn’t realize that I had found it. The following is a recounting of that journey. Along the way masters in the field of musical entertainment will appear. All were influential, some more than others. But as you read this recounting of GOTV 2010, remember that this is one man’s quest.

Music festivals are to live music what climbing Mt. Everest is for mountaineering: when done right both can be a truly life-changing, once in a lifetime event.

Gather your friends, beach chairs/blankets/towels and sunscreen because the schedule for the 13th annual Avalonfest is out. Avalon Resort hosts Avalonfest 2010 from Friday August 13th through Sunday August 15th.  For those arriving early on Thursday evening August 12th there will be a special pre-fest bonus concert by Bill Danoff, of Starland Vocal Band and co-writer of “Country Roads”.

The dusty road leads to an unseen location. Clouds of dirt and earthy grime pass through the air. As the dust settles and the road becomes steeper, Horning’s Hideout comes into view. “Happy Horning’s,” comes a chipper voice from my right.  My window is rolled down and I turn to see a girl standing on the side of the road. She wears a neon-green shirt that reads “Volunteer”.

“Where should I park?” I ask her.

“Just keep driving,” she says with a devious smile. “You’ll find the way.”

I grinned and waved and continued down the rocky hill.