It’s summer, which means it’s time to hit up some summer music festivals! As anindependent artist, it’s important to keep up to date on the goings-on in the industry and summer festivals serve as both a showcase of new talent, and a place where music moments are made.

Here’s a quick run down of some of the best this summer has to offer:

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, which takes place this weekend in Manchester, Tennessee, turns ten years old this year. The four-day, multi-stage camping festival is held on a 700-acre farm every June and has made a name for itself as being one of the preeminent live music festivals in the world.

Bringing together the best music in rock and roll, jazz, Americana, hip-hop, electronica and more, artists from Dave Matthews to Stevie Wonder to Jay-Z, to Conan O’Brien have graced the Bonnaroo stages. The festival also features 24/7 attractions and activities, offering a comedy club, theater performances, beer festival, classic arcade, on-site cinema, and more.

Every year thousands of music fans from around the world descend upon the farm to witness the joy of live music. The festival has much such an impact on music that Rolling Stone named it one of the 50 moments that changed the history of rock and roll. www.bonnaroo.com

Glastonbury takes place from June 22-26 in Pilton, England. In existence since 1970,Glastonbury is held in a beautiful location, on 900 acres in the Vale of Avalon. This years’ lineup includes U2, Coldplay, Beyonce, Mumford & Sons, BB King, Paul Simon, Fleet Foxes and more. www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

Gathering of the Vibes will be held on July 21-24 at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT. An annual music, arts and camping festival, now in its 16th year, the four-day festival has featured talent like all living members of the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers Band, James Brown, the Black Crowes and more. This years’ lineup includes Jane’s Addiction, moe., Elvis Costello, John Butler Trio, Dr. John, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds and more. www.gatheringofthevibes.com

Lollapalooza is held yearly at Grant Park in Chicago, and was created by Perry Farrell, lead singer of the band Jane’s Addiction, in 1991. This years’ festival will be held on August 5-7 and aritsts include Eminem, Foo Fighers, Coldplay, Muse, My Morning Jacket, Cee Lo Green, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley & Nas, more. www.lollapalooza.com

Burning Man is a unique weeklong gathering in Black Rock City, NV. This year it will be held from Aug 29-Sept 5 and, unlike other “festivals”, Burning Man does not provide a stage, there is no food being sold and no showers to clean yourself off. It “ is an annual art event and temporary community based on radical self expression and self-reliance.” www.burningman.com

Austin City Limits is a three-day event that books one of the strongest lineups in the festival circuit, routinely drawing crowds of around 100,000. Held yearly at Zilker Park in Austin, TX, this years’ fest runs from September 16-18 and features Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, Arcade Fire, Coldplay and more. www.aclfestival.com

Tell us what you think! Have you been to any summer music festivals? What is your favorite festival? What was your most memorable festival moment?

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The SongCast Crew