Murmurs of “Did you see the lineup?!” “Are you going?” and “I might cry, oh my god,” could be heard across the Le Moyne campus on Tuesday, Feb. 19, as the lineups for both Firefly and Bonnaroo were announced and people prepare themselves for these 2013 summer music festivals.
Bonnaroo, which annually attracts over 80,000 people to its 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenn., excited music enthusiasts with its announcement of Sir Paul McCartney headlining this year, along with Mumford and Sons, Björk, Wilco and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and almost 100 other performers. With bands from the Lumineers to Wu-Tang Clan to Macklemore, the lineup features a little of everything, and has been rumored as the most popular lineup in the festival’s 12 years.
However, Bonnaroo features more than just bands and artists rocking the stage. There is also a film festival each year, several comedians and the usual chaos that ensues with tens of thousands of people camping out for four days. Bonnaroo.com describes the experience as, “Four of the best days ever. 80,000 happy campers. 700 acres of Tennesee Nature. 150 epic performances. 10+ stages of music. Several dozen comedians. An escape into excitement, music, art and discoveries.”
The festival will take place June 13-16. Regular sale tickets went on sale Saturday, Feb. 23 and are still available for $269, plus tax and fees; this includes a $6 facility fee, $3 contribution to Coffee County and a $1 charity donation. The full lineup can be found at lineup.bonnaroo.com.
Announced the same day, Firefly Music Festival’s lineup will be featuring many of the same bands as Bonnaroo, including Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Passion Pit, Matt & Kim and the Lumineers. Those who venture down to Dover, Del. for the festival can also catch the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Vampire Weekend, Foster the People, MGMT, Alabama Shakes and many more.
The festival describes itself as “the east coast’s premier music experience. Firefly offers three days of unforgettable musical performances, enhanced dining options and interactive entertainment set among lush wooded landscapes in the heart of the east coast.”
Beyond the music, attractions at Firefly include an arcade, shady “Hammock Hangouts,” “the Pathway,” which features lighting and video displays in a wooded area and a TOMS “Style Your Shoe” booth where festival-goers can purchase a pair of Toms shoes and have them customized by expert artists. For every pair of shoes purchased at Firefly, TOMS will donate one pair to a child in need as a part of their One for One Movement.
Those interested in attending Firefly will also have the opportunity to contribute to the St. Jude Kids program. In 2012, Firefly partnered up with St. Jude with their Music Gives to St. Jude Kids program. According to Firefly.com, their mission is to “enlist artists, large and small, emerging and established, to join St. Jude in the fight against childhood cancer.” In the last year alone, Firefly guests have helped raise more than $4.6 million to help St. Jude’s mission, and are “thrilled to raise even more money in 2013.”
This three-day festival will be held June 21-23, with tickets on sale now for $258, plus tax and fees.
