Ahhh, summer festivals. The $5 water and the $40 T-shirts…

And yet how I love them. Something about having a conglomeration of talent in one place, just rocking out one after the other. I also enjoy that the rocking occurs in broad daylight. Makes it feel illicit. Everyone knows rock and roll is for dark, smoky clubs past bedtime. 

In my renegade youth, I enjoyed multiple WHFS festivals and Lollapaloozas, sweating in the burly sun and guzzling pricey water. I saw Jane’s Addiction, Ice-T, Ice Cube, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and so many other bands that I just can’t remember. Possible sunstroke, I guess. 

My first one after J was born was a WHFStival. The event grew to the point that it was at RFK stadium in DC. I don’t even remember who played, only my complete panic at being in a sea of drug-addled strangers. I remember fighting my way out of a crowd by the bathroom and dearly wishing I could run for the metro and back to my baby- especially since I didn’t have a pump, it being my first big outing and all. (Who knew 7 hours was that long, lactation-wise?) I’d just turned 21, but felt about 10 years older than my friends who’d dragged me out for “a day of fun”. 

That was when I realized my definition of fun had changed. 

Of course, it all goes in cycles…2 summers ago, I attended the Sounds of the Underground Festival (Dan was playing). The same baby I was loathe to leave was rocking out to Gwar, begging me to let him go get sprayed by Oderus Urungus’s “blood”. LOL. E was sidestage, with those ear muffy things you wear at shooting ranges protecting her little ears. Now THAT was fun. 

This year, the Virgin Festival has so many bands I’d love to see…Paramore, Cat Power, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, and my old faves, Nine Inch Nails. A bunch of friends are going…but I’m feeling kind of old. Or lazy. Or something. 

Dan’s playing festivals in Sweden and Norway this summer…THOSE I would slog through the mud for.  But I will be on this side of the pond, making the camp runs. Maybe next year. 

What have been your favorite festivals/outdoor concerts, and how many bands you love would have to play to make it worth your while to get a sitter?