The original Woodstock might have set the standard for all festivals to follow, but there are many others out there doing a great job of making unique names for themselves. The following list of iPhone apps holds your hand and walks you through some of this summer’s coolest festivals. So pack your bug spray, prepare to use the porta potty, and enjoy the music.
Lollapalooza
The Lollapalooza app (free) walks you through each performance by days, through stages or both. (You can also click on “Now Playing” to see what concerts are happening in real time — but that won’t be relevant until August, of course). Then there’s Lolla Radio, which plays songs by bands performing at the festival, which is great if you’re on the fence about going and trying to decide, or if you know you’re down and can’t wait for the show. You can also purchase tickets here, view a map of all the stages, and catch the latest Lolla-news (Look! An extra Devo show!).
Lilith
It’s been a while since your older sister was blasting Ani DiFranco and planning a trip to Lilith Fair. As a matter of fact, it’s been 11 years since the traveling music festival last took place. A fierce lineup has been put together for the big comeback featuring, musicians like Beth Orton, Cat Power, Erykah Badu, and of course, Sarah McLachlan. The free Lilith app gives you the full band lineup and schedule, and offers the option to join in the conversation by following Lilith tweets. You can also check out the latest news and upload photos from shows. And if there is any artist you haven’t heard of, fear not, because each participating musician has a long bio you can read to brush up.
Official Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival App
If you’re a fan of heavy metal, the Mayhem Festival is for you. With bands like Korn, Hatebreed, and Lamb of God, the third annual touring festival is serious business: 13 bands perform among three stages at each Mayhem stop. How do I know? I found this and more out from checking out the free Official Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival app. After reading bios for groups I hadn’t heard of like Norma Jean, Winds of Plague, and Shadows Fall, I am now well versed in each. I know when and where each show is, all about the “Revolver Magazine Monster Issue Four Pack,” and I have indulged in several videos on Mayhem’s own YouTube channel.
HullabaLOU Music Festival
The HullabaLOU Music Festival is a three-day festival that takes place in Louisville, KY this July. And the free HullabaLOU Music Festival app dedicated to the extended concert reads much like the Lollapalooza app (they’re both made by the same company, Seed Labs LLC). You get to view the lineup by day and/or stage, you can choose shows you want to attend and save them in your own schedule, and you can tune in to the HullabaLOU radio to hear tunes from all the bands involved. Plus, you can check out the festival layout, merchandise, and as the concert gets closer, where to park.
Global Music Festivals
The free Global Music Festival app breaks it down across the globe, literally. From the home menu, you choose from continent, country, festival type, and date (you can “search all” too). Once you hone in on the continent — and then country, state, and city, you learn about all of the upcoming festivals in that place. In Hartford, Connecticut alone there are two jazz festivals, one hip-hop festival, one focusing on women composers, and one for experimental playwrights. When I searched by festival type, I learned that Europe has 850 Contemporary festivals, and North America, trailing behind for a close second, has 359.
iFestival
iFestival (free) is a very unique blend of festivals that happened so long ago you wouldn’t be able to attend them—aka Woodstock ’69, and upcoming festivals for 2011—aka the Drop—that are just in the first planning stages right now — only a few artists have been secured. The app also gives you the option to add a festival by inviting that you email them with suggestions.
