It’s almost the mid-point of the semester, and it’s time to treat all of your hard work to the best gift of all, concert tickets – specifically music festival tickets.
Music festivals are great because of the ability to see multiple different artists over the course of a getaway weekend. While we all wish we could jet off to Coachella in April, here are your best music festival options in the Southeast United States before the semester is over.
The Gasparilla Music Festival (March 7-8)
Although Gasparilla was a month ago, head up to Tampa once again from March 7-8 right before spring break to attend the Gasparilla Music Festival. With two-day tickets at only $60, you can jam out to alternative bands like Modest Mouse and the Gaslight Anthem, as well as indie electronic pop duo, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival (March 22-24)
For all jazz fans, you can buy one-day tickets for $55 to see this jazz festival held in Miami Gardens. After nine years of entertainment, Annual Jazz in the Gardens has become one of the most sought after Jazz musical festivals in the country. Hosted by comedian and author DL Hughley, this year the line-up includes R. Kelly, Toni Braxton, and Freddie Jackson for an unforgettable night of jazz powerhouses.
http://www.jazzinthegardens.com/2015/index.html
Buku Music + Art Project (March 13-14)
There’s more to NOLA than Mardi Gras! This festival only began in 2012, and a two-day ticket costs only $180 for a bizarrely stacked line-up. Line-up highlights include Bassnectar, A$AP Rocky, Passion Pit, Porter Robinson, Empire of the Sun, Flosstradamus, RL Grime, Portugal the Man, Borgore, and Lil B for an eclectic mix of EDM, rap, and indie rock. With some huge EDM headliners, it might be worth it to boycott Ultra and head up to Buku in New Orleans instead. Gumbo, anyone?
http://thebukuproject.com
Ultra Music Festival (March 27-28)
A Miami favorite, EDM lovers from all over the world break the bank for the pricey $450 three-day ticket for the Ultra experience. It’s undeniable that the biggest names in EDM make their pilgrimage to Miami for this festival, but the cost can sometimes deter people from making it to Ultra. This year, headliners include Alesso, Armin Van Buren, Avicii, Axwell x Ingrosso, David Guetta, Nicky Romero, Steve Aoki, Tiesto, and many, many more. If you live for EDM, Ultra is the place for you since all big and small DJs come and play unforgettable sets.
http://www.ultramusicfestival.com
Tortuga Music Festival (April 11-12)
In Miami, sometimes it’s easy to forget about country music. Yet Tortuga also brings some of the best names in country music to this two-day festival that costs $165. Find some wagon wheels, break out the cowboy boots and plaid to listen to this year’s line-up, including Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, The Band Perry, Trace Adkins.
Big Guava Music Festival (May 8-9)
This festival coincidentally occurs right after finals. Located in Tampa, Big Guava brings together mostly different indie rock artists. This year, you can feast your ears on the Strokes, Passion Pit, Cold War Kids, James Blake, Banks, but also some Action Ronson. Two-day general admission tickets start at $115, but if you want the full pit experience it will cost $135.
http://www.bigguavafest.com
words_yili wu. photo illustration_ yili wu.