DA’s Ultimate Guide to Festival season 2012: tickets, lineups, dates, and locations
With EDC NY under our belts, the festival season is about to get into full swing. There’s an insane amount of festivals taking place this summer, and it’s hard to keep track of them all. Luckily for you, we’ve collected them all together for you in one convenient location where you can find lineup info, dates and venues, and of course, our own take on what sets each festival apart from the rest. Click through below for the entire list, but be sure to check back frequently as we’ll be updating this as more festivals are announced!
June
Bassrush Massive
Date: June 7th
Location: Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Notable Acts: Knife Party, Datsik, Excision, 12th Planet
The Hook: Set to take place during the week of EDC Vegas, Bassrush Massive is the place for folks looking to whomp. If you’re in Sin City before the big show kicks off, this could be the place to get the party started.
Electric Daisy Carnival: Las Vegas
Dates: June 8th-10th
Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV
Notable Acts: Everyone, ever. Even Blue Man Group…
The Hook: This is the Super Bowl of EDM, the cremé de la cremé of festivals, and not one to be missed. The lineup is nothing short of spectacular and will not disappoint. With the carnival rides, art, and people, this could be the best festival of the summer.
Starscape
Dates: June 9th
Location: Baltimore, MD
Notable Acts: Wolfgang Gartner, Dada Life, Zedd, Chase and Status, Flux Pavillion
The Hook: After 14 years this festival claims that it will be doing it bigger than ever. The theme is centered around “The Garden of Eden” and the festival runs for 16 straight hours so you can watch the sunrise, if you can last that long. The lineup is diverse and the tickets are under $100 so act quickly because if you’re not at EDC then where will you be?
Spring Awakening
Dates: June 16th – 17th
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Notable Acts: Skrillex, Afrojack, Moby, Laidback Luke, Arty, Dillion Francis
The Hook: You could wait until mid summer for Lollapalooza, but if EDM is your thing — which it better be — then Spring Awakening is your go-to event in Chicago. The recent expansion now brings the festival both inside and outside of Soldier Field, it looks like this festival could be insane.
Sonic Bloom
Dates: June 21st – June 24th
Location: Shadows Ranch, Georgetown, CO
Notable Acts: Underground Lineup
The Hook: Just 45 minutes from Denver sits a smaller festival with an electronic lineup that you might not recognize. For six years Sonic Bloom has been promoting smaller electronic musicians and artists. This could be the different and exciting festival you were looking for.
Paradiso
Dates: June 23rd
Location: Gorge Ampitheatre, George, WA
Notable Acts: Above & Beyond, Afrojack, Avicii, R3hab, Dillion Francis, + More TBA
The Hook: This is the festival we dream of attending. The lineup might not be top-notch, but holy sh*t have you seen the Gorge Ampitheatre. Despite the standard EDM lineup, the setting is amazing and makes this event look like paradise.
Electric Forest
Dates: June 28th – July 1st
Location: Rothbury, MI
Notable Acts: Bassnectar, Aoki, Major Lazer, Dada Life
The Hook: Insomniac brings its talents to the forests of Rothbury, Michigan, where its artistic abilities reach new heights. We’ve never been to this festival ourselves, but apparently it’s breathtaking when the sun goes down and the forest comes to light. The lineup includes some lesser-known names, so it’s a great opportunity to branch out and discover someone new.
Boonstock
Dates: June 29th – July 1st
Location: Gibbons, Alberta, Canada
Notable Acts: Afrojack, Chuckie, Avicii, Kaskade, Tommy Trash, Fareoh, Knife Party
The Hook: Compared to the US, Canada doesn’t get the luxury of frequent concerts and events around the country. Boonstock brings what is essentially the UMF headliners to the opposite side of the continent.
Escapade
Dates: June 29th – July 1st
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Notable Acts: Afrojack, Avicii, Eric Prydz, Alesso, Gareth Emery, Dada Life, Tommy Trash, Cazzette, Sander Van Doorn
The Hook: Although both Escapade and Boonstock are in Canada, it would take you over 2 days to get from one to the other. Escapade has an almost everyone that Boonstock has, and a whole lot more.
Wavefront
Dates: June 30th – July 1st
Location: Montrose Beach, IL
Notable Acts:Eric Prydz, Erick Morillo, BoysNoize, Duck Sauce, Sasha, John Dahlback, Nadia Ali
The Hook: For only $50 a day you get to chill on the beach and listen to electronic music. You don’t have to feel bad if you only go for one, and you just find a diamond in the rough. With Eric Prydz now on the lineup, this is a no brainer.
July
Pete Tong’s Ibiza 123 ‘Rocktronic’
Dates: July 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Location: Ibiza, Spain
Notable Acts: Sting + Basement Jaxx, Elton John + Pnau, Lenny Kravitz + Luciano, Axwell, David Guetta, Tiesto
The Hook: Pete Tong is doing something different in Ibiza this summer, pairing rock icons with EDM artists for a whole new kind of sound. If you happen to find yourself in Ibiza come early July, this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime events you probably don’t want to miss.
Camp Bisco
Dates: July 12th – 14th
Location: Mariaville, NY
Notable Acts: Dada Life, Bassnectar, Porter Robinson, Skrillex, Zedd, Zedd’s Dead
The Hook: Started by the Disco Biscuits over 10 years ago, Camp Bisco has a huge variety of artists. The lineup is pretty good, the ticket prices are fair, and it’s only two hours from NYC.
IDentity
Dates: July 19th – August 19th
Location: Various
Notable Acts: Eric Prydz, Porter Robinson, Bingo Players, Madeon, Wolfgang Gartner
The Hook: After last year’s IDentity disaster, we wouldn’t be rushing back unless it were for Eric Prydz. The lineups vary by location, but again, let us spell it out for you if you didn’t hear us the first time: E R I C P R Y D Z.
August
Lollapalooza
Dates: August 3rd – August 5th
Location: Chicago, IL
Notable Acts: Avicii, Bassnectar, Kaskade, Miike Snow, Nero
The Hook: Lollapalooza has become the midwest festival king and this year’s lineup doesn’t disappoint variety wise. However, if you only care about the EDM acts, you’ll probably fare a bit better at Spring Awakening.
Hard Summer
Dates: August 3rd – August 4th
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Notable Acts: Zedd, Skrillex, A-trak, 12th Planet, Basement Jaxx, Annie Mac, Borgore
The Hook: There are other festivals in LA but Hard always has a carefully selected lineup which should satisfy all the bassheads.
The Veld
Dates: August 4th – August 5th
Location: Toronto, Canada
Notable Acts: Deadmau5, Avicii, Steve Angello, Knife Party, Nicky Romero, Pierce Fulton
The Hook: If you’re trying to see Deadmau5 at a festival this summer, The Veld might be your only shot on the East Coast. The first ever Veld Music Festival brings an awesome lineup to Toronto for two days of music in Downsview Park, not to mention its name bears an uncanny resemblance to Deadmau5′s latest release.
Hard Toronto
Dates: August 4th
Location: Toronto, Canada
Notable Acts: Justice, M83.
The Hook: The only reason you would attend this festival is if you are a diehard Justice or M83 fan. Otherwise, just go to The Veld, we know it’ll be more fun.
Electric Zoo
Dates: August 31st – Sept. 2nd
Location: Randalls Island, NYC
Notable Acts: David Guetta, Pretty Lights, Laidback Luke, Hardwell, Nicky Romero, Axwell, Above & Beyond, Tiesto, Knife Party, Porter Robinson (those are just the headliners)
The Hook: This is a festival that compares to EDC and Ultra. It’s a who’s who of EDM artists invading New York city right around Labor Day Weekend. This is arguably the best East coast festival with the best lineup. Needless to say, it’s a must.
North Coast
Dates: August 31st – Sept. 2nd
Location: Chicago, IL
Notable Acts: Pretty Lights, Axwell, Steve Angello, Steve Aoki, Alesso, Excision, Mord Fustang, Knife Party, Tommy Trash
The Hook: If you’re stuck in the midwest and missed the other two festivals in Chicago this summer, then North Coast is your last chance to rage. Don’t expect the lineup to get much better since everyone else will be at Ezoo.
September
Made in America Festival
Dates: September 1st – 2nd
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Notable Acts: Skrillex, Calvin Harris, Afrojack, Jay-Z, Pearl Jam, Miike Snow
The Hook: This special festival is being thrown by Jay-Z himself, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit charities in Philadelphia and South Jersey. It’s also the only opportunity to see Jay-Z and Skrillex at the same event ever (to our knowledge at least). Yes, it conflicts with Electric Zoo, but if you can’t make it to NY and still need an EDM fix, Made in America is your jam.
Sun City Music Festival
Dates: September 1st and 2nd
Location: El Paso, TX
Notable Acts: Above & beyond. Alvin risk, Dada life, David Guetta, Dillon Francis, Nicky Romero, Wolfgang Gartner, Zedd
The Hook: As the festival returns for its second year, there are some big names that are coming to Texas. A&B, Guetta, Dada Life will all be flying to TX and NY for both festivals but if you dont have the kind of money to keep up with them, Sun City doesn’t look to bad after all.
Counterpoint
Dates: September 28 – 29
Location: Atlanta, GA
Notable Acts: Bassnectar, Skrillex, Pretty Lights, Steve Angello, Avicii, Alesso, Zeds Dead
The Hook: This could be the biggest festival to end the summer circuit. With the promo company from Camp Bisco teaming up with Lollapaloza’s, you know this will be done well. The lineup is massive for this time of the year, so if you are in the dirty South, we wouldn’t skip out.
Future Festivals with tickets now available
Holy Ship
Dates: January 2013
Location: Ship leaves from Florida
Notable Acts: Justice, Boyz Noise, Knife Party, Diplo, Tommy Trash, Zedd, Dillon Francis
The Hook: No lineup or any other information yet but after a hugely sucessful first year, Holy Ship is back for round two. From what we heard, this was one of the most personal and awesome experiences, ever.
Tomorrowland?
Prydz was added to Wavefront as well…
lol if you didnt notice the trend, these were all festivals/shows in north america. And im pretty sure DA is US based
except for the one in spain……………………
I think DA missed one thing….ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL!!! Even though you left the best off the list it’s nice to know your cover photo for this story is at UMF in downtown Miami, nothing better.
Can’t wait for some news on EDC PR
you forgot Meltdown Dallas this weekend 06/02
You guys are missing Sun City Music Festival which is held in El Paso TX
Ultra was in March. This is for upcoming Summer Festivals.
thats the only one thats not in the US thats listed… and its pete tong the legend… QQ
Plus 4 in Canada.
GLOBAL DANCE FESTIVAL!!!! in the best venue on earth in denver! come on now!
lineup (phase 1) and dates have been released for Holy Ship
and meltdown in dallas, tx
fixed thanks
NORTH AMERICA YOU FUCKING PRICK
Global Dance Festival Colorado!!!! 3 day music festival with an amazing lineup and THE best ampitheatre in the world!
Knife Party will not be at lolla unfortunately..
i guess you missed the whole part about this being summer events….
SO I’ve had a busy year and a good year ahead! Been to:
EDC LV 2011
Electric Zoo 2011
Escape from Wonderland
Fall Massive in DC
Alesso @ Pacha Dec 30th
Avicii New Years Eve at Pier 94
Ultra 2012 (Best 3 days of my life)
Sasquatch 2012 (Same place as Paradiso, this last weekend, after seeing the place I immediately bought my paradiso ticket)
and now i’m going to
EDC LV 2012
Paradiso 2012
Porter Robinson in Seattle
Electric Zoo 2012
Holy Ship 2013
Plus so many more in between! :D
Oh and its no question im going to Ultra 2013
COUNTERPOINT!! so excited another good EDM festival is coming to the south.
Sun City Music Fest has the lineup posted under their Twitter handle.
Went to EDC NY, going to Tomorrowland and EZoo..going to be a great summer
ELECTRIC FOREST LAST YEAR WAS THE BEST FESTIVAL I’VE BEEN TO. NOT ALL EDM ACTS, WHICH I DON’T MIND. GET TO CHILL DURING THE DAY AND AT NIGHT PARTY TO SOME BEATS AND RAGE IN THE CRAZY ASS FOREST
If you are all about summer festivals, how about Ultra in Warsaw, Poland?
How about Ultra in Warsaw, Poland (July13/14)
Seems like summer to me!
Gotta mention starscape in baltimore, june 9th
You’re talking Spring Awakening up too much. It’s all ages or 16+, I forget, either way, the first day is going to be something terrible. It’s Skrillex, which will draw all the shitheads out (if you’ve ever been to a chicago skrillex show thats not 21+, you’ll never go again) paired with all of the trance artists (which most of the kids out to see skrill will hate). Sunday is a little more balanced.
The best part about spring awakening was that it allowed you to buy tix to all the great (and mostly 21+) after parties, but apparently those weren’t selling very well because they just opened them up to the public yesterday.
SO, instead of having a shitty time at spring awakening, people can just hit the afterparties (carl cox for $25 and he’ll be going til 4am, skrilex til 5 in a 21+ envo, designer drugs and joachim garraud til 5 21+, the entire jacked crew til 4a 21+, etc).
dk, hopefully people will have fun there, but I doubt itll be anywhere near as good as you make it sound like it might be able to be.
Sensation innerspace NYC!!!!!!!!
Check out Motion Notion! July 19-23 in BC Canada! http://www.motionnotion.com
MOTION NOTION IS KILLER FESTIVAL! July 19-23 Golden, BC, Canada. http://www.motionnotion.com
You guys forgot Burning Man
no love for the groove cruise? –> http://www.thegroovecruise.com/
added thanks z!
Global Dance Festival at Red Rocks!!! http://www.globaldancefestival.com
no EDC PR?
and how many of those events were you on drugs for?
You definitely missed Dayglow Tour.
defqon 1?
decibel?
dominator?
mysteryland?
tommorland?
these are the partyes you have to go
and ofcourse
qlimaxx and hardbass but thouse are in the winter
wavefront is in chicago. north coast is the 4th of the summer and the lineup will get better because if you didn’t already see people are playing both ezoo and ncmf. people have been playing both for the past two years
This summer will be my first time going to this festival http://www.shambhalamusicfestival.com/news/music/shambhala-2012-lineup/. The pictures make me think it’s going to be special!