With the summer comes music festivals and while the DC and MD area aren’t exactly the hub for major festivals the likes of Lollapalooza, Coachella or Bonnaroo, the festival scene is on the rise in the area. Next Monday will bring the announcement of the date and lineup for the 6th annual Virgin Mobile Festival (now called Virgin Freefest). The festival, once held at Pimlico Raceway, is now held at Merriweather Post Pavilion and can be called the crème de la crème of music festivals in this area. But a few other festivals are also taking place in the area which could also draw large crowds and just as much buzz.
Below is a short list of some of the "lesser known" festivals that will be gracing the MD/DC/VA area this summer and into early fall. If anyone has additions they think belong on the list please feel free to leave info in the comments section.
- The newest festival piquing people’s curiosity would have to be the first ever Silopanna Festival. The unusual festival moniker is actually a clever way to pay tribute to the city it will take place in (Silopanna = Annapolis backwards). The festival, which is being produced by Rams Head Promotions, features well-known artists like Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Matt and Kim and Fitz and the Tantrums along with many local acts too. Silopanna will take place on August 27 at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds. For more info visit: http://www.silopannafest.com/
- Another local festival that’s still just as popular after all these years is the HFStival which is put on by WHFS. WHFS is like a phoenix that rose from the ashes and resurrected the station and HFStival several years ago after the once popular station abruptly disappeared after the station unexpectedly changed formats. But as always this year’s festival doesn't disappoint and features top-notch acts like the Avett Brothers, Flogging Molly, Gin Blossoms, Minus The Bear and many more. The festival takes place on September 17 at Merriweather Post Pavilion. For more info visit: http://whfs.radio.com/shows/hfstival/
- Merriweather Post Pavilion seems to be the current hub for music festivals. MPP also is the home to the traveling festival Vans Warped Tour which seems to always make a stop in the area. This year’s festival lineup once again features some of today's coolest artists on the rise that may not be household names but have huge followings like Reliant K, Less Than Jake, Gym Class Heroes, Middle Class Rut, Yelawolf to name a few. Vans Warped Tour will be taking place on July 26 and more info can be found here: http://vanswarpedtour.com/
- For lovers of old school rock and rockabilly then Outlaw Jam in Frederick, MD should be of interest. Following up on an impressive lineup last year 2011’s Outlaw Festival features the famous artists like Motley Crue, Poison, New York Dolls, Shooter Jennings and Brian Setzer and several other artists. There will even be an autograph signing from cast members of the show Sons of Anarchy. The festival takes place July 30 & 31 at Frederick Fairgrounds. For more info visit: http://www.outlawjam.com/index.htm
- The annual festival Artscape always holds true to its name and features some of the best national and local artists who produce art be it visual, musical or other types. This will be the 30th year that festival goers will get the chance to experience art in its various, diverse forms in Baltimore. The concerts and musical performances make this festival a top draw every year for people in Maryland, DC and beyond. This year features four stages of eclectic concerts. Artists like Matisyahu, G Love & Special Sauce, Fantasia, Nikka Costa and Southern Culture On The Skids join up and coming artists from many genres, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and other performers and acts this year. The festival takes place July 15-17. For more info visit: http://www.artscape.org/home
- If metal is more of a favorite then definitely check out Rockstar Mayhem Fest which will be at Jiffy Lube Live (formerly Nissan Pavilion) in Bristow, VA. The festival stop features a wide array of famous bands such a Megadeth, Godsmack and Disturbed along with many up and coming metal bands as well. For those about to rock or who want to rock the local stop on the Mayhem Festival takes place July 30 and for more info visit: http://rockstarmayhemfest.com/event/id/38195
These are only a few of a wide array of music festivals and festivals that feature music in the Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia area. While some festivals unfortunately won’t go ahead as planned (see the Spirit Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion which was recently cancelled as an example.) There are new festivals like Silopanna being created and being added to the list of festivals to look forward to in the area. A list that will no doubt grow even more in the future. The MD/DC/VA area is steadily starting to gain a well-deserved reputation for being able to host popular festivals. So hopefully something on the list above will spark some excitement from local music festival lovers. But stay tuned for details about this year’s Virgin Mobile Freefest both on here and at http://virginmobilefestival.com/
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