c>log
A full slate of outdoor concert festivals is on tap for this summer. There will be at least five new high-profile events for the music lover to attend. The success of Bonnaroo and its continuing growth has made the concert festival a major source of revenue for the music business. Last year Bonnaroo grossed $16.8 million in ticket sales which is an increase over last year's gross ticket sales of $14.7 million. These figures do not include concessions, merchandise or sponsors. In an unusual move for the business, Coldplay is taking a cut of the revenue at the Pemberton Festival in July. The Eagles have been offered a percentage of the ticket sales in addition to their performance fee at the Stagecoach Festival, a California country music festival now in its second year.

As big business meets music in these festival environments, some worry that the concerts will lose their edgy anti-establishment flavor as the increased popularity of the festivals leads to a more homogeneous scene for the music fan. And, overlapping bookings are now very common among these festivals (Jack Johnson will make appearances at six of these festivals this year). The growth that concert festivals are experiencing is starting to mimic the festival scene found in Europe where a lack of sizable venues created a thriving circuit of concerts that feature camping and acts booked to suit regional tastes. There is room for growth of this type of entertainment in the U.S. but this summer will be a true test of how much the market can support. This list presents the top ten events this summer and by no means is it a complete list of all the festivals this summer. Have fun and be safe!

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Summer 2008 Concert Festival Guide

		Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Headliners: Jack Johnson, Portishead, Prince Where: Indio, California When: April 25 – April 27 How Much: $269 (3 Day Pass)
		Sasquatch! Music Festival Headliners: R.E.M., The Cure, Modest Mouse Where: George, Washington When: May 24 – May 26 How Much: $66.50 (Per Day)
		Bonnaroo Arts & Music Festival Headliners: Pearl Jam, Metallica Where: Manchester, Tennessee When: June 12 – June 15 How Much: $244.50 (4 Day Pass)
		Rothbury Headliners: Dave Matthews, John Mayer Where: Rothbury, Michigan When: July 3 – July 6 How Much: $244.75 (4 Day Pass)
		Essence Music Festival Headliners: Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Chris Rock Where: New Orleans, Louisiana When: July 4 – July 6 How Much: $56 – $110 (Per Day)
		Pemberton Festival Headliners: Coldplay, Tom Petty, Nine Inch Nails Where: Pemberton, British Columbia When: July 25 – July 27 How Much: $258 (3 Day Pass)
		Lollapalooza Headliners: Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine Where: Chicago, Illinois When: August 1 – August 3 How Much: $190 (3 Day Pass)
		All Points West Music & Arts Festival Headliners: Radiohead, Jack Johnson, Kings of Leon Where: Liberty State Park, New Jersey When: August 8 – August 10 How Much: $89 (Per Day) $258 (3 Day Pass)
		Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival Headliners: Beck, Radiohead, Tom Petty Where: San Francisco, California When: August 22 – August 24 How Much: $225.50 (3 Day Pass)
		Austin City Limits Music Festival Headliners: Foo Fighters, Beck, Robert Plant Where: Austin, Texas When: September 26 – September 28 How Much: $170 (3 Day Pass)

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