Eager for Spring Vol. I: Music Festivals

The sun sets at 5 pm, there’s a perpetual mound of snow on my car, I inevitably slip on ice during my daily commute, and everyday, I wake up in a mood.  The joys of winter in Chicago.  However, year after year, we witness that curious cycle of seasons changing: the snow melts, the sun shines, and (come May), spring finally arrives.  I am here to ease these last few months of Winter with a promise for a terrific year in music.  We’ve launched a new year and a new decade, with new music festivals to look forward to (this motto has become my salvation and I invite you to join me).  Here is your first look at Spring and Summer Music Festivals; be sure to keep posted as details and announcements trickle in.

SXSW

Cheeky covers SXSW each year, and 2010 is no exception.  Our first music festival of spring (and my first taste of sunshine in months) is just around the corner — and South, a bit — in Austin, Texas.  Each year, SXSW features both up-and-coming artists (last year we brought you coverage on Pains of Being Pure at Heart) and rock ‘n roll vets (remember our coverage of PJ Harvey at Stubb’s?).   This year’s fest, which takes place March 17-21, features acts including The xx, Neon Indian, and Frightened Rabbit.  Can’t make it to SXSW this year?  Visit Cheeky during the fest for updates, reviews, and photos.  For details, visit www.sxsw.com.

Coachella

For those of you have a history of seasonal breakdowns come April, when we get winter’s final (and fierce) snowfall, Coachella might be a good fit for you.  The three-day festival, held in Coachella Valley, California, spans April 16-18 and boasts the lineup of all lineups (we’ll just have to see what Lollapalooza has in store for us).  This year’s headliners are Jay-Z, LCD Soundsystem, Muse, Faith No More, Gorillaz, and Pavement.  Need I say more?  For details, visit www.coachella.com.

Lilith Fair

Remember Lilith Fair?  Sarah McLachlan’s female-led touring concert?  For having lasted only three years (1997-1999), it successfully featured myriad impressive artists, including Fiona Apple, Liz Phair, and Emmylou Harris.  Lucky for us gals (and some wise guys), McLachlan announced her revival of Lilith Fair in 2010.  This year’s fest, which kicks off this summer, already boasts a notable lineup, including Cat Power, Heart, Norah Jones, Erykah Badu, and Tegan and Sara. The fest’s website lists participating cities, and it’s no surprise Chicago is included.  With an exciting in-progress lineup like this, it looks to us like Lilith is back with a vengeance.  For details, visit www.lilithfair.com.

Pitchfork Music Festival

Pitchfork’s annual music fest may not take place until July, but considering three-day passes have already sold out (in record time; headliners were just announced last week), it’s time to spread the word.  As always, the fest will take place at Chicago’s Union Park (July 16-18), and this year’s teaser lineup alone was enough to win me over.  Newly reunited Pavement joins the headliners, as LCD Soundsystem, Modest Mouse, and St. Vincent strengthen the bound-to-awesome lineup.  Single-day tickets are still available for all three days.  For details, visit www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com.