Over the past decade, music festivals have evolved and gained a large following. The list has expanded greatly and there is no way our wallets or our calendars can conquer them all.
It seems as though Californian music festival, Coachella, is on everyone’s musical bucket list.
It’s no surprise, considering it has been named one of the best Music Festival’s by USA Today.
By no means am I hating on Coachella— trust me, I would jump through hoops to be able to hit the Californian dessert, be among celebrities in the crowds, and ride the notorious ferris wheel.
However, the cost of tickets could cost you an arm and a leg; that doesn’t even include the plane ticket, accommodations, and transportation.
For us East-coast kids to spend the weekend at Coachella, it would be the same amount as a Bahamas all-inclusive 5-day getaway.
The breakdown potentially goes like this:
A round trip from Newark airport to LAX for that weekend goes for $404—without luggage. Then, according to Coachella’s website, general passes started at $429. According to TIME Magazine you can be prepared to spend an average of $70 on a shuttle from LAX to the festival and $590 on a mid-range hotel which covers a 2 night stay.
Ladies and gents, your grand total is: $1,493.
After exploring TicketMaster’s “Festivals” tab, there are, luckily, several music festivals in the tri-state area that are more affordable and equally entertaining.
ELECTRIC ZOO NYC
Location: New York, NY
3-Day General Admission Pass without tax or fees: $219
Dates: August 31-September 2
Campsite: No
Lineup: TBA
Anthony Amato, who graduated Monmouth this past December, describes his experience at last year’s event as “Incredible.”
“We took the ferry over from Wall Street. When we got there we had the VIP package which allowed us to cut all the lines so that was pretty awesome,” Anthony said “I would definitely recommend spending the extra money because the lines get absolutely insane.”
“If there is one thing I wish I knew it would be to eat beforehand because the food is so expensive.”
FIREFLY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Location: Dover, Delaware
3-Day General Admission Pass without tax or fees: $329
Dates: June 14-17
Campsite: Yes
Lineup includes: Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Arctic Monkeys
Anna Marie, a junior elementary education student, Cia said Firefly was a “Crazy, vibrant experience.”
“It’s a place where thousands of strangers come together for the sake of good music. Everything from camping outside for 4 days, not showering, or running back and forth from your campsite to the venue adds to the experience,” she explained.
“In the venue the vibes are incredible,” AnnaMarie continued. “Everyone is so laid back, the energy is incredible and there’s no pressure. The music is mostly all alternative artists. Being someone who only listens to a little bit of alternative I still enjoy myself to the max.”
She would recommended anyone looking for a fun and adventure get away with friends to go.
“Definitely be prepared with a lot of nonperishable food and a lot of water, also tarps and pop up tents to protect your tent cause we did and during the downpour we didn’t any water in our tent where as other people woke up in a puddle.”
GOVERNORS BALL
3-Day general admission pass: $305.00
Campsite? No
Location: Randall’s Island, NYC
Dates: June 1-3
Lineup: Eminem, Jack White, Travis Scott, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Halsey
RADIO 104.5’s 11th BIRTHDAY SHOW
1-Day general admission pass: $76
Campsite? No
Location: Camden, NJ
Dates: June 30
Full Lineup: Imagine Dragons, Judah & The Lion, AJR, Sir Sly, Missio, The Wrecks, The Shelters, DREAMERS, Glorious Sons
Billy Nally, of alternative band, The Wrecks, who will be playing at the festival, is stoked to be in this lineup.
“It’s honestly crazy to be playing some of these festivals. I grew up going to some of these iconic venues and festivals and now I get to play them a few years after seeing some of my favorite bands on the same stage.”
PANORAMA
3-Day general admission pass $250:
Campsite: No
Dates: July 27-29
Location: Randall’s Island, NYC
Lineup includes: Cardi B,Gucci Mane, Janet Jackson, Migos,St. Vincent, The Killers, The Weekend, and more.
THE ROOTS JAM SESSION (Hosted by Dave Chappelle)
1-Day general admission pass: $75
Campsite: No
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Lineup includes: The Roots, Lil Uzi Vert, 2 Chainz, Fabolous, and more.
The band’s drummer, “Questlove,” said on his Instagram that there will be, “Mad, mad, mad, surprise guests.”
Of course, he didn’t mention any times, because that would ruin the fun.
All in all, the tri-tate area has a festival-filled summer ahead that hits all the same notes as Coachella without hitting your wallet.
Over the past decade, music festivals have evolved and gained a large following. The list has expanded greatly and there is no way our wallets or our calendars can conquer them all.
It seems as though Californian music festival, Coachella, is on everyone’s musical bucket list.
It’s no surprise, considering it has been named one of the best Music Festival’s by USA Today.
By no means am I hating on Coachella— trust me, I would jump through hoops to be able to hit the Californian dessert, be among celebrities in the crowds, and ride the notorious ferris wheel.
However, the cost of tickets could cost you an arm and a leg; that doesn’t even include the plane ticket, accommodations, and transportation.
For us East-coast kids to spend the weekend at Coachella, it would be the same amount as a Bahamas all-inclusive 5-day getaway.
The breakdown potentially goes like this:
A round trip from Newark airport to LAX for that weekend goes for $404—without luggage. Then, according to Coachella’s website, general passes started at $429. According to TIME Magazine you can be prepared to spend an average of $70 on a shuttle from LAX to the festival and $590 on a mid-range hotel which covers a 2 night stay.
Ladies and gents, your grand total is: $1,493.
After exploring TicketMaster’s “Festivals” tab, there are, luckily, several music festivals in the tri-state area that are more affordable and equally entertaining.
ELECTRIC ZOO NYC
Location: New York, NY
3-Day General Admission Pass without tax or fees: $219
Dates: August 31-September 2
Campsite: No
Lineup: TBA
Anthony Amato, who graduated Monmouth this past December, describes his experience at last year’s event as “Incredible.”
“We took the ferry over from Wall Street. When we got there we had the VIP package which allowed us to cut all the lines so that was pretty awesome,” Anthony said “I would definitely recommend spending the extra money because the lines get absolutely insane.”
“If there is one thing I wish I knew it would be to eat beforehand because the food is so expensive.”
FIREFLY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Location: Dover, Delaware
3-Day General Admission Pass without tax or fees: $329
Dates: June 14-17
Campsite: Yes
Lineup includes: Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Arctic Monkeys
Anna Marie, a junior elementary education student, Cia said Firefly was a “Crazy, vibrant experience.”
“It’s a place where thousands of strangers come together for the sake of good music. Everything from camping outside for 4 days, not showering, or running back and forth from your campsite to the venue adds to the experience,” she explained.
“In the venue the vibes are incredible,” AnnaMarie continued. “Everyone is so laid back, the energy is incredible and there’s no pressure. The music is mostly all alternative artists. Being someone who only listens to a little bit of alternative I still enjoy myself to the max.”
She would recommended anyone looking for a fun and adventure get away with friends to go.
“Definitely be prepared with a lot of nonperishable food and a lot of water, also tarps and pop up tents to protect your tent cause we did and during the downpour we didn’t any water in our tent where as other people woke up in a puddle.”
GOVERNORS BALL
3-Day general admission pass: $305.00
Campsite? No
Location: Randall’s Island, NYC
Dates: June 1-3
Lineup: Eminem, Jack White, Travis Scott, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Halsey
RADIO 104.5’s 11th BIRTHDAY SHOW
1-Day general admission pass: $76
Campsite? No
Location: Camden, NJ
Dates: June 30
Full Lineup: Imagine Dragons, Judah & The Lion, AJR, Sir Sly, Missio, The Wrecks, The Shelters, DREAMERS, Glorious Sons
Billy Nally, of alternative band, The Wrecks, who will be playing at the festival, is stoked to be in this lineup.
“It’s honestly crazy to be playing some of these festivals. I grew up going to some of these iconic venues and festivals and now I get to play them a few years after seeing some of my favorite bands on the same stage.”
PANORAMA
3-Day general admission pass $250:
Campsite: No
Dates: July 27-29
Location: Randall’s Island, NYC
Lineup includes: Cardi B,Gucci Mane, Janet Jackson, Migos,St. Vincent, The Killers, The Weekend, and more.
THE ROOTS JAM SESSION (Hosted by Dave Chappelle)
1-Day general admission pass: $75
Campsite: No
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Lineup includes: The Roots, Lil Uzi Vert, 2 Chainz, Fabolous, and more.
The band’s drummer, “Questlove,” said on his Instagram that there will be, “Mad, mad, mad, surprise guests.”
Of course, he didn’t mention any times, because that would ruin the fun.
All in all, the tri-tate area has a festival-filled summer ahead that hits all the same notes as Coachella without hitting your wallet.
PHOTO COURTESY of Julia Farnan
IMAGE TAKEN from festivalsnobs.com
PHOTO COURTESY of AnnaMarie Ciavattoni
