Fun times, summer (and music) in the city

By: Rose Schneider and Amy Azzi

Posted: 5/13/09

Summer is a great time to get together with friends you haven't seen since school started and have a great time. There is nothing better than to pack a car full of your best friends and drive to a campsite to jam out at a concert for a weekend. No matter what kind of music you're into, you don't have to travel far to find it and have a good time while doing it.

This year's Summerfest lineup will be no disappointment. The names are great, the stages are huge, the people get crazy and music is killer. The 11-day party runs from Saturday, June 25 to Sunday, July 5. Some performers are Jack's Mannequin, The Fray, Kid Rock, Kevin Rudolph, Jason Alden, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Asher Roth, Better than Ezra, Rise Against, Barenaked Ladies and Keith Urban. There is a $15 charge to get into the park and you can walk around from stage to stage all day long. Every stage has a different music genre theme, like the Zippo stag, for example, is rock. Be prepared to show your purse or backpacks at the gate to security person. Beer is $6 and drinks are $10 once you are inside. You are not allowed to bring in any carry-ins onto the grounds.

For those of you who love country music and beer, you can combine both of your favorite things at the Hodag Country Music Festival in Rhinelander, Wis. Hodag is the only music festival in Wisconsin that still allows people to bring in their own beverages (only cans, no bottles) on to the grounds. If you are a virgin Hodagger get ready for some rowdy campsite fun. This year's big name performers include Heidi Newfield, Blake Shelton, Billy Ray Cyrus, Julianne Hough, Miranda Lambert, Phil Vassar and Eric Church. With Shelton and Lambert both being on stage this year, you can expect a duet from the romantic couple. The concerts start Friday, July 10 and runs through Sunday, July 12. If you only plan to attend the festivities for one day, tickets are $60 in advance. If you plan to go for the whole week you can purchase a 9-day ticket before May 31 for $100. Also keep in mind if you plan on attending Hodag but you wait to purchase your tickets they will be $120 per ticket at the gate.

If alternative music is more of your pizzazz and you want to get in one more big concert before you have to come back to UW-Whitewater, the 2009 Vans Warped Tour is taking place at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Chicago. Less than Jake, 3OH!3, Shooter Jennings, Underoath, Bad Religion and Anti-flag are just a few of the popular head-banging bands that will be rocking out on the Midwest Bank stage. The date is Saturday, August 1. Right now tickets are selling for $28 but the day of the concert they will be sold for $33.75.

For those dedicated music lovers with about $200 to spare, Lollapalooza will fulfill your every wish. Headliners include The Killers, Depeche Mode, Tool, Kings of Leon, Jane's Addiction and the Beastie Boys. The three-day festival is sure to satisfy music fans of every genre. The diverse lineup ranges from Snoop Dogg to Lou Reed. The atmosphere in Grant Park is unparalleled. More than 80,000 people make the pilgramage to Chicago every summer to hear their favorite bands and find some new ones.

This summer's festivals wil certainly please every music enthusiast on every type of budget. Ticket prices and lineups vary drastically. Finding one just for you should be easy. Music is a great way to bring people together. So grab your wallet, grab some friends and go to whatever festival strikes your fancy.