Why would a hippie drown themselves in a sea of hipsters and EDM?  If you enjoy Phish, Dead & Co, Greensky Bluegrass, and the like, what would the appeal of Electric Forest be you ask? The miles of music listed on the bill are obscure and barely heard of bands to an aging hippie. Are they even bands? These are questions you may ask yourself while looking at the ticket price. I understand, and in response, I offer you these five counter-arguments for your consideration.

The second day of Music on the Mesa 2017 started early. Though there was a huge crowd on the first night of the fest, music lovers were taking their time moseying down to the festival grounds in search of that day’s entertainment. I moseyed down myself from the vintage Aristocrat trailer I stayed in the night before. It was nicknamed Dennis and had an Easy Rider/Dennis Hopper theme in its decorations. It was super convenient to be able to just walk across a dirt road to where everything was happening.

River Edge Park in Aurora, IL hosted a beautiful evening of Dark Star Orchestra on 6/24 ‘17.  While Chicagoland eagerly awaits the upcoming Dead & Co shows at Wrigley Field next weekend, a metro train ride out to the burbs provided 1500 guests a way to chill out by the mighty Fox River.  It was a grateful evening of sentimental tunes played out with perfect 70-degree weather. 

The 3rd annual WinterWonderGrass Festival attracted thousands of fans to North Lake Tahoe, March 30th- April 2nd for the sold out three day music and brews festival.  With bluebird powder days giving way to snowy winter nights, fans gathered to watch their favorite bluegrass bands play into the California sky. The festival has created a sense of community with fans returning each year traveling from over 40 states to see more than 30 world-renowned bluegrass acts. .

In its 12th year, Pitchfork Music Festival headlines with LCD Soundsystem (Friday), A Tribe Called Quest (Saturday) closing with Solange (Sunday). Featuring three stages, the line-up of 40 plus bands includes fan favorites George Clinton & Parlament Funkadelic, The Feelies, P.J. Harvey, Francis and the Lights and Jamila Woods. This Independently run festival highlights some of the best in new and emerging music.

Widespread Panic are back to close out their annual run at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre. All three shows were completely sold out. No tickets? No problem. Couch Tour is in full swing. Order nugs.tv webcasts of the band's three-night Red Rocks Amphitheatre run LIVE in HD, June 23-25th!

Formed from weekly shows at Phil Lesh's Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, CA, the Terrapin Family Band featuring Ross James, Grahame Lesh, Jason Crosby and Alex Koford, has become the venue's official house band.

Widespread Panic are back TONIGHT for their annual run at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre outside Denver, Colorado (June 23, 24 & 25th.) All three shows are completely sold out. No tickets? No problem. Couch Tour will be in full swing when nugs.tv webcasts the band's three-night Red Rocks Amphitheatre run LIVE in HD, June 23-25th!

Today, Yonder Mountain String Band releases their first new studio album in two years, LOVE. AIN’T LOVE, is undeniably the Colorado-based progressive bluegrass outfit’s most surprising, creative, and yes, energetic studio excursion to date.

Any event surrounding the Star Wars legacy is sure to be an intergalactic extravaganza. If one combines that with the power of the forward thinking Colorado Symphony, they are left with a sonic experience that is truly out of this world. This symphony has been hot as of late. Within the last few years, they have expanded their reach in the music world. They have collaborated with acts such as the Flaming Lips, Jethro Tull, Warren Haynes playing the music of Jerry Garcia, as well as the music of the late Michael Jackson and John Denver.