Music makes the world go ’round, making us feel productive, inspired and energized. We’re huge fans of powerhouse music festivals like Coachella and Bonnaroo, except for when tickets sell out fast and are oh-so expensive. This year, try switching up your music game and experiencing an off-the-beaten-path festival for less. From coast to coast, we’ve uncovered the coolest of cool (from jazz to rock and everything in between). Grab your crossbody purse, killer fashion sense and trusty water bottle, and get ready to rock out to some sweet, sweet music.
1. The Ride Festival (Telluride, CO, July 11-12): The setting alone is worth the trip. With stages sprinkled throughout the breathtakingly quaint Telluride, you’ll never be bored with the nature, the beauty or the music. This year’s lineup has yet to be announced, but if it’s anything like last year’s all-star line up (Edward Sharpe and Spoon, just to name a few), you’re in for a festival you’ll never forget. Ticket prices have not yet been announced. (Photo via The Ride Festival Photo Gallery)
2. BottleRock (Napa, CA, May 29-31): Now in its third year, this wine-tasting/rock festival is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Drink from local vineyards and get your groove on to Imagine Dragons, feel empowered to No Doubt and drop it like it’s hot to Snoop Dog. There’s something for everyone at this festival. Plus, it’s in Napa, baby. Score single-day passes for $99 or three-day passes starting at $275. (Photo via OurVinyl.TV)
3. Sasquatch Music Festival (George, WA, May 22-25): What do you get when you mix Kendrick Lamar and Robert Plant with Modest Mouse and Lana Del Rey? One word: Sasquatch. With a setting to make all other locales jealous, this festival has been rocking out for 13 years now and consistently delivers incredible music mixed with nature. Tickets are $350. (Photo via Christine Mitchell)
4. High Sierra Music Festival (Quincy, CA, July 2-5): Located 80 miles northwest of Reno, this festival will bring out your inner flower child. With camping included in your ticket price, High Sierra will leave you with the ultimate music high. You can buy passes for $226. (Photo via Justin Halgren)
5. Strawberry Music Festival (Grass Valley, CA, May 21-25): The quaintest of them all, Strawberry Music Festival (how adorable is the name?), located near Tahoe National Forest, is for those that want way fewer people while relaxing to some eclectic bluegrass tunes. Camp among the trees and catch Bonnie Raitt as she headlines this dream-like festival. Purchase three-day passes for $205 or four-day passes for $225. (Photo via Save Strawberry Music Festival)
MIDWEST
6. Bunbury Festival (Cincinnati, OH, June 5-7): Situated right on the banks of the Ohio River, this three-day music festival is now in its fourth year. The lineup for this year includes Snoop Dogg, The Decemberists, Kacey Musgraves and more, totaling 50 acts on four different stages. Music addicts, this one is for you. Single-day passes go for $69, while three-day passes are $154. (Photo via Cincinnati Enquirer)
7. Basilica Block Party (Minneapolis, MN, July 10-11): A rock festival set with a gorgeous cathedral and the Minneapolis skyline as its backdrop, the Basilica Block Party knows how to leave you breathless. Started in 1995, this little festival has become a pretty big deal and also raises big bucks for the church’s restoration projects. We’re all for festivals with a cause. Ticket prices have not been announced yet. (Photo via @ofarevolution)
8. Summerfest (Milwaukee, WI, June 24 -28 and June 30-July 5): With a tagline like “world’s largest music festival,” you know this will be an epic time. Here are some numbers for you to absorb: 11 days over the course of two weekends, 11 stages, over 800 acts and nearly 900,000 other people just like you. We’re totally there. Single-day pass are just $19, while three-day passes cost $45. (Photo via Arizona Foothills Magazine)
9. Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, IL, July 17-19): This festival has love for the alt. rock genre but also makes sure to tune in to what other people want at a festival: more music. Wilco, Sleater Kinney, The New Pornographers and many more will satisfy any music craving you may have. Single-day passes are $65, while three-day passes go for $150. (Photo via TickPick)
SOUTH
10. Hangout Festival (Gulf Shores, AL, May 15-17): A beach of a music festival where shoes are totally optional and a swimsuit is a must. This year’s lineup includes Foo Fighters, Sam Smith, Beck… the list goes on and on and on. Plus, you really can’t go wrong with a festival that’s practically in the water. How cool is that? Tickets start at $249. (Photo via Hangout Festival Homepage)
11. Beale Street Music Festival (Memphis, TN, May 1-3): Music and Memphis go hand in hand. This festival (now in its 39th year) is held at the foot of historic Beale Street with the mighty Mississippi River as your backdrop. Three days, multiple stages and eclectic mix of music… what’s not to love? Tickets are $95. (Photo via Power 106)
12. New Orleans Jazz + Heritage Festival (New Orleans, LA, April 24-May 3): Get jazzed for this festival. The epitome of New Orleans life, Jazz Fest (as the locals call it) is a must-see at least once in your festival-hopping life. And don’t worry, there’s more than just jazz — Elton John, Pitbull, John Legend and The Who are scheduled to perform. Who’s coming with us? Tickets are $70. (Photo via David Grunfeld)
13. Wakarusa (Ozark, AR, June 4-7): Lounging in a hammock right next to your tent is the Wakarusa way of life. This year’s lineup of The Roots, Ben Harper, STS9 and then some will leave you dreaming of said hammock all night, every night. Score tickets for $179. (Photo via SEEN:imagery)
EAST COAST
14. Governors Ball (New York City, NY, June 5-7): Island life with a twist, this three-day festival takes place at Randall’s Island Park in Manhattan. From Drake and Florence + The Machine to The Black Keys and Bjork, you’ll get your festival fix with killer shots of the Manhattan skyline. A single-day pass costs $105 and three-day passes are $260. (Photo via Governors Ball Photo Gallery)
15. Firefly (Dover, DE, June 18-21): Labeled as the East Coast Bonnaroo, this festival takes place on 105 acres of wooded awesomeness. But people don’t just come for the music. They have a Beercade (which is exactly what it sounds like), a brewery, a hammock hangout plus stations to design your own one-of-a-kind Toms shoes. Think of it as summer camp with an adult twist, all for $249. (Photo via Firefly Photo Gallery)
16. Big Guava Music Festival (Tampa, FL, May 8-9): Craft beer, food trucks, rides — oh my. A festival that delivers entertainment beyond the stage, you’ll get to catch The Strokes, Hozier, Passion Pit and more whilst you hop from one attraction to the next. A single-day pass starts at $50, and a two-day pass starts at $115. (Photo via Branden Camp)
Which of these festivals caught your eye (and ear)? Did we miss your favorite? Tell us in the comments below.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.