Summer Music Festival Guide

The best places to hear music in the great outdoors.

Rock the Bells, (various dates) - It’s that time of year again when the weather is perfect for outdoor listening activities. We’ve got you covered with our guide to the best summer music festivals across the globe. Up first, and followed in no particular order, is the national Rock the Bells tour. Making less stops this year, the 2-day long festival features sets from classic hip hop artists like Nas, Ice Cube, Slick Rick, Salt-n-Pepa, DMX and Eve. And they didn’t forget about the new school, with performances from J. Cole, Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa. Check out the website for more info and dates for shows in your area. (Photo: Terrence Jennings/Picturegroup)

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Rock the Bells, (various dates) - It’s that time of year again when the weather is perfect for outdoor listening activities. We’ve got you covered with our guide to the best summer music festivals across the globe. Up first, and followed in no particular order, is the national Rock the Bells tour. Making less stops this year, the 2-day long festival features sets from classic hip hop artists like Nas, Ice Cube, Slick Rick, Salt-n-Pepa, DMX and Eve. And they didn’t forget about the new school, with performances from J. Cole, Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa. Check out the website for more info and dates for shows in your area. (Photo: Terrence Jennings/Picturegroup)

Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival (July 9-14) - A five day celebration of hip hop music and culture, highlighting each of its expressive forms with DJ battles, art shows, dance workshops and film screenings, all culminating in a huge concert headlined by Busta Rhymes who plans to bring along some friends. At last year’s show, Q-Tip brought out surprise guests Kanye West and the rest of his bandmates from A Tribe Called Quest. With all of Busta Rhymes' collabos throughout his career, we’re betting he's got lots of surprises in store for the fans. Go here for more details.  (Photo: Courtesy blackbookmag.com)

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Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival (July 9-14) - A five day celebration of hip hop music and culture, highlighting each of its expressive forms with DJ battles, art shows, dance workshops and film screenings, all culminating in a huge concert headlined by Busta Rhymes who plans to bring along some friends. At last year’s show, Q-Tip brought out surprise guests Kanye West and the rest of his bandmates from A Tribe Called Quest. With all of Busta Rhymes' collabos throughout his career, we’re betting he's got lots of surprises in store for the fans. Go here for more details.  (Photo: Courtesy blackbookmag.com)

Macy's Music Festival (July 27-28) - Who knew that Cinci had one of the best music festivals of the summer? Featuring R&B and soul acts from yesterday and today, this is a show that is sure to keep you grooving. Musical guests include this year's and the 2009 BET Lifetime Achievement Award honorees Frankie Beverly and Maze and The O'Jays along with Charlie Wilson, Eric Benet, Ledisi, Jaheim and Monica. With this lineup, Ohio should be added to the Midwest summer music fest checklist. Click here to find out more. (Photo: macysmusicfestival.com)

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Macy's Music Festival (July 27-28) - Who knew that Cinci had one of the best music festivals of the summer? Featuring R&B and soul acts from yesterday and today, this is a show that is sure to keep you grooving. Musical guests include this year's and the 2009 BET Lifetime Achievement Award honorees Frankie Beverly and Maze and The O'Jays along with Charlie Wilson, Eric Benet, Ledisi, Jaheim and Monica. With this lineup, Ohio should be added to the Midwest summer music fest checklist. Click here to find out more. (Photo: macysmusicfestival.com)

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Essence Music Festival (July 5-8) - This year marks the 17th birthday of the R&B, soul fest that descends upon New Orleans like humidity in a swamp. There's empowerment seminars, workshops and, of course, a series of concerts spread across four days that help lure hundreds of thousands each year to party in the "Crescent City." With performances from Mary J. Blige, Trey Songz, D'Angelo, Aretha Franklin, Stephanie Mills, Anthony Hamilton, Marsha Ambrosius, SWV, Teedra Moses, Robert Glasper, Mary Mary and Kevin Hart, it is looking to be another stellar year.  (Photo:  Mark Davis/PictureGroup)

Lollapalooza (August 3-5) - An eclectic blend of indie rock, electronic and hip hop all merge at the three-day concert series where this year music lovers will get their fill of everything from The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jack White, Florence and the Machine, Santigold and Aloe Blacc to J.Cole, Frank Ocean, Wale, Childish Gambino and B.O.B. Set in the middle of downtown Chicago in Grant Park, there’s also yummy eats with Chow Town, a curated food fest highlighting the finest fare in the city. Will you be there?(Photo: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage)

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Lollapalooza (August 3-5) - An eclectic blend of indie rock, electronic and hip hop all merge at the three-day concert series where this year music lovers will get their fill of everything from The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jack White, Florence and the Machine, Santigold and Aloe Blacc to J.Cole, Frank Ocean, Wale, Childish Gambino and B.O.B. Set in the middle of downtown Chicago in Grant Park, there’s also yummy eats with Chow Town, a curated food fest highlighting the finest fare in the city. Will you be there?(Photo: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage)

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Reggae Sumfest (July 15-21) - If you love reggae and sexy R&B, there is no other place for you to be than in Jamaica for Reggae Sumfest. In addition to dancehall greats like Beenie Man and contemporary roots artist Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, all you ladies will love that both R. Kelly and Trey Songz headline the last two nights of the concert series. For more info on planning your getaway, click here.  (Photo: Radcliffe Roye/www.royephotography.com)

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Reggae Sumfest (July 15-21) - If you love reggae and sexy R&B, there is no other place for you to be than in Jamaica for Reggae Sumfest. In addition to dancehall greats like Beenie Man and contemporary roots artist Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, all you ladies will love that both R. Kelly and Trey Songz headline the last two nights of the concert series. For more info on planning your getaway, click here.  (Photo: Radcliffe Roye/www.royephotography.com)

Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (August 3-5) - You may not be able to score that flight to Paris just yet, but maybe you can get your fill of French in Montreal at the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival. Snoop Dogg headlines, but for the alt-rock and indie lovers there’s Feist, The Shins, Santigold, MGMT, The Weeknd,  Gary Clark Jr. and Passion Pit. And of course for the hip hop fans there’s Common, Killer Mike and A$AP Rocky. There’s a ton more to do, see and hear. Make sure to check the site for more detailed information. (Photo: Flickr)

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Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (August 3-5) - You may not be able to score that flight to Paris just yet, but maybe you can get your fill of French in Montreal at the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival. Snoop Dogg headlines, but for the alt-rock and indie lovers there’s Feist, The Shins, Santigold, MGMT, The Weeknd,  Gary Clark Jr. and Passion Pit. And of course for the hip hop fans there’s Common, Killer Mike and A$AP Rocky. There’s a ton more to do, see and hear. Make sure to check the site for more detailed information. (Photo: Flickr)

Pitchfork Music Festival (July 13-15) - The outdoor music found all over the city is a "Summertime Chi" tool of seduction and the Pitchfork Music Festival is part of the arsenal. Three-days of indie pop/rock and hip hop with burgeoning underground kings Schoolboy Q, Danny Brown, Big K.R.I.T. and A$AP Rocky is reason enough to cop a ticket. And if you plan to attend, make sure to check out Pitchfork’s Book Fort for independent books, Chirp’s Record Fair for rare vinyl, Flatstock for a cool collection of music posters and Coterie to get a sneak peek at up-and-coming designers. Click here, for information. (Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

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Pitchfork Music Festival (July 13-15) - The outdoor music found all over the city is a "Summertime Chi" tool of seduction and the Pitchfork Music Festival is part of the arsenal. Three-days of indie pop/rock and hip hop with burgeoning underground kings Schoolboy Q, Danny Brown, Big K.R.I.T. and A$AP Rocky is reason enough to cop a ticket. And if you plan to attend, make sure to check out Pitchfork’s Book Fort for independent books, Chirp’s Record Fair for rare vinyl, Flatstock for a cool collection of music posters and Coterie to get a sneak peek at up-and-coming designers. Click here, for information. (Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

Hackney Weekend (June 23-24) - It’s a little bit of short notice for you to hop a flight across the pond to London, but if you happen to already be traveling or living abroad, the Hackney Weekend is one music series not to miss. This year’s impressive line-up includes Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Jessie J, Rita Ora, Santigold, Azealia Banks, Nas and Trey Songz. Are you checking airline ticket prices yet? For more details on planning this year or next year’s trip, check the website. (Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

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Hackney Weekend (June 23-24) - It’s a little bit of short notice for you to hop a flight across the pond to London, but if you happen to already be traveling or living abroad, the Hackney Weekend is one music series not to miss. This year’s impressive line-up includes Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Jessie J, Rita Ora, Santigold, Azealia Banks, Nas and Trey Songz. Are you checking airline ticket prices yet? For more details on planning this year or next year’s trip, check the website. (Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Playboy Jazz Festival (June 16-17) - This legendary jazz festival marks its 34th year this weekend in Long Beach, California, where legions of music enthusiasts head out with their picnic baskets and their blankets to take in the sounds of legendary artists like Sheila E., Boney James and Ozomatli, all headliners at this year’s festivities. And the host? None other than Mr. Bill Cosby. So bring the family and make it a music appreciation weekend.  (Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images)

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Playboy Jazz Festival (June 16-17) - This legendary jazz festival marks its 34th year this weekend in Long Beach, California, where legions of music enthusiasts head out with their picnic baskets and their blankets to take in the sounds of legendary artists like Sheila E., Boney James and Ozomatli, all headliners at this year’s festivities. And the host? None other than Mr. Bill Cosby. So bring the family and make it a music appreciation weekend.  (Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images)

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Wireless Music Festival (July 6-8) - Drake and Rihanna — do we need to go on? The Wireless Music Festival boasts an incredible menu of musicians including Nicki Minaj, J.Cole, Wiz Khalifa, Rita Ora, A$AP Rocky, Childish Gambino, Lloyd, Theophilus London, The-Dream, Meek Mill and a whole lot more. So score a flight after celebrating Independence Day from merry old England stateside and check out how our U.S. music stars rock the British crown — we mean crowd. (Photo: Matt Kent/WireImage)

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Wireless Music Festival (July 6-8) - Drake and Rihanna — do we need to go on? The Wireless Music Festival boasts an incredible menu of musicians including Nicki Minaj, J.Cole, Wiz Khalifa, Rita Ora, A$AP Rocky, Childish Gambino, Lloyd, Theophilus London, The-Dream, Meek Mill and a whole lot more. So score a flight after celebrating Independence Day from merry old England stateside and check out how our U.S. music stars rock the British crown — we mean crowd. (Photo: Matt Kent/WireImage)

Ottawa Blues Fest - This festival runs for so long, there’s time to hit almost every event. There’s six stages and a mix of every music genre from hard rock (Alice Cooper), dance/pop (LMFAO), jazz/folk (Norah Jones) to the undefinable (Amalgamation). But for you hip hop heads, the concert promoters took a special liking and invited Lauryn Hill, Snoop Dogg, A$AP Rocky, Big Boi of Outkast and K’Naan. (Photo: Flickr)

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Ottawa Blues Fest - This festival runs for so long, there’s time to hit almost every event. There’s six stages and a mix of every music genre from hard rock (Alice Cooper), dance/pop (LMFAO), jazz/folk (Norah Jones) to the undefinable (Amalgamation). But for you hip hop heads, the concert promoters took a special liking and invited Lauryn Hill, Snoop Dogg, A$AP Rocky, Big Boi of Outkast and K’Naan. (Photo: Flickr)