Skip to main content

6 Music Festivals Worth Traveling For Other Than Coachella

By U.S. News & World Report

For many concertgoers, Coachella is more than a music festival — it’s a movement. Coachella represents a modern cultural experience that combines cutting-edge fashion, art and music with high-profile celebrities and an adrenaline-fueled atmosphere and energy. And while April has come and gone, there are still a variety of epic and underrated festivals worth catching in the summer season. Here are six can’t-miss summer music festivals well-suited for audiophiles of all kinds, from electronic fans to classic rock lovers.

[See: 7 Summer Vacation Ideas for Every Type of Traveler.]

Bonnaroo

Manchester, Tennessee

Bonnaroo has expanded from a homegrown folk rock and jam fest to being praised in Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the “50 Moments That Changed Rock and Roll.” The festival has now expanded to various genres, ranging from rap to pop. There’s even a silent disco and many comedy events. Bonnaroo 2017 will be held in Manchester, Tennessee, on a 700-acre farm, from June 8-11, with standout performers, including Chance The Rapper and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Lollapalooza

Grant Park, Chicago

Lollapalooza will showcase multiple genres of music with 170 artists taking the stage, along with comedy and dance. The festival also allows nonprofit groups and political entities to have a platform to share ideas and resources across a wider community. Lollapalooza will be held in Grant Park from Aug. 3-6, with such performers as The Killers and The Pretty Reckless, along with other noteworthy artists, such as Lorde and Chance the Rapper.

The Governors Ball Music Festival

Randall’s Island Park, New York City

Randall’s Island Park has earned a spot on every audiophile’s map thanks to its Governors Ball, where a convergence of electronic, pop, folk, hip-hop and rock take over the sprawling New York City park. Pair the music with the wide variety of food available for any picky palate, and you’ve got a fun weekend to chill to soulful beats. The 2017 Governors Ball Music Festival will be held from June 2-4, and will include a long list of world-renowned performers, such as Tool and the Wu-Tang Clan.

[See: 10 Cheap Summer Vacation Destinations.]

Pitchfork Music Festival

Union Park, Chicago

The 2017 Pitchfork Music Festival will feature a variety of musical sub-genres. Pitchfork Media organizes this three-day annual event every July; during the event, you can listen to a spectrum of tunes, including electronic, punk, jazz, hip-hop, rock and more genre-bending beats. Plus, vendors offer various beverages, food and art for attendees to enjoy. The festival will be held at Chicago’s Union Park, from July 14-16, and will include performers such as PJ Harvey and A Tribe Called Quest.

Burning Man

Black Rock Desert, Nevada

Burning Man, which takes place in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, is a once-in-a-lifetime new-age event focused around self-expression and the arts. Aside from art-driven events, including performances from campers, there are underappreciated and quirky acts and of course the famous annual burning of a wooden effigy shaped like a man. The event will be held from Aug. 27- Sept. 4, and will combine music, art and creative types in an intimate performance space. The 2017 art theme is “Radical Ritual.”

[See: 10 Must-See Underrated Cities to Visit This Summer.]

Newport Folk Festival

Newport, Rhode Island

The rich history of the Newport Folk Festival is what makes it one of the most celebrated and enduring events for audiophiles all ages. Founded in 1959, this fest is where Bob Dylan shook up folk purist sensibility by being backed by electric in 1965. Folk, old Americana, new Americana and country genres make up the festival’s top musical offerings every July. The 2017 Newport Folk Festival will be held at Newport‘s Fort Adams State Park from July 28-30, and will include performers as Hooray For The Riff Raff and the Avett Brothers.

More from U.S. News

9 Amazing Outdoor U.S. Music Venues to Cross Off Your Bucket List

6 Places to Visit in Your 20s

10 Bucket-List Destinations That Don’t Cost a Fortune

6 Music Festivals Worth Traveling For Other Than Coachella originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote