As the summer draws to its conclusion, we’re reminded that the end of an era is not the end of everything; it signals a change and a new beginning. Change drives progress, and we’re excited to march proudly into fall, limber in the milder heat and enjoying the gorgeous flames of turned leaves. The music festival machine slows for no one, so which events have already happened this month that caught our ears, and which other standout festivals can we expect for the remainder of September?
MusicfestNW – September 3-8. Portland, OR.
Dance, pop, shoegaze, and straight-up club bangers were yours to feast your ears on at this year’s MusicFestNW in Portland, OR. The concept for the festival since its inception in 2000 has been to showcase Portland local talent and to highlight big name acts that also embody the hip city’s vibe. The MusicFestNW lineup this year included psych-poppers Animal Collective, seminal DJ Diplo, hard rockers Baroness, and comedians Fred Armison and Brian Posehn. Oregon knows how to throw an offbeat party!
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Catskill Chill Music Festival – September 6-8. Hancock, NY
For good, and better, never, ever bad vibrations, you checked out this music festival at Camp Minglewood in the western Catskill Mountains. If you made it, you saw the best new and old names in jam band music, funk, electronic, and psychedelic. Bring the hacky sacks and dogs in bandanas for this raucous, good time next year. We challenge you to try and have a bad time! This was the spaced out Catskill Chill Music lineup, and which got free with the funky Meter Men, electro-jam Lotus, and New Orleans funk and jam Galactic. We hope you brought your AfterShokz headphones for the nights when it was time to camp out- don’t ever want to drown out those sweet sounds of nature!
Rock the Bells – September 14-15. San Francisco, CA.
This festival is an absolute must-see in the hip-hop world, and this year is no exception. See everything from up-and-comer Kendrick Lamar to classic heavy-hitters Wu Tang Clan; the face of contemporary underground-mainstream crossover meets the giants of New York City hip-hop. We have inventors and innovators from then and now in this year’s Rock the Bells lineup. Get ready for some smooth flow in the sunshine.
Monster Energy Aftershock 2013 – September 14-15. Sacramento, CA.
This two-day mosh pit, with a name that snagged our attention immediately, showcases the biggest names in contemporary hard rock, metal, and nü-metal. Check out the Aftershock 2013 lineup, which includes California natives Korn, the classic Megadeth, and Southern California modern-classicists Avenged Sevenfold. Drink lots of water, and remember to be nice to your neighbor! You’re all there to share a love of music.
Tomorrowworld – September 27-29. Fairburn, GA.
This is the month’s definitive electronic festival. You’ll find trance, dubstep, house, drum ‘n bass, and every subgenre contained therein in the Tomorrowworld lineup. You can hear juggernauts the world over, Armin van Buuren and Tiesto, drum ‘n bass star MimOsa, and award-winning producer tyDi. Drink lots of water at this one, guys, because it’s sure to be a nonstop dance party!
Catch any one of these jubilant celebrations, and you’ll remember that the end of Summer is more of a beginning than anything else. Relish in the fruits of Fall, the lovely leaves, the temperate weather, the gorgeous skies, and always, always, always the music. Don’t forget your AfterShokz bone conduction headphones for the down time and while you’re winding down before you crash. Enjoy the beginning of a new autumn outside, in the music.
Which acts are you most eager to see this September? Tell us in a comment below and join the conversations on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
