The satisfactory ring of the final bell, or in our case, the subtle “bing-bing,” brings the beginning of summer and sets the students at Ames High free for a couple months. This summer, there are many different music festivals and concerts that are certainly worth checking out. With the help of a summer job, and a mode of transportation, students can enjoy wonderful summer fun in locations all across the country. Sasquatch! (George, Washington. May 27-30) Enjoy beautiful and rocking indie and alternative bands this summer in Washington. It’s coming up soon so you’d better get tickets! Bands include the Foo Fighters, Death Cab for Cutie, Robyn, Iron & Wine, Bright Eyes, Modest Mouse, Wilco, Sleigh Bells, Matt & Kim, Cold War Kids and more. Bonnaroo (Manchester, Tennessee. June 9-12) Country meets the electronic era this year at Bonnaroo. Some of the most legendary and loved names will be performing on the same program as the big names on the radio today. Some from the fantastic lineup are Arcade Fire, Black Keys, Mumford & Sons, Old Crow Medicine Show, Girl Talk, Iron & Wine, Florence + the Machine, Loretta Lynn, Big Boi, Beirut, Sleigh Bells, Phosphorescent, Neil Young, Robert Plant, and more. Summerfest (Milwaukee, Wisconsin. June 29-July 3 and July 5-10) The largest music festival kicks off at the end of June this summer with some of the most popular names in music. Summerfest features a large variety of artists from several decades over the span of 11 days. Pick your days wisely! Artists include: Katy Perry, Toby Keith, Sugarland, Sara Bareilles, Hall & Oats, Meat Loaf, Saving Abel, Better than Ezra, Owl City, Neon Trees, Panic! at the Disco, REO Speedwagon, Girl Talk, Los Lobos, Anerlin, Styx, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Ben Harper, Maroon 5, Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, Taking Back Sunday, Blue Oyster Cult, Def Leppard with Heart, Switchfoot, Cinderella, The Black Keys, Florence + the Machine, Cage the Elephant, O.A.R., Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Kansas, The Flaming Lips, Meat Puppets, Buckcherry, De La Soul, The Bravery, and even more. Pitchfork Music Festival (Chicago, Illinois. July 15-17) Also known as a cheaper Lolla, Pitchfork is a great way to see many amazing artists in one place. Some of the amazing artists playing include: Animal Collective, TV on the Radio, Fleet Foxes, Cut Copy, The Dismemberment Plan, Deerhunter, James Blake, Odd Future, and many others. Lollapalooza (Chicago, Illinois. August 5-7) Let loose one last time this summer at the amazing festival, Lollapalooza. The lineup is the best it has been in years. Both upcoming artists and musicians are their prime will be performing for your entertainment. A few of the amazing lineup includes: Eminem, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Muse, My Morning Jacket, Cee Lo Green, The Cars, Ween, Bright Eyes, Explosions in the Sky, Local Natives, Flogging Molly, Arctic Monkeys, Beirut, Ratatat, Crystal Castles, Cage the Elephant, OK Go, Two Door Cinema Club, The Mountain Goats, Sleigh Bells, Smith Westerns, City and Colour, Noah and the Whale, Fences, and other amazing talents. So go out and have some fun this summer while enjoying some great music. These festivals are a great summer treat and the experience of a lifetime. Be safe, be stingy, and have a great summer, everyone.