RefinedHype’s 2014 Festival Breakdown - Where Should You Be? Posted by Lucas G. on 01/16/14 | Filed under Opinion, Festivals

Most if the country is still freezing their respective balls off, and the furthest thing from our minds what is going this summer. But before you know it, those parkas and uggs will be replaced with bikinis and sandals. Of course, one of the main draws when the weather warms up is the festivals and now that we are a few months away, all of the lineups are being released. Now, you probably won't catch me at once because the idea of standing next to 9 thousand dirty, sweaty, strung-out hipsters is my nightmare,but I'm sure a lot of you out there really love 'em, so let's break down some of the big ones. Obviously now that Outkast is back, attendance at one is mandatory (unless you are me), but nobody with a budget, a sense of decency, or a job can go to all of 'em - so which is the best one?

Coachella: April 11-13 and April 18-20 Indio, California.

Obviously Coachella has the best lineup...because it spans of two weekends. With Nas, Outkast, Cudi, MGMT, Lorde, Pharrell, Ferg, Skrillex, Beck, Motorhead, Warpaint and some others that I probably missed because the print is so fucking small (seriously, can't they make it legible?) this is the most dense lineup, but unless you live there, how is anyone going to go to both weekends? I guess you can go for one weekend and see everything since it looks like they are repeated, but still, it just doesn't seem to make sense and isn't as exciting as some of the other smaller ones. Meh...

Counter.Point: April 25th-27th, Kingston Downs Georgia

Okay, I see you Counter.Point. Never heard of you before but I definitely see you. Outkast is the biggest headliner and the are followed by other hip-hop artists like J.Cole, Run The Jewels, Schoolboy Q, JMSN (who is fucking phenomenal live), Chance The Rapper (a popular name this festival season), and Rich Homie Quan; don't forget Janelle Monae who rolls with that crowd more so than the Foster The People's of the festival. That alone would make for a great festival, but thrown in the mix are Major Lazer, Flux Pavillion (imagine this live), Phantogram, Thievery Corporation and A-track. The bigger names are solid, but it feels a little top-heavy; I didn't recognize like 98% of the smaller print names. Still, when it comes hip-hop, this one has the best line-up I have seen and there is definitely enough non-hip-hop to keep you entertained. It's a smaller name than the Bonnaroo's and Coachella's of the circuit, but they just might have the best line up.

Big Guava: May 2nd – 4th Tampa, Florida

Never heard of this one before, but looks to be a half way decent time. First it's in Florida so there's that, and second the music is pretty good. There are a few rehashes,  Outkast , Foster The People, Vampire Weekend , Chance and Vic, but there is a ton of variety too. Cake is fucking awesome, Violent Femms, Hoodie Allen, Fly Union (props for really digging), ZZ Ward, Earl Sweatshirt, and I don't know what Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience is exactly, but I am already on board. There is some stuff here that you can't find anywhere else, and that should make this one to definitely consider.

Hangout: May 16th-18th Gulf Shores, Alabama

As far as locations go, it doesn't get much better; it's on a god damned beach for fucks sake! The hip-hop acts kind of suck. Only Outkast and Gambino, Chance, Trombone Shorty and Wiz Khalifa (whose set will be drug free) come from out neck of the woods, but when it comes to non hip-hop they killed it. Killers, Black Keys, Pretty Lights, Modest Mouse, Capital Cities, Ingrid Michaelson (yeah I said, so what?), Portugal. The Man and last but certainly not least, Fitz and the Tantrums; sweet baby jesus that's dope.  Also not sure who Diarrhea Planet is, but judging by the name, you might want to avoid them. Sure there isn't much hip-hop, but the location, combined with everything else and the dash of hip-hop make this one that might be worth it.   Governors Ball: June 6th-8th New York, New York Outkast and Jack White is a nice one two punch, but there are a few holes in this lineup. After the two headliners, it looks a little bit weak until you reach the middle with TV On The Radio, J. Cole, Chance, Gambino, Damian Marley, Tyler, The Creator, Earl Sweatshirt (only festival with those two). Fitz and The Tantrums, Janelle Monae, and RJD2 are pretty dope too and don't sleep on Jenny Lewis. This is a strong lineup, but it isn't the most exciting. It might end up being the best experience, but I don't think too many people will be recalling the 2014 Governors ball when the dust settles.   Firefly: June 19th-22nd Dover, Delaware Aside from Outkast and a few other hip-hop acts (Chance, Vic, Gambino, and G-Eazy) there really isn't much here for a hip-hop head to enjoy. Even the non-hip-hop choices are a little underwhelming. I mean The Foo Fighters? Third Eye Blind? What is this 1998? Don't get me wrong Dave Grohl's a legent and "Jumper" is a classic banger, but these choices feel like an attempt to go along with the '90s nostalgia rather than pick a new, exciting pick. Portugal.The Man, a RefinedHype favorite, is playing, but that's about it.  I guess if you are north of Delaware it a hot draw, because it's really the only one in the Northeast, but if you are going to spend all the energy and money wouldn't you rather go to one a little more exciting? Me too.   We are still waiting on Lolla and Bonnaroo,and obviously those two are HUGE, but barring a few surprises, this is what the festival map looks like. Personally if I had to choose I'd probably pick either Guava or Hangout; although Counter.Point might take it (the music is definitely better). They have solid lineups and the best locations, but to each is own. Which one would you/ are you going to, RefinedHype Nation?

P.S.- For the record, this sums up how I feel about festivals perfectly

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