Spring Break Rocks!

March 8, 2015

With winter storm after winter storm rolling through northern Michigan, this year’s spring break will be more welcome than ever. For music fans, there’s even a bonus. With all the great music fests going on this time of year, you’ve got even more good reasons to escape, near or far. You can even go if you’re not in school, too. We won’t tell.

Tempe, Arizona

March 13-17 potofgoldaz.com

Tempe Beach Park on the Salt River plays host to this four-day fest that runs for two days, skips one, and then starts all over again. Informally themed days let you plan ahead. You’ll find predominantly electronica on Friday, hip-hop Saturday, indie and punk Monday and heavy rock on St. Patrick’s Day. Performers – Fall Out Boy, Kongos, Bastille, Chromeo, Bleachers, Kendrick Lamar, Tribal Seeds, Echosmith, Chevelle, Future Islands Tix – Sold on a per day basis at $64/day, incl. fees, so all four days will run you $256

Buenos Aires, Argentina

March 21-22 lollapaloozaar.com

Following Lollapalooza’s years of success in Chicago, the fest began branching out to other countries, two of which are perfect "escape the cold" destinations: Brazil and Argentina, where the Hipódromo de San Isidro will be filled with enthusiastic and sunburned music fans. Performers – Pharrell Williams, Smashing Pumpkins, Interpol, Alt-J, Skrillex, Major Lazer, Kasabian, NOFX, Bastille, Jack White Tix – Full weekend passes start at around $130 U.S.

Knoxville, Tennessee

March 27-29 bigearsfestival.com

It might not be quite as warm as some of the other options, but it’s a shorter drive and offers a more refined lineup, mixing indie-pop and eclectic jazz with folk-rock and avantgarde chamber ensembles. If you’d rather sit and listen instead of jumping around under a disco ball, this is your fest. Performers : Swans, Ben Frost, Tune-Yards, Laurie Anderson, Kronos Quartet, Nels Cline, Max Richter, Bryce Dessner, Jamie XX, Sam Amidon Tix: Weekend passes begin at $190

Sao Paulo, Brazil

March 28-29 lollapaloozabr.com

São Paulo’s Interlagos borough plays host to the other South American Lolla, with equal parts sunshine and just as many bands (several that cross over from the Argentina event), plus several sideshows and the very popular Chef Stage, where big names in gastronomy serve up the eats. Performers – Pharrell Williams, Smashing Pumpkins, Skrillex, Jack White, The Kooks, Steve Aoki, Interpol, Kongos, St. Vincent, Calvin Harris Tix – Start around $110, depending on ticket level

Austin, Texas

March 17-22 sxsw.com

More than 2,000 acts are performing at this year’s SXSW, from familiar faves to nascent newbies. More a series of events than one specific destination, you can venue-hop all week to check out film, gaming and multimedia presentations, as well as that long list of bands. Performers – Spoon, The Church, The Dodos, TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe, Propaganda, The Pop Group, Ty Dolla $ign, The Residents, Carl Barat, Ben Kweller Tix – Music badges for the entire week run from $650-$895

Miami, Florida

March 27-29 ultramusicfestival.com

Palm trees, miniature umbrellas in your drink, and sun are the hallmarks of Ultra – until after dark, when the dancing really gets going under blazing lights. Take your pick from the many hotels that partner with the fest and stop by the Eco Village, which includes environmental nonprofits, healers, and more. Performers – Armin VanBuuren, David Guetta, Carl Cox, Skrillex, Afrojack, Alesso, Avicii, Knife Party, Tiesto, Bassnectar Tix – Three-day passes start at $450 (hotel not included)

Phoenix, Arizona

March 27-29 mmmf.com

They call MMMF the "Party for the People" and they really mean it. This is a 100 percent nonprofit music fest, with proceeds going to local charities. So spend freely on your tix, the Vendor Marketplace, the eclectic food offerings and, of course, snag some festival souvenirs – and enjoy that dry, warm desert air. Performers – Thievery Corporation, Break Science, Real Estate, Portugal. The Man, Passion Pit, Ryan Bingham, The Senators, Gus Campbell, Beats Antique, Phantogram Tix – One-day passes start at $55, three-day passes at $145

Austin, Texas

April 10-12 euphoriafest.com

Another Austin event is Euphoria, which may prove to be your earliest camping experience of the year. Dance to the music until it ends, crash in your tent and repeat the next day. And, we mean dance; this event is focused on big-name live DJs and electronica acts jamming until the wee hours. Performers – Thievery Corporation, STS9, Paper Diamond, RL Grime, Ghostland Observatory, Pretty Lights, Manic Focus, The Werks, Thomas Jack, Riot Ten Tix – Three-day passes start at $139, plus throw in camping for another $60