Top 5 Labor Day 2010 Music Festivals

The only thing worse than Mondays is the end of the summer season.  Thankfully there is a solution in sight– Labor Day 2010 arrives on the first Monday in September, offering a final chance of summer enjoyment and partying. You could spend your final vacation in a crowded airport headed towards a pricey vacation spot, or you can make weekend worthwhile by attending one of the many annual Labor Day music festivals going on all over the country.

In the grand picture of summer music festivals, the Labor Day music scene is the be-all-end-all, the final bash before the buckle down, and basically, the over and out of summer music fun. If you are a music lover and party-goer, then spend your long weekend where it counts; in a beautiful city celebrating music and culture with your favorite artists. There are hundreds of events going on during this weekend, but we have come up with the top 5 music festivals all over the country that are unmissable. Check out what’s going on at these venues!

5. FYF Festival – Los Angeles, CA

This is the 7th annual FYF Fest (Fuck Yeah Festival), an all-ages music festival that includes live music, art, comedians, food trucks (including vegan and vegetarian options), and two beer gardens for those who are lucky enough to be legal. According to the FYF website, “the festival has sought to be a mix tape of bands that would never play with one another but go so well together”.

• Where: Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St. Los Angeles, CA
• When: Saturday, September 4th.
• Who: Headlining artists include The Rapture, Panda Bear, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, !!!, Cold Cave, and so much more.
• Cost: $30, or $65 VIP tickets
• More Info: Check out the official FYF Festival website, as well as FYF Fest on Myspace.

4. Bumershoot Festival – Seattle, WA

For 40 years, the Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival has been bringing Seattle the finest in film, music, art, comedy, dance, theater, and spoken word on the west coast. Over 150,000 visitors flock to the festival on Labor Day weekend to experience North America’s largest celebration of arts and music, a festival that ranks among Coachella and Lollapalooza. The three day festival includes an artist lineup that is star-studded and worth the ticket price.

• Where: Seattle Center, between Mercer Street, Denny Way, 5th Avenue North and 1st Avenue North, in the lower Queen Anne neighborhood, just north of downtown Seattle.
• When: Saturday-Monday, September 4th-6th
• Who: Headlining artists include Bob Dylan, Neko Case, The Decemberists, Weezer, Drake, and many more.
• Cost: Economy: $22 (one day pass), standard: $40 (one day pass), gold: $250 (three day pass), platinum: $450 (three day pass)
• More Info: Everything you need to know about the festival is on the Bumbershoot 2010 website.

3. North Coast Music Festival – Chicago, IL

The North Coast Music Group, a collaboration of Chicago based independent promoters, is no stranger to holding large scale sold out concerts and shows. The North Coast Music Festival is one of Chicago’s greatest, as the music group collaborates their different genres and specialties to package an unforgettable weekend. If you’re in the Chicago area, there’s no reason to not attend “summer’s last stand” this Labor Day weekend.

• Where: Union Park, 1501 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
• When: Friday-Sunday, September 3-5th
• Who: Headlining artists include The Chemical Brothers, Damian Marley, Moby, Lupe Fiasco, De La Soul, and many more.
• Cost: Though the 3-day passes are sold out, there are still single day passes available for $40 each day.
• More Info: Festival lineup, tickets, and directions are featured on the North Coast website.

2. Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival – Aspen, CO

The festival that claims to “present and preserve jazz” celebrates it’s 20th anniversary this year in Aspen, Colorado. For three days the festival is rich with live music from bands both old and new, as well as performances of jazz music from local jazz academies and educational initiatives. What’s not to love about a festival that gives back to the community through summer camps and schools?

• Where: Snowmass Village on the edge of the golf course located on Brush Creek Rd., Aspen, CO
• When: Friday-Sunday, September 3-5th
• Who: Headliners include Calexico, Devotchka, Wilco, The Black Crowes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many more artists.
• Cost: $190 for 3-day pass, or $56 on Friday, $75 Saturday/Sunday
• More Info: The Jazz Aspen Snowmass website offers more information on the festival as well as the organizations that participate in the education initiative.

1. Electric Zoo Music Festival – New York, NY

If you’re looking for a two-day-long rave complete with never ending DJ sets and  glamorous after parties, then head straight for New York’s Electric Zoo Electronic Festival in Randall Island Park. The venue is the perfect outdoor area for an end of summer party, and thousands of fans head towards the festival to watch 70+ artists, both well-known and new, perform from the morning  to the evening. In addition to the live music, some of New York’s famous food culture will be represented via food carts on both days (with vegetarian/vegan options), and alcoholic refreshments are offered for those who are 21+.

• Where: Randall’s Island Park is located along the East River between Manhattan and Queens.
• When: Saturday-Sunday, September 4-5th
• Who: Headliners include The Chemical Brothers, Major Lazer, Kaskade, Moby, Bassnectar, and many more.
• Cost: A 2-day pass costs $142, and a single day pass for both days costs $86
• More Info: The Electric Zoo website offers more information on where to stay, what to bring, and the set times!

Of all the things you did this summer, make sure you add a Labor Day music festival to your list. There is absolutely no reason to miss out on discovering new music, watching your favorite band live, donating to a cause, and generally partying your way into fall.