Warped Tour

Tinley Park, Ill. – Aug 2.

Price: $29.75 per-ticket.

Hopefully this year’s Warped Tour focuses more on music, and less on being the “Wal-Mart of punk rock.” With Army recruitment booths and mohawks galore, Warped is a spectacle in and of itself. This year, there are loads of bands that appeal to posers and hardcores alike. Be sure not to miss The Bronx, Say Anything and MC Chris at their stages.

Pitchfork Fest

Union Park, Chicago – July 18-20

Price: $60 for a three-day pass, $50 for a Sat-Sun pass and $30 for a one-day pass.

Chicago’s second-best festival, Pitchfork this year features a ton of awesome bands, some even playing their most notable albums straight through, like Public Enemy and Mission of Burma. Animal Collective, M. Ward, Dinosaur Jr. and Boris will also be there. Hopefully people will spring for the whole weekend, as this may be the best bargain of the summer.

Rockstar Mayhem tour

Chicago – Aug. 10

Price: TBA

The “Anti-Ozzfest” tour that is making its first trek this summer, focusing primarily on bands that are apparently not metal enough to be on Ozzfest. Underoath, Slipknot, Disturbed, Dragonforce and Mastodon will be headlining. The combination of Mastodon and Dragonforce may be enough to pull people away from Ozzy’s perennial stutter-fest.