Where are you going to party this September?

Who knew that September would become one of the busiest festival months of the year? Here’s a list of the ones that top our wish list. Click on any of the titles below to see full lineups, videos, and links to ticket information. And if none of these grab your attention, see our full list of fall festivals here.

1.  moe.down Festival 2010
Mohawk, September 3-5
Moe. returns with their annual festival and this year they bring The Black Keys, Nas, and Damian Marley with them. Pack your tent for a three weekend of camping and music.

2.  All Tomorrow’s Parties: New York 2010
Monticello, September 3-5, 2010
Iggy and the Stooges, Sonic Youth, and The Scientists are featured at the always unique ATP New York. Indie film director Jim Jarmusch assisted with the lineup.

3.  North Coast Music Festival 2010
Chicago, September 3-5
The North Coast Music Festival picked up The Chemical Brothers, Umphrey’s McGee, and Paul Van Dyk to anchor the first year fest. With a mix of electronic and alternative acts, this will be one fun Labor Day Festival.

4.  Sónar Chicago 2010
Chicago, September 9-11
The Chicago version of this Barcelona festival promises to be one of the more interesting shows this September. It’s a mix of art, music, and experimentation. Best of all, it’s free.

5.  Hopscotch Music Festival
Raleigh, September 9-11
120 indie acts scattered throughout downtown Raleigh sounds like a good time to us. Public Enemy and Broken Social Scene are the bigs names in a festival that features a ton of local music.

6.  Telluride Blues and Brews Festivals
Telluride, September 17-19
September in Colorado is the absolute best time to visit the state. Add in delicious microbrews along with B.B. King, Galactic, and George Thorogood and you’ve got yourself one relaxing festival.

7.  Pygmalion Music Festival
Champaign-Urbana, September 22-25
Started in 2005, this festival is becoming widely known for its mix of local and national acts. This year Of Montreal, Built to Spill, and Surfer Blood keep the bar raised.

8.  Virgin Mobile FreeFest 2010
Baltimore, September 25
The Virgin Mobile Festival repeated last year’s stunt and did away with paying for tickets. For a free festival, they didn’t skimp on the acts. Pavement along with Ludacris and LCD Soundsystem are just a few of the artists to see.

9.  MPMF: Midpoint Music Fest 2010
Cincinnati, September 23-25
The ninth year of MPMF serves up plenty of Cincinnati chili and plenty of indie rock. This year’s lineup includes Caribou, Holy Fuck, and Best Coast along with local acts.

The Black Keys play Oct 9 at Stubb's in Austin

Austin City Limits may be sold out, but there are still tickets left for one of the many official after parties. Check out the list below and click here for information on prices.

Oct 6: The Strokes @ Stubb’s
Oct 7: Black Joe Lewis @ Antone’s
Oct 7: Paul Oakenfold @ Austin Music Hall
Oct 7: Neon Indian and Prefuse 73 @ La Zona Rosa
Oct 7: Spoon @ Mohawk
Oct 7: Pat Green @ Stubb’s
Oct 7: First Aid Kit @ Stubb’s
Oct 8: Mayer Hawthorne and the County @ Antone’s
Oct 8: Deadmau5 @ Austin Music Hall
Oct 8: Black Lips @ Emo’s
Oct 8: Givers @ Emo’s
Oct 8: Robert Earl Keen @ La Zona Rosa
Oct 8: Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses @ MoMo’s
Oct 8: Monsters of Folk @ Stubb’s
Oct 8: Blind Pilot @ Stubb’s
Oct 9: GIRLS @ Antone’s
Oct 9: GAYNGS @ Emo’s
Oct 9: Dawes @ Emo’s
Oct 9: Sonic Youth @ La Zona Rosa
Oct 9: Beats Antique @ MoMo’s
Oct 9: The Black Keys @ Stubb’s
Oct 9: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue @ Stubb’s

The Knux @ Sunset Strip Music Festival. Photo Credit: Erik Voake

While most reviews revolved around Fergie wearing tiny shorts (I know, shocking!), a few people did report on the music of the Sunset Strip Music Festival. Check out the reviews below or click on the sick photo above for the official SSMF photo gallery.

via The L.A. Times

During his encore, Slash invited Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas onstage for a coolly received rendition of the album’s “Beautiful Dangerous.” Then, the guitarist revved up the unmistakable riff from Heart’s “Barracuda,” which Fergie proceeded to sing with an abundance of rock-chick fortitude. At the end of the song, she even threw in a series of perfectly executed cartwheels, winning over with old-fashioned spectacle a crowd predisposed to view her as a pop-scene interloper.[Read the rest of the review...]

via LA Snark

I wish the Sunset Strip Music Festival was every weekend. I loved being able to wander in and out of clubs discovering new music all night. That is the way it is supposed to be, stumbling around on a weekend night and happening upon some band that just hits you the right way. That’s the way people used to be exposed to new bands.
[Read the rest of the review...]

via All Knowing Force

I started with Semi Precious Weapons within 30 minutes of my arrival, and the band put on a good show. These guys have been playing arenas with Lady Gaga for the past year and are beginning to turn heads with their brand of NY Dolls influenced sleazy rock n’ roll. Lead singer Justin Tranter was rocking high heels, tights, and eye-liner. Hey, to each his own. [Read the rest of the review...]

via The Orange County Register

Early in the day, for example, Neon Trees vocalist Tyler Glenn addressed the rapidly growing audience: “I wanna tell you something … it is OK to have a douche-bag haircut in 2010,” pointing at his own matted Mohawk for reference. “(And) it is OK for a straight man to wear leggings,” he added…
[Read the rest of the review...]

Now   – Sep 7 :     Burning Man Black Rock Desert, NV
Sep 2 – Sep 7 :     Strawberry Music Festival Jamestown, CA
Sep 3 – Sep 6 :     North Shore Music Festival Chicago, IL
Sep 3 – Sep 6 :     Electric Picnic Ireland
Sep 3 – Sep 6 :     moe.down Festival Mohawk, NY
Sep 3 – Sep 6 :     Into the Great Wide Open The Netherlands
Sep 3 – Sep 5 :     Stir Fry Music Revival Morrisville, PA
Sep 3 – Sep 6 :     HeadJamz Festival Adams, TN
Sep 4 – Sep 6 :     Pacific Festival OC Costa Mesa, CA
Sep 4 – Sep 6 :     Electric Zoo New York City, NY
Sep 4 – Sep 6 :     Live At Squamish Squamish, BC
Sep 4 – Sep 6 :     Imagine Concert Toronto, ON
Sep 4 –  :                 FYF Fest Los Angeles, CA
Sep 4 – Sep 6 :     Electric Avenue Denver, CO
Sep 4 –  :                 ATP New York Monticello, NY
Sep 4 – Sep 7 :     Bumbershoot Seattle, WA
Sep 4 –  :                 Sonic Boom Edmonton, AB
Sep 4 – Sep 6 :     Nocturnal Festival: Texas Rockdale, TX

Your 2010 Hopscotch Headliners

The Independent Weekly’s Hopscotch Music Festival brings the bands to Raleigh from September 9-11th. The inaugural event showcases local talent with national acts scattered throughout ten downtown venues. With 120 bands performing rock, hip-hop, alt-country, metal, dance, punk, classical, noise, drone, and folk, there’s something for everyone.

Here’s the cool part. Organizers of the event encouraged record labels, blogs, and promoters to use Hopscotch venues during the day to throw parties.  The result is a bunch of free shows listed below.

The best deal is to buy an $85 wristband that’s good for all three days. There are also some options for single day passes here.

DAY PARTY ROSTER FOR HOPSCOTCH

THURSDAY, SEPT. 9

• Knox with an X: noon–5 p.m.: With Tea and Tempests, Brett Harris, Phil Cook & His Feat, Shawn Luby, Midtown Dickens, Birds and Arrows, Gray Young, North Elementary. Kings Barcade, 14 W. Martin St. Co-presented by Triangle Brewing Company. Free.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 10

• Friend Island: 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m.: With Collections of Colonies of Bees (performing their new album, GIVING), All Tiny Creatures, Pattern is Movement, Family Dynamics (ex-Stars Like Fleas), Megafaun (release party for new EP, Heretofore), Breathe Owl Breathe. The Pour House, 224 S. Blount St. Presented by Hometapes. Free breakfast and nachos. Free.

• Tamplin’s Last Local Band, Local Beer: noon–5 p.m.: With Cellar Seas, Veelee, Filthybird, Temperance League, A Rooster for the Masses. Tir Na Nog, 218 S. Blount St. Includes record fair featuring local labels. Co-presented by New Raleigh and Aviator Brewing. Free.

• Troika Music Festival Presents…: 2–5 p.m.: With The Pneurotics, Bellafea, The Beast. Kings Barcade, 14 W. Martin St. Co-presented by Triangle Brewing Company. Free.

• Layabout in Raleigh: 1–5 p.m.: With The Wigg Report, Pinche Gringo, Last Year’s Men, John Wesley Coleman III and a special unannounced guest. Slim’s, 227 S. Wilmington St. A Layabout House road show co-presented by Fullsteam Brewery, Nice Price Books & Churchkey Digital. Free.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 11

• A Hazy Morning Wake-Up: noon–3 p.m.: With Glissade, The White Cascade. Humble Pie, 317 S. Harrington St. Presented by Deep Space Recordings. Free.

• Churchkey III: noon–5 p.m.: With Lurch, Free Electric State, Last Year’s Men, The Dry Heathens, Hammer No More the Fingers. Tir Na Nog, 218 S. Blount St. Co-presented by Triangle Brewing Company. Free.

• Local Time: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.: With The Flute Flies, NAPS, The Loners, Maple Stave, Red Collar, Des Ark, The Old Ceremony. In front of Raleigh Times Bar, 14 E. Hargett St. Presented by The Independent Weekly, Hopscotch Music Festival, Raleigh Times Bar, WKNC-FM 88.1. Free.

• Mann’s World: 1–5:30 p.m.: With HOG, Make, Caltrop, Black Skies. Kings Barcade, 14 W. Martin St. Free.

• New Raleigh Presents: 1–5 p.m.: The Drughorse Collective. Slim’s, 227 S. Wilmington St. Free.

• Trekky Records Presents DAY-DREAM: 2–5:30 p.m.: With Butterflies, Embarrassing Fruits, Sharon Van Etten, Midtown Dickens, Lost in the Trees, special guests Justin Ruggiano. The Pour House, 224 S. Blount St. Free.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 12

• Hopscotch Hangover: noon–until: With Brett Harris, The Spring Collection, Chip Robinson and the Heavy Beat Outfit. Slim’s, 227 S. Wilmington St. Free.

• Hopscotch Hangover: noon–until: With Brett Harris, The Spring Collection, Chip Robinson and the Heavy Beat Outfit. Slim’s, 227 S. Wilmington St. Free.

Download 19 Song Ghostly Swim Album

Download the Outside Lands Sampler – 10 Songs on iTunes

Camp Bestival 16 Song Album

10 Tracks from Clash Magazine

16 Song Download from Spin Magazine

8 Singles from Adult Swim

10 Song Lolla Sampler

GirlTalk Lighting it up at All Points West 2009. Photo Credit: Coco

The Texas Nocturnal Festival has filled in all the gaps for the September 4-5 show. The Disco Biscuits, Armin van Buuren, and GirlTalk headline Saturday while Sunday belongs to Kid Cudi and Pretty Lights.

And according to the rules: NO PACIFIERS. Here’s the full lineup:

Disco Biscuits

Armin van Buuren

Bassnectar

Girl Talk

Above & Beyond

Fedde Le Grand

Wolfgang Gartner

Eddie Halliwell

Pnuma Trio

Dieselboy

12th Planet

Roni Size

Green Velvet

Ana Sia

Krafty Kuts

Skeet Skeet

Kraddy

Trent Cantrelle

Nadis Warriors

Vibesquad

Mad Classy

MC Messinian

Toddy B

Atran

Wes Walz

One4All

Allen Tagle

CiLLY C

King Louie

Andrew Vo

Christian B

Francis Prève

DJ Shwann

Lance Herbstrong

KiD CuDi

Pretty Lights

ATB

LAIDBACK LUKE

Cosmic Gate

Lotus

The New Deal

Filo & Peri

mimosa

Kraddy

Tritonal

ED RUSH & OPTICAL

Joachim Garraud

DJ Sneak

Exceed

dirty phonics

Jermery Word

Sno White

JOAQUIN BAMACA

Fukkk Offf

MC Messinian

Suraj K + TDBZ + Mc Full Effect

Cyfa & Kyzer

Tager & Funk

DJ Red

Athena

DJ Swhann

Omair Mirza

DJ Swhann

Mr. Quintron & Miss Pussycat

The Chain Gang of 1974

Esteban Carrasco

via Nocturnal Festival

AC/DC rocks the Download Festival. Photo Credit: Jessica Gilbert

It may be a bit early to be calling the “best” festival acts of 2010, but that hasn’t stopped a UK radio station from doing exactly that. Planet Rock let listeners vote throughout the month of August on their favorite acts from UK festivals. 

AC/DC is number one both on this list and in our hearts. Planet Rock is a classic rock station which might explain how Foreigner made the Top 10.

1. AC/DC (Download)
2. Muse (Glastonbury, V Festival)
3. Iron Maiden (Sonisphere)
4. Slash (Download, Glastonbury, Wireless)
5. Joe Bonamassa (High Voltage)
6. ZZ Top (High Voltage)
7. ELP (High Voltage)
8. Aerosmith (Download)
9. Heaven & Hell: A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio (High Voltage)
10. Foreigner (High Voltage)

Click here to see the Top 40.

Tickets are available for a reasonable $38 for a single day and $64 for the weekend. There are no fees. That’s the straight price and we applaud organizers of any fest that don’t sucker punch you at the checkout counter with a “convenience” fee. Also, they have a holding pen for children…err, a Kid’s Village.

The official after hours parties are as follows:

Saturday, August 28th: London Calling, YM and KnuckleRumbler join forces to celebrate LouFest and London Calling’s fourth anniversary.  Join them at The Gramophone for the live electronic sounds of Hey Champ and Germany’s own AcidKids Starting and ending the night will be London Calling’s own DJ Clockwork, Nick O., and Matt Leach.
http://thegramophonelive.com/

Sunday, August 29: Miss Ohio Vintage and Clockwork productions bring you the official Sunday night after-party at Flamingo Bowl in downtown St. Louis. Festivities include live music, live models and live art. Raffles benefit Cheapy Art and KDHX. Music by DJ Clockwork and friends. LouFestAfterParty2010.blogspot.com