DC Area Summer Festival Preview

In DC, we don't get April showers, but May ones, accompanied by enough humidity to drench those with even the best umbrellas.  But they're a signal that it's almost summer, which makes us wistful for long evenings in outdoor venues.

Last summer, we had a lot to look forward to.  This summer, bands are touring on the same albums that they have all fall.  Which makes our selections for shows of the summer small, and that much more stand-out.

Wilco, Wolftrap, July 17 & 18. Sure, it's not Solid Sound. But it's the next best thing: a favorite band in a favorite space.  I'll head you off at the pass--it's beyond worth the trip.

Hot August Blues 2011

Hot August Blues Festival, Oregon Ridge Park, August 18.  This is a favorite from last summer that stepped things up three-fold.  Justin Townes Earle, Trombone Shorty, Gov't Mule, all in a gorgeous state park with a slope that provides panoramic views of a hilly Maryland countryside.  A VIP ticket gets you wine, beer, and food included - get the DD a ticket and make a weekend out of it.

Floydfest, July 26 - 29.  Hip bluegrass in a Virginia venue?  If only we weren't double booked.  But with a line-up featuring Alison Kraus & Union Station, Bruce Hornsby, Ha Ha Tonka, Dawes, Sara Watkins, and a badass sounding marching band, it sounds like a nice reprieve from the hot city asphalt.

Silopanna, Anne Arundel Fairgrounds, August 11. The line-up last year looked killer, but a hurricane put a stop to the show.  Area music fans are looking forward to a second try.

Firefly Festival, Woodlands at Dover Speedway, July 20 - 22.  This is arguably the best in the area--featuring at least more than one band with a new album--though it is questionably "in the area".  In case you haven't seen the Black Keys in the past six months, this is your chance!  Also take the opportunity to catch those bands you've heard of but never listened to: Head and the Heart, Heartless Bastards, and a sample of those in lines 6-13 on this page.

Legends of Hip Hop, Celebrate Fairfax, June 8.  After seeing the return of SWV on the Wendy Williams show (which in and of itself is an admission), I'm nostalgic for some music from my childhood growing up in a hip-hop household.  With Digital Underground, Young MC, and others.

Fort Reno...

National Parks Service Summer in the City...

Anything we missed, or that you're looking forward to?