5. Northside Festival
When and Where: June 12-15; in and around Brooklyn, New York
Headliners: Titus Andronicus; Sharon Van Etten; Chvrches (free)
Best of the A-List: Fuck Buttons; Vampirates; Eastern Midwestern
Ins and Outs: Actually an innovation and film symposium as well (think: SXSW on the East Coast), the music section of the Northside Festival has quickly become a must-attend for fans of the latest, greatest indie rock acts — many of which are looking for their breakout moment (which in indie-rock terms equals a six-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon). With an astounding 400-band lineup playing in venues all over Brooklyn, the festival is nothing short of an audiophile’s ADD dream. “Headliner” bands play individual shows at high-profile local venues, and tickets can be purchased individually. This year, festival organizers are staging a free show in the Nexus of Hipsterdom, McCarren Park.
Insider Information: One of the great things about the festival taking place over a wide swath of North Brooklyn is that you can have a mini-adventure in each host neighborhood. Greenpoint, for instance, has a vibrant bar scene and is brimming with new, trendy restaurants, as well as old-school Polish sausage-and-beer joints.
Getting There: Get off at the Bedford Avenue L train or Greenpoint Avenue G train subway stop, and that will pretty much put you in the mouth of madness. Either is a good place to start — and begin to explore.
Ticket Information: Early-bird music badges ($65)
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