Branching out: A 2015 music festival outlook

Spring Break is nigh, and with it comes festival season — that magical time of year when music enthusiasts, avid partiers, trendsetters, and trend-followers all join forces to enjoy weekends of top-notch curated live music lineups.

Our own little corner of the Northwest is lucky (and talented) enough to host some of the best music festivals in the country, so as you all begin to dream big about your potential spring and summer plans, here’s a handy list of some of the best festivals you can go hard at in your own backyard:

Treefort Music Fest — March 25-29

One of the best festival lineups of 2015 is just around the corner in downtown Boise, Idaho, at Treefort, a festival that prides itself on showcasing some of the Northwest’s best up-and-coming talent alongside established indie favorites TV On the Radio, Josh Ritter, Built to Spill, Of Montreal, and more. Treefort gets you the most bang for your buck, offering five-day-long festival passes at only $159 and single-day passes starting at $59.

Sasquatch Music Festival — May 22-25

Sasquatch is the Northwest’s version of Coachella. Everyone who’s anyone wants to get in on this amazing festival for its unbeatable location at the beautiful Gorge, and its lineup is sprinkled with mega-stars of every genre. But this year’s exceptional lineup — including Kendrick Lamar, Lana Del Rey, Tame Impala, St. Vincent, etc. — does not come cheap. Tickets are still available for $350, but this year attendees are required to purchase an additional camping pass for $149.50. If you choose to storm Sasquatch, you won’t regret it, but chances are you won’t be able to afford much else.

Capitol Hill Block Party — July 24-26

Seattle’s annual summer bash, Capitol Hill Block Party, is a South-by-Southwest-style music festival that takes over the city’s streets and bars. Capitol Hill Block Party has traditionally offered a diverse lineup, including hip-hop, indie rock and electronic bands. Details for this year’s festival have yet to be announced, but keep an eye out for more info at capitolhillblockparty.com if you have plans to be in Seattle over the summer.

Gentlemen of the Road — August 14-15

There has been a lot of buzz going around recently about Gentlemen of the Road, the Mumford & Sons-created traveling festival, stopping in Walla Walla this August. The 2015 iteration of Gentlemen of the Road includes Mumford & Sons, Foo Fighters, Jenny Lewis, Tune-Yards, etc., and takes place at Whitman College. Tickets are on sale now for $199, which includes camping fees.