My Desired Music Festival Marathon.

Once the weather heats up around March, the multi-day music festivals begin jam-packing their lineups with bands that even your grandmother has heard of. My goal is to one year witness every popular outdoor music festival the US has to offer, starting with South by Southwest in March and ending with Lollapalooza in August. It's a difficult task to claim one festival is better than the other. Not only do they represent various regions in the US, they offer a fresh culture and experience unlike any other.
Some say it began with Woodstock, one of the most memorable cultures in rock music. Following it's decease in 1999, many began replicating the idea across the nation. I did some research on the most successful recent festivals that are occurring within the next few months.
Usually, festivals pair up and coming artists with legends of the past. I've broken it down for ya. Go ahead and take a look, map out the ones worth going to.

SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (SXSW)-Austin, TX
This fills the title of the largest festival, with 1,400 performers in multiple venues. SXSW is also unique because it includes film screenings, earning a valid reputation for many reputatable directors, such as Spike Lee. The festival brings in a huge profit since it began in 1987, originally a battle of the bands type show. In 2008, it made $110 million, making it the highest revenue producing event in Austin's economy.

WHEN? Usually 4 days in March.

LEGENDARY ACTS: 2007-The Stooges, Pete Townshend(The Who, spoke), David Bryne(Talking Heads, spoke)
2008-Van Morrison, Stu Cook Spike

BONNNAROO-Manchester, TN
The word Bonnaroo definedas slang is: a really good time. This term originated from a New Orleans R&B artist, Dr. John, with his 1974 album Desitively Bonnaroo. Created more recently in 2002, every sponsor with a booth is required to have free activities for attendees. Rolling Stone Magazine named it “Best Festival” last year, calling it "the ultimate over-the-top summer festival."

WHEN? Four days in June

LEGENDARY ACTS: 2003-Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith (2004), The Alman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes(2005), Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello(2006), The Police(2007), Robert Plant, Willie Nelson, Metallica(2008), Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, Phish, The Beastie Boys, Elvis Costello(2009)

LOLLAPALOOZA-Chicago, IL
Organized by Perry Farrell (Singer of Jane's Addiction), this festival has run from 1991-1997, touring different cities in the U.S., and was placed on hiatus until 2003. Once the festival gained more distinguished acts and stayed in one place, fans were turned off by high ticket prices. In 2004, the festival was even canceled because of weak ticket sales across the nation. They had better luck in 2005 using an independent promotor, where ticket sales exceeded 65,000. It remains successful today.

WHEN? 3 days in August

LEGENDARY ACTS: The Smashing Pumpkins(1994), Metallica, The Ramones, (1996), Rage Against The Machine(1996, 2008) Billy Idol, The Pixies(2005)

COACHELLA-Indio, CA
Furthest west of the festivals, Coachella has nearly become a household name as it continues to gain popularity throughout the past decade. It began in 1999 and started to pick up attendees in 2001 to the present. Starting in October as a fall festival, it is now held in April or early May. Previously a two-day festival, more acts were announced two years ago and it expanded to three full days.

WHEN? Late April-Early May,

LEGENDARY ACTS: Morrissey(1999,2009), Iggy Pop(2001), The Pixies, The Cure(2004,2009), Nine Inch Nails(2005), Depeche Mode(2006), Willie Nelson(2007), Prince, Rodger Waters(2008), Paul McCartney(2009)

Many other festivals have began to pop up around the U.S. as well as these. Even outside the U.S. many attend the Glastonbury Festival in England which has attracted over 150,000 people. Festival-goers all over have described the experience unlike any other. Not only do attendees purchase tickets for the artists, they want to be around the atmosphere, camp on-site, and take part in knowing what it means to be part of the music.

Before I die, I am attended as many as I can-starting with Coachella this April.