MARCH 21-25
TORONTO
Canadian Music Fest: This gathering could be the sole reason energy drinks were created. A total of 900 (!) bands play at 60 venues across Toronto, the country’s biggest music event, and comparable to the US South by Southwest festival. Not only are there massive shows with music heavyweights, but these concerts are also a forum for new bands to get spotted by record company executives. Unless you have successfully cloned yourself, there is no way you will hit all the shows, but some of the can’t-miss performers include Passion Pit, Slash, Jeff Beck, Fanfarlo, Martha Wainwright, Dragonette, the Cat Empire, and Train. Tickets for headliners are sold individually. canadianmusicfest.com
MARCH 5-9
NASSAU, Bahamas
Electric Island: Most music festivals take place in muddy fields, oven-hot deserts, or dark clubs. Electric Island bills itself as a vacation and festival. Which means that when you’re not doing the pogo to Passion Pit, you can sprawl by the pool and sun yourself like an iguana or gamble away your 401(k) in the island’s 24-hour casinos. Other bands and DJs participating include Steve Aoki, the White Panda, Gorilla Zoe, Crespo, Full Haus, and Wale. General admission passes $115. www.electricislandmusicfestival.com
MARCH 2-4
COSTA MESA, Calif.
MusInk: Given its portmanteau of a name, you may have deduced that MusInk is a festival that brings together tattoo artists and bands that are fond of tattoos. Some of the country’s top tattoo artists will be in attendance just in case you’re feeling fit to be dyed. You can also hear music from bands such as Tiger Army, Alkaline Trio, Against Me!, Yellow Card, and New Found Glory. Single-day tickets $25, weekend pass $50. www.musink.org
PLAN AHEAD
MAY 25-28
LAS VEGAS
Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival: Bowling and punk rock may appear to be a bizarre combination, but this wildly popular festival has been going strong since 1999 and this year will feature more than 200 bowling teams. When the pins aren’t flying, bands such as Rancid, NOFX, Pennywise, the Addicts, and the Briefs will play eardrum-shattering tunes. Tickets not yet on sale; check the website for details. www.punkrockbowling.com
