Why Does Austin City Limits Rule?

KCRW's World Festival
Location: Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA
Dates: September 10, 2006
Performers: Willie Nelson, Ryan Adams and Neko Case
Tickets: $13 - $31, other sections sold out
Why it's cool: Willie Nelson and Ryan Adams were recently in the studio together; perhaps KCRW World Fest attendees will get to hear the results of that collaboration.

Common Ground Festival
Location: Adado Riverfront Park, Lansing, MI
Dates: July 10-16, 2006
Performers: Steve Miller Band, Bonnie Raitt, Dwight Yoakam, Poison, Styx, Cheap Trick, Ted Nugent, The Bangles, and more
Tickets: $79 - $89 Common Card pass, $25 - $29 single day
Why it's cool: Um, hello, the Bangles are playing on the same stage as Ted Nugent.

Feeling Better Than Everfine Festival
Location: Tower City Amphitheater, Cleveland, OH
Dates: June 24, 2006
Performers: O.A.R., Matt Nathanson, Virginia Coalition, Bedouin Soundclash, Dropping Daylight, Jon McLaughlin, and more
Tickets: $30
Why it's cool: Check out the cheeky name and you'll get the sense of what this festival is about: attitude, feel-good tunes and fun.

Newport Folk Fest
Location: Newport, RI
Dates: August 4-6, 2006
Performers: David Gray, Roseanne Cash, The Meters, Indigo Girls, Keller Williams, Madeleine Peyroux, and more
Tickets: $120 3-day pass, $95 2-day pass, $55 single day
Why it's cool: Bob Dylan famously appeared here with Joan Baez in 1964 and the festival was founded in 1959 by various old-school folkies, including Pete Seeger. The festival has maintained this tradition of drawing great folk artists year after year and this year is no exception.

Magnolia Music Festival
Location: Magnolia, OH
Dates: June 24, 2006
Performers: Lonestar, Mark Chesnutt, Ray Scott, Tony Rio & Relentless, Bomshel
Tickets: $35 - $45
Why it's cool: This festival features a natural amphitheater that brings the idea of an outdoor show to a new place.

Starscape Music and Arts Festival
Location: Ft. Armistead Park, Baltimore, MD
Dates: June 24, 2006, 6pm- 6am
Performers: The Disco Biscuits, Medeski Martin and Wood, All Mighty Senators, DJ Craze with MC Sharpness, DJ Feelgood, Überzone, Michael Myers, Scott Henry, and more
Tickets: $45 - $50
Why it's cool: With a live stage, a buzz stage, and a drum 'n bass stage, its impossible not to find something you want to hear. Plus, this party goes on all night!

Summer Festivals continued