Your Official Guide to Spring/Summer 2007 Music Festivals

The Bamboozle

History: Active since 2002, Bamboozle's specialty is emo/punk bands -- or at least more so than the other festivals on this list. It was held at Asbury Park until 2006, at which point it moved to the Meadowlands Sports Complex, where it will be held this year.

Where: New Jersey

Dates: May 5^th -- 6^th

Lineup: My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park, MC Hammer(?!), Bayside, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Yellowcard, Valencia, Say Anything, Hellogoodbye, New Found Glory

Tickets: On sale now. Single day passes are $35. Buy Tickets

Crowd: 65,000-80,000

Transportation The easiest way is to drive. The Giants Stadium parking lot is available for parking. There are no camping grounds. Buses from Manhattan will take you directly to the Stadium. Grade: C

Where To Stay Hotel rooms in the area range from $89 a night (Red Roof Inn) to $299 (Marriott). Rooms get booked far in advance so at this point you may not be able to find anything for less than $129. Grade D

Getting Around Two main stages are on opposite ends of the lot, but set times alternate so you are less likely to miss major acts. It takes about five minutes to make your way from one stage to another. Grade: B

Food Typical overpriced hot dogs and the like: Hot dogs $3, burgers $5.25, burritos and cheesesteaks will cost you $8 and bottled water is $3.25. You are not allowed to bring in food or beverage into the festival. Grade: F

Facilities The festivals takes place in a parking lot and has a Warped Tour vibe. Port-a-potties are available. (Insider's tip: You can actually get into Giants Stadium and use their nice bathrooms, take a seat in the stands to rest and avoid having to pop a squat on the asphalt in the parking lot. No water fountains are in the parking lot, but there are some in the stadium.) Grade: C

X-Factor: This year? A rare MC Hammer (what?!) appearance that doesn't seem to fit in any way with the rest of the acts booked. And generally, the most serious (read: mopey) fanbase.

Sasquatch!

History: Sasquatch, active since 2002, has a lineup heavy on indie bands and singer-songwriters. The festival takes place outdoors at the, ahem, gorgeous Gorge Amphitheatre near the Columbia River and is primarily a camping festival.

Where: George, Washington

Dates: May 26^th -- 27^th

Lineup: Bjork, Beastie Boys, Arcade Fire, Interpol, Spoon, M.I.A., Neko Case, The Blacks Angels, Clinic and more

Tickets: On sale now: $65 per day, after May 21^st tickets are $75 per day Buy Tickets

Crowd: 22,000

Transportation Designated parking areas are available, but run $25 a vehicle. No public transportation is available to the festival. Grade: F

Where To Stay Onsite camping is available for $40 per day for each vehicle, $80 for two days, $120 for three days, or a three-day value pass available only through Ticketmaster for $100. Camping is really the way to go for this one. The (very) few hotels in the area range from $78 a night (Traditional Inn) to condo rentals for $100-$150 a night (Crescent Bar Resort). Grade: B

Getting Around The three stages are very close together and it takes about 5 minutes to get from one act to another. Grade: A

Food Typical festival fare: hamburgers, hot dogs, and Domino's pizza costing anywhere from $5 to $10. Since this is a camping festival, outside water containers and food are allowed inside the camping grounds. Grade: C

Facilities Those awesome misting tents as well as port-a-potties can be found throughout the festival grounds. Grade: B

X-Factor: This year promises an all instrumental performance by the Beastie Boys!

Bonnaroo

History: Five-year-old Bonarroo has earned a reputation for featuring a diverse array of acts -- everything from hip-hop to folk, alternative, country, and even reggae. (Fun fact: "Bonnaroo" is a Cajun slang word that means "a really good time" -- and it sure is!)

Where: Manchester, Tennessee

Dates: June 14^th -- 17^th

Lineup: The Police, Widespread Panic, The White Stripes, The Flaming Lips, Wilco, Franz Ferdinand, Damien Rice, The Decembrists, The Roots, The Black Keys and more

Tickets: On sale now. 4-day passes: first limited number of tickets will be priced at $184.50 each, after first allotment of tickets is sold out ticket prices will increase to $199.50, and then to $214.50. Buy Tickets

Crowd: 80,000

Transportation Shuttles are available from the airport. Carpooling is strongly encouraged due to the traffic congestion when entering the festival by car. There is also a Greyhound station that will have shuttles going to and from the festival. Grade: B

Where To Stay Camping zones near the Main Stage area are provided. There are also RV parking areas. Hotels in the area range from $50 a night (Day Inn) to $105 a night (Holiday Inn), but go quickly so you have to book well in advance. Grade: B

Getting Around The main stages are fairly close together and the schedule is staggered, which means you won't miss your favorite acts and you won't be bored in the interim. Grade: A

Food Falafel, salads, sandwiches and more go for $5 to $10. Pizza is a few bucks a slice. (Inside tip: The festival allows you to bring your own food and drink, so pack a cooler and camp out!) Grade B

Facilities Drinking water, wash stations, showers (you'll need these after you try on that attractive mud-crusted look), and port-a-potties are stationed throughout the grounds. Grade: A

X-Factor: Your classic muddy hippie paradise if you want to relive the days of Woodstock. Centeroo (an area that has three large music tents), Bonnaroo Market (what it sounds like), an arcade tent, music sharing areas, a cinema tent, and a comedy tent -- all are open 24 hours!