As summer rapidly approaches, highly anticipated music festivals and concerts are all the rage. Outdoor festivals and venues give students the opportunity to enjoy their favorite artists in the summer sun.

Music festivals have been popular for teens and adults alike since the original music festival Woodstock, which had it’s first festival in 1969.

“They’re something fun to do with your friends,” senior Victor Singh said. “It’s cool seeing the people you always listen to in person.”

Now-a-days there are many festivals held each year and most are annual. Some of the most notable music festivals are Rolling Loud and Lollapalooza. Each festival usually focuses on different genres and have an impressive line-up of popular artists.

“My family and I went to Lollapalooza many times,” teacher Stacy Smale said. “The kids were really excited to see Eminem and the people around us loved the boys and were putting them on their shoulders so they could see better.”

Along with the festivals, there are many concerts coming up that have people eager to hear their favorite songs live. In the upcoming summer, the Metro Detroit Area is chock-full of all different concerts likely to attract people of all different music tastes.

“You don’t have to know anyone to have a good time,” senior Alina Cousino said. “Music’s better live in person.”

In the area we live in, the main spots for concerts are Little Caesars Arena and DTE Energy Music Theatre. There are also many smaller venues such as Masonic Temple, The Fillmore, Saint Andrews Hall, and the Michigan Lottery Amphitheater at Freedom Hill.

“I like [Little Caesars Arena], it has a lot of space,” senior Chanel Nona said. “But I’m definitely not a fan of the mosh pit.”

Concerts and festivals are very popular pastimes for many people who love to attend live music performances, which is evident in how many tickets are sold and how much money they sell for. Some dedicated fans will purchase tickets to see their favorite artists multiple times. Very loyal fans may even attend concerts again after a less positive experience.

“I went to Twins of Evil. The person I went to see was mainly Marilyn Manson, but it was kind of disappointing because he didn’t seem like he was into it,” senior Julia Emery said. “But Rob Zombie was a really good headliner, so I’d probably go see both of them again.”

Many people even go far enough to travel out of state or even out of country on rare occasions to see their favorite artists perform. But this summer there are some big concerts and festivals close to home, a major one being the “Mo Pop Festival”, which will be held on July 27 and 28 at West Riverfront Park Detroit. One festival that is catching attention of students is Knotfest, a heavy-metal themed music festival created by the band Slipknot.

“I’m looking forward to Knotfest,” Emery said. “It’ll definitely be an experience.”

Live Nation Entertainment encouraged the excitement for summer concerts through their celebration of National Concert Week from May 1 to May 7. Live Nation began selling tickets to highly anticipated shows for only $20, a price that is practically unheard of when it comes to notable artists such as LANY.

“I saw LANY and I plan on seeing them again,” sophomore Haley Smith said. “It was my third time seeing them.”

Live Nation’s ticket sales gave many people, especially students on a budget, the opportunity to see their favorite artists when they may not have previously been able to afford it.

“If I really like a performer and the tickets are $80, I’d be far more willing to spend it on a performer I really like than someone or something that just seems cool or I’m more low-key interested in,” senior McKenzie Remeselnik said.