This summer’s road-trip-worthy music fests: 80-35, Loufest, Riot Fest, Eaux Claires and more

Kansas City is hardly starved for great live music, from both local and touring acts. But there hasn’t been a standout summer festival around here since the long-gone days of Wakarusa (or the shorter-lived days of, ugh, Kanrocksas). Which at least makes an excellent reason to gas up the car, pick out some road tunes and attempt to avoid highway repairs on your way to any of these buzzy outdoor conglamorations.

80-35 FESTIVAL
Des Moines, Iowa, July 8-9
Not only does Des Moines have a downtown — that downtown boasts one of the closest and most affordable summer festivals in the Midwest. The lineup this year includes Nas, the Decemberists, Wolf Parade, Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, the Black Lips and Lotus, among many others. Two-day passes are an affordable $65.
2016.80-35.com

PITCHFORK
Chicago, July 15-16
Pitchfork is basically Christmas in July for Midwestern hipsters: three days in Chicago, listening to name-brand artists. This year’s celebration takes place in Union Park, and for your troubles you can see the reunited Broken Social Scene, Beach House, Sufjan Stevens, Brian Wilson (performing Pet Sounds), Digable Planets, and FKA Twigs, among others. Wear your finest — this one’s all about people-watching. Three-day passes are $165, single-day tickets $65.
pitchforkmusicfestival.com

LOLLAPALOOZA
Chicago, July 28-31
Lolla is a monster, and this year’s lineup proves that it is still one of the biggest festivals in the United States. See Radiohead, LCD Soundsystem, Jane’s Addiction, the 1975, Future, Haim, Disclosure and dozens of other big acts. The Grant Park festival is sold out, but there are always brokers.
lollapalooza.com

HINTERLAND
St. Charles, Iowa, August 5-6
Iowa’s Hinterland festival (not far from Des Moines) trends more toward rustic Americana, and this year includes one of music’s biggest names as the chief draw: Willie Nelson. Other acts featured include Ray LaMontagne, Grace Potter, Cold War Kids, Lake Street Dive, Pokey LaFarge and William Elliot Whitmore. St. Charles is rural, with rolling green hills, and it’s just two and a half hours from here by car. Two-day passes are $95.
hinterlandiowa.com

EAUX CLAIRES
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, August 12-13
This year’s Eaux Claires festival is generating significant buzz, with a lineup featuring Bon Iver, Erykah Badu, Jenny Lewis, Mavis Staples, Shabazz Palaces, Beach House and James Blake, among others. It’s situated prettily along the Chippewa River, and camping and dorm rooms at the University of Wisconsin are available. Eau Claire is about an eight-hour drive from Kansas City. Two-day passes cost $165.
eauxclaires.com

LOUFEST
St. Louis, September 11-12
Just try and find another festival with headliners including LCD Soundsystem and Lauryn Hill that comes in under $100 for a full two-day pass. LouFest takes place at Forest Park in St. Louis and features Chris Stapleton, Band of Horses, Buddy Guy, the Kills, Vince Staples, Charles Bradley, Frightened Rabbit and more.
loufest.frontgatetickets.com

RIOT FEST
Chicago, September 16-18
One of the most genre-diverse festivals of the summer comes courtesy of Riot Fest, which is taking place in Chicago and Denver this year (the Denver version is two weeks earlier). The bill includes the original Misfits lineup (including Glenn Danzig), Ween, Death Cab for Cutie, Nas, Brand New, Bob Mould, Social Distortion, the Specials, Fitz and the Tantrums, Method Man and Red Man, Dan Deacon, Refused, NOFX, and about a hundred other great bands. Tickets start at $99.98.
riotfest.org/chicago

PYGMALION FESTIVAL
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, September 23-27
Pygmalion tends to fly under the radar. Yet, in a beautiful setting in college town Champaign-Urbana (a six-hour drive from KC), Pygmalion seems ready to rise in the national consciousness. The 2016 music lineup has not been announced, but it’s always worthy; last year’s artists included Run the Jewels, Purity Ring, Sylvan Esso, Tune-Yards, Strand of Oaks, Ride and Besnard Lakes.
thepygmalionfestival.com