The Martlet

Summer is coming and we’re looking for fun. These four months of paycheques are going to determine the memory of your summer — or better yet, lack thereof.

You best hope your student loans are paid off, because the season of music is here and it’s not cheap.

Of the hundreds of music festivals out there, which ones are worth the cash and commute? With anticipated events like the Pemberton Music Festival canceled, and few announcements for others, like V Festival and Vans Warped Tour, we’re stuck wondering: what’s left?

Fear not. There are plenty of shows and good-times to be had. Whether you’re shelling out wads of cash, driving across the country or walking down the street, the summer 2009 music scene will be as hot as the weather.

For the mostly-indie lover

The Sasquatch Music Festival is a three-day event running from May 23 to 24 at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington. Presented by the House of Blues, it features acts such as Kings of Leon, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, TV On The Radio, Ben Harper, Silversun Pickups and Mos Def.

Most of the special deals for the three-stage, two-tent festival are over, but tickets are still available. They’ll cost you $66.50 per day until Monday, May 18, when they’ll jump up to $76.50 per day. A regular weekend camping pass will cost $95.00 and a premier weekend camping pass is $160.00. Though premier camping is more expensive, it’s well worth it if you appreciate flushable toilets, an air-conditioned shuttle to and from the grounds, early entry to the amphitheatre, a special menu and, yes, even showers.

Assuming you go to the festival for the entire weekend and camp old-fashioned style, the total for this show (excluding food and the copious amounts of beer you’re likely to consume) will set you back approximately $295.00.

For the country bumpkin

The Merritt Mountain Music Festival will always hit home with country lovers. Officially branded the Country Music Capital of Canada, Merritt, B.C. will be hosting its festival from July 9 to July 12.

The four-day party appreciates quality over quantity in its performers.

The line-up for this year’s stage will be: Kenney Chesney, Paul Brandt, Crystal Shawanda, The Stevie Miller Band, Emerson Drive, Johnny Reed and more.

Tickets currently cost $236.25 for a four-day pass, until July 1, when the price jumps to $270.50. Single-day tickets and even reserved seating are also available.

The real complication for this festival comes with the purchase of camping. There are 10 sections which are all pre-booked, and run $135.25 to $214.00 per site. But you’re not done there — there’s a $35.00 parking fee and $20.00 early entry fee.

All in all, the total for this historic and budget-crushing event comes to $434.50.

For the road-trippers

Toronto’s Edgefest is a concert worth piling in a van and hitting the road for.

This show’s line-up features big names such as Billy Talent, Alexisonfire, AFI, Metric, K-OS, The Stills, Beast, The Waking Eyes and more.

Tickets for the June 30 event are still available for $39.50 and go up by $10 once the early bird prices are sold out. The cheap tickets combined with the shortness of the event make it well worth spending the cash to make a road-trip there.

Plus, Edgefest ‘09 has jumped on the green wagon. They’ve posted schedules and line-ups on Twitter, donated $1 from every ticket sale to planting trees, and partnered with carpooling group PickupPal to measure the amount of carbon emissions the concert generates.

The four-day trip to and from would be hefty, but it’s sure to create those irreplaceable memories.

For the budget-conscious

Don’t fear if you’re in no financial condition to travel; right here at home is Victoria’s Annual Skafest.

Beginning July 8, the four-day show has become one of Victoria’s most anticipated music festivals. This year’s line-up includes The Skatalites, The Easy Star All Stars, Pato Banton, King Diango and more.

Ticket prices haven’t yet been announced, but tickets can be found at Lyle’s Place, the Reef, Ditch Records and the Strathcona Hotel.

The ska, reggae, rock ‘n’ roll and punk fusion show is easy on the ears and wallets.