Music festivals - The big ones

There’s an abundance of festivals this summer. Here’s a rundown of what to expect at the biggest ones to know if they’re right for you.

Coachella

April 25-27

Where: Indio, Calif. (near Palm Springs).

Who’s playing: Roger Waters, Portishead, Jack Johnson, Kraftwerk, the Verve, the Raconteurs, Death Cab for Cutie, Love & Rockets, Justice, M.I.A., My Morning Jacket, Fatboy Slim.

Who it’s for: Fans of indie rock, electronic and British music. Coachella tries to be the edgiest/trendiest of the U.S. megafests, but with Waters and Johnson headlining, it’s trying to sell tickets, too. Its penchant for reunion gigs (Kraftwerk, the Verve) also suits nostalgic fans.

What it’s like: Scenic and spacious, the setting is a would-be oasis (actually, overfertilized polo fields) amid the California desert, with the San Jacinto Mountains as backdrop. This is the one fest very careful about crowd control, cleanup and comfort. There are two big stages, plus a few dance tents and smaller stages.

Accommodations: On-site camping and (new this year) premium camping. Lots of hotels are nearby, and in-and-out access is fairly easy.

Info: www.coachella.com.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

April 27-30 and May 1-4

Who’s playing: Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Al Green, Raconteurs, O.A.R., Sheryl Crow, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, the Roots, Elvis Costello, Dirty Dozen, Dr. John, the Bad Plus.

Who it’s for: Rock fans who dig into the roots, and/or people who simply like to party New Orleans-style (full bellies, sweaty pits).

What it’s like: The eight Jazz Fest stages (four under tents) are neatly laid out around the horse track at the NOLA fairgrounds, and they’re booked by genre: blues, gospel, jazz, zydeco, etc. The food stands are as big a draw as the stages. Party ends by 7 p.m., but then moves to the clubs.

Accommodations: Hotels only, and they fill up fast (especially post-Katrina).

Info: www.nojazzfest.com.

Bonnaroo

June 12-15

Where: Manchester, Tenn.

Who’s playing: Metallica, Pearl Jam, Kanye West, Jack Johnson, Willie Nelson, Cat Power, Phil Lesh & Friends, My Morning Jacket and, lo and behold, the Raconteurs.

Who it’s for: Basically, anyone with a Rolling Stone subscription who also likes to camp and doesn’t mind crowds (with 80,000 people daily, it’s usually tops among U.S. fests). Fans of Southern/Americana styles and jam bands get a better fix here than at the others.

What it’s like: Set on fertile, tree-lined ranchland south of Nashville, Bonnaroo has the most out-there, middle-of-nowhere site of the big fests. Throw in its psychedelic decor and an occasional rainstorm, and you probably have the nearest thing to the (original) Woodstock experience.

Accommodations: Mostly camping. Hotels are 10 to 30 miles away and not easy to get to (unless you get a pricey VIP package with shuttle).

Info: www.bonnaroo.com.

Lollapalooza

Aug. 1-3

Where: Grant Park in downtown Chicago.

Who’s playing: Radiohead, Kanye West, Wilco, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Gnarls Barkley and the Raconteurs.

Who it’s for: Rock hipsters who prefer downtown hotels to campgrounds.

What it’s like: Imagine Coachella dropped in the middle of Chicago, with the city skyline replacing the mountains. If Lake Michigan’s breeze doesn’t keep things cool enough, you can duck into the Art Institute or Field Museum a few blocks away to get out of the sun.

Accommodations: Hotels only. On-site parking is pricey, so look for spots close to Grant Park or near a train.

Info: www.lollapalooza.com.

Austin City Limits

Sept. 26-28

Where: Austin, Texas.

Who’s playing: Lineup TBA, but can we count on the Raconteurs?

Who’s it for: Lovers of Austin’s Texan-bohemian charm or late-planners who missed the other big fests.

What’s it like: Held in Zilker Park across Town Lake from downtown, it offers a nice mish-mash of Coachella, Bonnaroo and Jazz Fest, with some country and roots-music acts rounding out alterna-rockers and jam bands. And like Jazz Fest, the food stands are deliciously local.

Accommodations: Hotels only, many within walking distance.

Info: www.aclfestival.com.