Legendary rocker Tom Petty is old enough to be the grandfather of most performers at the Firefly Music Festival, but many wouldn’t be there if not for some trailblazing by Petty and his Heartbreakers, one of the biggest bands to break out of the 1970s. Follow Petty with ’80s-’90s phenoms The Red Hot Chili Peppers, then the usual cast of contemporary artists, and Firefly gets an even broader appeal. The first festival, held last year, was a runaway success. This year’s, to be held June 21-23 at The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway, should be bigger and better. A sampling of the talent: alt rockers Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Vampire Weekend, alt popsters Passion Pit and Ellie Goulding, neo-folkies The Avett Brothers and The Lumineers, the rootsy Alabama Shakes, rap giants Public Enemy, local faves Dr. Dog from Philly and Wilmington’s Spinto Band, and on and on and on. That’s almost 70 bands, plus special attractions, such as an open-air arcade with vintage games, evening light and video displays in The Pathway, a Dogfish Head Brewery featuring Firefly Ale, The Vineyard winery and several restaurants. Camp, roll in your RV, or stay at a local hotel. (fireflyfestival.com)
â–º For more event information, click here.
â–º For more from the June issue, click here.
