What is better than a full day (or a couple of days) of fun in the sun with your friends listening to awesome tunes of various bands? The answer is there’s not much that is better. That is why, when in Melbourne during the summer, you need to make sure to check out these five music festivals. There are actually 15 festivals that you can check out during those warm summer days but these are the ones that I definitely suggest you attend (perhaps because I have been to them).
1. Big Day Out – Tuesday 26 January 2009
Dance around to the sounds of Lily Allen, Girl Talk and Groove Armada at the Big Day Out festival this year. What makes Big Day Out really cool is the funky art installations. If you don’t come for the bands, come for the Hand of Man by Christian Ristow shown below. 
This is just one of the number of artsy installations that Big Day Out features at their festival. The Hand of Man is this huge steel mechanical hand that people at the festival can actually control through a glove controller; a person can just put their hand in the glove and then any action they produce from their elbow forward will be performed by the big hand. Music and some high tech machinery produces a one of a kind festival experience.
2. Falls Festival 29 December 2009-1 January 2010
Grizzly Bear, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Hilltop Hoods are a few of the 70+ the bands you should expect to see playing at Falls this year. Held at the same time every year, this four day musical delight is located above Lorne, alongside Victoria’s gorgeous Great Ocean Road, so not only are you listening to great bands, but you’re also surrounded by natural beauty. The venue is a on a slant making it easier to catch a glimpse of bands, not to mention there is a big screen that ensures you really don’t miss a beat. Check out the video below to see what you may encounter at Falls.
3. St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival 30 January 2010
This festival isn’t necessarily set up to pleasure those who want the mainstream artists, but it was set in the lanes and alleys of downtown Melbourne, which may be one of the most unique settings of any of these festivals. Due to crowd control, the festival will not be held in such a vital area of the city, but it is still guaranteed to be music culture experience. Above is a picture of Feist performing at Laneway 2008, when I attended.
4. Good Vibrations 21 February 2010
This day festival, held at the Flemington Racecourse, allows you to enjoy the sun and some great music for an afternoon/evening. The headliners, The Killers, will be joined by other various talent such as Busta Rhymes, Salt-N-Pepa, and Gym Class Heroes. This festival is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Let’s just say I already have my tickets.
5. Pyramid Rock 30 January 2009-1 January 2010
This New Years Eve festival, located on Phillip Island, combines music with the beach scene. You can’t help but admire the beautiful ocean view while watching and listening to the bands. The festival also offers super sweet market stalls selling band memorabilia and other goodies. You will definitely enjoy the setting Pyramid Rock has to offer.
