2013 Summer Concert Guide: Fuji Rock

Wish the festival experience was a little mellower? Consider a trip to Japan for Fuji Rock. Taking the stage at a ski resort, the festival is set high in the mountains away from the grind of city life, where organizers pride themselves on a super-clean site and say that "independence, cooperation and respect of nature are the keys to fully enjoy" the proceedings. If this sounds like a small neighborhood affair, think again; Fuji Rock is the largest outdoor music event in Japan and has all of the bells and whistles, with more than 200 artists on 14 stages, over two dozen food vendors in the Oasis, and an all-night rave in the Red Marquee. With so much space to play with, there's really something for everyone, from two stages of huge headliners (Nine Inch Nails, Björk, the Cure, Skrillex, Jurassic 5, the xx), to hip-hop (Death Grips), jazz (David Murray Big Band), singer-songwriters (Aimee Mann), blues bands (Mannish Boys), metal shredders (Killswitch Engage), electronic excursions (Flying Lotus), global gems (Mulatu Astatke), indie darlings (Yo La Tengo), and cult favorites (Sparks), and that's just scratching the surface.

Nigata, Japan. July 26-28. More info

Get more of our editors' picks for must-see festivals and tours in the Summer Concert Guide.