All Points West: It May Not Be Coachella, But We’re Not Complaining

By MARIKA ROBAK

Published: April 3, 2008

So you’ve always wanted to go to Bonnaroo.  Or, even better, Coachella.  Or even Lollapalooza.  You’ve schemed up countless ways of doing it—volunteering so you can go for free, crashing at a long-lost relative’s place for a couple days or even camping out!  But it always comes down to the same problem: getting there and those costs.  How many times have you asked yourself, why aren’t any of these great summer music festivals near New York City, the greatest city in the world?

Well, your chance has finally come!  This summer, the New York/New Jersey area will get its own big music fest, called All Points West Music and Arts Festival.  The concert will take place just a ferry ride away from the city, in New Jersey’s Liberty State Park.  It is scheduled for August 8-10.  Each day, gates will open at noon and festivities should end by 11 p.m.

After much hype about who will be playing, the festival producers, Goldenvoice/AEG Live and Liberty Events, announced that Radiohead will headline the first two nights.  Jack Johnson will be the main attraction on Sunday, the closing night.  In addition, many other excellent acts are featured, including bands like Kings of Leon, the Roots, Animal Collective, Cat Power, Mates of State, the Secret Machines, the New Pornographers and many others.

Tickets went on sale Feb. 29.  They are available as single-day passes ($89) or a weekend pass ($258).  There is also a special package for people who plan to carpool to get there, because the festival is stressing “going green.”  All tickets are general admission.