2011 is well underway and so is the anticipation for upcoming music festivals brought upon by a new calendar year. Every year the California music scene proves rich with festivals celebrating music and 2011 will be no different. The variety of festivals will appease almost every music enthusiast, from country music fans to fans of hip hop and the varying rock genres. For your planning convenience, here’s part one of a two part guide to upcoming California music festivals in 2011. Find out what is coming to your area and decide what to go see!

Musink Tattoo Convention & Music Festival: Friday, March 4th- Sunday, March 6th at the OC Fairgrounds

2011 will mark the second annual Musink Tattoo Convention & Music Festival. If you have a passion for body art and music, the Musink Festival should be a “can’t miss” event for you. The musical lineup for Musink includes Hot Water Music, Circa Survive, Thrice, and The Used. Circa Survive and Thrice are scheduled to play Saturday while Hot Water Music and The Used will perform on Sunday. The Used played 2010’s Musnik Festival as well, putting on a fun show. Bert McCracken, The Used’s front man, draws you into the band’s performance with his crowd-engaging style. In addition to the music, Musink will play host to over 300 tattoo artists. A single day pass to the event will run you $25 while you can obtain a weekend pass for $50.

Paid Dues Festival: Saturday, April 2nd at NOS Events Center

The NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, CA will hold the sixth annual Paid Dues Festival, an independent hip hop festival. If you have enjoyed the Paid Dues Festival in the past, you will not want to miss this year’s event. This year’s atmosphere will be louder and more energetic as Paid Dues Festival will welcome their biggest performance in festival history, the reunion of Black Star- Mos Def and Talbi Kweli. Black Star headlines an impressive lineup which also includes Immortal Technique and Murs. Overall the 2011 Paid Dues Festival will feature 20 plus performances on three stages. General admissions cost $48 (plus additional fees). If you have some extra money, you can receive VIP treatment for $148 (plus additional fees). The VIP treatment includes red carpet entrance into the festival, a free t-shirt, a meet and greet with the artists, and much more.

Coachella: Friday, April 15th- Sunday, April 17th at Empire Polo Field

After last year’s Coachella event, headlined by Jay Z, Gorillaz, and Thom Yorke playing to sold out crowds of over 75,000, this year’s festival will have steep expectations to meet. However, the people behind the annual festival have succeeded in putting together a lineup which can achieve and possibly surpass these high expectations. Headliners for the 2011 event include Kings of Leon (Friday night), Arcade Fire (Saturday night), and Kanye West (Sunday night). The complete 2011 Coachella lineup is huge, with notable names like Duran Duran, Jimmy Eats World, and Cage the Elephant. A pass for the entire weekend costs $281 (once charitable and service fees are added in). The price may seem high but once you look at all the musicians you will get to see, you will more likely find the expense worthwhile.

Stagecoach California’s Country Music Festival: Saturday, April 30th- Sunday, May 1st at Empire Polo Field            

If you are a country music lover, the fifth annual Stagecoach California’s Country Music Festival will be a must attend event for you. This year’s festival lineup is stacked with big names, including Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner, and Eastin Corbin. In all 30 country music acts will perform over the two day festival. A weekend pass to the event will cost you $157 (including charitable and venue fees). Considering the number of talents and the high caliber talents playing this year’s festival $157 is definitely a bargain deal.  

Dr. Greenthumb & Tommy Chong’s Spring Gathering

While no official announcement has been released about a 2011 Spring Gathering festival, I anticipate one sometime soon. Last year Dr. Greenthumb & Tommy Chong’s Spring Gathering festival was held at the beginning of May and was headlined by Method Man & Redman. A cool element of Spring Gathering is the bigger names get hour long sets rather than the typical shortened festival time blocks. The event also supports the medical marijuana movement through education and activism. If you are active in the medical marijuana movement and enjoy music, make sure to stay on the lookout for information about a 2011 Spring Gathering. 

KROQ Weenie Roast

No official word has been released yet about the 2011 KROQ Weenie Roast but considering the festival has been an annual event since 1993, an announcement seems to be guaranteed with time. The event has hosted many big names the past 17 years including Kiss, Metellica, Stone Temple Pilots, and Blink 182. Part of the KROQ Weenie Roast excitement is eagerly awaiting the release of the lineup. The KROQ Weenie Roast usually occurs in May or June. With the exception of 2000 the KROQ Weenie Roast has always taken place at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, CA.