10 great festivals to cure the summertime blues

— -- Music festivals are to summer what rock is to roll. If you haven't had a chance to beat the heat with your favorite legend, it's time to face the music. Rolling Stone executive editor Jason Fine shares the lowdown on late-summer and fall festivals.

Lollapalooza Chicago

"While most of the big festivals happen in remote or rural locations, from the Mojave Desert (Coachella) to rural Tennessee (Bonnaroo), the once-traveling Lollapalooza is now grounded in Grant Park in downtown Chicago, close to plenty of great hotels and restaurants," Fine says. Hot acts at the festival, which runs today through Sunday, include Kanye West, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails and hometown heroes Wilco. lollapalooza.com

Newport Folk Festival Newport, R.I.

In addition to its reputation for launching careers of major musicians — not to mention Bob Dylan's infamous first go with an electric guitar — this festival, which starts today and wraps up Sunday, also "rediscovers" some big names. "Two of rock's greatest legends — Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and Levon Helm of The Band — are back, and both appear at this historic harbor-front festival," Fine says. Jimmy Buffett and the Black Crowes also will be on stage this year. festivalnetwork.com/events/details.php?ID=49

Austin City Limits Austin

It's the after-hours parties on Sixth Street that make this hot festival cool, Fine says. "Unlike Austin's other great music festival, South by Southwest, this one's not about the music industry — it's about music fans. It's a great place to check out the state-of-the-art in rock 'n' roll in one place." Everyone from Mars Volta and David Byrne to the Foo Fighters and The Raconteurs will be snagging the spotlight. Dates: Sept. 26-28. aclfestival.com

All Points West Jersey City

The musical masterminds behind Coachella are setting up shop on the East Coast. "All Points West features this season's top festival headliners, Radiohead and Jack Johnson, at waterfront Liberty State Park," Fine says. Also expect to see Kings of Leon and Ben Harper while overlooking the Statue of Liberty. Dates: Aug. 8-10. apwfestival.com