Festival Season Draws Near

     Everybody loves summer - good weather, time off school (if you're in school), pool days, and of course,  music festivals in abundance.

     The iconic Vans Warped Tour kicks off today, and is stopping in Toronto on July 4 (acts include Teenage Bottlerocket, The Maine, Attila, The Devil Wears Prada, and more). Other festivals in Toronto, the GTA, and near by include:

- North by Northeast takes place in Toronto at various music venues. It's a city wide festival goes from June 18-22 and is on it's 20th edition. Acts include Spoon, St.Vincent, Juicy J, Swans, and more.

- Scene Music Fest in St. Catherines ON takes place Canada Day long weekend (June 28-29) with acts including Mariana's Trench, Arkells, Lights, The Zolas, Monster Truck, Sheep Dogs, Crystalyne, and more. The festival takes place at Montebello Park and downtown St. Catherines.

- Another July 4th (to fifth) music festival takes place in Toronto called Toronto Urban Roots Festival (AKA "T.U.R.F"). It'll be held at Fort York, with acts including Neutral Milk Hotel, The Violent Femmes, Sam Roberts Band, July Talk, and more.

- Rockstar Mayhem Festival in Toronto takes place on July 25 at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. Acts include Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Asking Alexandria, Trivium, Emmure, Ill Nino, and more.

-  Riot Fest stops in Toronto on September 6-7 ending summer with a bang. It takes place in Downsview Park, a bigger venue as opposed to last year's Fort York. Acts include Billy Talent, City and Colour, Metric, The National, Dropkick Murphys, Bring Me the Horizon, The National, and more.

     So now you're set for the summer festival-wise. Get ready for sun, fun, and rock on.