You scroll through your bank statement with the same sense of dread and disappointment you feel when scrolling through your friends Sasquatch/Coachella/Paradiso/Stagecoach Instagram photos. You couldn’t afford the big name music festivals, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and hear some amazing artists, on a budget.
Willamette Valley Music Festival 
This event brings students together on 13th street, right alongside the ASUO Street Faire. The artists are chosen specifically for that college-student-festival vibe, largely consisting of the sounds of EDM and indie music. (Check back for our full event preview, which will be published the day before, Friday.)
May 9, University of Oregon
Free Admission
Lineup includes: JayKode, Octonaut, Aaron Jackson, Lures, Tetra Bomb and SugarBeats.
America’s Wild Rivers Coast Art, Wine and Music Festival
If you’re looking for a more laid-back, relaxing experience, this is the festival for you. Since there are additional elements to this event (looking at art, drinking wine and listening to the ocean), there isn’t the overwhelming feeling many other larger festivals come with.
May 18-19, Gold Beach
$10
Lineup includes: Ferguson Brothers, Homemade Jam, Humbug Mountain Boys, Left Coast Jazz Trio Ensemble and Pistol River Trio.
Waterfront Blues Festival 
Portland is the perfectly unique place to welcome the distinct culture that is blues music. If you’re a lover of the old-time genre, there’s no better place than the Waterfront to soak it all in.
July 2-5, Portland Waterfront
Early Bird: $35
General Admission: $40
Lineup Includes: Buddy Guy, Charmaine Neville, Devon Allman, Chubby Carrier and Galactic with Macy Gray.
4 Peaks Music Festival
Oregon’s funkiest festival – 4 Peaks strives to bring feel-good music to the beautiful landscape of Bend, Oregon. Hints of rock n’ roll and bluegrass make their way through the lineup, making you feel like there’s no where you’d rather be than this countryside ranch.
June 19-21, Bend
$60-140
Lineup includes: The Motet, Rusted Roo, Acorn Project, The Student Loan and Dirty Revival.
Project Pabst
Pabst claims, “While we may have been established in Milwaukee in 1844, it was in Portland that Pabst was reborn. Our love letter to Portland has been written in the stars for sometime now, and this July we’re on our way to deliver the message first hand.” This 21 and over festival gives some love to just about every genre out there, but seems to focus on upbeat rock and pop music.
July 17-19, Portland Waterfront
$40/day
Lineup includes: Weezer, Passion Pit, Blondie, Against Me! and The Both (Aimee Mann/Ted Leo).
Hempfest
The purpose of the Emerald Empire Hempfest is to bring people together and call for reforms in America’s laws against cannabis and hemp. (Being that marijuana is now legalized in Oregon, this year’s festival might have a new vibe.) Check out last year’s musical lineup.
July 17-19, Eugene
Free Admission
Lineup TBA.
North Umpqua Music Fest 
Roots. Rock. Reggae. This festival is all about celebrating the genre of reggae, the culture and the sense of community it brings. Great food, beer and wine, camping and arts will be there.
July 17-19, Roseburg
$50/3-day pass
Lineup Includes: Ital Vibes, Sol Seed, Acoustic Minds, Soul Vibrator and South Bay Dub AllStars.
Cape Blanco Country Music Festival
Where country meets the coast. Fitting, since Cape Blanco happens to be the western-most point in all of Oregon. Huge names in country music make their way down to the coast for an experience and a view you’ll never forget.
July 31-Aug 2, Southern Oregon Coast
$125/3-day pass
Lineup includes: Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, Florida Georgia Line, Sara Evans, Thompson Square and Jana Kramer.
Guitars Under the Stars
Are you ready to rock ‘n’ roll? This festival aims to showcase artists who highlight guitar in their acts. Previously, Guitars Under the Stars has brought in big leaguers like Gary Hoey who has recorded five Top 20 billboard hits including Hocus Pocus and Jennifer Batten who toured as the guitarist for Michael Jackson.
Aug 7-9, Lebanon
$45-65/day
Lineup Includes: P.O.D., Maragold, Ben Woods, Earth to Ashes and Los Lonely Boys.
Willamette Valley Country Music Festival
Arguably the largest country music festival in Oregon, and a cheaper alternative to something like Stage Coach. Enjoy listening to some of the most popular country artists out there, while soaking up the sun in a part of Oregon that offers that country-feel.
August 14, 15 and 16, Brownsville
Starts at $125/3-day pass
Lineup includes: Scotty McCreery, Rascal Flatts, Charles Esten, Luke Bryan, The Band Perry and Chris Young.
MusicfestNW
MusicfestNW is Portland’s largest music festival, described as the ultimate Pacific Northwest summer event, and named one of the most authentic American experiences by Time magazine. You won’t want to miss the talented alternative, electro and indie bands taking over the Rose City.
August 21-23, Portland Waterfront
Early Bird: $35-45/day
General Admission: $45-60/day
Lineup includes: Foster the People, Modest Mouse, Misterwives, Beirut, Danny Brown and Lady Lamb.