Never have the words Madonna and camping been so closely associated as they are this year, thanks to Madge's just-announced appearance at the Coachella Festival. The massive campout and rock fest features a rare Madonna set in the dance tent. Also headlining this year are Depeche Mode, Franz Ferdinand, Sigur Rós, the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, James Blunt, My Morning Jacket, and Ladytron. Tickets are $85 for a single day, $165 for a two-day pass. Camping costs an additional $35 for the weekend.
Empire Polo Field, 81-800 Avenue 51. www.coachella.com.
The music festival all but swallows the town by placing an incredibly diverse slate of performers in eight venues. There's more music and DJs performing in 50 bars and restaurants throughout Bourges. The gatherings include sets from Coco Rosie and the Flaming Lips (April 30 at Le Palais d'Auron) and Arctic Monkeys and dEUS (April 29 at Le Phénix). Sandwiched between more established names are rising acts for which the festival has become famous. Specialty shows highlight international discoveries in electro, rock, and hip-hop. When the town is quiet, one may contemplate the 12th-century Gothic Cathedral of Saint-Étienne.
www.printemps- bourges.com. 011-33-02-4827-2829.
Whistler Blackcomb, 4545 Blackcomb Way. 1-866-218-9690. www.whistler2006.com.
The hirsute beast is not scheduled to appear, but pretty much everyone else is. The Memorial Day weekend gathering at the Gorge Amphitheatre -- located on a hillside with incredible views in midstate George -- kicks off with Nine Inch Nails on May 26. Ben Harper headlines May 27. There are sets from Sufjan Stevens, the Flaming Lips, and the Tragically Hip. Sasquatch's final day is also its most impressive. Beck headlines with support from Death Cab for Cutie, Matisyahu, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Arctic Monkeys, and We Are Scientists. A three-day pass is $165, or $55 a day. Camping is an additional $40 a day.
Gorge Amphitheatre, 754 Silica Road NW. 206-628-0888. www.sasquatchfestival.com.
Bands with pleasant-sounding names such as Bloody Dead and Sexy, Bloodflowerz, and Scarlet's Remains -- and the gloomy Gunthers who love them -- gather to give thanks for black jeans, black hair dye, and piercings. The Meeting celebrates Goth cinema, music, fashion, and S&M for four deliberately dark and uncomfortable days. A four-day pass is $67.
Schulstrasse 63, Chemnitz. www.wave-gotik-treffen.de.
Contact Christopher Muther at muther@globe.com. 
