Spring is here and festival shows will dominate the Northwest music scene in the weeks and months to come.

The first thing to remember is that festivals are physically and spiritually demanding, so bring sunscreen, sandwiches and a clear conscience.

During Memorial Day weekend, the Sasquatch! Music Festival’s arrival is marked with I-90’s constant stream of yuppies, high school kids and hipsters making their way across the Cascades.

R.E.M., The Breeders, M.I.A., The Cure, Modest Mouse and several others are headlining this year. Unpredictable weather, beer gardens, three whole days of debauchery and three stages of listenable pop music promises a good time. If you have never been, start a day at a time and bring food, blankets and sunglasses.

The 107.7 The End’s second annual Summer Camp at Redmond’s Marymoor Park will feature Flogging Molly, Nada Surf and Pennywise. The June 14 show will also feature MGMT, Flobots and Armor for Sleep.

On July 12, Redmond is again the site of an alternative music festival, this time with the focus on more “alternative” and less “festival.”

Sub Pop Records, possibly Seattle’s greatest and first independent record label, presents many of its artists together in one place for the fist time. Highlights will include the Vaselines, Mudhoney, Green River, the Fleet Foxes and a number of other lesser-known but amazing bands. If you like grunge, guitars played at any volume and undertones of anti-consumerist/socialist politics, you’ll have a blast amid the pleasant suburbs.

Anacortes, Wash., hosts What the Heck Fest on July 18, showcasing the best experimental and folk music in the Pacific Northwest. Tickets are $50 and camping is recommended.

What will most likely be the biggest party of the summer, Capitol Hill Block Party takes place on July 25 and 26 this year. On the bill is a smattering of the world’s greatest buzz bands: Chromeo, Vampire Weekend and Girl Talk, accompanied by Seattle favorites U.S.E., Pwrfl Power, Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head and more.

There are many more bands playing and even more are to be confirmed. More good news: tickets are cheap, with a two-day pass costing $34 plus services charges.

Bumbershoot this year, as viewed from across the vast expanse of summer, looks promising. Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 will see bands such as Beck, Lucinda Williams, Band of Horses and Neko Case.