Festival season is here and I’m so excited I want to scream it from a mountain top. To kick off the celebration, let’s dig into five festival headliners you can’t afford to miss. Save up your energy during the day because these five bands are going to give you everything they have, and you better be ready for a good time.

Nine Inch Nails

Those at the Pemberton Music Fest in British Columbia should start preparing themselves now for what Nine Inch Nails will bring to the stage. A full on assault of your senses, combining visual aspects with their musical prowess, NIN is near the top of the list of best touring bands around. Through the vision of creative genius Trent Reznor, the band completely reimagines their arena show for the festival circuit, tailoring it to a much larger and open room. I’m not about giving away spoilers, but trust me–expect the unexpected.

The National

As far as frontmen are concerned–The National’s Matt Berninger may be one of the best out there today. The band is currently touring around their latest album Trouble Will Find Me, a beautiful collection of songs that fall in line with everything The National claims to be. While many may dismiss their music as more lo-fi and moody, the live show is anything but. Fans should expect a full-on release of angst and energy throughout the show, and if you’re up close–be prepared to meet Mr. Berninger up close and personal.

Elton John

Few artists have aged as gracefully as Elton John. Not only will Sir Elton bring his expansive catalog to the festival circuit this summer, but he will headline Bonnaroo for the first time, marking his first US festival in his entire career. While the “Crocodile Rock” icon has remained busy over the years, you can bet he’ll have more than enough material to have the ‘Roo faithful dancing and singing along well into the night.

Foo Fighters

Dave Grohl doesn’t care if you’re tired, sweaty, hungover, too drunk, or what. He’s bringing the Foos to Firefly in Delaware for their only U.S. festival show of the year to destroy that place. You won’t know what to do with yourself as the band tears through mega hits like “The Pretender,” “My Hero,” “All My Life” and “Learn to Fly,” not to mention the stellar material from their last record Wasting Light. As you can see in the picture above, Grohl will play in a downpour any day of the week. As long as the guitars are loud and the beer is cold, the Foo Fighters are here for you.

Arcade Fire

There’s Arcade Fire and then there is every other band. This is the best band running at the moment and they’re blowing audiences away all over the world behind their new powerful fourth album Reflektor. Win Butler and Co. put on a live show that is in a special place right now. Don’t miss it.