or the first time since 2006, I’m watching Bonnaroo on my laptop this weekend rather than sweating it out with 80,000 friends in the hot Tennessee sun. Nothing beats settling into a Porta-Potty in 100-degree heat after a night/morning of drinking funny things, throwing glow sticks in the air, and God knows what else. I guess I won’t miss that feeling.

You can still catch a solid helping of this year’s Bonnaroo live on YouTube (I wish they’d show more late-night sets to capture the true spirit of the festival). But enough with an event that’s 18 hours of open road from Boston. Let’s talk about one in our own backyard. Because there’s good news on the local music front to get me through my comparatively ordinary weekend.

Life is Good has teamed up with Superfly productions—the same people who organize Bonnaroo—for a music festival to be held at the base of Blue Hill on September 11 and 12. The local company hopes to raise $1 million for its foundation, which aids kids facing life-threatening challenges. Jason Mraz, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Ziggy Marley, Dr. Dog (above), Galactic, Guster, Toubab Krewe, Grace Potter, and a dozen or so other acts will play. It's not quite Bonnaroo, obviously, and there’s no camping, but there’s plenty of ammunition to make it worth the short ride down I-93. (That is, if there is such a thing as a short trip on 93. You probably would have better luck driving all the way to Tennessee). Two-day passes are $90, which is reasonable considering you’d have to pay at least $20 to see each of these bands individually. Tickets go on sale Thursday (June 17) at 10 a.m. Be on the lookout for more artists to be added. More info is available here.

Chances are that if you’re reading this, you aren’t at Bonnaroo. But don’t fret. You can watch some of the action from that music fantasyland on YouTube. Sleep outside and skip showering for a few days and it will feel almost like the real thing. And if you really need a taste of the festival experience, minus the overwhelming qualities, check out Nateva in Maine during July 4th weekend. It’s clean and it’s close and the lineup is solid. What more could you ask for?

Support Local Live Music: MySecretBoston.com presents Buru Style with Ajanai and the Drummers of Peace and Equality, Wednesday, June 16 at Precinct in Union Square

We convinced our friends from the ever-evolving Buru Style to unleash their big band on the small stage at the back room at Precinct. The reggae-meets-funk group explodes on its intricate instrumentals, much like Galactic and Soulive, but can also sit back and lay out a brick-and-mortar groove for any vocal style, from soul to afrobeat. The band has been backing former Soulive member Toussaint of late, but for this show it’ll bring out Ajani, who delivers pounding sermons drenched in grit and righteousness. Buru Style, with its relentless rhythm section and tag-team horn blasts, can fill the appetite of the funk-soul lover just as easy at the lazy reggae lounger. Jamemurrell Stanley's new group, the Drummers of Peace and Equality, will get the neck muscles loosened-up first with rich beats that come all the way from Guinea, but still observe the newer traditions lying around town. And the best part is you get all of this for a mere $5 cover at the door, about the same price as a Harpoon IPA. That’s not a bad deal, and it always feels good to support local live music.

Club Passim Hits the Streets

I’m accustomed to late nights and the windowless solace of my favorite music pubs and bars around town, but summer means we can take it outdoors. Club Passim, the legendary folk club, will put on weekly lunchtime shows (more like breakfast time for me) with a bunch of familiar players from the local clubs. All shows are free.

Wednesdays, Noon to 1 p.m., in the courtyard of Cambridge Center Plaza, Kendall Square, Cambridge

6/16 - Brendan Hogan

6/23 - Rose Polenzani

6/30 - Margaret Glaspy

7/7 - Chris O'Brien

7/14 - Jason Myles Goss

7/21 - Emily Elbert

7/28 - Kate Klim

8/4 -David Wax Museum

8/11 - Todd Thibaud

8/18 - Jay Nash

8/25 - Julia Easterlin

"Club Passim on Palmer," in partnership with the Cambridge Arts Council, Thursdays, noon to 1 p.m., Palmer Street, (next to the Coop and Club Passim)

6/17 - John Gerard

6/24 - Chris O'Brien

7/1 - Hanneke Cassel

7/8 - Liz Longley

7/15 - Jake Armerding

7/22 - Lloyd Thayer

7/29 - Kimber Ludiker and Andy Cambria

8/5 - Royer's One Man Band

8/12 - Carsie Blanton

8/19 - David Wax Museum

8/26 - Margaret Glaspy

9/2 - Emily Elbert

9/9 - The Whiskey Boys

A local guitar legend once warned me not to take any psychedelics before seeing Eric Royer plays his guitar machine (he plays Palmer Street on 8/5). Check out this video of Royer tackling his homemade beast to see why. He's a regular at Atwood’s Tavern, and if you can’t wait until August, you’ll have plenty of other opportunities to see him around town.

Heading to the Cape? Check out Cape Cod nightlife secrets at the new MySecretCapeCod.com.