A few extraordinary female singer-songwriters from the 1970s helped from music as we know it today, and continue to inspire so many with their soulful melodies (旋律).

Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchells influence goes beyond her own generation. Her songwriting continues to be a source of inspiration for many, who regard her position as a pioneer of female expression in music.

The 1971 album Blue showed Joni’s truthful self, telling the stories of her experiences in life and in love. Blue was later chosen by the New York Times as one of the 25 albums that represented “turning points and the highest points in 20th-century popular music”.

Carole King

Carole King wrote or co-wrote over 118 hits between 1955 and 1999, making her the most successful female songwriter in the second half of the 20th century. However, King found herself less recognized than her husband and writing partner at the time, Gerry Goffin.

As the 1970s arrived, so did Carole King in full bloom. 1971 saw the release (发行) of her album Tapestry. The album was highly significant not only commercially but symbolically.

Joan Armatrading

Still in the 1970s but putting in the work on this side of the pond, Joan Armatrading became the first black British female artist to achieve international praise. Joan’s place as a female pioneer in music continued as she became the first UK female artist to be nominated (提名) for a Grammy in the blues category, going on to receive two further nominations. An artist who is confident with who she is and what she wants to create, Armatrading famously keeps her private life to herself and lets her music do the talking.

Festival season is just kicking off, and there is a lot to look forward to in the upcoming months.

Many people haven’t thought of going to Delaware for a summer vacation, but mid-June is a great time to plan this trip if you love music. Headliners for this year’s show are The Weekend, Muse, Twenty-One Pilots, Chance the Rapper, and Bob Dylan.

Date: June 15—18，2017

Location: Dover, Delaware, USA

Music Type: Rock

Price: $79—$2,499

This Denmark music festival has been a local tradition since 1971. There will be nine stages for this year’s events to host groups like the Foo Fighters, Blink 182, and The Lumineers. What’s interesting about this festival is that in addition to the big headliners, you can also get to know up-and-coming regional artists from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.

Date: June 24—July 1, 2017

Location: Roskilde, Denmark

Music Type: Rock, emerging regional artists

Price: DKK 995—DKK 1,995 (around $144—$289)

With long, dark, and cold winters, nobody celebrates summer quite like Icelanders. To see for yourself, plan a trip to Iceland this June to check out the Secret Solstice festival. Not only will you enjoy seeing bands like Radiohead and Afrika Bambaataa, but you can also experience the other-worldly landscapes and geothermal(地热的) springs nearby as well.

Date: June 15—18, 2017

Location: Reykjavik Iceland

Music Type: Eclectic, Indie

Price: €149— €1,599 (around $160—$1, 725)

All jazz lovers owe it to themselves to check out the Montreal Jazz Festival at least once in a lifetime. This event brings together some of the best names in jazz music, as well as diverse R&B, funk(骤停打击乐), and soul artists.

Date: June 28—July 8, 2017

Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Music Type: Jazz, R&B, Soul, Funk

Price: $27.25—$210.25