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I just don't get the jam band whining. I guess I get it if you've gone to Roo since the very beginning and seen it move away from it's "roots", but seriously...and I say this with utmost respect for differing musical tastes...get over it. If you can't go to a festival with 150 acts and find enough to more than satisfy the price of a $250 ticket, then I feel sorry for you. I would have like more EDM more in-line with my tastes...but you know what? There are so many damn quality acts on this lineup that I can't even complain. I will always remember walking past Loretta Lynn's tent to go see Eminem...THAT is Bonnaroo. It might not have been Bonnaroo in 2002, but it's Bonnaroo now, and I think it's all the better for it.
The diverse aspect of the Bonnaroo lineup is such a statement of the Bonnaroo mindset, in my mind. We all come together to a farm with different backgrounds, races, cultures, norms, and ideals...and we all mesh together and love one another. The diverse musical selection of Roo I think is reflective of that...and that's not a coincidence. Having a primarily jam-oriented festival singles out a certain crowd, when we should be trying to make everyone happy...the more inclusive, the better. So in that vein...you're not going to get everything you want, but there's something for everyone, and we can all appreciate each other's music just as we can all appreciate each other as individuals.
End rant
So this is a very valid point. And I agree with a lot of it. But What you are missing as a person who wasn't around for the early years of Roo is what Roo originally was in the early years, and this came out of the jamband heavy lineup. Early on there were these massive collaborations between artists. You'd see moe. bring out a plethora of artists, or Warren Haynes playing all over the festival, or Widespread bringing out everyone from Steve Winwood to Herbie Hacock, Bob Weir and Robert Randolph. Galactic collaborating with any number of artists from rappers to funkers. Phil Lesh Came out with the Duo/Mike/Trey. More recently, Phish did this both times with Kenny Rogers and Bruce Springsteen. Tool also did it with Tom Morello, and MMJ has done it with Kirk Hammet.
As the festival has moved away from jambands, the collaborations have severely dropped off. Nowadays you get a lot of bands playing 60-75 minute sets in their own bubble. There is hardly any cross-collaboration.
Hate on jambands all you want. That's fine. I understand the need for Bonnaroo to diversify, to appeal to the college age kids who are currently more heavily into indie rock than jamrock. I understand that some people who love indie rock will always hate jamrock (personally I love both). Still, what has been lost on all of those who didn't go to the first few Roos and don't care about the jambands is the profound sense of "we're all in this together" that extended from the crowd to the stage. Jambands, for all their wankery, are humble enough to share the stage time and time again with any number of musicians to collaborate and make their Bonnaroo performance a wholly unique experience.
These days, For all intents and purposes, collaborations have been reduced to the Superjam. Imo, this is why we have seen more than one superjam in the 2 of the last 3 bonnaroo lineups. They are trying hard to keep collaborations on the bill.
There is something to be said for this festivals roots. It's uniqueness is inherent not just to a jamband heavy lineup, but to the idea that musicians can share the stage and play together at this festival, and for anyone who has been around enough to pay attention, it's been slowly eroding in favor of the cash-cow of festival attendance numbers.
I see what you're saying...but having my first Roo in 2010, the thing I most took away from the festival was the "we're all in this together" vibe...so it's definitely not lost. Sure, there may not have been on-stage collaborations like there supposedly were in the past, but the community vibe was and is still very prevalent. Hell i'm with you...I think it would be cool as hell to see more collabs...but having never really been a part of that era, I never really had a yearning for it to come back. I'm happy with the vibes I get from the community alone. Bonnaroo is something special. I always tell my friends...go to Hangout if you want to have a great time; go to Bonnaroo if you want to experience something special.
I'm with jess here. How does a lack of jam/reggae/world/metal/punk translate into diversity?
Not to mention they say it is also "weighted" towards classic rock, rap, and edm as well as indie. By weighted they mean 3-5 acts in each genre half of which will play at the same time, this whole festival tilts very indie this year, which is fine but do not try to claim it is a diverse lineup.
I would love to know how many people that complain about the sunday jam headliner never intend to stick around sunday anyway
I mean like I give a shiz about Petty instead of Panic, hell I would prefer Petty. I just think that there are two bluegrass acts (and I am sure Sam and Del with play with Ed Helms??? as well), there is one world music act, one maybe two metal acts, and one contemporary non "indie" rock act, and the same generic edm we get every year. It is a pretty uninspired lineup, and VERY one dimensional for all the larger acts. Sure if you like trendy indie bands, and white boy hip hop it is a pretty good lineup, if not it is subpar compared to most years.
The diverse aspect of the Bonnaroo lineup is such a statement of the Bonnaroo mindset, in my mind. We all come together to a farm with different backgrounds, races, cultures, norms, and ideals...and we all mesh together and love one another. The diverse musical selection of Roo I think is reflective of that...and that's not a coincidence. Having a primarily jam-oriented festival singles out a certain crowd, when we should be trying to make everyone happy...the more inclusive, the better. So in that vein...you're not going to get everything you want, but there's something for everyone, and we can all appreciate each other's music just as we can all appreciate each other as individuals.
End rant
Bonnaroo has not been jam oriented since 2006, but what makes you call this a diverse lineup compared to the past few years? My argument is not lack of jam bands but lack of overall diversity.
"White boy hip hop"? Are you real?
Also, while I'm far from blown away by the EDM, I'd call Four Tet, Araabmuzik and Holy Ghost pretty good gets as far as Roo EDM goes.
This lineup is insanely diverse. You can always point out a few genres that there's not a lot of on the lineup, but its far from just "white boy hip hop and trendy indie bands." Pres hall? Jim James? Trombone shorty? Baroness? Calexico? ZZ Top? All these names are definitely not in either of those categories.
I love this lineup and I hope I will be able to go this year. I'm a big Jam fan so I'm a little disappointed about that, but at least they got the best one(Gov't Mule). I'm also an old guy so the classic rock acts please me a great deal. I've seen Petty and ZZTop many times and am always happy to see them again. I'm thrilled about McCartney and I like Billy Idol. M&S and Bjork are acts I probably wouldn't go see if they came to my town, but I like the enough to check them out at Roo. Wu-Tang, I expect will be a good show. I love the idea of a theme tent culminating in a Superjam and am intrigued that they are planning more. John effing Mclaughlin will be there. He's one of the best guitarists ever. Wilco is there and they're not even on the top line. The undercard is stacked with good acts. I'm sure I will drive away Monday morning with a few new favorites, I always do. As for the genres that are underrepresented, why complain about what you don't have, when what you do have is so damn good.
Post by lukescrazyarms on Feb 20, 2013 11:23:41 GMT -5
does anyone watch the league?? If so the episode with Chad Johnson where they go to Vegas and everyone walks in on Nick Kroll jerking it to his lineup?? I feel like this lineup is jerk worthy
As others have pointed out, there are more like 5, but who really cares about world music? Unless you were one of the 25 people at the completely empty world music late night sets last year.
Unless I'm missing something, there's only one EDM repeat and there are some really, really fine and out-of-left-field EDM choices here (Four Tet, araabMUZIK, Holy Ghost! A-trak...).
It is a pretty uninspired lineup, and VERY one dimensional for all the larger acts.
In the top ten you have a music legend (two if you count Petty, which I don't because he's awful), probably the biggest up and coming pop-Americana act, Bjork, arguably the best American rock/alt-country act alive, a big EDM name, the biggest modern name in R&B, the best hip-hop group of all time, a comedian, and an indie rock group. There literally isn't ONE repeat genre in the top ten. Not even close.
I would love to hear you tell Nas, Ghostface, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar or Earl Sweatshirt that they are "white boy hip hop." Out of curiosity, what would you cite as hip hop that isn't of the "white boy" variety?
it is a pretty good lineup, if not it is subpar compared to most years. Bonnaroo has not been jam oriented since 2006, but what makes you call this a diverse lineup compared to the past few years? My argument is not lack of jam bands but lack of overall diversity.
I'm going to assume that to you, "diversity" means "exactly equal amounts of every single genre I think should be included." So you'd want like 8-10 each jam, hip hop, metal, jazz, bluegrass, world, reggae, punk, indie, folk, EDM? The problem is that there aren't necessarily 8-10 acts in each genre which are currently available to play a festival and have large enough fanbases to attract people. This is why there tends to be some fluctuation year to year - some years have more metal than others, sometimes theres more bluegrass, sometimes theres more EDM, or world, etc. Its just the way the cookie crumbles.
I'll also go on record as saying there's no way you've listened to half the music on this lineup, because you couldn't possibly make these statements if you had.
Post by suspendedzen on Feb 20, 2013 11:34:09 GMT -5
After sleeping on it, I still think this might be their best lineup ever. It gets so much right. And it has a bit more edge, or whatever, to it than usual.
As others have pointed out, there are more like 5, but who really cares about world music? Unless you were one of the 25 people at the completely empty world music late night sets last year.
Unless I'm missing something, there's only one EDM repeat and there are some really, really fine and out-of-left-field EDM choices here (Four Tet, araabMUZIK, Holy Ghost! A-trak...).
It is a pretty uninspired lineup, and VERY one dimensional for all the larger acts.
In the top ten you have a music legend (two if you count Petty, which I don't because he's awful), probably the biggest up and coming pop-Americana act, Bjork, arguably the best American rock/alt-country act alive, a big EDM name, the biggest modern name in R&B, the best hip-hop group of all time, a comedian, and an indie rock group. There literally isn't ONE repeat genre in the top ten. Not even close.
I would love to hear you tell Nas, Ghostface, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar or Earl Sweatshirt that they are "white boy hip hop." Out of curiosity, what would you cite as hip hop that isn't of the "white boy" variety?
it is a pretty good lineup, if not it is subpar compared to most years. Bonnaroo has not been jam oriented since 2006, but what makes you call this a diverse lineup compared to the past few years? My argument is not lack of jam bands but lack of overall diversity.
I'm going to assume that to you, "diversity" means "exactly equal amounts of every single genre I think should be included." So you'd want like 8-10 each jam, hip hop, metal, jazz, bluegrass, world, reggae, punk, indie, folk, EDM? The problem is that there aren't necessarily 8-10 acts in each genre which are currently available to play a festival and have large enough fanbases to attract people. This is why there tends to be some fluctuation year to year - some years have more metal than others, sometimes theres more bluegrass, sometimes theres more EDM, or world, etc. Its just the way the cookie crumbles.
I'll also go on record as saying there's no way you've listened to half the music on this lineup, because you couldn't possibly make these statements if you had.
Post by Auston City Limits on Feb 20, 2013 11:44:13 GMT -5
Seeing Rushs dates I have to imagine there was some talk with roo. Idk if its cause of the already classic rock heavy lineup or what but it seems like there would have to be some discussion about it
Post by Black Dynamite on Feb 20, 2013 11:45:19 GMT -5
I can't really get into R&B and R Kelly. It's just not my bag. I'd go give R Kelly a shot if I wasn't positive schedule conflicts will be an issue though.
Seeing Rushs dates I have to imagine there was some talk with roo. Idk if its cause of the already classic rock heavy lineup or what but it seems like there would have to be some discussion about it
I always wonder about bands with tourdates like Rush's or Fleetwood Mac's. There seem to be a few every year (I think Drake was one last year). You have to assume they were in talks but Bonnaroo wouldn't go for it at the last minute.
Post by Auston City Limits on Feb 20, 2013 11:48:33 GMT -5
I feel like the National could be the band that is high on the lineup but I don't know that well that I end up becoming obsessed with this year (Avett Brothers last year). Anyone have any suggestions for getting into their music?
I feel like the National could be the band that is high on the lineup but I don't know that well that I end up becoming obsessed with this year (Avett Brothers last year). Anyone have any suggestions for getting into their music?
I feel like the National could be the band that is high on the lineup but I don't know that well that I end up becoming obsessed with this year (Avett Brothers last year). Anyone have any suggestions for getting into their music?
It's really a situation where you can pick one of their last three albums and run with it. Each has their own ups and downs. The general consensus amongst posters is usually High Violet.
I feel like the National could be the band that is high on the lineup but I don't know that well that I end up becoming obsessed with this year (Avett Brothers last year). Anyone have any suggestions for getting into their music?
Same thing happened to me with the Avett Brothers. They really love playing music up there.
I feel like the National could be the band that is high on the lineup but I don't know that well that I end up becoming obsessed with this year (Avett Brothers last year). Anyone have any suggestions for getting into their music?
Alligator, Boxer and High Violet are all excellent albums. You can't go wrong with any of them. If you're like me, it might take you a little while to "get" Matt Berninger's voice. It's different. I first saw them as an opening act years ago having never heard of them, and I couldn't stand his voice. It eventually grew on me as I listened to the albums, though. They are really great live.
I feel like the National could be the band that is high on the lineup but I don't know that well that I end up becoming obsessed with this year (Avett Brothers last year). Anyone have any suggestions for getting into their music?
I feel like the National could be the band that is high on the lineup but I don't know that well that I end up becoming obsessed with this year (Avett Brothers last year). Anyone have any suggestions for getting into their music?
It's really a situation where you can pick one of their last three albums and run with it. Each has their own ups and downs. The general consensus amongst posters is usually High Violet.
I'll also go on record as saying there's no way you've listened to half the music on this lineup, because you couldn't possibly make these statements if you had.
This is really what it all boils down to. If you're referring to the top half of the lineup, sure you could argue its weighted towards a few specific genres, but the lesser known acts on the bottom are all over the place.
Post by stillsick1 on Feb 20, 2013 12:24:35 GMT -5
Since my first year in 2009, this might be the best line up yet (IMO); give or take a couple of bands I wish would be there to replace some others. I haven't even began to think about discovering some bands on here i don't know. There's too much I already NEED to see.
It's really a situation where you can pick one of their last three albums and run with it. Each has their own ups and downs. The general consensus amongst posters is usually High Violet.
boxer is far and away their best record.
Alligator > Boxer > High Violet = Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers > The National
Though Boxer, High Violet and SSFDL change position a lot.
Last Edit: Feb 20, 2013 12:25:34 GMT -5 by r - Back to Top