Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
I went to Bonnaroo last year for the first time with my girlfriend and we had a great time, though we were both a little put off by the way everyone seemed to treat us. We were treated like outsiders by most, and especially our neighbors wanted nothing to do with us even after multiple attempts of attempting to befriend them.
We definately don't look like the typical people that you find at Bonnaroo. In fact, on our way in, the police officer checking cars at the gate looked at us and said, "Are you sure you want to go in there? You guys don't look like the type of people that should be coming in here." My girlfriend does look like a blond haired sorority girl, but I guarantee she is more hardcore than any girl I have ever met.
I personally think it is rather hypocritical of people who claim to be so full of love and peace to be so judgemental based on how someone looks. I am going to go to Bonnaroo again this year, and every year after that, because I love the music and I love the scene. My girlfriend states that she is going to every Bonnaroo for the rest of her life.
I don't want to sound pissy about the whole thing because we didn't make any friends, but rather I wanted to hear what other people have to say about this and maybe if anyone else has experienced anything like this.
Post by ziggyandthemonkeys on Apr 26, 2005 15:05:29 GMT -5
When i went to the last fall hookahville i got a few stares for being dressed well, it didnt bother me though, i was pretty occupied with people i knew since it was kinda a local thing. But i did notice that while i was there. I was actually wearing a polo shirt and cordoroy pants, so i guess not you're typical festival attire.
Hmmm, that really really sucks. I can't imagine that happening. My wife and I never have had that problem. We have had great neighbors both years we have attended. Maybe you just had crappy neighbors.......don't know what was up with that cop! I will promise you one thing, If you meet up with the wonderful people on this board that will not happen.
Post by ziggyandthemonkeys on Apr 26, 2005 15:12:36 GMT -5
actually thinking about it more i wore a blazer and pants to another weekend affair later in the fall, since the weather was cooler, and people got a kick out of my outfit. They defiantly found it odd, but i dont beleive it detered anyone. I suppose some people are just incredibly stereotypical, o well.
I think it's funny that I probably spent less money on my clothes than a lot of the people there. Patchwork pants are probably at least 40 bucks. I wore shorts that cost me about 20 bucks.
Post by ziggyandthemonkeys on Apr 26, 2005 15:25:42 GMT -5
Yea, actually i was thinking about that today, since in my studys of history we are doing the counterculture, and now how the "counterculture" isnt in fact that counter all, and rebelling against the "establishment" isnt very cheap.
I wear the same thing at Roo that wear any typical weekend when I'm home. Cargo shorts, some ratty, some not and a tye-dye shirt. But isn't the point that it doesn't matter what you wear? 40 dollar shorts or a pair you picked out of your neighbors trash, you should not treat people based on that! Anyway, hope this year is better.
I completely agree with you Knoxville. I was stating the humor I found in the way I was treated because I didn't fit some kind of hippie mold, even though I didn't change a thing about myself for the festival (or spend lots of money doing it) because that would be superficial.
Not "dressing the part" when driving in or out of Bonnaroo is a really good idea, from a police hassle perspective. People with "Bonnaroo or Bust" on their car are asking for just that - a bust.
This may sound harsh, but I requested that everyone in our group wear a solid color shirt without any counter-culture messages or tye-dye while we were travelling down and waiting in line to get in. Police make a living profiling folks, and freak clothes trip a flag in their brains.
Of course once we got in, my Bugs Bunny "Toke up Doc" shirt came out of my backpack and onto my bod.
Post by ziggyandthemonkeys on Apr 26, 2005 15:52:36 GMT -5
Ha, me and my friend had the option between his familys truck, or his 90's bmw. We choose the bmw, even though not quite as convenient, much less sketchy. We have a long ride, so we will need all the luck we can get. But in the past it has indeed proven to be a lifesaver.
I wear what I usually wear. Shorts and a t-shirt. I'm surprised that people shunned you. People take things way to serious I think. If your friendly and laid back I'm good with you. I'm usually strange with new people but at roo I've had more conversations with total strangers than in my own town.
I happened across this article last night. It related to this thread so well, I just had to post it. I think it makes some really good points and sheds some light on the state of the community.
That is a really interesting article. It makes me wonder what Bonnaroo will be like in the future. I have a feeling that it won't be able to stay the way that it has been.
Very good article. I think summed up, and put simply, the decline of the scene can be attributed to the increase of individuals who are there just for the drugs and have forgotten about the music. Seems it's just secondary to certain folks now. I noticed this alot at the Roo last year. Too many people just there to get fucked up. It's not healthy for them, or for the "scene". It's a shame, really.
I agree Danbird, it sounds cliche but "It starts with me" is a good mantra. If you respect the music, treat everyone equally, partake responsibly, hopefully it will rub off on the younger ones in the "scene" or "crowd". If enough of us do this it has a chance for survival.
Post by ziggyandthemonkeys on Apr 27, 2005 15:24:09 GMT -5
the article seemed to say to me that the society or scene has been in decline because it doesnt really have something to be based out of, as it used to. therefor the music attracts not only the peaceful friendly people, but also people of the lost generation, who are indeed there for the music, but also Just for themselves. There arent many issues the countrys facing that beckons to bring people together, there isnt much to resent.(know il be hearing some flack for that.
in my studys of history we are doing the counterculture, and now how the "counterculture" isnt in fact that counter all, and rebelling against the "establishment" isnt very cheap.
If you are interested in this subject at all you should definitely check out "The Conquest of Cool" by (one of my heroes) Thomas Frank.
More on topic, there is no question that the "jam band" culture can be somewhat insular and cliquey in pockets. Overall I think its a pretty open and accepting enviroment.
I wonder if I will get a different vibe this year since I cut about ten years worth of hair off my head a few weeks ago. I guess that gave me some "hippie cred" but clothes-wise I've got the plain shirt, plain shorts, big sun hat thing going on at 'Roo.
Realistically, who can be "hippie" all the time anyway. I know my job seriously frowns on "radical styles of dress or hair" (their words not mine). Besides, I always go to things like Bonnaroo to get away from the cafeteria/shopping mall attitude of checking people out and what "clique" they belong to.
Interesting sidenote, at a few festivals and shows I've gone to around here there's this guy that dresses up in his Eagle Scout uniform. Looks the part to. You want to see strange crown reactions try that sometime.
Personally, I think it's a state of mind more than anything else. Who cares how you dress or how long your hair is or what your job (or lack of) is? I thought the whole concept was that you're free to think what you want to think and be who you want to be without worrying about the normal pressures society might put on you. Is that no longer the case?
Take me for instance. I won't go into what I do for a living (it's probably obvious if you give it a second's thought) but I will say that I am required to keep my hair cut to a certain standard, I can't grow all sorts of facial hair, and I'm expected to dress a certain way at work. To some, having to live up to those rules may be too oppressive and it can wear on me sometimes, but I deal with it because I love what I do. I don't think it changes the heart of who I am as a person, but because I don't have the chance go grow my hair out or grow facial hair, I'll probably be looked at suspiciously in TN this June. So be it. I know who I am, I know what I'm about, and that's good enough for me. After all, I thought we were going there for the music and comradery, not to judge people.
well dammit i going just to sit around and judge all of you....
Soup said:
.....I am required to keep my hair cut to a certain standard, I can't grow all sorts of facial hair, and I'm expected to dress a certain way at work.....
welcome to my life.....we are required to "dress professionally at all times".....which at this point means slacks, long sleeve collared shirt with appropriate tie.....
i despise most of the people i work with because they remind me so much of nazis.....but the work is awesome and the pay is not comparable to the real world......so i deal with it and attend shows to be with my people.....getting back to the common grounds i came from.....
Post by ClarkGriswold on May 1, 2005 2:43:46 GMT -5
I don’t know, there is so many different approaches to this subject, I’ve come to the conclusion that everyone doesn’t view the world exactly as I do. People have their own agendas which short of a destructive behavior deserve some consideration of respect. And yes it’s possible to respect an idiot. I may be proof of that. I don’t think it’s really about our physical appearance when it comes to clothes or hair and such. Maybe it’s our demeanor that precedes us. Contempt can breed contempt. Ego can sentience us to our own prison. This is a difficult subject to understand and even harder to find resolution. But I have observed in the past and I maintained strongly to this day that a humble gentle true spirit is infectious. The Bonnaroo community is such an awesome gift to receive that I for one can’t help but be humbled with gratitude to each and every one of you. It is without question that this is history in the making and it’s up to us what history will say about these times. Maybe the tracks in the dust at Bonnaroo will last, maybe not. That’s all I’ve got to say except that ….
If you smile at me I will understand because that is something that everybody does everywhere in the same language.
From the song Wooden Ships by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
In order to quell the bad vibes and fighting over clothing I'm going to take a cue from schoolboards around the country and suggest a mandatory Bonnaroo unifrom. I'm thinking something with lots of pastels and a tie. Any other suggestions?
Interesting sidenote, at a few festivals and shows I've gone to around here there's this guy that dresses up in his Eagle Scout uniform. Looks the part to. You want to see strange crown reactions try that sometime.
It's been 20 years since I wore my Eagle Scout uniform.
I'd look like 10 pounds of sausage in a 5 pound casing if I tried it on now!
In order to quell the bad vibes and fighting over clothing I'm going to take a cue from schoolboards around the country and suggest a mandatory Bonnaroo unifrom. I'm thinking something with lots of pastels and a tie. Any other suggestions?
I was thinking plaid mini-skirts for the ladies and kilts for the gentlemen (Scot-style - commando). It would certainly be cooler in that Tennessee heat!