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!!
Yeah, I'm pretty excited, especially since I can't make Roo this year. They're setting it in our downtown area, so it's sort of Lolla-like. I hope it takes off and they move it to a more rural area. They're going to announce about 30 more bands, including 4 or 5 more national acts. If anyone decides to stop by, let me know. I can hook you up with info, places to stay, etc.
I'm very happy to say that my little home town in proving itself worthy of a fest, so far. Last night was amazing!! I saw several naked, painted people and numerous costumes for the FLIPS. And the FLIPS put on an awesome show. Wayne was out in the bubble and said he hopes to come back in future years. He was actually present most of the day, wandering around shooting off air-powered confetti thingys into the crowd. Other bands of note: The Dig Angees, Mr. Baber's Neighbors and Euforquestra Security was virtually non-existent and everyone seemed to be having a good time. More to come...tonight, the Roots!!!
Day Two: Sorry this is late. I really needed some sleep yesterday.
The Roots tore the city up! They played long for us. They chose a pretty intense set, and the whole crowd was stirred up. My highlight was their cover of that Bob Dylan song...somebody help me out...with the lyric "no matter how much you save, you can't buy back your soul". Both The Roots and The FLIPS were very vocal about the upcoming election.
More FLIPS: Forgot to mention they covered The Song Remains The Same... ...totally awesome! I am always amazed by the FLIPS ability to get an entire crowd up and dancing.
shows of note from Saturday: Black Francis, Vandon Arms, Bob Liel Band, Yonder Mountain String Band
special note: No one touched us on our way in, either day.
Wow, that sounds awesome. A first time fest that's pretty far out of the way for most, and they managed to score Frank Black, Jakob Dylan, The Flaming Lips, The Roots and Drive By Truckers? Impressive, and all for just $60. If they keep it up, you'll be sure to see some of the Bonnaroo crowd there in the coming years.
I couldn't believe the line-up either. The whole idea behind the fest was the crossing of interstates 80 & 35. A ton of bands "pass through" Des Moines. The organizers said "Hey, why not stop here on your way through". Guess it worked.
I saw/talked to several Roovians, no Inforoosters though. I'm almost...almost...as anxious to see the 80-35 line-up for next year as I am for Roo 09.
This was a great first-time effort by DSM to put on a fest.
My friend brought in a couple thousand glow bracelets and we started tossing them into the crowd during The Roots set in hopes of starting off a glow-stick eruption much like the one in My Morning Jacket...but nobody followed suit. Once we got em all out (which didn't take but a couple of minutes) people just hung on to them. Why wouldn't anyone keep throwing them!?!?!?!
Next year four or five of us are going to each have a bunch and toss them from different spots in the crowd. Des Moines, you will have a glow stick war!!!
Broken Social Scene ManMan Tilly and the Wall New Monsoon Margot and the Nuclear So & So's Audrye Sessions The Dig Angees Occidental Brothers Miss Derringer Wild Sweet Orange
Post by lakeofthewoods on Apr 21, 2009 12:42:50 GMT -5
Not a bad lineup at all.
I don't think I'll be able to make it up there this year. But I went last year and thought it was a great time. Des Moines is a very underrated city, IMO.
Yeah. I went to college with the guy who books the bands. He has done a lot to get our live music scene bumped up a few notches. Ever since last years fest, we have been getting a lot better bands through town. Too bad you can't make it up. Let me know if plans change.
Rained all day Friday, which kept crowds down, but the performers and people were all in great moods. Matisyahu delivered a powerful performance, even went crowd-surfing during his encore. Public Enemy gave a great show--thanks to all the inforooers who told me to check it out. FlavaFlav didn't show, which was odd, but it was still a must-see show. Rounded the night off with House of Large Sizes. Amazing! You should try to find some of their music. I hadn't heard them since the early 90's, and it was like nothing had changed (in a good way!).
Saturday: Abnormally cool for July in Iowa--which was good as the people really came out today. If you like the Bluegrass, you should check out Mr. Baber's Neighbors. They're local, but I know they have tunes up on itunes. ManMan was spectacular, and a great new find for me. G Love & Special Sauce played next, and were enjoyable. ManMan joined in for a few songs. Broken Social Scene was next for me. Again, zero exposure to these guys in the past, but that's going to change. Really liked them. Then came the highlight of the whole weekend for me. I know he has some detractors on here, but Ben Harper & R7 put on a 2hr. + show that blew me away. I don't know where the "lack-luster" critiques are coming from? These guys were tight, and the drummer is phenomenal. Got to hear Under Pressure, which totally lit the crowd up, and Good Times Bad Times by Zep. Love Ben and can't wait to hear him again! On another note, security again was non-existant--seriously. Also, saw a traveling glass saleman this year. He had a padded, large briefcase with some interesting pieces.
...totally awesome! I am always amazed by the FLIPS ability to get an entire crowd up and dancing. 
