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Going to Bonnaroo with a couple friends or a big group (ive done both) is the way to do it, but i was wondering if anyone else takes some time to themselves, enjoy some music alone, just walk around and take it all in.
2005, i went to the Trey Late night show on my own, and i am real glad i did. It was one of the most memorable nights of my life. It was just me, my cigarettes, lighter and bowl, and i had eaten something yummy.... . . . . anyway im glad i did it alone. I was walkin through the crowd, and the grass turned into this comfortable black velvet, and all the cigarette butts were glowing like stars on the ground. I would stop every once in a while in the warm spots, cause it was comforting, until i saw this one guy with a shirt on with the logo of my company, so i follow him out f the crowd, and pointed at his shirt and told him it was evil. Then he asked if i had a piece, which i did, so i chilled with them for a second. It was also my first expierence with glow stick wars, and that blew me away. Near the end of the set, i was zoned out in my own world, and i open my eyes and this guy was video taping me . . . . . i wonder where that tape is . . . .
2006, i checked out rusted root on my own before meeting up with my group at Damien Marley, and Friday night i had some yummy snacks and couldnt leave mycamp site until i was ready, i was real ......full .. .. . and had some fun by myself, then checked out the rest of the Disco's show . . . not as great as the prior year, but my friends went to see Blackalicious, and i wasnt down.
Pretty much all of 2004, I was by myself. I always lost my friends, or they we're at another show somewhere.
Last year, late-night Saturday madness. I think I must have done like 4 or 5 laps around Centeroo, cause I just couldn't stand to stay in one place. Needless to say, it was one crazy thing after another. I went everywhere that night, and went I left Centeroo, I booked it back to camp. Outside the comfortable playground of Centeroo, was a dark and desolate place, that I wanted no part of.
Post by augustwest on Jan 31, 2007 13:28:46 GMT -5
I find it necessary to break away from my group for at least one day, it is much easier to decide when to stay and when to go in search of something better without an entourage.
Not really at Bonnaroo but I went to moe.down by myself this year. I really liked it. You can run on your own schedule without worrying about keeping others happy. I also found it easier to move around during a show. You don't have to worry about losing your friends and it's easier to find space for one person. When doing a whole festival I would still rather go with people but it's definitely good to have some alone time.
i always go with poeple but i still get my personal time. i tend to sleep alot less then the people i go with. i wander through camp a few times a night for more beer while im out partying. i always shake the tent around and yell "wake up and rage!!!" but they just mumble some swear words at me continue to sleep through the party. and i also go to some shows alone. i saw mmw alone because they all went to beck. and i also saw damien marley alone. so i definitely get/enjoy some moments alone. and it seems im never alone for long. i always meet some awesome people.
I went solo last year for the first time and had a blast. It was easy to make friends next to my campsite and it allowed me to set my own pace. I did meet up with some friends every day in Centeroo, but mornings were much less stressful. Getting a group of 6 or more partiers ready to go is like herding cats.
Post by crazykittensmile on Jan 31, 2007 13:55:28 GMT -5
last year i took sunday afternoon to just walk around and try to check out everything i hadn't seen yet in centeroo.
got myself one of those mozzadillas i'd been meaning to try and wound up sharing a picnic table and a smoke with a very cool lady, it was awesome having such a nice relaxed time with someone i'll probably never see again.
I see a few shows by myself every year. If I want to see someone that my friends don't I go by myself.
In 2003 I got separated from my friends and spent Friday afternoon and night by myself. It is much easier to get a good spot by yourself and I was able to be 4th row center for Neil Young and Crazyhorse and hang out with an awesome group of people in the time leading up to the show.
I always go with about 8-12 people, but most of my time is spent wandering off dancing my ass off meeting new people.
The best thing about Bonnaroo is that you don't have to stay with anyone specific, because all 100,000 people are ready to get down and party together in Bonnaroo harmony.
Yeah I never get that feeling like I'm lost whenever I wander out on my own. In '05 I left the group to see YMSB and never saw them again that night - but like thefrp I got really close since it was just me. Last year I did tons of wandering - through centeroo in the morning before music started, going to other shows my friends didn't want to see, hanging with some some random people I didn't know in the brooer's tent, and even stopping by the inforoo group for a sec. Personal time at the 'roo is just more safe than most other places - I'd say it's almost a must!
Post by trippindaisy on Jan 31, 2007 14:25:47 GMT -5
Last year was my first Roo, so I stayed close to my fiance - my sense of direction is horrible This year I plan on taking some time on my own to wander and shop and hopefully not get lost !! .......
Post by famousblueraincoat on Jan 31, 2007 14:39:21 GMT -5
I always end up going with folks, but spending the large majority of my time on my own. This allows me to see the shows I want to see, and to get some peace of mind, which is what I go to Bonnaroo for in the first place. With that said, I'm always chatting up the folks sitting near by at shows, and I've found that the conversation with like-minded individuals is one of the most rewarding parts of the weekend.
Last year, I was sitting in line waiting to see Demetri Martin and got into a conversation with a guy who turned out to be the nephew of Dr. John. We had a great conversation, good guy all in all. Anyway, that's my take on the whole thing.
I'm going to Langerado in a few weeks, and I anticipate that I'll be spending a lot more time in a group this festival, since I'm going with buddies from law school and we have VERY similar taste in music. With that said, I'll look forward to my next opportunity to roll solo at the Roo.
Last year i spent almost all friday on my own because nobody in my group wanted to see what i did. At first i thought it would be bad but i ended up enjoying it alot more than i thought. Like people have said its nice not having to worry about if your friends are enjoying themselves. It really lets you get more into the music
last year after radiohead finished, me and all my friends walked over to superjam, right about then things started getting too "intense" i decided i didnt want to be stuck at that stage in front of all those ppl in case i needed to step out and get my bearings so i bid my friends adue and took a walk.
i got lost in centeroo, couldnt find my way out because i was way too out of it. when i finally made it back to my campsite it was the greatest feeling in the world. but along the way i saw some AWESOME stuff i prolly wouldnt of seen had i not done that. really cool band at the troo music lounge and some awesome fire jugglers on the solar stage. and some not soo cool stuff (someone getting arrested on shakedown).
alone time at roo is awesome, everyone should make time for themselves, i was with 8 ppl it felt awesome to break free for a little bit
I went with my teenage step brother in '04 and '05. He met up with a buddy of his who was camping near us in '04 and didn't make it to many shows, so I was on my own a lot of the time. I remember checking out the Dead with some dude named 'Elephant,' or something like that. We then trekked around a bit for the late nights and I believe we got separated at some point, but like others have said, it's hard to really feel lost down there. In '05 I spent more time with the step bro, but still did a lot of shows solo. Some of my best memories were by myself. Like waking up in a port-a-john in Centeroo, the morning after the Mars Volta performance. I've told this story multiple times on this board, but I went to go take a leak, zipped up my fly, dropped the seat, and sat down for a quick rest -- next thing I know, the birds are chirping, and the sun is out. Had I been with someone that night, I'm sure I would have created a bit of concern.
Last year I went with my buddy and while I spent less time alone, there were still shows we parted ways for and enjoyed ourselves regardless. As far as I'm concerned, getting off for a meal, or just to explore, by yourself each day is sort of essential.
I always find myself alone at Bonnaroo. Mostly the late night stuff. I saw Mars Volta by myself but met some cool people. I also end up going to the Arcade Disco to dance or play some game s by myself. Its actually pretty cool to experience stuff by yourself. Puts a different perspective on things. Its cool to just grab a beer and sit and look at people like some sort of frenchman.
I always do festivals alone. It's one of just two weekends a year when I am completely my own master (I try to take a retreat also), I'm not a father, a husband, a boss or a co-worker. I could not stand being there with a group and having to agree on every movement and decision. I don't pal up with many other Roo'ers, but those I do meet are always so cool. If I want to camp out in front of a stage for two hours for a great spot I can do it, or if I want to move on after the first song, I can do that too.
Post by areyoukind on Jan 31, 2007 18:31:14 GMT -5
05 i pretty much stuck with my friends the whole time
06 i had to stay with my girlfriend because she would freak out being by herself, but we had alone time, and times when we were with our whole group, or just one or 2 of them. it was fun
*i like coconuts, you can break them open they smell like ladies lyin in the sun** *Hell I don't even know where I am** *for now I must sit here and ponder the yonder: The herbivores did well cause their food didn't never run** *We listen, if it feels good We shake** *You made a big impression for a girl of your size, Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes.**
Not really at Bonnaroo but I went to moe.down by myself this year. I really liked it. You can run on your own schedule without worrying about keeping others happy. I also found it easier to move around during a show. You don't have to worry about losing your friends and it's easier to find space for one person. When doing a whole festival I would still rather go with people but it's definitely good to have some alone time.
I did the opposite last year. Roo solo (my first festival) and then moe.down with friends. It probably seems backwards, but I think I like being solo at the bigger fest better. It seemed easier to meet cool people there. Plus I could see whatever shows I wanted without worrying about if it conflicted with others. At moe.down, there was only one stage, so that wouldn't have been a problem.
I did Woodstock '99 and the first moe.down by myself. I always travel with a book with small chapters so that I have something to do during down time. With Roo I still spend a lot of time by myself, either due to intoxication or just wanting to see different things than my group.
Last year I was with my girlfriend and I guess that there are some regulations requiring us to spend at least 75% of our time together so I wasn't solo too much until she crashed at night and I was on my own for MMJ, Super Jam, Dresden Dolls, etc. Luckily we like a lot of the same stuff 'cause I don't like to waste too much time being a good boyfriend if there is a different band that I'd want to see!
I went with my friend Brad, but only saw him for a few minutes each day in the morning, with the exception of Thursday night. He dragged me to the Motet, and Im so glad he did. I suppose I wanted to do things other than just see music, you know, spend some time checking out the sights. He went to show after show and must have seen a good 30 bands, but he didnt see anything else. Never made it to the art of suchnsuch or anything like that.
Overall, I like to spend more time alone at roo. Its always easy to do what you want that way, and see what you want to see. If you really need company, just meet someone who is already going where you are headed.
Pretty much all of 2004, I was by myself. I always lost my friends, or they we're at another show somewhere.
Last year, late-night Saturday madness. I think I must have done like 4 or 5 laps around Centeroo, cause I just couldn't stand to stay in one place. Needless to say, it was one crazy thing after another. I went everywhere that night, and went I left Centeroo, I booked it back to camp. Outside the comfortable playground of Centeroo, was a dark and desolate place, that I wanted no part of.
I have almost the EXACT same story. Couldnt stay still, did something like seven laps of centeroo. I have never seen anything so... stimulating. It was incredible.
My first time at roo, I drove down with three friends... for some reason they all CRASHED completely at about 10 pm on Friday night. I took a nap, but at like 1 am I woke up and there was no way I was wasting an entire night! I filled my camelback with margarita (oh yes, a roo tradition), and had an amazing time at STS9. It was one of my favorite shows of that roo, and I'm so glad I didn't value sleep over it! I would have loved to venture off more by myself but unfortunately my (former) best friend does not have the ability to ever be alone!!! I had a permanent shadow.
I was glad to go alone last year, and luckily met super cool people, but if no one wants to see who I want to (which happens to me alot! :-P) I have no problem going by myself. Actually at Vegoose, it seemed I only convened with Alisa, Joel and Chris, between sets! I had fun alone, but it's also great to just chill with your friends on a blanket in the background at the end of the day for a few shows Bonaroo is such a great place to meet people after all, you're not really alone for long.
that brings up another point. i like to roam around a lot too. jump from one thing to the next. with my gf by my side the whole time, she was always getting tired of the walking back and forth, so i had to restrain my urges to explore.
and the campgrounds to me are so much fun at night. sometimes some people are a little creepy though, but to me thats half the fun.
*i like coconuts, you can break them open they smell like ladies lyin in the sun** *Hell I don't even know where I am** *for now I must sit here and ponder the yonder: The herbivores did well cause their food didn't never run** *We listen, if it feels good We shake** *You made a big impression for a girl of your size, Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes.**
Post by oatmealschnappz on Feb 1, 2007 1:35:27 GMT -5
During the day, my gf and I walk around and watch some shows together. At night she usually heads for camp and tries to sleep. In my opinion, Bonnaroo is all about the night time. It's cooler and as you all know...The freaks come out at night, even at Bonnaroo! The shadows and glow-stuff and the freakier "trippy" bands and.... I gotta stop. I'm getting a little too excited.
*i like coconuts, you can break them open they smell like ladies lyin in the sun** *Hell I don't even know where I am** *for now I must sit here and ponder the yonder: The herbivores did well cause their food didn't never run** *We listen, if it feels good We shake** *You made a big impression for a girl of your size, Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes.**
I think I may have already told this story, but on Saturday night last year my buddy falls asleep at 2am so I head over to see Sasha. My friend told me that Sasha was some kinda folk singer, so I was looking forward to some laid back tunes before bed. So, when I get there I see the crowd dancing and raging to some guy spinning records. After 15 minutes of this I ask a guy next to me when the hell Sasha was coming on and he started laughing his head off and then said "dude, that is Sasha."
*i like coconuts, you can break them open they smell like ladies lyin in the sun** *Hell I don't even know where I am** *for now I must sit here and ponder the yonder: The herbivores did well cause their food didn't never run** *We listen, if it feels good We shake** *You made a big impression for a girl of your size, Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes.**
i also missed sasha. it was cool at like 5-6am though when me and all my friends were sitting around the camp site coming down and all of a sudden theres a huge flux of people sooo obviously coming from a rave.