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!!
Post by fromthelandofmud on Jun 6, 2008 7:52:25 GMT -5
My 2 cents and view from north of the border.
With gas at an all time high, and the news of so many mortgages going into foreclosure, and rate of unemployment, it comes as no shock that tickets sales have declined.
If the few big headliners on a massive, enomorous, unpersonal stage are stopping a few from attending, then I feel they are not true music lovers. I see a vast, very diversified, talented line up of musicians playing in the tents, once again this year. For me, that is where the most memorable moments of Bonnaroo take place each year!
The evening headliners is just a great excuse to head back for some grub, a refill on drinks and other party favours, and build the energy back up for the late night shows.
Post by tentseasurfer on Jun 6, 2008 9:07:30 GMT -5
I'm really not that upset by there being fewer tickets sold. Last year was great but I could have done without the dust and about 20,000 fewer people would have been great. I know that sounds crappy but I think it would add to the overall enjoyment of the crowd if it wasn't quite so crowded. There is still going to be tons of awesome people there, and Superfly will still make TONS of money
Post by localweather on Jun 6, 2008 9:37:09 GMT -5
If it means that I don't have to sit in my car for 4 hours and that I can camp a little closer, then I am going to have a hard time feeling bad that the attendance is down.
There are more festivals than ever going on, at this point it will just be survival of the fittest to see which ones are able to continue on.
Couple things to mention about points that have been brought up.
In terms of the gate being tough, I agree. I had a security guy reach in my pocket, poke around, and find a bag of green. Have seen hundreds of shows over 20+ years, have never had a guard reach in my pocket ever. Very uncool. But dont think that has much to do with attendance.
I can appreciate all sides of the why attendance is down argument, but I do think lots of die-hard fest-goers were turned off not only by metallica, but also by Kanye West and Jack Johnson. I am all for diverse music, loved tool and the police last year, but Metallica and Kanye just don't seem like great fits for Roo imo.
Lastly, in terms of credit for starting the festival scene, Phish deserve a lot of it. But here are two more huge inspirations that don't get enough credit:
The Horde festivals of the early 90s, started by Blues Traveler. At these traveling shows, you had bands like Phish, Panic, moe, Allmans, Neil Young, Primus and many many more all on the same bill. Not a camping fest, but lineup wise these are clearly the first jamband festivals of any importance.
Then jump up to 95, when Jerry died. CT's Terrapin Tapes put on a multi-act tribute to Jerry in 96, called Deadhead Heaven, with moe, Max Creek, and others. The next year, they changed the name to Gathering of the Vibes, and made it a three day camping festival. Gathering of the Vibes has gone strong ever since, and is now on its 13th year! It's the Northeast's premier Festival, and is now on the water in Bridgeport, CT. The festival stays closer to its Deadhead roots than most fests, with every year seeing Grateful Dead related bands like Phil. Ratdog, DSO, Mickey Hart, etc. It's a fun festival, and doesn't get credit for being a pioneer, along with the Phish fests.
Lastly, I'm not going this year, but it's not due to the economy, Metallica, the gate, or any of that. My girlfriend and I bought tickets as soon as they went on sale, but later learned that my girlfriend is pregnant! Whoo hoo! So we went to MT. Jam instead last week, closer to home, great time. We won't be back next year either with a 6 month old baby, but hopefully in a year or two we will be back, with a third little fest-head to boot!
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