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!!
A question for longtimers: Do you prefer the earlier B-roos (mostly jambands; Headliners always Dead, Trey and Panic) or the newer B-roo (more mainstream bands headlining)
I LOVE both but the old, more laid-back B-roos were cool in that there was less trash, more unofficial vendors, and a cool jamband atmosphere.
I love the new bands (I live near Nashville and go to about 30 concerts a year. In the next month I'm seeing The Shins, The Killers, and Rodrigo y Gabriela)and the cool vibe is still there but it is a bit more hectic.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Bonnaroo but I kind of miss the first few years.
ok, im a new first timer in 2007. i personally am a mix between the two. i am stoked for both the jam bands and the alternative bands. on one hand, im stoked for widespread panic and string cheese, but on the otherhand, im looking forward to tool and white stripes.
i think they should add artists that jam AND are alternative (primus, marsvolta, davematthews- even though im not a fan), so it maybe satisfies both type of people.
I went to '02, '03, and '04 and will be going back this year. 2002 was definitely amazing because of the extremely friendly atmosphere (not that it isn't always friendly) -- everyone was there for the music. My last time in 2004 I felt a noticeable difference in the crowd, it just seemed there were more people just there for the party or to make a buck. But then again, I think the organizers have improved something every year with quicker parking, more entertainment, better layout, etc. Since I missed '05 and '06 I will be interested to see what it's like this year so I can compare it to the earlier years.
Interesting thoughts. So far I agree with everyone. The early Roos had a great jamband vibe. And while its gotten more "mainstream" they've managed to keep a pretty good balance. These things evolve and I was afraid B-roo might implode after '04 but they've been great at not p!ssing off the community and improving conditions.
Cheifatnd: In '05 it was more of '04. I missed'06 so I'm interested in seeing the evolution. It's probably part nostalgia but '03 was the best. It was right before the state started collecting taxes and vendors were freer. Still B-roo rules.
2004 was my first year and from everything I've read and seen, it was the transition year as to when they really began to branch out more with the lineup and activities. Personally, I don't really find anything "hectic" about Bonnaroo. Sure, I don't have those first two years to compare, but if I really found things hectic, I wouldn't be returning every year. The only thing that's even remotely stressful, is trying to see all the music I can over that four day period.
With just about anything, there will always be the "it was better when" crowd. It doesn't mean they're wrong or right, but it can sometimes lead to an overbearing sense of nostalgia.
I like all different kinds of tunes....lots of jam bands, funk, jazz, and alternative. I'm totally psyced for The Police and Tool but I hope that Roo goes easy on alt/indie rock in the next couple additions. We got a lot of that in the initial lineup...I'm hoping to see a lot more reggae and jam bands. I would love to see some stuff like Dr. John again. Bonnaroo is a big festival and the diversity is what is great about it. Its 80,000 people give or take....you can't expect an extremely relaxed environment that you get at a smaller fest but for what it is Bonnaroo is a great magic place ;D
Went in '03, '04, and '05. I had the most fun in '03 but every year was still a blast. I think if anythings changing then it's because you can't keep a good secret forever. In those early years people still had no idea what Bonnaroo was. Now it's one of those things that if you've never been chances are you've still heard about it. Especially with the music changing it's become more accessible to more and more people. Bonnaroo is a lot of people's first festival. Also, The people who were at those first few aren't the same people going now. Of course I don't mean everybody, there are still people who go to 'roo every year. I just mean as the festival and music changes, so do a good number of the people.
With just about anything, there will always be the "it was better when" crowd. It doesn't mean they're wrong or right, but it can sometimes lead to an overbearing sense of nostalgia.
very true. embracing change can be difficult, but as long as you don't let the nostalgia ruin what the experience currently is or has become, nothing wrong with reliving/reloving old memories
Maybe I'll throw myself to the dogs, but my back's not to the wall Maybe I'll lay some bricks for the man, but the days just aren't that long So if I settle back and chill will I see far enough to feel the angel's dream? I thought it was the Story of the World!
Went in '03, '04, and '05. I had the most fun in '03 but every year was still a blast. I think if anythings changing then it's because you can't keep a good secret forever. In those early years people still had no idea what Bonnaroo was. Now it's one of those things that if you've never been chances are you've still heard about it. Especially with the music changing it's become more accessible to more and more people. Bonnaroo is a lot of people's first festival. Also, The people who were at those first few aren't the same people going now. Of course I don't mean everybody, there are still people who go to 'roo every year. I just mean as the festival and music changes, so do a good number of the people.
Yup its just one of those things you can't really avoid though
Went in '03, '04, and '05. I had the most fun in '03 but every year was still a blast. I think if anythings changing then it's because you can't keep a good secret forever.
Totally spot on!
As much stock as people like to put in the diversifying of the lineup, the most noticeable changes will always be due to the age of the festival and the fact that it's recognition will only grow with each passing year. Granted, I wasn't there, but I'm guessing the perceived intimacy of the first couple years was just as much due to it's relative obscurity as it was the more focused lineup.
xiphoid420 said:
very true. embracing change can be difficult, but as long as you don't let the nostalgia ruin what the experience currently is or has become, nothing wrong with reliving/reloving old memories
I really like the direction Roo is going. I've been every year.
The first year was magical in the "it's all happening!" sort of way.
The second year was similar but didn't have that X-factor the first year had.
04 was still incredibly good but the scene began to get a little hectic.
05 was my favorite year. Attendance dropped to 73K from 90K the previous year, and the music was AMAZING. It was very diverse, the weather was mild and the crowd was great.
Last year was awesome as well, but I didn't have quite as much fun because I had to sort of babysit some of the people I brought with me. It wasn't bad persay, it just stifled my desire to go around semi-solo all weekend.
The lineup this year is ill and I'm going VIP. I fully expect it to be as fun as ever. I'm sure the crowd will be good because it always is. There is really no reason to think this year will be different.
The headliners do not have as much impact on the crowd as many people think. I would prefer to see TAB headlining over Panic, but I think The Police will be great and we're not gonna see an increase in middle-aged nostalgic folks because they'll just see The Police in their local venue. Tool will probably be great too (I haven't seen them), but I don't think their hardcore fanbase will have a noticeable impact on the crowd either, as they've been touring and will tour more.
I don't think Radiohead or Tom Petty last year had much impact on the type of people who attended either.
Bonnaroo is really about the small and medium bands anyway. Anyone who's been can attest to that.
Post by oatmealschnappz on Feb 26, 2007 16:30:37 GMT -5
I love how it seems to be evolving every year. I'm not even all that thrilled with the initial line-up but I love how Bonnaroo keeps getting more and more diverse. There are already too many "jam" fests out there, so I'm glad that Superfly/AC have taken the initiative and made Roo stand-out against the kind of "same-old, same-old" festival backdrop. It's easy for promoters to play it safe and continuously cater to the same established fanbase year after year but, that's also an excellant recipe for cultural stagnation....and creative burn-out. I know that some "purists" will/do disagree and say that Bonnaroo is just selling-out it's original fans by attracting different crowds and musical tastes, but I see it the opposite way: It would be more of a "sell-out" to just keep drawing the same people to the same farm to see the same bands over-and-over, in what would simply ammount to masturbation, than to try and broaden it's focus by challenging our preconcieved cultural notions and musical out-looks. Personally, I applaud the direction that Bonnaroo is going-in and I can't wait to see where else it takes me in the coming years. IMHO
Last Edit: Feb 26, 2007 16:32:07 GMT -5 by phuture5 - Back to Top
Post by lizardking0729 on Feb 26, 2007 18:48:02 GMT -5
went 04,05,06 and I would say that 05 was my favorite year in terms of overall enjoyment. From the bands I got to see, to the amount of people there I really enjoyed it. 04 was awesome because it was my first year but I had a bad experience with a few friends that year that kind of put a damper on the whole thing. And 06 was awesome because I got to see Radiohead (on my list of bands to see before I die) and I felt the setup and getting people in was way better this year. I didnt have to wait that long to get in, so I guess the logistics have been getting better. Also as already mentioned, the diversity of the festival. There may have been bands I didnt want to see at past Roos or wont see at the coming Roo but its good to see more bands gettin on the ticket. Overall, I am looking forward to many Roos to come.
BONNAROOOOOOO!!! <- cant wait to hear that every 10 seconds from June 14th-17th
Post by cwagiskingofthing on Feb 26, 2007 20:19:02 GMT -5
i've been 04, 05, and 06
04 and 05 were very similar, 05 being my favorite
i thought that 06 was a very different year. not that i didn't have an amazing time last year, it was just that it felt different in some aspects. in general, the people just seemed different, as was the atmosphere.
i'm kind of 50/50 on the direction the festival is currently going in. i'm all for expanding, new horizons. I honestly would never go to just a common, G love, Jurassic 5, or toots and the maytals concert, but i love being able to see them at bonnaroo. however, while this year's lineup is not final, it does upset me that i don't see the names Les claypool, trey anastatio, my morning jacket, robert randolph, the dead, allman brothers, or moe., bands that the festival are built on. not seeing these names makes me question the future.
The only thing that's even remotely stressful, is trying to see all the music I can over that four day period. 
