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 think when she says she feels like she "missed" bonnaroo she means that even is she goes next year, it won't be the same... it won't be REALLY bonnaroo (which i'm sure Dude would agree with )
i'm one of those loyal inforoosters who feels like bonnaroo isn't all it once was...
Am I the only person who has been going since the very first year that feels that Bonnaroo is better than it ever has been?
Where was everyone when Disco Biscuits were breaking curfew and ending their set with the sunrise? Where was everyone when MMJ played an epic 4 hour show on an opposite stage? (forcing me to miss a Claypool superjam and DJ throwdown by Tiesto). Where was everyone when Panic headlined for the 7th time (just like in year one), and Pearl Jam played til 1 AM??
I can honestly say that Bonnaroo has far exceeded my expectations of what I thought it could be when I first set foot on that farm in 2002. It has blown the door wide open for American music festivals, and continues to bend and break the rules for festivals in general, all the while stying true to its roots, while infusing the type of cultural and musical diversity that makes this world spin.
This ridiculous assertion that Bonnaroo isn't what it once was is just that to me, ridiculous. As someone who has never missed Bonnaroo, Bonnaroo is, without a doubt, better than it ever has been. The last 3 years have been phenomenal, each of them exceeding the 4 years prior to that. If a few tie-dyed hippies can't get over the fact that Bonnaroo 2002 was the peak of the jamband scene, and that it has been receeding ever since, than so be it. Their nostalgic longing for an era that his since passed us by doesn't lessen the amazing experience that Bonnaroo continues to be.
At least you get it. I just don't understand how people can sit and look at the schedules of each year and tell me that it has not exponentially gotten better. The roots of the jamband are still there, heck even more possibly. Its just that Bonnaroo has branched off and is one of the most eclectic festivals in the nation.
i think when she says she feels like she "missed" bonnaroo she means that even is she goes next year, it won't be the same... it won't be REALLY bonnaroo (which i'm sure Dude would agree with )
i'm one of those loyal inforoosters who feels like bonnaroo isn't all it once was...
Am I the only person who has been going since the very first year that feels that Bonnaroo is better than it ever has been?
Where was everyone when Disco Biscuits were breaking curfew and ending their set with the sunrise? Where was everyone when MMJ played an epic 4 hour show on an opposite stage? (forcing me to miss a Claypool superjam and DJ throwdown by Tiesto). Where was everyone when Panic headlined for the 7th time (just like in year one), and Pearl Jam played til 1 AM??
I can honestly say that Bonnaroo has far exceeded my expectations of what I thought it could be when I first set foot on that farm in 2002. It has blown the door wide open for American music festivals, and continues to bend and break the rules for festivals in general, all the while stying true to its roots, while infusing the type of cultural and musical diversity that makes this world spin.
This ridiculous assertion that Bonnaroo isn't what it once was is just that to me, ridiculous. As someone who has never missed Bonnaroo, Bonnaroo is, without a doubt, better than it ever has been. The last 3 years have been phenomenal, each of them exceeding the 4 years prior to that. If a few tie-dyed hippies can't get over the fact that Bonnaroo 2002 was the peak of the jamband scene, and that it has been receeding ever since, than so be it. Their nostalgic longing for an era that his since passed us by doesn't lessen the amazing experience that Bonnaroo continues to be.
If a few tie-dyed hippies can't get over the fact that Bonnaroo 2002 was the peak of the jamband scene, and that it has been receeding ever since, than so be it.
I sooooooo disagree with this. "the jam-band" scene has been growing and evolving. Where there used to be just a handful of bands now there are dozens... and there's more coming... and a couple that are coming back
Their nostalgic longing for an era that his since passed us by....
Post by sparklybecca on Jul 21, 2008 18:47:42 GMT -5
i actually think the jamband scene is bigger than ever (well maybe not than ever but big) at the moment...its 'trendy' even. (which is annoying but i had this long convo with someone this weekend about this and i do think its somewhat true.)
^I agree, but I love that it is BIG I am going to end up doing 5 fests this summer by the time spookstock is over. Honestly a lot of it is filling the void that Phish left when they stopped touring. Of course Phish only filled the void the Dead left when they stopped touring, so...
I would argue that just b/c there are MORE jambands, doesn't mean there are Better jambands. I would actually argue that the jamband scene has been drastically weakened by the influx of many mediocre bands, who are simply not worth traveling to see.
Which is what I was talking about with the whole "Peak" thing. Just b/c something is large, doesn't mean it is peaking. The whole thing was peaking back then, at least to me, and Bonnaroo 2002 was a representation of that. The jamband scene will always being alive and fruitful, but there will never be another Bonnaroo 2002 where the bands, from top to bottom, are 90% jambands, and the fest sells 70,000 tickets in 3 weeks.
Obviously this is my opinion, and I would say that I fall under the category of "pot-smoking hippie" as much as anyone, but I can't help but feel like that wave has crested and begun to recede. Perhaps I will be proven wrong in the coming years, I certainly hope I am, as improvisational music is my mode of choice.
I just added a ton of our pictures from Rothbury and Bonnaroo to MoeTrainsTracks.com... Lots of artist and crowd shots, as well as backstage photos and other random pics!
Post by billclinton on Jul 22, 2008 14:18:53 GMT -5
I would love to go to Rothbury next year. I loved the line-up this year, and every band I wished was at Roo was at 'Bury (311 and Snoop prodominately) and Roo had a few I would have rather seen (PJ, MSTRKRFT, and Tiesto). Factor in Roo is 1.5 hours down the interstate, I plan on being there next year rather than Michigan unless the line-up is an absolute flop.
I would love to do both, but it really depends on finances at the time. If the line ups are pretty equal then I'll stick with what I know. Rothbury does look quite tempting though!
Bonnaroo was my first festival and it was fucking blast. Oysterhead, Radiohead, everything, loved it. Didn't love the heat and the fact that you have to wait in outrageous lines for everything.
The next year I attended 10KLF which I enjoyed more than Bonnaroo. No they don't have a cinema tent or a comedy tent, but they do have a beautiful venue and unbeatable camping. I saw so much more music than at Bonnaroo with less conflicts for a cheaper price.
This year I went to the infamous Rothbury. WOW. I think the Sherwood Forest itself puts it at the top of the list. The atmosphere was great, Bonnaroo is just too big I think. Since the festival ended I've ran into all sorts of folks who go to all the fests every year and everyone seems to agree Rothbury was epic and the best thing they've ever attended. There is no place like it and I cannot wait to go back, Bonnaroo is a good time but for the money and the heat and the lines and the crowds, don't think I'll be doing it again....UNLESS something wicked wild and crazy hits the line up but I just don't see that happening.
Post by candyflippedaround on Jul 23, 2008 23:25:55 GMT -5
i hear a lot of people say bonnaroo is too big. the sheer size of it was one of the things that attracted me to bonnaroo in the first place. all these crazy people in the middle of what to me seems like nowhere. my love of the size was cemented when i really felt at one with every single person in the crowd of pearl jam, and then at the same time i felt the same way about everyone at bonnaroo including the people at camp, in other parts of centeroo, everyone at bonnaroo. it was just amazing to be able to share such an amazing experience with SOOOO MANY PEOPLE. I think i can say that is the largest gathering of people i have ever seen.
i can also relate to all the people who feel like they "missed bonnaroo" because a lot of my friends have gone in previous years that i have not been able to go or even when i didnt know what it was. this is why i am so interested in rothbury because i dont to also miss the boat on that, and only go to it after certain people aka the official rothbury people because they were their first, start saying its not the real Rothbury Festival anymore and "it aint like it used to be!" if it does stick around for 5+ years that is.
the thing for me is that i think all my friends will always be at bonnaroo, so thats where ill go.
Post by ridingtherootrain on Jul 24, 2008 11:20:51 GMT -5
I just spent the past hour and a half reading this thread from page 1 and the memories that have been brought back are amazing. My skin litterally got chills and went into goosebumps thinking about several things that have been discussed on this board. I have been to Roo for the past 3 years now and I honestly don't think there could be a reason for me to miss one, unless. You told me I had to choose from Roo or Rothbury, Rothbury was the sickest festival I have ever been to in my life. The atmosphere, the bands, the activities (Have you ever seen an indoor water park at another festival?). I recommend to anyone who was on the fence this year and didnt go to check it out its an experience you will never forget. Oh I almost forgot THE FOREST!!!!!!!!!!!!
What were the campgrounds like (since we're talking forest and trees and all)?
Grounds were comparable to Roo, but we had a lot more space. No trees in GA, but part of VIP was wooded
Walking (I realize Bonnaroo covers a much larger area). Any 30-45 minute walks like when you're out in BFE?
We were about exactly in the center of GA. You could probably get to the entrance in 10 mins if you weren't distracted by shakedown (good luck). So I assume the farthest reaches of camp couldn't have been more than 25 mins
Was there anything comparable to VIP?
There was VIP. I didn't do it, but spookymonster did. I've heard it wasn't as good as Roo's, but it was cheaper
Vendors (were there any?)
mmmm spicy pie. And I bought a beautiful dress and a coconut necklace
Shakedown?
Happening
Distance between stages?
Closer than Roo, and you walked through the pretty forest between them
Activities?
Hooping and poi workshops, yoga, the circus acts, lake, waterpark, horseback riding, etc, etc
Food?
mmmm spicy pie
Traffic/Parking?
The longest wait I heard of was 3 hrs. We waited about an hour to get in. They didn't really direct us. We got to the lot we were supposed to camp in, and they just said "find a spot between the lines" so we went spread out. I heard that later in the day, they were more strict with space
Did the shows/activities end at certain times of night?
Heck no. I witnessed 2 nights ubtil dawn. Not sure about the others because I was sleepy
And of course, bugs?
I didn't witness any until we were packing up and I had to kill a brown recluse amongst my stuff
i actually think the jamband scene is bigger than ever (well maybe not than ever but big) at the moment...its 'trendy' even. (which is annoying but i had this long convo with someone this weekend about this and i do think its somewhat true.)
I'd say jam bands have been trendy for awhile. When I was in undergrad (1994-1998) every frat boy I knew listened to Dave and had a dirty white Phish hat. In fact, that is why I was turned off of jam bands for a long time. So when everyone makes it sound like some great shift in culture happened after the first Roo's at the turn of the century, it just makes me laugh.
I am sensitive to the fact that we do need to be careful to not turn InfoROO into InfoLAMENTING ABOUT BONNAROO AND TALKING ABOUT EVERY OTHER FESTIVAL-Roo. Because that's not cool or helpful after the first 30 threads.
Anyway, regardless, Rothbury seems like an awesome setting, well-executed, with a desireable lineup of artists who know what it's about. That's what's important. Depending on funds, I'll try and check it out next year!
For all that article acted like it was gonna say, essentially all we got was Mike Gordon commenting on the weather and the Black Keys shrugging off the question. Well, and essentially a blurb from a public relations flack.
I do love how the guy from Baltimore tried to single out Roo as inappropriately having a rap act like Kanye and how that's incredibly different than.... um... Snoop Dogg? Let us not forget the ridiculous ego of Snoop in the 90's.
There's certainly room in our awesome world of music for lots of amazing festivals, serving their regions and beyond. I just hope the good ones survive, and that we are careful not to will the destruction of other people's good times...
^^I agree 100%. I thought the article was pretty bad, actually. For one, calling Rothbury the "new Bonnaroo" implies that Bonnaroo is over and done with - and while it has undeniably changed in some regards, I would say that Bonnaroo is far from dead.