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 agree, but it would not ruin my weekend or my outlook on the entire festival. That is just me. I'm sure it happened, but I don't remember anyone else or any papers talking about it.
I feel like each and every one of us can make or break our own "community" feel. If you take the time to meet your neighbors and be nice to those around you, I doubt you're going to get anything but niceness in return. Of course, this isn't always true, but whether we're talking about roo 03 or roo 07, there are always people that just aren't nice.
I had my best Roo in 2008, and it was my 3rd. heatheroo is right...we met our neighbors, shared, hung out, went to some amazing shows, and had a great time.
These threads are funny. They always end the same way. There's a portion of people who say "ROO SUX", a portion of people who say, "Roo is not the same as it was" and a portion of people who say "It's fine". We're never going to agree here...although I do enjoy the discussion. stallion makes some great points ;D
and its not like I went with a negative attitude and maybe its just me but seeing people knock down gates and push and shove each other kinda puts a damper on things.
because a mob of angry people scares me and doesnt belong at roo
I hate to break it to you man, but Friday night in '05 a bunch of wookies knocked down a section of fence close to "The Other Tent" and were more or less having a small riot with security that were trying to keep them out. I'm sure you didn't see it, and I doubt more than 2% of the people at 'Roo that year did...which is my point. In a group of 70K to 90K people on a piece of property the size of The Farm, it's possible for everyone to have a different experience based on what they were exposed to.
Some people are going to continue to think it's the most amazing communal experience ever, and others are going to think it's going to riotous commercial hell in a hand-basket, and each ones experience is based entirely on chance.
"We're no longer called Sonic Death Monkey. We're on the verge of becoming Kathleen Turner Overdrive, but just for tonight, we are Barry Jive and his Uptown Five. "
Post by sparklybecca on Oct 13, 2008 11:44:04 GMT -5
nothing bad happened to me/did i see anything bad happen persay in 06 and 07 and i still think that there is something lost at bonnaroo that i have found else where.
Sure it has - but it is still a musical shangri-la of sorts and one of the best parties of the year! I meet sooo many great people every year at bonnaroo and look forward to your return!
Instead of dirt and poison, we have rather chosen to fill our hives with honey and wax; thus furnishing mankind with the two noblest of things, which are sweetness and light.
Maybe the reason for the "lack of community" feeling is your negativity. I don't know, I always see someone saying people that have only been the past two years don't understand, but honestly that makes me feel left out. Your singling me out of your little "I've been to EVERY Roo" click, sorry but you are ruining that "community" feel by saying crap like that.
I went to the past two Roos, had a unique and amazing experience each time. I went to this past Rothbury, but in 5 years I'm not going to rub it in peoples faces who have only been to 2012 and 2013 (please god let this happen ;D ). I hope I didn't sound like an a-hole in this post, I just see your point as very hypocritical.
Maybe the reason for the "lack of community" feeling is your negativity. I don't know, I always see someone saying people that have only been the past two years don't understand, but honestly that makes me feel left out. Your singling me out of your little "I've been to EVERY Roo" click, sorry but you are ruining that "community" feel by saying crap like that.
I went to the past two Roos, had a unique and amazing experience each time. I went to this past Rothbury, but in 5 years I'm not going to rub it in peoples faces who have only been to 2012 and 2013 (please god let this happen ;D ). I hope I didn't sound like an a-hole in this post, I just see your point as very hypocritical.
I agree 100%. Yeah, just looking at the earlier lineups, I can tell Roo has changed since its early days. That's not necessarily a good or a bad thing. I have very diverse tastes in music, and I can enjoy Gogol Bordello just as much as I can enjoy Sigur Ros. Did Metallica destroy Bonnaroo this year? Hardly. I'm faaaaaar from a fan, but they put on a great show. Sure, the Kanye fiasco put a major damper on things, but that was just one show out of the whole weekend.
Considering that many Roo-goers think of themselves as open-minded, it's amazing how narrow their tastes can be. And I'm not speaking about everyone, of course. I'm talking about those people who pretty much want the exact same lineup as the first year, for every year. Personally, I'm willing to give just about anything a chance, no matter how different it is from what I usually like. A diverse Bonnaroo line-up gives me the opportunity to discover acts that I would never pay to see by themselves, such as Metallica.
just cause something is diverse doesnt make it good, u can mix a bunch of foods into a giant pan and cook it up but it doesnt mean its going to be delicious. I can only speak for myself but the reason I don't pay to see certain acts is because I don't like the music they make.
To me, it's all about demographic. I think Bonnaroo first and foremost is a big destination festival. And when it started, the jam scene was just at the end of its peak. The Dead and Phish dissolved and split into less popular solo acts, basically leaving WSP as the only headliner option truly considered a jam band.
So of course the festival has shifted culture because the lineup has shifted in a different direction to meet the flow of what people will buy a ticket and travel hundreds of miles to see. Each musical genre and scene has its own set of values and community. So if a festival starts out attracting one group and then slowly moves towards attracting others, that first group is going to feel the change the most and will likely feel alienated by the shift.
But say that next year's festival includes headliners Phish and The Dead at the top of the bill, I can guarantee that you'll have a roll back of community vibe combined with vocal complaints from the post 06 Roo-ers about the festival catering too much to jam bands.
Maybe the reason for the "lack of community" feeling is your negativity. I don't know, I always see someone saying people that have only been the past two years don't understand, but honestly that makes me feel left out. Your singling me out of your little "I've been to EVERY Roo" click, sorry but you are ruining that "community" feel by saying crap like that.
I went to the past two Roos, had a unique and amazing experience each time. I went to this past Rothbury, but in 5 years I'm not going to rub it in peoples faces who have only been to 2012 and 2013 (please god let this happen ;D ). I hope I didn't sound like an a-hole in this post, I just see your point as very hypocritical.
I agree 100%. Yeah, just looking at the earlier lineups, I can tell Roo has changed since its early days. That's not necessarily a good or a bad thing. I have very diverse tastes in music, and I can enjoy Gogol Bordello just as much as I can enjoy Sigur Ros. Did Metallica destroy Bonnaroo this year? Hardly. I'm faaaaaar from a fan, but they put on a great show. Sure, the Kanye fiasco put a major damper on things, but that was just one show out of the whole weekend.
Considering that many Roo-goers think of themselves as open-minded, it's amazing how narrow their tastes can be. And I'm not speaking about everyone, of course. I'm talking about those people who pretty much want the exact same lineup as the first year, for every year. Personally, I'm willing to give just about anything a chance, no matter how different it is from what I usually like. A diverse Bonnaroo line-up gives me the opportunity to discover acts that I would never pay to see by themselves, such as Metallica.
This comment is coming from a somewhat level headed person who is planning on going again in '09 so don't kill me yet. But I have to agree with some of the people here about the atmosphere changing. To me there was a huge change from '06 to '07 and I am not entirely sure why. For example, I have seen the White Stripes 3 times live and I am a fan. However the '07 show was one of the least enjoyable live music experience I have ever witnessed. There was moshing and fighting and hostility I never experienced at a Bonnaroo show before. Two guys in front of me got punched in the head (Deservedly so), someone got spit on(again it was warranted), a girl got crushed under a pile and almost killed (ha, she was innocent). My point is that this happened at even some of the most mellow shows that year. People just finding any excuse to fight and push and not be good to each other. I don't think you can blame the music styles either because I remember the Cypress Hill crowd being very cool to each other in '06 and they have some very aggressive music. Just some thoughts and things to think about. See you in '09!
This was my first bonnaroo and I felt a lot of community. Everyone was cool that I met and I'm even a very person and I had no problems. Just enjoy yourself and don't worry, it's bonnaroo.
The bottom line for repeat Bonnaroo goers is that not every year can be the best year yet. Going into Bonnaroo (or anything) with an expectation of what it is going to be or what it should be like will eventually result in disapointment. It's inevitable. I've been every year and have had a few off years. In fact, my 2002 experience could be considered by some to be an off year. But I kept coming back because the music was good and my friends were going.
Every year somebody has an off year and comes here and insists there's been some major shift in the demographic and blames it on this act or these people in the crowd or that sponser and insists it will never be the same. Well I for one am glad. Bonnaroo should never be the same.
Couldn't agree more, old friend. Excellent, well-spoken points. "Bonnaroo should never be the same," is a mantra sorely needed around here.
This comment is coming from a somewhat level headed person who is planning on going again in '09 so don't kill me yet. But I have to agree with some of the people here about the atmosphere changing. To me there was a huge change from '06 to '07 and I am not entirely sure why. For example, I have seen the White Stripes 3 times live and I am a fan. However the '07 show was one of the least enjoyable live music experience I have ever witnessed. There was moshing and fighting and hostility I never experienced at a Bonnaroo show before. Two guys in front of me got punched in the head (Deservedly so), someone got spit on(again it was warranted), a girl got crushed under a pile and almost killed (ha, she was innocent). My point is that this happened at even some of the most mellow shows that year. People just finding any excuse to fight and push and not be good to each other. I don't think you can blame the music styles either because I remember the Cypress Hill crowd being very cool to each other in '06 and they have some very aggressive music. Just some thoughts and things to think about. See you in '09!
I think this negative vibe has grown recently because over the last few years Roo has become more and more about the party. It definately started out about the music, and, no, I'm not saying it's not about music anymore. But as word spreads about how much fun it is, more and more people start showing up because they want to party for 4 days, not because they love music that much. These are the people that start all that shit, and there are more and more every year. That's why the community vibe has changed.
i agree with clarity. there are lots of beer chugging, corn eating southerners who show up for the party because its a couple hours away, but they haven't even heard of most of the acts on the lineup, and often don't even go see those bands
while for me, it would be awesome if they booked a bunch of acts i didn't know about... it would be a very very unappealing lineup to anyone who DIDN'T immerse themselves with music and try to learn all about it.
*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.**
'08 was my first Roo, so I can't really compare and contrast it to previous years. However, I definitely noticed people who were there just to party and get messed up. And don't get me wrong, I enjoy a night of hedonism and debauchery as much as the next guy, but the fact that it's the biggest party of the year is really just an added bonus. I would still go to Roo even if it were run like a detox clinic, because I'm primarily there for the music - and I'm sure all of you are, too.
Personally, I don't really care what other people want to do, as long as they don't try to start anything with me or do anything stupid / dangerous. I think it's a complete waste of a ticket, but it's their money they're spending. The thing is, you can't really build a community around partying like you can around music.
As the lineups have become more and more eclectic, and as more and more big names seem to be performing each year, the crowd will naturally become more diverse. I do think that is a big factor as to why so many people just come to party, but I'm not sure it can really be pinned down to one thing. More people know about Roo now, which can be a good or a bad thing. I liked meeting people from all different walks of life who were bonded together by their love of music.
However, there were also a couple of unsavory characters I encountered throughout the weekend. Nothing too bad like some stories I've heard, but still people you don't want to have to deal with.
honestly, it's probably a 60/40 split. it's such a great weekend to just get away from everything and reduce your stress to "should i see this show, or that show".
Overall, it's no big deal. If you want to go, go. If you don't want to go then don't. I just don't know why we have to sit around and complain about vibes and corporate festivals and such.
just to play devils advocate for a sec here, I have been to 04,05,06 and 07 in those 4 years I have seen a fairly drastic change in roo and in 07 I was kinda depressed by the vibe and deny it if u want but there was lack of community and a tad bit more hostility for lack of a better word in the air. And to see something that I had a lot of time, money and emotion invested in change so much and to finally realize it made me complain and I think thats the same for other people also. Personally now I have come to terms with it and don't care anymore and if the line up looks good to me this year I'll prob go if funds allow it but I think people who have don't have much festival exp and who have only been to roo 07 and 08, not to put down your opinions at all but you dont fully understand where we are coming from because you havent really experienced everything that a fest can and should be about.
your full of it if you actually believe what your saying. We had a community like atmosphere around us, I went with my brother and 7 of his friends, and 3 of my friends. We were really good friends with our neighbors and want to meet up and be neighbors again next year, maybe its just the luck of the draw and you didnt get paired next to good people because I met tons of awesome people. I have learned so far in life that its not where you are, or who your with, its doing what makes you happy. If your always complaining about how its better over there and that your not having as much fun as them then you will always be complaining and you will never have fun. If you go to Bonnaroo and expect Bonnaroo to make you have fun (as amazing as Bonnaroo is) you probably wont have fun unless you do it yourself.
I guess its hard to explain but if you want something that will make you have fun your on the wrong planet, its all about the mindset you have.
your full of it if you actually believe what your saying. We had a community like atmosphere around us, I went with my brother and 7 of his friends, and 3 of my friends. We were really good friends with our neighbors and want to meet up and be neighbors again next year, maybe its just the luck of the draw and you didnt get paired next to good people because I met tons of awesome people. I have learned so far in life that its not where you are, or who your with, its doing what makes you happy. If your always complaining about how its better over there and that your not having as much fun as them then you will always be complaining and you will never have fun. If you go to Bonnaroo and expect Bonnaroo to make you have fun (as amazing as Bonnaroo is) you probably wont have fun unless you do it yourself.
I guess its hard to explain but if you want something that will make you have fun your on the wrong planet, its all about the mindset you have.
I'm not saying that there is NO community feeling, I'm just saying it has dissipated noticiably. I mean when I went in 07 I went solo but left with 30 new friends regardless of that tho I still felt the difference overall.
your full of it if you actually believe what your saying. We had a community like atmosphere around us, I went with my brother and 7 of his friends, and 3 of my friends. We were really good friends with our neighbors and want to meet up and be neighbors again next year, maybe its just the luck of the draw and you didnt get paired next to good people because I met tons of awesome people. I have learned so far in life that its not where you are, or who your with, its doing what makes you happy. If your always complaining about how its better over there and that your not having as much fun as them then you will always be complaining and you will never have fun. If you go to Bonnaroo and expect Bonnaroo to make you have fun (as amazing as Bonnaroo is) you probably wont have fun unless you do it yourself.
I guess its hard to explain but if you want something that will make you have fun your on the wrong planet, its all about the mindset you have.
First of all, just because someone has an opinion that you disagree with does not mean they are automatically "full of it", and by saying that, you clearly showed the exact vibe lakai was talking about and proved his point. AND if you were only at '07 and/or '08, which is what your post sounds like, you have no comparison to past years, so how can you form an opinion stating that lakai's comparison is wrong? Your harshness is exactly what everyone here is talking about.
I think a better name for this thread would be, has Bonnaroo jumped the shark, for you? For me the answer is no, I love it, I love going, and I would probably go if all the bands canceled, and it was just a big party in a field. The biggest thing I have seen change is that the age demographic has shifted dramatically downward since 05. I am not dissing the kids, I was one and caused no end of trouble, at Dead and Phish shows when I was 17-22 or so and had a blast. However kids who are there a lot at the first festival they have ever been to bring a different kind of community not worse or better just different. Anyway, just thought I would throw my 2 cents in the barrel here.
Post by SouthGA_Festival Machine on Oct 25, 2008 16:55:46 GMT -5
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going the other way."
honestly, it's probably a 60/40 split. it's such a great weekend to just get away from everything and reduce your stress to "should i see this show, or that show".
^^^could not agree more...sure its all about the music, but without the party, roo would not be roo
i agree with clarity. there are lots of beer chugging, corn eating southerners who show up for the party because its a couple hours away, but they haven't even heard of most of the acts on the lineup, and often don't even go see those bands
while for me, it would be awesome if they booked a bunch of acts i didn't know about... it would be a very very unappealing lineup to anyone who DIDN'T immerse themselves with music and try to learn all about it.
i realize you're a southerner, too, but woah. i went to lollapalooza (chicago) this year and talk about a**holes. the bonnaroo folk are still way nicer than most of those douches, namely the german chick who stood next to me at radiohead and rolled eyes at everyone smoking within eyeshot of her.
oh yes, and the guy at wilco who responded to my "excuse me" with an "i'm not moving".