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 plasticpepper on Jan 5, 2009 1:00:17 GMT -5
Wow, I brought tons of food in in 07 - I hope that's not changing!
If there was a practical way to do it, more uniformity among campsites would be a big thing to "fix" in my opinion. Some people luck out with these huge sites and some people barely have room to cram their tent in front of their car. It's just hard to organize that, so I don't know how to solve the problem.
I didn't really have any issues with the bathroom situation. Yeah, port-a-potties are pretty gross, but I'm cool with that at a festival.
I'm surprised to hear that people don't like Which Stage, it's my favorite. The best show I saw was at Which. Although the main reason it's my favorite is because some of my best memories are from hanging out at Which in the mornings with my friends - talking and lounging around and playing cards and whatever else.
wow is right. fsck that! if they make you walk an hour and a half from your campsite to centeroo they damn well better let you bring food with you. phish isnt worth this shit.
Inform security a little better and look into who they're hiring. Most of the security was very nice last year, but I did notice and hear about a lot more cases of douchebaggery. I had a couple myself. One day going into to Centeroo, I hopped in a line, only to get to the front and have a lady tell me it was the "no bag line". It wasn't marked in any way. When I said "that sucks", some Summers breeze security guy goes "tough shit". Security doesn't have to greet me with a "good morning" every day, but a little respect would certainly help. I also heard about security confiscating items that are, as stated in the info guide, perfectly suitable to bring it, such as small snacks. I also thought the searches were too intensive and took too long this year.
*Note: I'm referring to the yellow shirts. The mounted security have always been extremely nice
Last Edit: Jan 5, 2009 1:39:42 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
I also think they still need to fix the traffic problem on the highway. I know it's hard to get all those people in, but I feel like they could cut the wait time down an hour or two.
Concerning guidebooks: in my opinion, there is no reason they should run out. It's inexcusable. I know it's a big festival, but they should plan accordingly to have enough for everyone, plus extras (they can always recycle whatever doesn't get used). Guides are CRUCIAL, especially if you didn't print out a schedule beforehand. When you're paying that much money, you should get a guide
If there was a way to put fans in This, That, and Other that were quiet enough so as not to disturb the music, that would be amazing
Post by Jello Biafra on Jan 5, 2009 3:06:03 GMT -5
Don't make me wait half an hour to get into Centeroo at the start (noonish) everyday. The lines to get in were horrible this year. This security douchebaggery was in fullswing this year.
If they could just go ahead and make the whole place air conditioned rather than just the comedy tent and cinema tent and all those other small pieces of land, that'd really be great.
that happens at the mountaintop from 8pm-8am every night.. god that's why I love that place
yeah if roo08 had the least amount of attendees than any other roo, how come it took me longer to get into bonnaroo on thursday than any other year and how come the lines to get into centeroo were ridiculously longer than any other year? security is smoking way too much corn.
The traffic getting in was awful this year....in 07 we waited just under 2 hours, and that sucked, but was acceptable. This year was almost 4.5 hours....just what you want after an 18 hour drive!
^ i got in line at about 10am and didnt park and begin setting up camp till 4pm. thats six hours. ridiculous. i think this year i might get in line wednesday night and sleep on my goosefeather comforter in my truck. but then again ive noticed that the later i get into bonnaroo on thursday the closer i am to centeroo. it was less than a two minute walk to centeroo last year. i hear that the earliest people to arrive usually end up the furthest from centeroo.
^I would like to see it but I dont expect it. Now that they own the farm I am sure they aim to squeeze every dime out of it they can. I am seeing less and less of that anyway it seems. A couple years ago at any fest you could find better food/trinkets in the campgrounds cheaper. Of course not having a 5000 dollar vendor license saves you some overhead. Also a lot of people who used to campsite vend have set up food stands at fests now as well. I still miss dollar grilled cheeses in the campgrounds though .
It is one of the things I Can see both sides of though. If I paid to vend then was undercut by people who hadn't gone 5gs out of pocket I might get a little ticked myself.
Post by StreetBum87 on Jan 5, 2009 11:59:39 GMT -5
i must have lucked out...but it was my first year...every day walking up to the line...as soon as id get there...i wasnt in line for more that a min or 2 and i was in...i was even taking in some corn and as soon as i got there...i look, fuck i forgot to hide this shit......not even 30 sec later....they jsut start waving people through....WOOOO
I never get searched much, must be because I am getting old and distinguished . I really do not though just give them a look and everything is fine. I have even had my corn cob holder in my hand.
If they could just go ahead and make the whole place air conditioned rather than just the comedy tent and cinema tent and all those other small pieces of land, that'd really be great.
that happens at the mountaintop from 8pm-8am every night.. god that's why I love that place
the issue of the security being a uninformed group is very true. they seemed to shift policies from day to day, with one group having one set of protocols and another being completely different.
they should really strive to establish rules that are consistent from thursday to sunday. it shouldnt really be that hard...
the issue of the security being a uninformed group is very true. they seemed to shift policies from day to day, with one group having one set of protocols and another being completely different.
they should really strive to establish rules that are consistent from thursday to sunday. it shouldnt really be that hard...
The problem with security is that there are 892375892375892 different companies (seriously, that's why you see a bunch of different colored "security" shirts, because each color represents a companY), all with different rules/regulations. Some are douchey, some are not.
There is no communication. Most of the people who work security are making money for an organization and don't know anything beyond the most basic things, and sometimes forget the rules or have them confused. The only people who REALLY know the rules are usually the security supervisors, or staff. It's really unorganized though. I would like to see that changed...I had a staff bracelet last year and even I got hassled by security a couple of times.
Overall, communication is an area that can stand improvement. From the Comedy Tent (which line to get into), to security, to the whole Kanye debacle, Roo needs to invest in someone to focus solely on communication. Between the artists, the vendors and the attendees there's just too much going on and it seems like simple things get lost in translation.
I disagree about paving the roads. They would heat up like crazy. (I'm thinking about Woodstock '99 here.) I'd prefer gravel. Also, is there gravel under the mist tents? This would help a bit with the muck.
I agree with the guidebooks, though. I'm guessing it happens because they allot a portion to each entrance and then more people come in some entrances instead of others but they need to plan for a 20% overage or something. Worst-case scenario, they should have plenty of one-sheet schedules at the info stands throughout Centeroo. How they manage to run out of those for a weekend is baffling.
Yes, we need screens at Which Stage.
Bring back the cd's. It was always a highlight of the ride home to listen to Sweet Sounds Vol X. Then again, the iTunes option is cheaper for them and more environmentally friendly so I guess I can live with it.
I've never had a problem with camping space but then again I've been going in on Wednesday night the last four years. Yes, it's forever away from Centeroo but since I'm at Centeroo about 16 hours a day and never go back and forth I don't mind the walk.
I disagree about paving the roads. They would heat up like crazy.
Yes! That was my first thought too. Even if you aren't walking on it, the pavement would heat up an area very quickly... imagine it near your campsite! Makes me feel hot and sticky just thinking about it.
Last year was my first Roo and was a fantastic experience, so I don't feel like I have much room to talk about improvements since I have no comparison. But, it would be nice if they cut down the lines into Centeroo. I was lucky and never got hassled by security, but I was always friendly and had every pocket in my bag open when I reached them.
Post by BonnarooDetective on Jan 5, 2009 16:07:10 GMT -5
I would like to echo some people's comments about Which Stage. Unless you are in front of the soundboard, it really is not good. The trees are part of the problem. Not that I'm advocating deforestation. But the trees provide very little shade, yet the greatly obstruct the view/sound.
Also:
- Let me bring my damn glowsticks in.
- Never book Kanye West again.
- Never cut a member of the Grateful Dead short again.
- Please figure out a rational way of getting people in and parked. The current method was probably drafted by Kanye West himself. After all the cars go through the toll booth, do not immediately feed them all into one line. Totally moronic, and I cannot understand why they can't fix this.
- Book more crunchy acts.
- Let the glass vendors come back out of hiding.
- Check your e-mail because the f'ing info@bonnaroo.com Inbox is full.
I've been to bonnaroo every year and i'll tell you that the stage that i've felt the least magic at is the "which stage". I blame this on the fact that for the big acts it is overcrowded, the fact that it is too quiet if you're anywhere farther back than the soundboard, and the the fact that it has terrible sightlines on the left side of the stage.
I have had some magical moments at the Which stage like whoa! lol
I disagree about paving the roads. They would heat up like crazy. (I'm thinking about Woodstock '99 here.)
When i said pave roads, what i meant was pave roads for golf carts/automobiles. I absolutely hated it when one would zoom past and engulf me in a cloud of dust. And not pave all of them, i would for sure pave the larger more traveled roads, like the one around VIP and at the entrance to centeroo
Post by CreativeUnderclass on Jan 5, 2009 19:04:57 GMT -5
Some downright AWESOME ideas here, we should definitely compile highlights of this thread and send them to the powers that be.
Some things that I think would be more fun: I do miss the CDs, it'd be cool to have those back.
More/bigger chillout tents - what a haven during those shows that you can't afford to miss even though you've partied too hard and the sun is a little too bright...though it sucks when you can barely squeeze in.
I'd love a little more food variety. I'm not saying we need to have a smorgasbord of delicacies from around the world, but it'd be cool to see a couple more options (i'd love if the food were a little cheaper too but we all know that ain't happening)
More freedom as to what can be brought into centeroo (nothing crazy, but it'd be nice to not be harassed over some glowsticks or a water bottle)
More awesome latenight hip-hop. The raves have also been awesome, more acts along the line of Tiesto, MSTRKRFT, etc. The suggestion of booking Spank Rock was a great one especially since the new album should be out by then. Girl Talk coming back wouldn't be the worst, either. Some Ed Banger acts could be cool.
Reiterating video screens. That's something simple that could enhance everyones experience.
More of an emphasis on unique vendors. I'm not saying we need fifty people selling dreamcatchers and jerry garcia lawn gnomes, but the more variety the better.
A larger phone charging tent or at least shorter line.
Better traffic and line management (I would think this would be possible through slightly more training, but I don't know)
Less sun! (Short of a weather controlling device, more shade structures would really help here)
Fun idea for a sponsored tent or for the bonnaroo emails - some cheap and easy camping friendly food ideas. We've always done very well and been able to cook great for ourselves through a pre-planned menu, but some suggestions would be cool. A bonnaroo iron chef of some kind would be a really cool way for a sponsor to get involved.
Some more stuff that makes you say WTF...bonnaroo is kind of like a disneyworld for some of us...stuff like the sonic forest and the various grafitti walls and abstract structures...well that's just magical. More magic!
that said, I am pretty happy with a lot of the improvements that have been made throughout the years I've been going. The funniest part to me is that most of the things we would all sit around at my tent and bullshit about, once we actually got it, we never used. (I.E. bar, taxis, ticketed comedy tent, etc)
The traffic getting in was awful this year....in 07 we waited just under 2 hours, and that sucked, but was acceptable. This year was almost 4.5 hours....just what you want after an 18 hour drive!
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. I really do not though just give them a look and everything is fine. I have even had my corn cob holder in my hand.
