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 mistarandywatson on Feb 3, 2009 20:53:04 GMT -5
I've heard its gotten a lot better, from a logistical standpoint. Anything in particular thats improved? I think 04 was the biggest year capacity wise, but they capped that right?
The main reason i havent been back in 5 years is because i felt it was way to big and a nightmare to get around. Especially when wading through knee deep mud.
Post by itrainmonkeys on Feb 3, 2009 21:00:41 GMT -5
Improvements i've noticed:
- Carts/Taxis from camp sites to centeroo - PortaPotties cleaned early everyday - Lots of new, cool things to do inside centeroo. Nothing too exciting but it's nice to take a break and watch someone ride a mechanical bull or get hair done or relax in the air conditioned arcade tent.
There's been others but I still need to think bout it some more
Post by neighborhooodcreep on Feb 3, 2009 21:03:57 GMT -5
theres enough stages to where it doesnt seem totally crowded, also theres 80,000 people now and 90,000 in 2004. I think this year being with all the Phish mania that the other bands playing will have more room cause it seems like theres a number of people there just to see the jam bands this year which is fine with me.
Post by nitetimeritetime on Feb 3, 2009 22:16:53 GMT -5
The mud situation is pretty much under control now. It's a cow field, so there's some mud, but not like there was in 04. One year it rained all weekend (05 or 06 I think), and then last year it rained hard for a solid 10 hours one night, and both times it was fine. No lost shoes, no cars buried past the wheels in mud.
Seems like there are more port-a-potties, and they seem to clean them more regularly. The water stations are now in trailers, so there's not much around those anymore.
More ice trucks, or at least generally shorter lines for ice.
04 was the worst one from a logistical standpoint. It's never gotten that bad again. The worst thing since then was the dust in 07, but that didn't bother me. I'd take the dust again over the mud of 04.
That Storm on saturday night in 04 completely ruined Bonnaroo that year. I still had a good time, but it was a miserable good time.
Post by stallion pt. 2 on Feb 3, 2009 22:50:58 GMT -5
The comedy tent has come a long way since 04. There's a take-a-ticket-2-hrs-before-the-show-you-want-to-see system in place so you can actually get in to see a comedian you want to see without wasting all day in line.
John: We don't even understand our own music Spider: It doesn't, does it matter whether we understand it? At least it'll give us . . . strength John: I know but maybe we could get into it more if we understood it
I remember reading last year that some of the first things AC/Superfly did after they purchased the farm was to work on grading and draining issue as well as gravel and/or pave the busiest traffic areas to reduce problems caused by rain.
04 was the worst one from a logistical standpoint. It's never gotten that bad again. The worst thing since then was the dust in 07, but that didn't bother me. I'd take the dust again over the mud of 04.
That Storm on saturday night in 04 completely ruined Bonnaroo that year. I still had a good time, but it was a miserable good time.
This will my first year since 2004 also!!! I can't wait!!!! I've had to miss the past few years due to school/work crap. Anyway, I totally agree that the mud that year was TERRIBLE!!! It was sooooo gross!!! I'd take the dust over that knee deep nastyass mud any day. Having to wade through that nast again is my worst Roo fear!!!
Post by itrainmonkeys on Feb 4, 2009 13:01:44 GMT -5
Last year was beautiful. Very overcast and limited sun beating down. Only rain during some metallica and most MMJ........but that wasn't a problem. Jim James used it to his advantage
Post by nitetimeritetime on Feb 4, 2009 13:35:29 GMT -5
Most of the weekend last year was great weather, but then it started raining sometime during Willie Nelson's Friday set, rained on and off during Chris Rock and Metallica, and then at 11:30 or 12 it started raining really hard. Rained hard pretty much all though the Disco Biscuits' late night set, which ended sometime after the sun came up.
But for all that rain, the mud was never really that bad. They definitely have it under control now.
The dust storm of 2007 was wicked! It definately did not ruin my Roo by any means though. Things are as good as they can be when camping on a farm with 80,000 people.
They're not running campground lights off of generators anymore, in fact, the whole place might be wired now.
But really, the lineups have just gotten so much better imo since good old Dave Matthews 2004. There's so much more to be entertained by in Centeroo now, too. It's just definitely an all around better experience for me.
Post by generalstore on Feb 5, 2009 15:08:33 GMT -5
Getting into the tollbooths only took about 45mins from the highway, still a nightmare from the tollbooths to the campsite though.
Ice is no longer a big deal at all. Cheap, everywhere, short lines.
Water stations rarely have a line, maybe 1 or 2 people at peak times in front of each spicket.
Port a pots are bearable.
Superfly mentioned last year that their big site improvement was grading the festival grounds for improved water run off and better roads. This year it's wired electricity, so maybe less generator noise.
Tons of places to cool down in air conditioning in centeroo.
Bear in mind there will most likely be more people this year than last, so some of those improvements may have been from the low attendance from last year.
It's my first since 06, when the dust was pretty bad. This time I'll be sure to bring one of those dust masks for when I'm walking around.
I've been reading through this site ever since to enjoy the experience through all of you (especially last year's FLips midnight show-- really regret missing it). Thanks to everyone that contributes, because now I'm back!
five bucks a head... but yeah, we were way the "shit" out in the middle of "bumfuck" nowhere... and my girlfriend had a broken foot... (hows that for a trooper?) so it was very very nice to catch rides.
If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are their souls. - Thomas Jefferson
Oppression, you will learn to fear me, yes you will. - Ben Harper "fuck" it dude, let's go bowling. - Walter
A Thieve's Parade 2/24 Conspirator 2/26 Kevin Smith 3/11 Keller 3/17 Papadosio 3/18 JJ Grey 3/25 Bela Fleck/Edgar Meyer 3/26 Toubab Krewe 3/27 O'Death 4/11 Budos Band 4/22 EOTO 4/28 Summer Camp 5/6-29 All Good
I remember reading last year that some of the first things AC/Superfly did after they purchased the farm was to work on grading and draining issue as well as gravel and/or pave the busiest traffic areas to reduce problems caused by rain.
That can make such a huge difference. I went to my first Winnipeg Folk Fest in about 10 years this past summer and they had just spent a few years working on the grading. It rains almost every year at that festival and I remember when I was younger the mud would litterally get knee deep. It rained as hard as it ever had on the Saturday this year and things were fine.
The rain at 'roo last year was great, IMO. It cooled things down and really helped keep the dust in check. You couldn't even tell the next day that it had been raining.
The mud won't be as bad again due to better drainage thankfully. The crowd won't be as large in 04 they gave out huge amounts of free tickets to the locals there was more than 100k in 04. Security is now horrible, getting in they will likely search everything you own(they took my vitamins and advil last year because tehy were in the same bottle(I had 10 different vitamins and didn't want to bring all the bottles), also took some of my food(Peanut butter in a glass jar) and I had to get the security boss to let me in with my black beans because they felt I had to much and would be selling it, after a half hour and searching absolutely everything they let me in. Again pain in the a$$ security everytime you enter centeroo. As far as the golf carts I hated them, mixed with the taxis were security on golf carts busting people for selling grilled cheese, t-shirts, water and everything else. Pit area in front of main stage is a great addition, bigger and air cooled cineama and comedy tents. Way better kept port o's. Way more licensed venders all over the campgrounds selling food drink and wares. It is much more organized for better or worse. Great line up this year (and last) will likely bring me back again but I have mixed feeling about the changes. I missed the vibe of '03 and '04 but it was "easier to survive" last year and the music was the best I've experienced.
Edit: One good thing thing about increased security was no nitrous scumbags.
Security is now horrible, getting in they will likely search everything you own(they took my vitamins and advil last year because tehy were in the same bottle(I had 10 different vitamins and didn't want to bring all the bottles), also took some of my food(Peanut butter in a glass jar) and I had to get the security boss to let me in with my black beans because they felt I had to much and would be selling it, after a half hour and searching absolutely everything they let me in. Again pain in the a$$ security everytime you enter centeroo.
It's a little unfair for you to say this because everyone's experience is different. Just because you had an annoying time with security doesn't mean they are horrible.
Last year I pulled my car in and the guy "searching" it opened my cooler and I was as helpful as could be (moving stuff, saying "look through anything you'd like). After 30 seconds he was like "You got any glass?" and I told him no. He let me go on my way, saying that all they were really supposed to look for was glass and LARGE amounts of drugs.....he told me a little bit of stuff would be fine.
Then going into centeroo you just have to feel out which security lines are going fastest and who's taking their jobs too seriously. Every time I entered centeroo I was barely searched (sometimes not at all).
I'm sorry you had a rough time, but please don't make it seem like your experience is the same for everyone.
Glad your experience with security was better than mine, I'm sure you are not alone. That said the security was waaaaaaay worse than '04, pretty much everyone I talked to about it agreed. I'm still going back, it's not bad enough to keep me away, but it was really aggravating to be treated like a criminal constantely for no good reason when I am law abiding AND a paying customer.
That said the security was waaaaaaay worse than '04, pretty much everyone I talked to about it agreed.
While I didn't start going to Roo til '05......I will agree that security may be a little more beefed up. A lot has changed on the farm in the past 5 years.....but like you say - it's not enough to keep me away. Sorry your experience blew.....maybe it'll be a good time for you next time.
yeah i don't really agree with the whole "you've gotta have a license to vend" thing. i mean i know there trying to make some money and also that sometimes venders can be a nuisance. but what about the regulars trying to get rid of what they have left on sunday and also lending a hand out to those who have without. i remember in 04 i sold a ton of stuff i had leftover (gatorade, fruit, water, soda, beer, we even gave away candy). i ended giving a lot of what looked like very needy kids gatorade. and in the process i made myself some nice party money for sunday night. i don't think i could get away with this anymore. it's sad. but hey i guess whatever keeps the Bonnaroo engine a-rollin!
"Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man's original virtue. It is through disobedience and rebellion that progress has been made." Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Soul of Man Under Socialism
"You're either on the bus or off the bus." Ken Kesey
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
Post by candyflippedaround on Mar 14, 2009 12:05:48 GMT -5
chillys post is funny to me. a lot of that is because of his avatar haha.
but last year was my first and my car did not get searched going into the gates of Bonnaroo, we were 4 college age guys in an explorer and the driver (me) had long hair for what its worth. They just didnt bother with us at all, no one asked me if i had glass in the car, i got no marking on my windshield.
Then going into centeroo, friday they told me i couldnt bring beef jerky in. whatever, here have my beef jerky. the next day they patted me down and find two corn collections in my pocket, take it out look at them then stuffs it right back where he found them.
so i really have no idea what people are talking about when they say security is so tight now, and my only experience is with the most recent Roo.
chillys post is funny to me. a lot of that is because of his avatar haha.
but last year was my first and my car did not get searched going into the gates of Bonnaroo, we were 4 college age guys in an explorer and the driver (me) had long hair for what its worth. They just didnt bother with us at all, no one asked me if i had glass in the car, i got no marking on my windshield.
Then going into centeroo, friday they told me i couldnt bring beef jerky in. whatever, here have my beef jerky. the next day they patted me down and find two corn collections in my pocket, take it out look at them then stuffs it right back where he found them.
so i really have no idea what people are talking about when they say security is so tight now, and my only experience is with the most recent Roo.
The thread is comparing '04 to more recent 'roos. Not being able to bring in beef jerky is ridiculous. Myself I can't eat a single thing sold in centeroo due to intolerences and allergies. Not sure what your first comment means, but fwiw I look alot more like a cop than I do Brent.
Post by candyflippedaround on Mar 15, 2009 17:42:30 GMT -5
its really not all that ridiculous. I mean it is but im sure if i really wanted my beef jerky all i had to do was find another line to go to or simply demand that i be allowed to take in my beef jerky.
