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 ilovebonaroo on Mar 9, 2009 10:35:13 GMT -5
So I was reading the "NIN Viewing Spot Camp Out" thread, and I came across a post from someone who had never been to/seen Bonnaroo. The post described their view of what the farm setup is like and it got me wondering how everyone envisioned the setup/layout of Bonnaroo before ever seeing it. Also any other pre-conceived visions of Bonnaroo, such as interactions, craziness of some other points of interest, the path of the vibes, etc...I would love to hear some current Roo Rookies thoughts on this as it gets me very excited to see someone just completely shocked of the wonder that is Bonnaroo at their first sight of it.
My pre-visioned idea of Bonnaroo was that I thought it was going to be a giant box like field with about 5 stages spaced really far apart on different parts of the farm. I thought everyone would camp out wherever they wanted to and I never envisioned how uniform it actually is...thought we had to all camp in an area such as tent only. I was confused and thought that since so many bands were playing at once in an open air place with no barriers in-between the stages, the music would be ruining each others concerts I had envisioned all types of security to be a lot more strict, as well as i had only thought of food vendors. My thoughts of the party atmosphere personally was much different than what actually happened, as I ended up sleeping through 2 straight shows AT the stage. I had thought I would have been able to party straight all 4 days... Lesson: its a Marathon, not a Race. There is loads of time to get in all the partying you want!!! Most of all I was straight up not even aware of the amazing vibes, openness and friendliness of everyone that attended or that I would have become extremely addicted to everything about Roo and that in certain ways it feels more like my home than anywhere else. (Thank you fellow Roo'ers for that )
Edit: for all your information, this was my first festival ever, so I literally went in with a fantasy time in my head with no real idea.
Post by questionablesanity on Mar 9, 2009 10:41:30 GMT -5
I had camped at many shows in Indiana but I could never have expected the heat and rain of 2004. I hadn't expected to wait in line for 7 hours to get into the venue. I never expected to have my car ransacked like it was upon entering. I loved the anything goes atmosphere. I've never felt so accepted by everyone. The best part of Bonnaroo is the diversity.
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'm a rookie, 09 will be my first bonnaroo. I've been reading these boards for the past year so I think I have a pretty good understanding of what it's really like......but I do know that I won't really know the impact it has on me or how much fun it really is until I'm actually there. I do expect to be overwhelmed. I know it's a really huge place but I understand that I won't really know just how big it is until I get there. I'm eagerly anticipating the moment I wake up or come 'home' to find a spun out hippy sleeping/sitting in my camping area. Basically, I expect to see a lot of awesome shows, make tons of friends, get little sleep and lots of NO NO WORDS!!! and have the time of my life while being extremely hot and dirty.
Post by Ultimate Jesus on Mar 9, 2009 13:53:33 GMT -5
I don't know what to expect. As far as I know, the closest experience I have to this is my massive raves, so I pretty much view it like that, but cooler. An anything goes atmosphere, positive vibes everywhere, plenty of corn (just not in front of security), and some cool vendors. Although I think the vendors thing will be way bigger at roo.
Post by ellisintransit on Mar 9, 2009 14:06:27 GMT -5
In 1999 or 2000 I went the Hard Rock Rockfest at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was held in the infield and 200,000 people were there. It was branded by the Hard Rock Cafe and Oldsmobile. There was no shade in the middle of the summer with all those people and water was $5 for a tiny bottle. It was one of the worst days of my life. Just horrible. I swore I would NEVER go to another festival like that again.
Between that and watching the coverage from Woodstock '99, there was no way I was going to the first Bonnaroo. I didn't go to the first two even though it's located 20 miles from my home. Then '04 came along and with it brought late-night Primus and Ween, Damien Rice, Grandadday and My Morning Jacket so I HAD to go. It was so much different than what I expected, which was more of the same with the high prices and discomfort. The fact that I haven't missed a Bonnaroo since (and never will) is testament enough for me, although you don't know me so what does my word matter? Hahaha.
Anyway, like ilovebonnaroo, I expected 5 stages all going at once and was pleasantly surprised at the layout. I can't imagine it being any different. It's amazing going from that first year that I went and not even being able to find my car on the first night, to now being "seasoned" and knowing exactly what I want to do and where I want to go at all times. You first timers are in for a damned treat that you won't forget though, let me tell you.
Post by sweetmelissa on Mar 9, 2009 17:46:46 GMT -5
I had never been to a camping music festival before Roo 07. My cousin told us how fun it is and how great the music is as well. I knew we were going to have an amazing time. However, I had no idea the kind of community vibe that is there. I felt more at home and safe with 80,000 strangers than I do in my own home. When people say it is life changing that is not a cliche. When we left the farm the first year I brought home a rock from the gravel walkway that still sits in my kitchen. When I see it I remember the good vibes and the sence of community and I try to extend that into my home, work and everyday outlook on life outside of the farm.
i like Tom Morello's original vision of bonnaroo... "I thought it was just going to be a couple hundred tie dyed t-shirts in a parking lot!"
??? That IS Bonnaroo....
LMFASSOFF! I LOVED Tom's reaction! And when he asked his "driver" (the kid in the golf cart) what percentage of people were ummm..."enchanced".....expecting it to be a vast majority...the dude replies...."96.4%" LMFAO!! I LOVED IT! Yeah he's totally intense and so passionate about his causes but the man has one of the driest, wittiest, most cutting senses of humor I have ever heard/known...... Sooo many moments in that show that had absolutely NOTHING to do with politics! ;D
Post by pondo ROCKS on Mar 10, 2009 4:13:44 GMT -5
After doing Woodstock 99, I thought it would be similar...boy was I wrong! At Bonnaroo, you could have your car BY your tent, people were much more laid back and layout was better than just having two big stages (like at Woodstock 99). I also felt more secure at Bonnaroo, with better trained security and just generally friendly people about...
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2005 was my first and i had no idea what i was getting myself into. i had seen some pictures and watched videos on you tube but i was really blown away. its hard to imagine that many people getting along, the community is really unbelievable. I really feel safer at bonnaroo, than i do at home. i have never been scared at bonnaroo! sure i have been to many other shows before but this was my first camping festival, i was totally unprepared. i think we have learned something new every year. i don't think anyone can really understand until they have gone and survived the weekend. i think its the best place ever! ;D
2006 was my first and I had no idea what to expect. Prior to that I'd been to one Widespread Panic concert, and wouldn't try corn for the first time for nearly a whole year after it. It was the best time of my life. After waiting in the sun all day for good spots for a band I'd never listened to, Radiohead, my mind was made up when they played Karma Police... I had to come back.
I don't really know what I was expecting, it was the summer before Senior year of high school and I went with an ex-gf and her dad... so I guess I just expected great music, but I didn't see the festival atmosphere coming at all. I can't even put it into words here!
I've been back in 2007 and 2008, and will be there this year too. Last year I think I found my groove and paced myself perfectly, and met some awesome people! Anyway, I think I just failed at describing it, but there aren't really words. As my friend told me afterwards last year, "Roo is your nirvana." :-D
I can honestly say that the festival far exceeded my highest expectations the first year I went ('05). It's fun every time, but nothing ever pheels like the phirst time.
Post by areyoukind on Mar 11, 2009 10:01:41 GMT -5
i remember on my way in 2005, i was jabbering about how cool it was gonna be to at a festival with ONE MILLION PEOPLE! i was so surprised when i found there was only 90,000 or so there. also i was convinced that it was gonna be "our generations Woodstock" and i knew that my time there would be the best time of my life.
*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.**
Post by destinyunbound on Mar 12, 2009 7:41:19 GMT -5
I have never been to a festival, ever. Let alone a live show. It's just always been a money issue, and I cant miss college just to go see music. Sucks I know.
In the past years I have became obsessed with Phish, and other bands who just jam. STS9 Umphreys Govt. Galactic, the dead, etc..
Bonnaroo will be my first festival ever, and my second live show (phish at jones beach!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D) But, I see bonnaroo as being a place oh unlimited possibilities. Almost makes it hard to explain the way it works even if you have been there before. I can imagine a shitload of people who have just partied way too hard, and a lot of wasted people. But for the most part, the sheer mass of 90,000 people is going to be incredibly overwhelming at first. I bet it will just be an awesome experience in which I will be meeting people non-stop, and hopefully staring Phish face to face from the front row. From all the stories I have read, it just seems like such a great experience with such good people surrounding you. I was a boy scout for 10 years too, so I cant wait to camp out again too.
I thought the temporary exit off of I-24 was going to be a real concrete ramp-style exit which would have orange barrels blocking it off the rest of the year.
Bonnaroo will blow you away before you get inside the gate. Then it begins.
I was expecting less organization, more trees, more underground vendors and mud.
Somethings are exactly as expected, but it cant really be comprehended until you get to your camping spot and things start happening.
There use to be more underground vendors. That is one thing I miss about the first 3 years of roo. Everywhere you turned people had tables set up at their camp sites selling food, jewelry, clothes, glass-EVERYTHING! The smell of friendly, communal commerce was in the air everywhere-just awesome. I understand why they "outlawed" it, but it still sucks.
2012 Wishlist: Radiohead Phish Daft Punk Ghostland Observatory Broken Social Scene Roger Waters Bell X1 Bonobo Chemical Brothers Fiona Apple Built to Spill Modest Mouse
I was at Woodstock 99, and for all the bad that happened, i had a blast! but when i went to Roo 05" that was even better, the stage setup wasn't as bad, the centeroo idea really made it easier to get to everything... but the friendly, nice to meet you vibe was what its all about.. best place on earth...
I had envisioned all types of security to be a lot more strict, as well as i had only thought of food vendors. My thoughts of the party atmosphere personally was much different than what actually happened, as I ended up sleeping through 2 straight shows AT the stage. I had thought I would have been able to party straight all 4 days... Lesson: its a Marathon, not a Race. There is loads of time to get in all the partying you want!!! Most of all I was straight up not even aware of the amazing vibes, openness and friendliness of everyone that attended or that I would have become extremely addicted to everything about Roo and that in certain ways it feels more like my home than anywhere else. (Thank you fellow Roo'ers for that 
)
I LOVED Tom's reaction! And when he asked his "driver" (the kid in the golf cart) what percentage of people were ummm..."enchanced".....expecting it to be a vast majority...the dude replies...."96.4%" LMFAO!! 
That is one thing I miss about the first 3 years of roo. Everywhere you turned people had tables set up at their camp sites selling food, jewelry, clothes, glass-EVERYTHING! The smell of friendly, communal commerce was in the air everywhere-just awesome. I understand why they "outlawed" it, but it still sucks.