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 bamadancer on Jun 16, 2009 13:24:57 GMT -5
Just FYI - security people DO NOT get to keep what they confiscate. My boyfriend's fraternity brothers work Bonnaroo security and the only confiscated thing they get to keep is alcohol. They have to buy their corn just like everybody else ;D
Post by floridagirl on Jun 16, 2009 13:40:46 GMT -5
daniroo, i was in line sat night right before NIN also. i saw that kid get punched . granted he did jump the gate but it would have been enough to just grab him and escort him back to the end of the line.the security kid the punched him was a little young punk snood-ass kid, just right before that he stood by the fence with his chest sticking out and shouting " I will bruce lee you " they could really do a better job with picking these guys. all together those guys at the centeroo check-in are assholes, i go to these festivals to get away from policestate behaviour and those guys are not fun and peace loving individuals. now i know that the job must be done, security must be inforced but not like that. friday and sat morning I had to go to the gate for my volunteer shify at the garnier salon and the guy was frisking me like i was goin to visit somebody in prison? I mean really?
otherwise it was a great festival, had a awesome time, music was rockin .
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
You guys are silly. Just be nice to the security and police and they'll be nice to you. Smile at the people checking bags and ask them how their day is going. You'll be surprised how quickly you'll get in.
My buddy and I flat out asked some horse patrolmen where shakedown street was this year. We told them we just wanted to walk down it just to say we did. They pointed us there right away and didnt ask us any questions.
Just FYI - security people DO NOT get to keep what they confiscate. My boyfriend's fraternity brothers work Bonnaroo security and the only confiscated thing they get to keep is alcohol. They have to buy their corn just like everybody else ;D
they might not technically be allowed to keep what they confiscate, but i bet you anything that a lot of them walk away with a good amount of parting gifts.
Post by plasticpepper on Jun 16, 2009 16:40:13 GMT -5
My experience with security was pretty much the same as in 07. Driving in they just looked through the car a bit, checked the glove compartment, etc., nothing terribly thorough. And then going into Centeroo they usually just looked into the two big pockets on my purse and let me in. One time I went in wearing shorts so I had pockets so the guy patted me down to make sure I didn't have anything. A few times they checked my bag more thoroughly, but they never really took anything out. And they never looked in the smallest pocket - I always unzipped the larger two but not the smallest one because all I had in there was money and they never asked to look in there.
I found the lines getting in to Centeroo to be wayyy longer than in 07, but it's probably at least in part due to the times I was going through. In 07 we went in fairly early, like probably 11 or so each day, whereas we waited later this year so I guess the lines just built up more. On at least two or three occasions they ended up just letting everyone go through because the lines were building up so much.
I saw security confiscate a few beers that people were trying to carry in, and one guy lost two giant packs of glowsticks - I couldn't believe he just gave them up rather than trying a different line or something! I had no problem bringing a few glowsticks in with me under my tutu - the guy took one look at me and waved me right in.
Post by slobpatttop on Jun 16, 2009 16:44:37 GMT -5
We usually went through the arch line rather than squeezing into the damn corrals by the ferris wheel and most of the time just got let in cause the line was too long. I walked right in before Beastie Boys with an open beer in my hand.
As I was leaving Centeroo on Friday around 6pm, I saw two kids probably 20 years old pulled off to the side of the main exit and they were being interrogated by about 4 big guys in gray "Staff Safety" shirts. Apparently they had been busted selling NO NO WORDS or they got caught coming into Centeroo.
Anyway I decided to stop about 20 feet away and watch what was going on. One of the kids they had stopped was clearly under the influence of NO NO WORDS and had little idea of what was going on, you could tell he was really scared and probably thought these people were going to hurt him.
While the 4 gray shirts were interrogating the other kid this poor kid decided he would try to run off. Immediately he was tackled by 4 huge guys and thrown to the ground. While he was on the ground 3 of the guys held him down while the 4th guy grabbed him by the hair on the back of his heat and repeatedly struck him on his head probably about 7 or 8 times.
While this was happening younger kids wearing yellow "Safety" shirts formed a perimeter and told me to keep walking. I told him absolutely not and that I have every right to stand exactly where I am. I told him that the officer was completely out of control and that beating that poor kid was completely unnecessary. He just told me to that if i didn't walk away that he'd get yelled at.
I wanted to know if anyone else on here saw that or anything else similar to that this year at Bonnaroo. I wish i had videotaped it. I also saw undercover police committing entrapment, that is asking someone if he wants to buy NO NO WORDS and then when they were interested arresting them.
Anyone else witness anything like that?
I didn't go this year but I like to check on this forum after its over to see if anything like this had happened.
I don't go anymore because of the police presence at roo... That really sucks.. I one time got pegged as a dealer when I was just partying... one of those easy ridin mounties took my picture and after that I was harrassed all night.... so I never went back way to many Under covers... and cops on the way in and out
I understand a lot of ppl don't get bothered but for those of us that do.... it really kills the fun .
I'm sorry, but if you run from security at Bonnaroo, you're kind of asking to be tackled. That's stupid and I don't think it's "Police brutality".
Also, I never really got searched to badly. One guy hassled me on Saturday night getting into Centeroo for "having beers" (what he felt was my germ-x bottle) but I carried my prescription meds into Centeroo every single day and no one said anything.
I don't think the tackling is brutality either but the man who told that story finished it... . They tackled him and then grabbed him by the hair and struck him in the head 8 times... That is where the brutality comes in .
Searches I experienced were quick and without incident. I did see someone escorted from behind the homes on Bushy Branch Rd., which I think is reserved for vendors. When near the Road, the person doing the escorting, who looked like some kind of vendor bouncer type, punched the guy straight in the throat. The punch came while standing with a group of vendors, and possibly the property owners who rent their property out to vendors. It looked like the bouncer was trying to start a fight with witnesses standing around. The punched guy remained calm, and after a short discussion with the group he walked away.
Post by bonnarooooo on Jun 16, 2009 17:16:03 GMT -5
i've never had my cigarette pack searched until one time this year...i had some NO NO WORD in some capsules and this security guy opened my cigarette pack going into centeroo and asked what the capsules were, i simply replied caffeine pills lol and he put them pack in my pack and let me go right on in, i thought that was funny......BUT at the mgmt concert we were a little to gone off them capsules and saw 2 guys packing up some NO NO WORD into some glass, this dread head in a staff shirt shined a light on them and took there corn...this 2 poor guys just let the dude take it with out a argument or anything and just looked back at us and was like did that really happen or our we tripping, i bet it put them in a bad trip bc of being so mad...other than that everything was cool and relaxed, i guarantee that staff worked smoked there stuff tho....
I saw two cases of beers being confiscated inside. The people were drinking out of cans that obviously weren't for sale at the beer stands. If they had been a little more discreet, no problem.
Funny thing is that there was one beer can I had never seen. It was called "Beer Thirty", and said "Premium Beer" on it. The security guy was laughing and showing everyone.
Beer Thrity is awesome. Well, not really, but the name is!!! There slogan is...."It's Always a Good Time." UNREAL!!!! We stopped in Louisville to pick up some friends and some booze and that's what we ended up getting. I think it was eleven bucks for a thirty pack.
As far as security was concerned our van was searched pretty good but they didn't find what we were hiding which would have taken a good dog and some serious ambition but i really don't think they even cared about that...more for tanks and whatnot.
Going into centeroo I got my bag searched a few times and it was mainly a five second look in and then they let me go. One guy just straight up asked me if i had any illegal drugs in my bag and I did but I said no and he found them(just a hitter box) and asked me why I lied. I told hem that I though he was going to take it. He told me not to lie anymore and let me in with it anyway. So the next time I went it I just told the dude straight up what i had and he was all..."I apprecitate the honesty.." and let me in without even searching.
All in all my first roo experience was AWESOME!!!!!! I was truly astonished at how many time our campsite, out of nowhere, became a mini shakedown for a few minutes while people flashed there wheres, and then just disapeared. Oh...and I saw a parrot at someones camp....don't know how you sneak that in.
Post by christinapeacock on Jun 16, 2009 18:11:14 GMT -5
Waited in line for 4 hours - my bf went to run to the woods to pee (he couldn't hold it, but I did) ... and a state trooper on a bike gave him a hard time, threatening a $300 fine for "indecent exposure". Then lectured him for peeing in his fine state of TN and how would he feel if he came and pissed in Georgia. Like my bf would care ... all the while holding up the line.
No real problems in Centeroo, I got asked about my Rx bottle, but never asked for ID, they never found my hidden booze, which I took in moderation. But trying to go through the arch, my bf got hassled for a camelback full of gatorade... wanted him to dump it. He refused and walked to the other entrance and had no problem.
I did see a guy try to jump the gate and get taken down, but he was an idiot... Otherwise, I thought there was a larger police presence, but the security was pretty laid back.
I guess I must have been the only one who got "moved" all the way to exit 127. It took me literally 10 hours to move 9 miles in traffic. I live 2.75 hours away. It took me from 8 a.m until 945 p.m. to get in and get set up. Worst thing ever at Bonnaroo for me.
They did that to us even though we were access camping when we got in they told us we could come in that way because we were access and they dont want access in the back entrances. They way they sent us was on NEW Bushy Branch Road. I refused to move and go in a little word exchange with roo secrutity then they called Manchester Police and Manchester Police was very helpful and escorted us in Bushy Branch road so we didn't have to go all the way back to the line.
As an update I wrote bonnaroo about this and they responded with an apology and asked for more specifics so this doesn't happen again.
Just FYI - security people DO NOT get to keep what they confiscate. My boyfriend's fraternity brothers work Bonnaroo security and the only confiscated thing they get to keep is alcohol. They have to buy their corn just like everybody else ;D
Hey bamadancer, I saw where you posted about security saying you couldn't bring in the hoop. They tried the same thing with me once on Friday; I told the guy, "Uh, no. I was in here last night with it and there are people with hoops right now I can see them." He told me to talk to the head dude there and the head security guy said it was ok. No other problems after that with the hoops, even with the glowsticks stuffed in it at night!
They did that to us even though we were access camping when we got in they told us we could come in that way because we were access and they dont want access in the back entrances. They way they sent us was on NEW Bushy Branch Road. I refused to move and go in a little word exchange with roo secrutity then they called Manchester Police and Manchester Police was very helpful and escorted us in Bushy Branch road so we didn't have to go all the way back to the line.
As an update I wrote bonnaroo about this and they responded with an apology and asked for more specifics so this doesn't happen again.
We pulled off onto the shoulder of I-24N coming from Chattanooga at 9:30 AM to sit in the line of traffic. We didn't get into Roo through exit-111 to pitch camp until 5:00 PM. The earlier Roo-only exit was closed to us. It seems traffic is allowed to back up for miles on I-24N because it has minimal impact on thru traffic. Smaller roads can't handle back ups without becoming hopelessly gridlocked, so getting traffic through the gates and off the smaller roads takes priority.
As an update I wrote bonnaroo about this and they responded with an apology and asked for more specifics so this doesn't happen again.
We pulled off onto the shoulder of I-24N coming from Chattanooga at 9:30 AM to sit in the line of traffic. We didn't get into Roo through exit-111 to pitch camp until 5:00 PM. The earlier Roo-only exit was closed to us. It seems traffic is allowed to back up for miles on I-24N because it has minimal impact on thru traffic. Smaller roads can't handle back ups without becoming hopelessly gridlocked, so getting traffic through the gates and off the smaller roads takes priority.
Thats what happend to us but they sent us to a back entrance on Shedd Rd I think and once we got in to the gate the guy was rude and told us we couldn't come in that gate because we were access and wanted us to start all the back where we were directed from. I refused he called the police and the manchester police were really nice and not happy about them not letting in that entrance then let us in the exit 111 bushy branch rd entrance at ratsdale rd with out going to the very end of the line. Still over 6 hours in varous lines. The frustruting part was we got to the back entrance to the booth and told no we had to go back because we were disabled.
It was nice to get an apology from Bonnaroo and them to say it was there fault and today though. Plus asking for more information so they could work on for next years evens it out for me.
My experiences with security were not bad at all this year. It may help that I'm 'clean-cut', in my late 30's, and always smile/greet the security dude.
On the way in the DTF folks finished with a car and were walking right at me. My stash was so well hidden I knew it would take ratchets and screwdrivers to get to it. I looked him in the eye, gave an easy smile and a wave. He stopped dead in his tracks and went to the car two behind me (sorry guys!).
Roo staff check went smooth too. Popped open the hatch before they even asked, had coolers ready to go and everything. I did get an 'audit' though for of all things my wagon I brought to hump everything to tent only if needed. The super said no. I said ummm bull. I need it if I get parked in BFE and I have a lock so no one would use it for joy-riding. That's all he was concerned about, was using it as a 'vehicle'.
Once inside I made the mistake of pulling everything out of my pockets on the asphalt shakedown and got the hairy eyeball from a deputy.... but I put everything away quickly and didn't get hassled.
Getting into centeroo I would pull everything out of my pockets and open my camlebak. Again, I would say hello, look them in the eye, and smile and never got more than a quick pat down and a 'you're good'.
It was funny though how they would be going through everything with a fine tooth comb then suddenly the super would say 'let em in' and the gates would just open up for 30 seconds then shut back down for a few minutes. It was like random tests at work. You never know to who or when it would happen.
I treat the 'no-no-words' the same as at EVERY concert or festival. You just never know if you're going to meet that one person who wants to look into everything.
That said, I never had an issue either getting into the camp grounds or into Centeroo. I always opened my bag, I always had water, gatorade, or even sealed Red Bulls in my bag, and always a clear. One guy was suspious about my melted ball of chocolate covered espresso beans, and still let me pass. Yes, there were just espresso beans. Be smart, be cool, and usually you will never have problems.
Amazing: Phish, Bruce, Amadou & Mariam, Vieux Farke Toure, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Wilco, NIN Good to great: Animal Collective, NIN, Jimmy Buffet, King Sunny Ade, Tobacco, MGMT, Passion Pit, Kraak & Smack Glad to have seen: Oakenfold, Grizzly Bear, Beastie Boys, of Montreal, Snoop Dogg
We usually went through the arch line rather than squeezing into the damn corrals by the ferris wheel and most of the time just got let in cause the line was too long. I walked right in before Beastie Boys with an open beer in my hand.
It seemed like every time we went through the arches they were just holding people forever not letting anyone in....then after like a 5-10 minute wait they would just let everyone in at once w/o searching anyone. It was really irritating and a lot of people were getting really aggressive in line, which made me uneasy b/c I don't like being smashed up in a big @$$ crowd in the first place.
I never had to wait in line when I went in the other entrance.
Post by ChiefPemperToadWigginsky on Jun 17, 2009 23:05:51 GMT -5
I was accosted at my friends campsite and was asked if i needed H or oxy, I told the dude to get his junky a$s outta here before he was harmed. An hour later I saw the same kid being pushed around and yelled by these dudes who i thought were wooks but turned out to be undercovers since they handcuffed him and put him in the back of an unmarked police car.
John: We don't even understand our own music Spider: It doesn't, does it matter whether we understand it? At least it'll give us . . . strength John: I know but maybe we could get into it more if we understood it
What would you compare Beer Thirty to? I would like to pick some up, mostly for the novelty.
Well when I was a kid I had a dog, as it got older it began to develop frequent bladder infections, and I had to clean up the mess. This is in the general area of, but does not begin to do beer thirty the justice it deserves.
I was accosted at my friends campsite and was asked if i needed H or oxy, I told the dude to get his junky a$s outta here before he was harmed. An hour later I saw the same kid being pushed around and yelled by these dudes who i thought were wooks but turned out to be undercovers since they handcuffed him and put him in the back of an unmarked police car.
Would of done the same thing. That shit is only victimless until the user runs out of money, I know many people who've had there lived ruined by it. Not saying I'm a fan of cops busting people, but I feel no pity for this kid.
I'm not sure the day, but I think I saw the exact same event as you, Kalin. I guess it must have been Friday, I was walking towards the arch to go into Centeroo, and a cart with 2 gray shirted "Safety" people drove out, stopped two guys, then it just escalated from there. A huge crowd formed, and that's all I saw of it. I wish I had stayed, now.
This man came up to me just the other day, asked me I'd been born again. I told him, "I didn't think I had." That I had been rejected. But I think, Hell's got all the good bands anyway. And Bonnaroo.
I'm not sure the day, but I think I saw the exact same event as you, Kalin. I guess it must have been Friday, I was walking towards the arch to go into Centeroo, and a cart with 2 gray shirted "Safety" people drove out, stopped two guys, then it just escalated from there. A huge crowd formed, and that's all I saw of it. I wish I had stayed, now.
Yah I wish you had to. It really bothered me, being a libertarian I'm always concerned with people in authority abusing their power. I really wished I had spoke my mind to the guy hitting him.
Post by dancinginthedark on Jun 18, 2009 18:02:42 GMT -5
Just let me say this- by doing undercover busts, the police were not commiting "entrapment". Every police department does undercover work. You've seen it on Cops plenty of times. Officer asks if they want to buy, a deal is made, the arrest goes down. That's perfectly legal. Look up the definitions of entrapment before you start accusing. The officers who work Bonnaroo aren't there to kill your buzz or ruin your good time. They're there to keep you safe and to make it easier for everyone else to have fun and be safe. Sorry guys, but NO NO WORDS are ILLEGAL. We sometimes forget that Bonnaroo isn't outside the law.
Anyway...
I thought that security was very relaxed this year. I can't imagine them getting bent out of shape over something unless it was a big deal... officers have to think about their own safety, too. Sometimes what the general public sees as "excessive force" is the officer doing exactly what he or she is trained to do. They can go one step higher to make sure that the situation doesn't escalate. Wouldn't you rather them put someone on the ground than have them have to draw their guns/tasers?