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my biggest gripe is just that they continually put all the electro/hiphop acts up against each other. it's really irritating. last year they put lupe/kanye/chali2na against each other, and this year was an even bigger clusterfuck on friday latenight. what's the point? why not spread them out over the course of the weekend??
They may put elctronic acts against hip hop but they didn't pit hip hop against each other at all this year, I don't think. Last year lupe and chali2na were both in The Other Tent late night Saturday, weren't they? I thought that they were part of a line up of four artists in a row. They weren't scheduled to be against Kanye -- he was scheduled from 8:30-10:30 but then asked to get moved to late night after the schedule was already done. That's not really a scheduling error that's strictly the fault of the promoters, though.
Prince would be monumental. U2 would be a huge draw but I personally don't care for them. I vote for an amazing assortment of smaller and mid-level acts that have a wide range of appeal. For example, I was dazzled by Grace Potter and Todd Snider. Mix those types of groups (please make sure Mofro, Jakob Dylan, and Langhorne Slim are included) up with Phish and one other major act (Prince please!) and you've got my perfect festival.
Also, as a side note (and I know I may get crucified here), but I am a HUGE Justin Timberlake fan (not Backstreet Boys...there is a big difference). Oh how I would love to see him live.
but look at the big three hip hop acts of 2009 (beasties, snoop, public enemy). all three of them had their heyday over a decade ago.
Can anyone even think of a big up and coming hip hop act that is in their heyday right now, that would be an appropriate for headliner status at Bonnaroo?
Maybe it's because I don't listen to much mainsteam hip-hop at all, but I honestly can think of no one at all. When I think of today's hip hop I think of total crap like jeezy and lil wayne (which, no doubt, shows my lack of knowledge in this area). And I'm certain none of them would fit into this festival, nor are they big enough.
Where hip-hop is concerned, I think Bonnaroo should stick to the old-school legends, and the up-and-coming underground stuff.
Oh, me too girl. ;D I've seen the Foo Fighters five times, but I don't think I want to see them at Roo. Mostly because I like for Roo to be a time for me to discover new bands and see acts that are a bit more off the radar.
Post by SuzieSunshine on Jun 24, 2009 10:08:40 GMT -5
[/quote]If U2 headlines I will not make the 20 hour trip![/quote]
I wouldn't go see U2 if they played in my driveway, so I can safe with confidence that I wouldn't spent15 hours in a car to see them. But all of the other bands come into play and then i may end up going and leaving before U2 starts.
but look at the big three hip hop acts of 2009 (beasties, snoop, public enemy). all three of them had their heyday over a decade ago.
Can anyone even think of a big up and coming hip hop act that is in their heyday right now, that would be an appropriate for headliner status at Bonnaroo?
This is really true of most Bonnaroo headliners though. Springsteen, Phish, Metallica, Pearl Jam, The Police, etc. were all up-and-coming and in their heyday more than a decade ago. A band isn't likely to be both up-and-coming and big enough to headline Bonnaroo at the same time, whether they're rock, hip-hip, or any other genre.
^^^ True. In a lot of ways, a Roo headliner is someone who can headline not an arena or amphitheater but a stadium. It's hard to find a hot new buzz band that can draw and hold 70K+ which is why we tend to see more established artists headline.
Post by nitetimeritetime on Jun 24, 2009 10:44:42 GMT -5
Exactly. It doesn't mean that rock, jam bands, or metal are dying or that we've seen the best of what these genres have to offer just because the Roo headliners have been established for a while. And it's just as silly to say this about hip-hop.
Oh, me too girl. ;D I've seen the Foo Fighters five times, but I don't think I want to see them at Roo. Mostly because I like for Roo to be a time for me to discover new bands and see acts that are a bit more off the radar.
Bonnaroo is a great place to discover new artists, but they still have to get some that I know to get me to go. Headliners will usually be bands that most have at least heard some songs from, but it is a good chance to hear more than the radio songs from those you're less familiar with.
As for the Foos, I've seen them a few times myself and enjoy their shows, but for some reason it's hard for me to see them playing at Roo.
Post by unregistered on Jun 24, 2009 15:24:47 GMT -5
The one thing I really missed at this roo was the DJ sets in between the shows on the mainstage.
I went to the first two roo's in 02 & 03 but hadn't been back until this year.
I can say that seeing:
Jack Johnson DJ Spooky Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals Kid Koala Neil Young & Crazy Horse
all at the same stage, one right after another with barely a pause while the dj walked out as the band left the stage. Never having to leave the tarp I threw down on the ground. The dj's didn't even matter but it was something cool to listen to while just chilling and waiting for the next real band.
That's what I'll always remember from Bonnaroo. I think this past year was almost too diverse with too many mid-tier acts on too many different stages. It made the gaps between bands at each stage feel too long like you were missing something somewhere else and should run to catch the next bit of show.
I miss setting up shop at the main stage and knowing you'd be there all day with people in your group now and again popping off to catch a different show. This year felt like we were packing up and moving around the entire time.
The line-ups on the main stage just seemed sort of disjointed... Reggae -> Jazz/Acoustic Guitar -> Blues -> Alt Rock/Rap -> Classic Rock/Jam Band... No consistent theme to be found like I found that one great day of Jack -> Ben -> Neil...
^^ i totally agree, and its one of the reasons i love bonnaroo
i feel like they could have done a bit better job scheduling acts though...NIN vs. moe. vs. Harper is a HORRIBLE conflict--i would have seen all three shows if i could have.
i was discussing this with my buds, and we kinda felt like Roo went a bit top-heavy this year, maybe? especially when you have several of your top billed acts playing at the same time.
next year can we have:more electronica acts and...space them out better? i still dont understand why they had Oakenfold/CC/GT/PL all playing at basically the same time.
^ oh, and they were all playing during phish, which i wasnt going to miss for anything.
“Why is marijuana against the law? It grows naturally upon our planet. Doesn't the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit . . . unnatural?” -Bill Hicks
Post by nodepression on Jun 24, 2009 15:42:58 GMT -5
And it's not just diversity for the sake of diversity either, Roo rarely picks an act who is a dud live.
I feel like there were definite themes going on throughout the weekend. Beyond the excellent bluegrass and african tent. There was a metal tent, David Byrne's curated stage, Friday Indie Which Stage which was capped by the godfather of art rock and indie today David Byrne, and a bunch of other smaller themes in the tents. If you couldn't find the connections you weren't looking deep enough.
^^ i totally agree, and its one of the reasons i love bonnaroo
i feel like they could have done a bit better job scheduling acts though...NIN vs. moe. vs. Harper is a HORRIBLE conflict--i would have seen all three shows if i could have.
i was discussing this with my buds, and we kinda felt like Roo went a bit top-heavy this year, maybe? especially when you have several of your top billed acts playing at the same time.
next year can we have:more electronica acts and...space them out better? i still dont understand why they had Oakenfold/CC/GT/PL all playing at basically the same time.
^ oh, and they were all playing during phish, which i wasnt going to miss for anything.
they did it that way sat. night to spread the crowd out. they always do. i agree about fri. night though, i don't know why all 3 tents were occupied by dj's. they usually have more variety than that.
^^ i totally agree, and its one of the reasons i love bonnaroo
i feel like they could have done a bit better job scheduling acts though...NIN vs. moe. vs. Harper is a HORRIBLE conflict--i would have seen all three shows if i could have.
i was discussing this with my buds, and we kinda felt like Roo went a bit top-heavy this year, maybe? especially when you have several of your top billed acts playing at the same time.
next year can we have:more electronica acts and...space them out better? i still dont understand why they had Oakenfold/CC/GT/PL all playing at basically the same time.
^ oh, and they were all playing during phish, which i wasnt going to miss for anything.
You're probably right. Bonnaroo isn't the same fest that it started out as. It is more of a corporateish lollapalooza style now. i guess that's where the money's at.
I just miss the days when it wasn't lollapalooza w/ camping.
Although headliners have very little to do with my decision on if I am going to Roo Neil Young would be the best thing ever. My Morning Jacket is also a requirement.
Bonnaroo isn't the same fest that it started out as. It is more of a corporateish lollapalooza style now. i guess that's where the money's at.
I just miss the days when it wasn't lollapalooza w/ camping.
There are still major differences between the two (and I should know -- I went to Lolla 91-96, 05 & 06, 92 twice). A) Roo truly gives artists room to breathe -- try and find a non-headliner playing more than an hour! B) Late night shows -- 'nuff said C) The crowd -- you will not find the behavior exhibited during last year's Rage Against the Machine show at Roo. D) Shade -- try and beat the heat in Grant Park! E) Character -- Roo tries to provide more than just a collection of stage.
there's no reason that roo headliner's couldn't be a repeat. phish again? beastie boys again? past years headliners again? or previous year acts that have gotten bigger.
i'll spare you the "dream roo" list, but i agree that u2 would draw a huge crowd, and that green day really brings a BIG performance. personally i'll hold out hope for 311 and/or O.A.R. both are big and getting bigger (moreso O.A.R than 311) and O.A.R has been a previous roo performer. I was honestly disappointed that they didn't play this year. other repeats: dave matthews (new album out, assuming a tour is coming - take that as my 2010 prediction) and radiohead.
OT - i am really looking forward to roo2010.. we missed so many bands this year! no regrets, we were getting our logistics down and pacing ourselves, but now that we're into the roo groove we will see probably twice as many bands next year!
Post by nodepression on Jun 25, 2009 7:27:50 GMT -5
Seriously, O.A.R.? 311? Dave? All those guys come off as pretty boring and formulaic to me. O.A.R. might as well be Adult Contemporary easy listening, while 311 and Dave just don't appeal to me at all. Bonnaroo can, and will do much better for their headliners.
Radiohead obviously does not apply to any of what I said above.
i don't believe dmb is coming back. their manager was one of the guys that started bonnaroo. dave played in 04, dmb in 05. i have thought they would be on the lineup for the last 3 years and they were not. this year would have been the perfect time with the album just coming out and it didn't happen.
Post by ParanoidAntelope on Jun 25, 2009 13:54:27 GMT -5
yeah, neither 311 or OAR are "big" enough to headline Roo...and i love 311, one of the first bands i ever got into.
DMB is a different story, as theyve headlined before, and could certainly do it again. i know a lot of people don't really like dave/dont want him to headline...but while hes not my favorite, i do think he puts on a pretty good/fun live show, and i cant say id mind if he was on the farm. personally, id rather have dave than WSP (blasphemy on this board?)...but im just tired of WSP.
im hoping for Rush next year myself, perhaps with a Radiohead return, and if i can get that, i really dont care who else is there
“Why is marijuana against the law? It grows naturally upon our planet. Doesn't the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit . . . unnatural?” -Bill Hicks
I've said it before and I'll keep saying it -- U2 are an amazing live band. They do a great job of playing to the audience and it would be a huge get for Bonnaroo. You may or may not like their music but they are a band that is still not phoning it in thirty years later. They continue to try different things, have an immense body of work and still tour extensively.
Post by rolltitans67t on Jun 26, 2009 7:05:55 GMT -5
Rush. U2. Radiohead. 311. System of a Down reunion. Allman Bros. David Gilmour. Dixie Chicks comeback. MMJ on main stage. Chemical Bros. Prodigy. ACDC. Sabbath (with either Ozzy or Dio). Soundgarden reunion. Foo Fighters. 3 hr Mars Volta late night. REM back with Bill Berry. GNR reunion. KOL. STS9. National. Flogging Molly.
Rush. U2. Radiohead. 311. System of a Down reunion. Allman Bros. David Gilmour. Dixie Chicks comeback. MMJ on main stage. Chemical Bros. Prodigy. ACDC. Sabbath (with either Ozzy or Dio). Soundgarden reunion. Foo Fighters. 3 hr Mars Volta late night. REM back with Bill Berry. GNR reunion. KOL. STS9. National. Flogging Molly.
Not for the foreseeable future. Axl and Slash are very publicly hating each others these days. You could see Axl reuniting with Duff and he's already performed a bit with Izzy but it will take a lot longer for Axl and Slash to make amends. (It doesn't sound like Matt Sorum is very welcome and Steven Adler -- who knows!)
Besides that, I don't think Roo is going to want to touch such a mercurial personality as Axl in the near future after the Kanye fiasco and the alleged near-miss with Trent Reznor.
Bummer, though. For the few hours this winter when I thought Farmhound had confirmed a GNR reunion for Roo I was really psyched.