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So I do not want to come off as whiny, but I have some thoughts on lineup as it stands today. There is no point in saying that this lineup is crap, or that it blows, because that is not true. However we have the majority of our stage acts now, with no more than two or three additions, and I am a little disappointed.
First off I am not advocating a jam centric lineup, but the jam community built Bonnaroo into what it is, and to have only Les Claypool representing the Jam community is pretty sad. I do not count Bisco and Lotus even though they share fans with the JB people, because both while good, are much closer to being Electronica than Jammy imo.
Also there is a serious lack or Rock and Roll, you can make a KOL argument but to me they are pretty much pop, and I know we have Fogerty, TDW, and Jeff Beck, but really that is it for Rock acts and I dislike KOL. Where is my Booker T, or Derek Trucks, or anything that is rock and roll.
The middle of the Lineup is pretty solid, but did we really need Tori Amos AND, Brandi Carlile, AND Norah Jones? When did we start giving whiny female vocalists more representation than Jam Bands? There are some stellar acts like Prine, Kris, and Steve Martin, but they are not the kind of show that will draw me to a festival.
The headliners other than Stevie are a joke, DMB is the big musical Legend band? KOL is playing unopposed? I mean come on this looks more like lollapalooza headliners than Bonnaroo headliners. Even in 08 when I did not go to a single headliner, I would say they were better than what we have this year. The only exception being JayZ will more than likely do better than Kanye did, not that it will take much.
We have 98 or so out of 102 or so stage/tent acts so I am not seeing where there is a lot of room for additions, and at this point they would have to be STELLAR for me to feel really happy about the lineup. Something along the lines of Furthur, or a Keller Williams incident LN.
Anyway I know sweet blog and all, but I wanted to get this off my chest, and give us a place to discuss the lineup without just yelling out stupid crap every 30 seconds, along the lines of IT SUCKS, or IT'S GREAT, and your stupid. Because honestly while there is some good stuff in there, this is imo the weakest lineup they have put together. I defended the 08 lineup a lot, but here I am having difficulty doing it this year.
Last Edit: Feb 10, 2010 13:41:51 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
Post by myscatterheart on Feb 10, 2010 13:37:28 GMT -5
I can't take any of your post seriously when Tori Amos = whiny. I understand people that don't dig on chick music, but guess what, if you got over yourself enough to give her a decent listen, you'd know that she's far from whiny. You cited three women singers. That's too much? You a big fan of radio stations that don't allow their DJs to play two bands with women leads back to back? Your opinion is valid, and I'd like to read it - but it borders ridiculous when any woman singer = whiny. You sound like the whiny one.
I can't take any of your post seriously when Tori Amos = whiny. I understand people that don't dig on chick music, but guess what, if you got over yourself enough to give her a decent listen, you'd know that she's far from whiny. You cited three women singers. That's too much? You a big fan of radio stations that don't allow their DJs to play two bands with women leads back to back? Your opinion is valid, and I'd like to read it - but it borders ridiculous when any woman singer = whiny. You sound like the whiny one.
I am a huge fan of hers, and have owned Little Earthquakes since I was in HS. I cited three women Singers with very similar styles and that is too much especially when there are not three acts in the genre's I prefer. Don't make assumptions about me, I am voicing the concerns I have about the lineup, and I have every bit as much right to do that as others do to talk about how much they like it.
Post by myscatterheart on Feb 10, 2010 13:42:31 GMT -5
Be a little more defensive. If you read what I wrote you'd see I said your opinion is valid. But I don't think any of them are even remotely in the whiny women category. I think Amos is getting a lotta nuts around here because everyone is mad about the lineup.
bigjohn, yeah it is! Cept it's gonna have lotsa whiny women. Yanno, Jill Scott, Badu, etc. (I'm excited. Looks better than years past.)
Be a little more defensive. If you read what I wrote you'd see I said your opinion is valid. But I don't think any of them are even remotely in the whiny women category. I think Amos is getting a lotta nuts around here because everyone is mad about the lineup.
Ok Whiny was not the best choice of adjectives, but they all do have a similar style call it what you will.
The only thing that confuses me is that right now DMB is the top billed artist. Dont get me wrong i love DMB (I see them every summer), but thats my point i feel like a Bonnaroos top billed artist is someone who should really draw a crowd or is not so accessible. Sure dmb can draw a crowd but is he really worthy of being the top billed artist? I guess so?
Post by myscatterheart on Feb 10, 2010 13:47:44 GMT -5
Agreed.
As for the rest of it - I've been wondering if KoL just got high up on the bill because of their grammy status? While I do agree that I feel it's undeserved ... I feel like that probably has a lot to do with, whether there's merit behind it or not.
Exactly. I wouldn't have called them whiny , but they do all have similar styles.
That being said, I guess you could say that about many of the bands. I don't know. I'm just shocked at the so-so line-up. Usually there are some OMG HOLY nuts names, and this year, IMHO, I'm not seeing them.
When it was being "unveiled" I was very excited. But when I saw the completed lineup on bonnaroo.com, I was underwhelmed. There are definitely some acts I'm very excited for, like the FLips. But this is the first year where I'm not excited about any headliners really and I know all the mid-level acts will be conflicting so its like how many of them will I actually get a chance to see?
I'm hoping the next wave of additions will have some larger than usual names. But aside from the WSP/ABB fiasco, that hasn't really happened in recent memory.
Also there is a serious lack or Rock and Roll, you can make a KOL argument but to me they are pretty much pop, and I know we have Fogerty, TDW, and Jeff Beck, but really that is it for Rock acts and I dislike KOL. Where is my Booker T, or Derek Trucks, or anything that is rock and roll.
I'm not sure what your definition of Rock and Roll is but you forgot acts like The Dead Weather, The Black Keys, The Melvins and Clutch off your list of rock acts on the lineup.
Post by Lawn Gnome on Feb 10, 2010 13:54:01 GMT -5
Jess, got to agree with you on all points here (though I'm not gonna touch the "whiny women" comment). This is the first time I've ever been underwhelmed with a Bonnaroo lineup. It is always a source of excitement for me (as you can probably tell from my avid participation on this board). But this lineup is meh. I'm with you also on the idea that a few bands here or there could save it for me. I'm sure they'll bring it next year though, and I've never been to Wakarusa, so maybe this will be a positive when it's all said and done.
P.S. People really need to chill out. The lineup doesn't suck, but people (like me) who aren't thrilled about it are entitled to their opinions. Ashley Capps isn't God, and it's not blasphemy to question him.
I think what really killed the lineup for me were the headliners. I was expecting something that hasn't been seen before with the way they decided to release the names on the lineup. It was 8+ hours foreplay with a weak finish. Hopefully Superfly is saving their load for later today, or next week but I doubt it.
Post by Fishing Maniac on Feb 10, 2010 14:09:52 GMT -5
Oh man there is so much I want to say that would turn this thread into an immediate circus and entertain me greatly. Alas, I will ake the high road and attempt to keep the thread constructive as Jesse intended.
I think KOL is the biggest problem. They are not headliner quality and that brings down the lineup as a whole. It's an absolute joke to have them billed second. They have what 2 hit songs? Not that Phish has any, but Phish (as much as I hate them) have a substantial draw of long time fans that legitimizes them as a top tier act.
Same with Metallica and Pearl Jam. PJ I slept through, because I utterly detest them, but at least they make sense as a headliner.
KOL? For real Superfly? That's just silly.
DMB I hate also, but he does have a big draw. He's played the Great Lawn in Central Park. This is a venue that has only been headlined by Simon and Garfunkel, Paul Simon, Elton John, James Taylor, Garth Brooks, Diana Ross, Poverati and Pope John Paul II. I think Dave Matthews sucks painfully bad, but he's legit as a headliner if he can play the great lawn.
We still don't have a real headliner. That's what the show needs. No disrespect to Stevie Wonder. He's obviously a true legend. He's not however, an unopposed headliner for THIS venue. I could be mistaken and would not be disappointed if Stevie did go on in his very own time slot.
Point is that we need someone to really headline this show. You can't some flash in the pan boring ass kings of mediocrity second on the bill.
And I totally agree that there is too much whiny ass fem nazi lesbian rock on the bill this year.
Post by topofthemorning on Feb 10, 2010 14:10:54 GMT -5
i agree with 'too many female acts'. as well as just about everything else you put forth. my constructive criticsm:
-spoon -arcade fire -broken bells -hot chip -fever ray/the knife -beach house -a-trak -my morning jacket -neil young -flying lotus -steve aoki -yeasayer -or 1 or 2 of these along with roger waters
adding some of these would bring weight to this awful line up.
I think what really killed the lineup for me were the headliners. I was expecting something that hasn't been seen before with the way they decided to release the names on the lineup. It was 8+ hours foreplay with a weak finish. Hopefully Superfly is saving their load for later today, or next week but I doubt it.
Post by Fishing Maniac on Feb 10, 2010 14:19:44 GMT -5
Roger Waters is not coming. One performance of DSOTM is more than enough to last everyone a lifetime. You should've played out that album by 7th grade at the latest.
Quite frankly if he doesn't do Obscured by Clouds I don't fucking want him there.
Post by JimmyMoore16 on Feb 10, 2010 14:20:06 GMT -5
My biggest problem with the line-up is just how uninspired the whole thing is. It's like when they were booking the festival they said:
"Ok, first let's sign up all the bands that are doing the festival tour thing this summer. Good.
Now, let's mix in a few staples - Flips, Claypool, ect. Ok, Got it.
Now for headliners... Generic rock band - KOL. Check. Generic Jam band- DMB. Check. Classic Legend - Stevie. Check. Rap Act - Jay-Z. Check. ....and done."
And can we please do away with the roo apologists "diversity" defense. Yes, there are several different genres of music represented on the line-up. That doesn’t excuse the blandness of it. Diversity alone isn’t necessarily laudable. Sometimes it’s just a collection of different, terrible things. Just because they are different doesn’t absolve the terribleness.
That’s not to say the line-up is “terrible.” There are some very solid acts mixed in there. It just feels like Superfly totally phoned it in this year.
Also there is a serious lack or Rock and Roll, you can make a KOL argument but to me they are pretty much pop, and I know we have Fogerty, TDW, and Jeff Beck, but really that is it for Rock acts and I dislike KOL. Where is my Booker T, or Derek Trucks, or anything that is rock and roll.
I'm not sure what your definition of Rock and Roll is but you forgot acts like The Dead Weather, The Black Keys, The Melvins and Clutch off your list of rock acts on the lineup.
TDW is The Dead Weather, I do not really know much about The black Keys, and the other two are pretty much metal aren't they?
Roger Waters is not coming. One performance of DSOTM is more than enough to last everyone a lifetime. You should've played out that album by 7th grade at the latest.
Quite frankly if he doesn't do Obscured by Clouds I don't smurfing want him there.
Just out of curiosity, is there anything you do like?
The middle of the Lineup is pretty solid, but did we really need Tori Amos AND, Brandi Carlile, AND Norah Jones? When did we start giving whiny female vocalists more representation than Jam Bands?
A little more diversity from the female artists would balance the line-up; Lady Gaga, Patti Smith...
Roger Waters is not coming. One performance of DSOTM is more than enough to last everyone a lifetime. You should've played out that album by 7th grade at the latest.
Quite frankly if he doesn't do Obscured by Clouds I don't smurfing want him there.
Just out of curiosity, is there anything you do like?
My biggest problem with the line-up is just how uninspired the whole thing is. It's like when they were booking the festival they said:
"Ok, first let's sign up all the bands that are doing the festival tour thing this summer. Good.
Now, let's mix in a few staples - Flips, Claypool, ect. Ok, Got it.
Now for headliners... Generic rock band - KOL. Check. Generic Jam band- DMB. Check. Classic Legend - Stevie. Check. Rap Act - Jay-Z. Check. ....and done."
And can we please do away with the roo apologists "diversity" defense. Yes, there are several different genres of music represented on the line-up. That doesn’t excuse the blandness of it. Diversity alone isn’t necessarily laudable. Sometimes it’s just a collection of different, terrible things. Just because they are different doesn’t absolve the terribleness.
That’s not to say the line-up is “terrible.” There are some very solid acts mixed in there. It just feels like Superfly totally phoned it in this year.
I have to agree with everything you said here. This lineup is uninspired, with so many options for summer festivals, why just try and make it a combination of everything and add unpopular almost joke bands at the top (hey hey 2010 weezer and tenacious d.) Seriously, the only good review of the latest Weezer record I could find was on the Bonnaroo website.
Someone mentioned earlier "too many female artists." I can't agree with this, it's not that there are too many, it's the quality. We got Tori Amos which is a cool rare act (although not necessarily something I listen to,) but then a bunch of really boring stuff. Give me Feist, Metric, Joanna Newsom, Beach House, not a bunch of boring singer songwriters.
Post by monkeymonkeyjoyjoy on Feb 10, 2010 15:00:42 GMT -5
I understand what you are saying, and share some of those opinions with you man. I do have to throw in there, though (and I feel like you do not go to Roo because of who the headliners are either) that there are a LOT of excellent choices in the undercards. I will assume that you are familiar with most of them and get what I'm saying, but if you're not check 'em out because there are going to be some really great shows out of these bands. I am trying to be more positive with what we get. Even though the uppers that I wanted to see so badly prolly won't be there this year, this is going to be a great time! It leaves some time open to see more of the undercard bands! Last year I couldn't miss NIN (tenth show of theirs for me...woo hoo me) and so I ended up missing Yeasayer and that was my big whine. I just wanted to push some positivity your way I guess!
Post by dreamingtree on Feb 10, 2010 15:03:29 GMT -5
I am thrilled about Tori Amos!! I've also been listening to her music since Little Earthquakes. Also Norah Jones, both are amazingly talented.
Jess, I think you may like the Black Keys, I have been checking them out lately and they are growing on me.
As for Clutch, didn't they play a few years ago and everyone raved about awesome their show was? I will be sure to check them out.
As for DMB, I don't get the luxury of travelling him to see them as they tour every year (they rarely play Nashville anymore) so I am over the moon about them being at Roo. It's my two favorite things all rolled into one - Roo and DMB.
I'm not going to say anything about KOL headlining because I was taught to say nothing if I couldn't say something nice.......
I think overall the line-up is underwhelming, but if you break it down, there are lots of great acts, enough to make it worth the ticket price for me anyway
Exactly. I wouldn't have called them whiny , but they do all have similar styles.
That being said, I guess you could say that about many of the bands. I don't know. I'm just shocked at the so-so line-up. Usually there are some OMG HOLY nuts names, and this year, IMHO, I'm not seeing them.
Really? Not a one? I find this interesting, but okay! I'm just curious. I understand it I guess (since none of the headliners are really what we thought - Simon, Young, etc.) but is there really no one else that excites you at all?
, but they do all have similar styles.
Just out of curiosity, is there anything you do like?
