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!!
I know that the app for press credentials hasn't been released yet, but I figured I would get the ball rolling as we normally have a press thread each year. I am thoroughly pumped for this year's fest and look most forward to covering it again.
I caught some great press conferences last year and can't wait to see what Big Hassle has in store this year!!
Does anyone have any good stories, ie Interviews, other coverage that you scored from last year?
Post by funkblastin on Feb 25, 2010 15:21:05 GMT -5
My lady is a Freelance Photographer for Creative Loafing here in Atlanta, so we're hoping they'll help her obtain a photo pass. I think they get 3 or 4 every year, so we can only hope!
Post by questionablesanity on Feb 25, 2010 16:11:56 GMT -5
I really want to try for a photo pass this year. Imin talks with a local media outlet but they don't know if they're going to cover the event or not. We'll see.
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
photo passes to the 'Roo are pretty hard to come by, the only folks that I saw get them last year worked for larger publications.. But, that won't stop me from trying again this year, although I am happy with simply a media pass. I took advantage of the press conferences last year and really enjoyed the commentary!
Post by BrokenLight on Feb 25, 2010 23:22:51 GMT -5
i'm hoping for a return to cover it again. i really wanted a photo pass, but am incredibly grateful for just the media pass. had the time and experience of my life last year. didn't get any interviews or hit up the press conferences, only hung out in the media tent in the mornings. once the music starts, i'm bouncing around pretty much to every stage and tent. seeing that there's not like 100+ bands on the lineup (this year) that i want to see (unlike last year which i think was by far the best roo lineup ever) i know i'll have the time to cover a different angle of the fest. looking to get a nicer camera in time though. i just use a cheap $100 digital kodak and while my scenery day pics were the best i've ever gotten from my camera, some of the shows ended up all grainy. security did let me in the photo pits for hockey though. felt embarrassed cause i was the only one in the pit not using a professional camera. if i don't get on the press list i probably won't go. don't really think the lineup is worth the money.
photo passes to the 'Roo are pretty hard to come by, the only folks that I saw get them last year worked for larger publications.. But, that won't stop me from trying again this year, although I am happy with simply a media pass. I took advantage of the press conferences last year and really enjoyed the commentary!
some people from smaller pubs got them last year - I know of at least one that did
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
That's cool. I was basing my answer on people I've been with that had credentials. There's not a press entrance, as such. They went in like the rest of us. Maybe they were being nice to the pressless.
Hoping to get press passes for the first time this year. For those who got them last year, is it best for me to make the request or the organization I am working for to make it on my behalf?
Also, where is the press tent in relation to the two main stages? Pretty easy walk to get to? I'm hoping to pop in and update my site every other band or so but wasn't sure how much of a hike I had in store for me?
Here's my link if anyone's interested. Should have some artist interviews up in the next few weeks. Got Disco Biscuits, Fanfarlo, and Non-Commissioned Officers confirmed. Waiting on replies from others.
Yeah I'm hoping to get a couple press passes through the radio station where I DJ (kxua.uark.edu) We have an FM frequency to around 100,000 people, and I have some cool ideas and play a lot of the announced bands on my show. We will see.
That's cool. I was basing my answer on people I've been with that had credentials. There's not a press entrance, as such. They went in like the rest of us. Maybe they were being nice to the pressless.
Haahaa! No Bunny! There isn't a "press" entrance....some security will let press go in through either VIP, Access or Exit lines, and some won't...depends on who is working and how (if, when who) they were trained and what time of day/mood/etc they are in and crowd conditions. Basically what we are told and the golden rule of press is "it's security's call" always. We are at the mercy of security...if they want to ban us from the pits..we are out. If they want to let people w/o creds in...they get in. We can complain to Big Hassle and the can talk to the security heads....but at the tip of the spear...it's security 1 - press 0.
Which is why I usually just don't even try and unless the lines are gosh awful and I am in a HUGE rush I just go in with my gang and don't worry with trying and taking a chance on getting a a**hole of a security who just says no and i have to go back to the normal line anyway. Eh, so I waste 5 extra mins....I'm with my friends so what? ;D
Don't you get to camp behind the Cinema and Comedy Tents? At least that's what the Fuse special led me to believe since they had a giant SPIN banner from their camp in it a lot.
"You look like you're listening to every note." - Lady to me during LCD's "final" show 2023: Mar 29 - Guster Apr 6 - Postmodern Jukebox Apr 26 - Father John Misty May 14 - Taylor Swift (Philly) May 17 - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss July 12 - moe. July 16 - CAKE (Portland, ME) July 28-30 - Newport Folk (#12!) Dec 8-9 - Goosemas!
Don't you get to camp behind the Cinema and Comedy Tents? At least that's what the Fuse special led me to believe since they had a giant SPIN banner from their camp in it a lot.
I had guest passes last year and I think that's where Spin was, at least their RV was. I don't remember general press being in there. It's where more vip (actual vip) type people stayed like lower bands (I know cage the elephant was right next to my tent and julia nunes was close also. I'm sure others were back there). Also the interns who had been working on the setup and management camped back there.
I've covered some other festivals before, but this is the first year I'm going to be able to cover Bonnaroo. Any suggestions on what they look for in terms of who gets press credentials? Thanks for the help!
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Post by elmorejames on Mar 5, 2010 11:16:52 GMT -5
I write for an NC alt-weekly and last year was my first year covering, though fourth time attending. Here's a few of my observations:
- Just because you don't have a photo pass doesn't mean you can shoot at the tents. Pay attention to the shift rotations, because certain guys are working the same tents at the same times. Chat with them at down times and let them know who you are and what you're doing. You'd be surprised how easily they remember your face. If you aren't shooting with an SLR, don't even attempt it though. It's a slight to the profession. Oftentimes I see cats with compacts shooting in pits and I can only assume they're some flunky with the band.
- Your media creds should get you in the exits to Centeroo, so long as you act like you know what you're doing. Security are like wild animals; they sense fear and trepidation. If you flash your wristband and act like you belong there, far more often than not they'll just wave you on through.
- Someone mentioned that they were going to try and update their site ever other band. Don't. You'll never last the weekend. Covering last year was a grueling experience because I was overly ambitious. Bring a handheld device that lets you make updates, but don't expect to be jockeying back and forth to the press tent all day, lest you find yourself in a crumpled pile when it counts.
- Use your credentials to get the best camping spot that you can. Be nice to the parking folks on the way in and and ask for the closest parking available. The last thing you want is to be humping back and forth out to the sticks.
- Don't eat the food at the VIP tent. I got a serious case of food poisoning Sunday afternoon and found myself spending the next two days in a Johnson City EconoLodge trying to file my stories while slipping in and out of consciousness.
I write for an NC alt-weekly and last year was my first year covering, though fourth time attending. Here's a few of my observations:
- Just because you don't have a photo pass doesn't mean you can shoot at the tents. Pay attention to the shift rotations, because certain guys are working the same tents at the same times. Chat with them at down times and let them know who you are and what you're doing. You'd be surprised how easily they remember your face. If you aren't shooting with an SLR, don't even attempt it though. It's a slight to the profession. Oftentimes I see cats with compacts shooting in pits and I can only assume they're some flunky with the band.
- Your media creds should get you in the exits to Centeroo, so long as you act like you know what you're doing. Security are like wild animals; they sense fear and trepidation. If you flash your wristband and act like you belong there, far more often than not they'll just wave you on through.
- Someone mentioned that they were going to try and update their site ever other band. Don't. You'll never last the weekend. Covering last year was a grueling experience because I was overly ambitious. Bring a handheld device that lets you make updates, but don't expect to be jockeying back and forth to the press tent all day, lest you find yourself in a crumpled pile when it counts.
- Use your credentials to get the best camping spot that you can. Be nice to the parking folks on the way in and and ask for the closest parking available. The last thing you want is to be humping back and forth out to the sticks.
- Don't eat the food at the VIP tent. I got a serious case of food poisoning Sunday afternoon and found myself spending the next two days in a Johnson City EconoLodge trying to file my stories while slipping in and out of consciousness.
Ok, the application is up. I thought "Press Passes" got you into the festival. Why is there a separate selection for Press Pass and tickets? Thanks a lot!
press passes do get you in, the ticket selection is simply for a ticket to the Festival. I would assume it is for assistants and/or a person traveling with you on business. Happy 'rooooo!
Any idea when the first round of approvals comes out for folks who get their request in early? I know it says by June 1st, but it'd be helpful for me to know before that. I'm just wondering how it usually goes.
Me: Did you say Retarded Steve was playing tonight? Boo: No, I have a speech impediment. I said that Retarded Steve is playing. www.411mania.com/siteimages/jcs logo_25254.jpg[/img] Check out Jam Central Station on Facebook on.fb.me/bT2xQx and @jamcentral411 on Twitter[/size]
Doesn't really matter what order you apply in...early or last minute, all approvals generally come out less than two weeks before the festie and within 48 hours of each other. That's pretty standard for almost all festies I've found.
Just got approved for Wakarusa festival the weekend before. Found out the day after the application officially began. Granted I applied right when the apps went up, about 2 months prior.
I really wish they did their press confirmations earlier. I'd really like to know before the end of May whether or not I'm going, especially because I need to work stuff out with my writing partner. Anyone have some knowledge regarding how they decide who to approve?
Me: Did you say Retarded Steve was playing tonight? Boo: No, I have a speech impediment. I said that Retarded Steve is playing. www.411mania.com/siteimages/jcs logo_25254.jpg[/img] Check out Jam Central Station on Facebook on.fb.me/bT2xQx and @jamcentral411 on Twitter[/size]
Post by jakescrapp on Mar 18, 2010 11:26:42 GMT -5
Noob question:
So, I applied for a press pass for Bonnaroo the week that the lineup was announced by emailing Ken Weinstein directly. Now, I haven't heard anything back yet (obviously), but this week I started getting press emails from Ken Weinstein. I get press info all the time from other employees at Big Hassle, but never from Ken. This is the first year that I have applied for Bonnaroo, so I must ask the vets around here, does this mean I'm in?
You should apply directly through the application, I believe that is the only avenue they accept? Unless Ken, himself, told you that you're email was sufficient, I wouldn't assume that you've officially applied.
They don't notify applicants of their status until almost June, and they do it for everyone within about a two-three day span, from my experiences anyway.
Post by BrokenLight on Mar 18, 2010 16:55:20 GMT -5
yeah i think it was about 2 weeks before the fest last year that i found out i'd get to cover it. i was nearly freaking out for months because i couldn't afford to buy a ticket and wasn't sure if i'd get in or not. luckily i did. and then i didn't find out where exactly to pick up credentials until just a few days before the festival started.