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 got a couple of guest parking passes, and was told it was seperate from the general campground...anyone know specifically where it is?
Got any to spare?
As for setting up interviews... You have to go through the right avenues to set these up. Don't expect to get on the spot interviews when you see the artists walking around backstage (you'll def see a ton of artists walking around there). They're on very tight schedules, so everything has to be set up ahead of time.
Contact their publicists or managers prior to the fest to set up the interviews. Some are much easier to get than others. Some never do interviews. Of course it's all going to depend on the venue you're working for and how much of a reader/listener base that you have.
You need a video escort for any video you shoot, and it has to be cleared with Bonnaroo (With that being said, I'm still looking for someone that shoots pro video).
Post by elmorejames on May 25, 2010 13:30:27 GMT -5
^Me too, but I'm not overly thrilled by the roster on this year's call. I'm finding it almost impossible to care what any of them have to say, let alone produce any content.
Post by elmorejames on May 25, 2010 15:35:12 GMT -5
I got one to Nathan and Dave in. I didn't stay on the line for Jeffrey Ross, though I did want to be first just to ask him if he was surprised that anyone stayed on the line to talk to him.
Nice! I never got called on but was surprised no asked Dave about closing the Festival this year vice playing a Friday or Saturday night spot in his past two.. All well, still a great experience!
I got a couple of guest parking passes, and was told it was seperate from the general campground...anyone know specifically where it is?
Got any to spare?
As for setting up interviews... You have to go through the right avenues to set these up. Don't expect to get on the spot interviews when you see the artists walking around backstage (you'll def see a ton of artists walking around there). They're on very tight schedules, so everything has to be set up ahead of time.
Contact their publicists or managers prior to the fest to set up the interviews. Some are much easier to get than others. Some never do interviews. Of course it's all going to depend on the venue you're working for and how much of a reader/listener base that you have.
You need a video escort for any video you shoot, and it has to be cleared with Bonnaroo (With that being said, I'm still looking for someone that shoots pro video).
Any advice for someone who's flying in almost directly from o/seas? I need to figure out how the eff I'm going to get a tent/sleeping bag/etc once in the US (too heavy to pack into my luggage), and how I'll get from Nashville airport to Manchester to pickup the ticket and then onward to Roo. Not sweating it just yet, but I know it's worth organising asap.
Alternately, do any Roo'ers rent out tent space? If so, could someone kindly point me in the right direction?
Any advice for someone who's flying in almost directly from o/seas? I need to figure out how the eff I'm going to get a tent/sleeping bag/etc once in the US (too heavy to pack into my luggage), and how I'll get from Nashville airport to Manchester to pickup the ticket and then onward to Roo. Not sweating it just yet, but I know it's worth organising asap.
Alternately, do any Roo'ers rent out tent space? If so, could someone kindly point me in the right direction?
Me and my editor are covering it this year. We've set up interviews so far with Gwar, Lotus, Paul Scheer, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Elmwood, Everest, and Bisco.
Still waiting to hear back from lots more. Been turned down by a few who I'll keep to myself.
Just covered the Hangout Festival as well, man do they treat the press like shit. Rothbury, now there was a festival that knew how to treat the press. I hear Roo is similar.
So far, I have confirmed interviews with Jill Andrews, Lotus, and Baroness at the Festival and with Cross Canadian Ragweed before Bonnaroo. Still working on some others.
Me and my editor are covering it this year. We've set up interviews so far with Gwar, Lotus, Paul Scheer, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Elmwood, Everest, and Bisco.
Still waiting to hear back from lots more. Been turned down by a few who I'll keep to myself.
Just covered the Hangout Festival as well, man do they treat the press like Leno. Rothbury, now there was a festival that knew how to treat the press. I hear Roo is similar.
-Chris
You're the second person I've heard mention that. What was the deal?
Me and my editor are covering it this year. We've set up interviews so far with Gwar, Lotus, Paul Scheer, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Elmwood, Everest, and Bisco.
Still waiting to hear back from lots more. Been turned down by a few who I'll keep to myself.
Just covered the Hangout Festival as well, man do they treat the press like Leno. Rothbury, now there was a festival that knew how to treat the press. I hear Roo is similar.
-Chris
You're the second person I've heard mention that. What was the deal?
'
With Hangout or Bury? Complete opposites.
Hangout wouldn't even let you go to the side of the stage. It was a task to get much of anything done. When it started storming ridiculously, Guster had to stop them from making us walk the half a mile back to the press tent because we happened to be in the middle of an interview when everyone was evacuated including ALO, who we were interviewing at the time. Luckily we had an interview with Guster so they let us stay, but pretty much all we got was that dinky tent, and if we wandered away, even with the artists, they pretty much flipped their shit. I missed more sets trying to keep interviews than I did interviewing people. Everyone seemed to agree that no one ever really seemed to know what the fuck was going on all weekend.
Rothbury you could go sidestage/backstage for every show, they had times for everyone to come to the media area so that you could easily have access to the more in-demand artists, they helped you contact people, they fed you free booze (I know, this is just being spoiled, but let me articulate how different the treatment was), they had nice cool areas for you to report back to the office or work on your article or whatever else you needed, and plenty of other luxuries that I'd have been satisfied without. It was wonderful. Every artist I talked to told me it was their favorite festival, which just goes to show you that it's less about making access exclusive and more about making things do-able.
I mean, like I said, stuff like the booze wasn't necessary, and it's not something I feel like we're owed, but it's really nice when a festival makes it easier for you to do your job, and that is the main difference between the two.
Any advice for someone who's flying in almost directly from o/seas? I need to figure out how the eff I'm going to get a tent/sleeping bag/etc once in the US (too heavy to pack into my luggage), and how I'll get from Nashville airport to Manchester to pickup the ticket and then onward to Roo. Not sweating it just yet, but I know it's worth organising asap.
Alternately, do any Roo'ers rent out tent space? If so, could someone kindly point me in the right direction?
Any advice for someone who's flying in almost directly from o/seas? I need to figure out how the eff I'm going to get a tent/sleeping bag/etc once in the US (too heavy to pack into my luggage), and how I'll get from Nashville airport to Manchester to pickup the ticket and then onward to Roo. Not sweating it just yet, but I know it's worth organising asap.
Alternately, do any Roo'ers rent out tent space? If so, could someone kindly point me in the right direction?
There is a big Walmart in Manchester just outside of Bonnaroo. They stock up for the roo, but keep in mind that lots of people will be coming there for tents, coolers, etc. If you're able to do so, i would stop along the way at a Target, Kmart, or Walmart and pick up a tent. There is a Kmart right outside of the Nashville airport.
I just got approved for my press wristband, and I'm super-psyched! This will be my second time at Bonnaroo, but first with media access. I have no idea what to expect, so I'm turning to all you lovely InfoRoosters to help me out.
Does anybody have any quick useful tips for a Bonna-press noob that haven't already been covered in this thread? What kind of amenities are available in the press area? What would be the No. 1 piece of advice you could offer me?
Also, my confirmation email said I had 1 comp ticket and 1 media wristband, but also says the media wristband is my ticket. Does this mean I have an extra pass bring a compadre/helper bee?
Post by BrokenLight on Jun 2, 2010 22:38:51 GMT -5
i haven't heard back from whoever sent me the email in april saying i was approved to cover.
are you able to camp behind the what stage if you're media only. last year i just got directed in with all the other traffic down bushy branch and ended up with a decent spot about 10 minutes from the arc. i remember going through the tollbooths and they told me i was in the wrong line but obviously i couldn't go back, so i'm wondering how i would get to a different line. with all that traffic, i just don't see how it's possible to get anywhere else that you're not being directed.
not sure where the holiday inn is. don't really know my way around the city limits of manchester, like near walmart and stuff. i mean i was at walmart, the radio station and along the strech of road last year, but i'm gonna have some research to do on where i need to go.
Good score, becuhh! From what I've read, Guest Passes are quite the score!
I'm getting really amped now. Tomorrow is my last day at work before I fly out of Sydney on Tues. It's gonna be a long few legs to Manchester, but I'm absolutely stoked. Not only is this the first time I'm reviewing a festival, it's my first festival full stop!
Quick question: what do you all do with your laptop etc when you don't want to lug it around all day? I'm in tent only, so locking valuables in a car isn't an option for me - is there somewhere safe to leave it in the media tent? Any other advice for a complete noob?
I just found out I'll be in guest camping this year. I was at Roo in 08 and 09 with media passes but I've always camped in general admission camping. I'm pretty excited for the change of pace. Oh and the media check in is now at the holiday inn versus the radio station. Sound good to me!
I have a few questions for anyone who can help:
1. How did you find out about the Holiday Inn switch? (I've received no such word from Big Hassle.)
2. When is the earliest we can pick up credentials?
3. Assuming I pick up my credentials at the earliest time on Thursday (10am?), can I expect to be in Centeroo at least in time to see the first tent acts at 4:15pm? (I know that one's tough to say for sure, but it's my first Bonnaroo, so I'm grateful for your insight.)
4. Should I expect to wait in a long line at the Holiday Inn to get the credentials? That is, does essentially everyone with media credentials show up at the same time to pick them up, thereby creating a long wait?
5. Is there any camping advantage to entering with media credentials?
1. How did you find out about the Holiday Inn switch? (I've received no such word from Big Hassle.)
2. When is the earliest we can pick up credentials?
3. Assuming I pick up my credentials at the earliest time on Thursday (10am?), can I expect to be in Centeroo at least in time to see the first tent acts at 4:15pm? (I know that one's tough to say for sure, but it's my first Bonnaroo, so I'm grateful for your insight.)
4. Should I expect to wait in a long line at the Holiday Inn to get the credentials? That is, does essentially everyone with media credentials show up at the same time to pick them up, thereby creating a long wait?
5. Is there any camping advantage to entering with media credentials?
Thanks.
Bear in mind, this is all just from my experience.
I have never been directed to the radio station by Big Hassle, though some people apparently have.
I've never waited more than 10-15 minutes to pick up passes on Thursday afternoon. So you should be fine. Opening time should be in the forthcoming email, but I think it's been as early as 8 AM in the past.
For camping - usually there's something in one of the emails, or maybe on the approval email, that says camping is provided in general camping. I think you'd need predetermined access to guest or staff camping to camp outside of GA. That may not be too hard to work out, depending on your negotiating skills at check-in...LOL.
We should be getting an email this weekend or hopefully by Monday at the latest with all of the info.
I was directed to the radio station last year to pick up my media wristband. They check your id there and put the wristband on personally, they don't allow any loose bands to leave the station... I think they split it up, so there isn't a HUGE gaggle come pickup time
Also, I haven't received any directions as of yet either. I wouldn't worry, they have a lot going on I'm sure ;D
Post by indierocklance on Jun 5, 2010 12:57:45 GMT -5
I had to pick up my press credentials last year at the radio station and I waited more than an hour in line because they only had one person processing wristbands.
My understanding that if you're a blogger or a college journalist or otherwise in the lower tier of media, you pick up your stuff at the radio station. If you're part of a larger media operation and have been assigned a guest wristband as well as a media band, you'll probably be picking them up at Holiday Inn. But I may have that wrong.
I'm in guest camping this year, which I didn't quite realize the significance of until yesterday. Is there a car line to get into guest camping? How long should I expect to wait? One of the Road to Bonnaroo bands is playing early on Thursday (2:30) and it's important that I get shots of them, so I need to figure out scheduling.
I haven't gotten any more information on where to pick up my media band since I got the confirmation e-mail When do they usually send those?
Last year, it was mid-afternoon on the Saturday before the festival. If it helps, here are the directions to the radio station from last year's e-mail:
BONNAROO TICKETS OFF-SITE WILL CALL Your tickets will be available for you to pick up at an off-site will call location. Please bring a photo ID along with your confirmation email to the will call to pick up your tickets.
Directions to the Off Site Will Call / Ticket Troubleshooting
From Nashville (Points North) * Take I-24 to Exit 105. * Turn right onto Route 41. * Follow Route 41 toward Manchester for approximately 6.5 Miles to the Fantasy 101 Radio station Ofice on the left at 1025 Hillsboro Rd. (Rout 41)
From Chattanooga (Points South) * Take I-24 to Exit 105 * Turn Left onto Route 41. * Follow Route 41 toward Manchester for approximately 6.5 Miles to the Fantasy 101 Radio station Office on the left at 1025 Hillsboro Rd. (Rout 41)
Directions from Will Call to Site
From Will Call at Route 41/Route 55 intersection * From the driveway turn right onto Hillsboro Rd. (Route 41) to Route 55. * Turn right onto Route 55 and travel north approximately 1 mile. * Cross over I-24 * Turn right immediately after the I-24 interchange onto Ragsdale Road. * Turn right from Ragsdale Road onto Bushy Branch Road. * Follow signs to site.
1. How did you find out about the Holiday Inn switch? (I've received no such word from Big Hassle.)
2. When is the earliest we can pick up credentials?
3. Assuming I pick up my credentials at the earliest time on Thursday (10am?), can I expect to be in Centeroo at least in time to see the first tent acts at 4:15pm? (I know that one's tough to say for sure, but it's my first Bonnaroo, so I'm grateful for your insight.)
4. Should I expect to wait in a long line at the Holiday Inn to get the credentials? That is, does essentially everyone with media credentials show up at the same time to pick them up, thereby creating a long wait?
5. Is there any camping advantage to entering with media credentials?
Thanks.
1. My Bonnaroo media rep from Music Allies sent a PDF file along (as I've received every year) directing me to the Holiday Inn this year for my pass pick-up.
2. In previous years when I was directed to the radio station for pass pick-up, they opened the doors at 7:30-8 in the morning. This year it seems that regardless of pick-up at the radio station or the Holiday Inn, the earliest time is 10 am.
3. Yes, you will absolutely be in Centeroo by the time the first bands start. Once picking up my credentials, I have always been setting up my camp by noon.
4. There's always quite a few people lined up to pick up their passes on Thursday morning. However, the line moves pretty quick. They usually have all their things in order to promote a smooth operation.
5. This is the first year I've gotten a camping advantage with my media credentials. In all previous years, I have camped in General Admission like everyone else.
actually... if you picked up media credentials at the radio station last year, you will know that it was a complete mess. they had NO information at the radio station and we waited in line for HOURS. everyone did. nobody got any credentials at the radio station for HOURS. to make things worse... it started pouring rain and everyone was soaked and freezing. the staff at the radio station was trying to be as helpful as possible by keeping us updated, but there was nothing they could do.
Post by midnightbackslider on Jun 6, 2010 8:06:40 GMT -5
Still no notification on when and where press is supposed to pick up credentials this year. I have to start travelling day after tomorrow to get there. I'd sure like to have this information before I leave. What's the holdup?