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With the somewhat different type of bands at Bonnaroo this year (not too many jam bands), what will Shakedown look like this year? I've never spent much time on it and regret that. Any good stories of what it was like from the early years (2002-2006)?
Post by tehoemusic on May 22, 2010 16:50:58 GMT -5
I've been to every Bonnaroo since 2004 and all I can say that Shakedown is nothing compared to what it used to be at the fest. Forget Shakedown Street.... this was Shakedown CITY back in the day!!! It was nuts!!! I always have a great time after hours on Shakedown but honestly last year, I couldn't even find it. Some people were saying they saw it last year but I guess I missed it. I didn't see it. And there were so many more pigs on ATV's patrolling the farm last year than in previous years and I suppose that made it more difficult for people to set up shop. I am kinda bummed out about the increasingly corporate and authority-filled scene at Bonnaroo but it still hasn't deterred me from returning every year. Unless I get arrested this year I will continue to go back again and again. And I hope there is a Shakedown this year.
There was the area just outside of the gates on the same road as the church... Lots of cool vendors, looked like they set up shop on the yards of people who lived on the edge of roo. Ineresting thing was that the dude that was supposed to be watching the gate when we were there was flay out wasted and could not even stand up. Another little piece of advise is to ask the taxi peeps they see the whole farm.
As my Inebriated buddy walks out of the Porto, he yells out, "Dude...I love this place...bonnaroo thinks about everything...they even put beer holders next to the toilet!"
Had to break it to him that that was the urnal. Good times good times!
shakedown is the name given to "non authorized" vendors usually in the camping area. it was a tradition during old grateful dead shows and it has just continued from them onto the jam scene of today and to bonnaroo. i only went last year and never saw it, but, i guess there are dollar grilled cheese and red bull and vodka by the load. sounds cool. if anyone has a better explanation please elaborate. and on a side question, is it the same area every year? how do i find it? do i follow the smell of corn?
Last year 3rd ave just short of bushy branch was shakedown. At least it was from my perspective. We camped there about 100 yards beyond the legit vendor tents. It was insane. Frankly this year I hope to visit rather than live there. Living in the middle of an insane asylum is too much, even for only 4 days.
I don't know how on earth anyone who was actively looking for it could miss Shakedown...it was in the same place last year, as it has been since 2007. Which is to say, along Plantation and down across Bushy onto 2nd. It just took longer to get established last year...I tried checking it out Thursday afternoon with no luck, but by late Friday it was bumpin.
"We're no longer called Sonic Death Monkey. We're on the verge of becoming Kathleen Turner Overdrive, but just for tonight, we are Barry Jive and his Uptown Five. "
As my Inebriated buddy walks out of the Porto, he yells out, "Dude...I love this place...bonnaroo thinks about everything...they even put beer holders next to the toilet!"
Had to break it to him that that was the urnal. Good times good times!
I camped in Access and we had a variety of folks coming through as traveling salesmen. T-shirts, party favors, etc. We didn't see it in 08 but many more in 09. Maybe shakedown is just more mobile
Post by HighlySuspicious on May 25, 2010 14:04:34 GMT -5
I ended up camping on shakedown last year without knowing anything about it. Our tent was literally right by the path and people were walking like 2 feet from my head all night/morning... kind of sucked. Love the song now though...
Post by dinglehead on May 25, 2010 14:10:26 GMT -5
Really? You don't have to find it.... it's been on plantaton the last few years. And if its not on plantation, just focus on the northeast quadrant of the campgrounds - it's always up in that area.
The first few years were insane. There were multiple Shakedowns and always packed with people selling anything you wanted. and they had the DEAD back then It seems that it hasn't been the same since Roo bought the land. maybe since they actually own the land now they want less liability thus Shakedown is across Bushy Branch where they lease the land
True story - last year, hubby & I are walking back to RV camp Wolf from our friends' camp in GA BFE. As my husband walks to a portojohn, some guy asks him where shakedown is. Hubby says "I dunno, ask my wife . . . she has the map." Haha!! I had to explain to my husband about shakedown and how it isn't on the map . . .
Post by benrdsknrd on May 25, 2010 23:55:19 GMT -5
I know it's been in the same place the last three years, but there has also been an unofficial shakedown that pops up out in BFE in various places. To find the place where it was last year, leave centeroo through the arch and take a right. Walk towards VIP. Once you get to the VIP security guard, look to your left and start walking toward the smell of delicious dollar grilled cheese sandwiches, hooka smoke, incense, and all things that are good. The unofficial shakedowns in BFE will be harder to find, but they're worth looking for.
With the somewhat different type of bands at Bonnaroo this year (not too many jam bands), what will Shakedown look like this year? I've never spent much time on it and regret that. Any good stories of what it was like from the early years (2002-2006)?
I have heard they had to move shakedown cause they were coming down on the everyone who doesnt have a vendors permit. It used to be the two main roadways to the left of the arch if your looking at the arch from the camping area. It was between the arch and the paved roadway that you come in on when you get to the farm. Now its on the other side of that paved road, cause bonnaroo doesnt own that land and has to rent it, so they cant inforce the laws for venders permits. Im just telling you what i heard! I camped on this new shakedown road by accident 2 years ago and it was pretty crazy, especially at night!!
I'm not gonna lie, man... my first year my friend and I (both Roo virgins) actually asked some random dude, "Excuse me, do you know where Shakedown Street is?" LMAO!
Last year it was closer to the ferris wheel side, from what I remember. The further away from Centeroo, generally the easier it is to find it. It really isn't something you consciously have to search for though... just listen for the offerings of passers-by.