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!!
Post by HighlySuspicious on Jun 16, 2010 14:17:14 GMT -5
The traffic coming E I 24 was bullsh*t around 8-12 because the cops were making traffic pull over to the shoulder for NO REASON! We were told twice to pull over to the shoulder only to see the shoulder end 6 miles later! We waited 4 hours going I24 E and then realized they were just going to make us turn around and go I24W. I sincerely feel sorry for anyone who actually turned around and waited on 24 again.... we asked someone at the gas station at exit 127 and then ended up circling around for about an hours drive to get to the bridge at 113. The road we took was 55 and next year we will be going straigth there. When we got in line around 1 we waited less than an hour. Oh and as soon as we got in line they opened back up the 113 exit off 24... making our 5 extra hours in the car completely pointless. There's GOT to be a better way.
The idea about having a huge rest/shade area with fans is great.
Post by monkybunney on Jun 16, 2010 15:08:51 GMT -5
This was my first Roo, and I was driving the RV. We got in Line on I-24 West at 7:30pm Thursday Night, we pulled into our camp spot just before 1am. I had said to myself "This is bullshit, and totaly not worth it." Of course by the time we left Sunday (pre Dave Mathews, took less than 30 minutes) I had changed my mind.
We had plenty of bottled water so the filtered water stations were'nt an issue, but I did see firsthand what a clusterfuck it was.
The Traffic thing I think was the worst part of our Bonnaroo experience.
We found no traffic problems. We rolled up around 1pm on Thursday and within an hour (even during a rain shower) we were at our campsite.
I also had no problem getting water, but I wasn't picky and used trough water. I also never had a problem bringing a full Camelbak into Centeroo.
The porta potties were utterly disgusting - they units themselves were in horrible condition, they didn't put paper in the dispensers but on the grody floor, they weren't emptied often enough in Centeroo. And I wasn't there last year so don't know if it's new but in '08 the porta potties near the big stage weren't always VIP. That kinda sucked to have those gone.
I have to thank my Jersey Shore angel - he was there with the thick gold chain, the lacrosse shorts, the gelled hair, the waxed chest and the deep dark tan... and he came out of a porta potty and said it was clean. He got me in his line as that my line was on the side of nasty overflowing ones. He said if his girlfriend was there, he would want someone to do the same. I think it was the only decent porto in the whole pack of potties near the That Tent on that night and I was eternally grateful.
I missed the art installations too. I'll admit, there was some stuff I really didn't get. But most of it was pretty freakin cool. All the fire exhibits in 07 were awesome when you needed a break.
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
Post by tangerinetrees on Jun 17, 2010 10:30:50 GMT -5
I need to know WHERE things are....like the booklet said all these lounges but not where they are. We tried to find the chase lounge couldn't do it - the only one i found by mistake was the smokers lounge and the wheat things lounge.
Post by dreamingtree on Jun 17, 2010 11:24:26 GMT -5
I sent Bonnaroo a link to this thread and pointed out some issues that most people seemed to have. Not sure they will read it but if we don't say anything to them, then nothing will ever change.
^ The Chase Freedom Lounge was right next to the Wheat Thins place....
are you fucking kidding me?! All I remember is wheat thins, filtered water station with 100000 people around it and a tree with 100000000000 more people under it and the mud on the ground. that space between those 2 stages was disgusting
Ideal: an area with tons of trees and tons of shade in Centeroo. I don't see why this can't be done. Having to wait to get a spot under a tree is ridiculous.
Toilets: We camped right in front of the toilets in Pod 3 and they were cleaned every few hours. This was a very high traffic area, though. I could not believe the stuff I saw in these Bonnaloos, people are just vile.
the traffic was horrendous. I missed several shows that I wanted to see on Thursday because of it. hours in a car with nowhere to go potty.,.. and the parking people were no less than extremely rude. They refused to park the 3 cars in our caravan side by side even though we came in together.
And the shade/water and portapotty issues definitely need improvement. All camping pods need to have similar amenities (i.e. access to water, showers, etc.)
I WILL be back next year, but only because I came last year and had a totally different experience. And because I know that its the greatest collection of people and music anywhere.
Had this been my first Bonnaroo, though, I'm honestly not sure that I would say the same thing. Not trying to be a whiner, just being honest.
While a variety of things should or could be improved, only one improvement is necessary for the safety of all. There should always, always, always be enough free water at centeroo. You cannot have three (four counting the sinks) water stations that trickle to keep 70,000 people safe and hydrated in 90+ degree heat. This isn't funking Woodstock 99. This is bonnaroo. There were lots of sick people and at least one heat related death. A 30 minute wait for water is unforgivable. Period. Either pony up the water money or move the fest to May or September. Anything less is reckless.
Post by scissorbaby on Jun 17, 2010 23:00:21 GMT -5
So, I'm a first timer.. We got there at like 11pm Thursday, no line to get searched or to get our tickets checked, but we had to wait a few minutes for a camping spot. The dude that searched our car didnt seem to care too much, once he saw that things would fall out of the car if he even tried looking he stopped. The mud wasnt that bad, I expected worse. I HATED the water stations. The lines were huge, and the water came out soooo slow that I'd wait half an hour to fill my water bottle half way :/ I also HATED the portapotties. The only time that they werent absolutely disgusting was in the morning as soon as I woke up. Durring the day every single one I went into was a complete mess. I SAW POO ON THE FLOOR!
besides that, I had a blast. The heat wasnt too bad (I actually got a tan! but hey, I'm from florida) see you all next year (:
Bonnaroo has to improve the line getting in. We got in line at 8AM on Thursday going East on I-24 and waited in line for 10 hours with no bathrooms, no water and no food. This was after a 14 hour drive to get there. It was a miserable time and we almost turned around and went home.
The mud was bad in spots but I thought it was about the same as last year. They really need to do something about the mud by the What stage entrance. It creates a huge bottleneck. I think they should cement that area and put in some drains.
I was able to find plenty of water in Centeroo. I filled up my water bottle with the well water and didn't wait in line at all. The filtered water stations always had a line. I grew up drinking well water so the taste didn't bother me. They need to add more water stations out where people are camping. We didn't have a water station out where we were camped.
The portapotties were fine for me but I only used them in the mornings and I only used the ones by camp. I heard the ones in Centeroo were nasty.
They need a lot more shade, especially by What stage. I had to leave Fogerty early because I couldn't stand in the sun for any longer. They could plant more trees, put up shade tents or put up big umbrella type structures. They could even set up large solar powered fans. There are many things they can do to improve the shade situation and to help people keep cool.
Post by theshining on Jun 19, 2010 12:53:03 GMT -5
Everyone's points seem reasonable but like others have said, given the magnitude of the fest you have to expect certain problems.
The traffic sucked (we were in line 6.5 hours too), there were muddy patches, the porto's were worse than 09, etc but these are part and parcel of getting into and around a large fest.
I didn't see any under covers and didn't go to splasharoo so I can't comment on that.
I agree with the Lunar stage, it was too wide open and during the day needlessly loud. I vote to bring the stage back (it was a great idea) but only crank it at night and perhaps move things or block it in with porto potties or something.
Other things to add/ improve on...
Keeping people hydrated and alive is key so add more filtered water stations inside Centeroo. I saw people drooping like flies while waiting for water. A 40 minute line up for a water refill is not cool.
Given the general lack of shade in the intense Tennessee heat add more cool off options. Why not add a few more mushroom fountains? Certainly a couple more artistically designed clusters of fountains would be greatly appreciated and well used. What about some large mist tents placed in the right place? The large one at the back of what just became a sloppy inconvenience when leaving at night. Running one the length of the fence from the comedy tent to the other tent would be epic and would disperse the crowd a little more.
Add a green market vendor or two. Last year's Whole Foods was sorely missed. Although there are a lot of varied food options, I could of used a bowl of fruit salad or a couple watermelon slices over the weekend.
I seriously missed the whole foods tent as well - the ice pops and fruit were so refreshing and reasonably priced last year.
Thank god we brought a poop/shower tent to camp with this year cause I heard the port-o's were worse then ever. Even my boyfriend who is not easily grossed out, walked out of about 6 of them in centeroo one night w/o going - the Leno and toilet paper was piled higher than the seat.
I agree they need more water stations in centeroo. Even if people fill up their camelbaks before they head to centeroo, if they are camped out in bfe, they're gonna need to refill in centeroo. Even if it's the non-filtered water, they need more availability.
More art or such and such - or the sonic forest which I still miss! - would be fabulous. Splash a roo looked so gross, I cannot believe people were actually laying in those dirty kiddie pools no matter how hot it was!
On a positive note - the taxis were pretty plentiful. Not sure how this was in years past as I've never been parked so far away in 6 bonnaroos, but I was sooo grateful for them this time. Best money I spent all weekend.
Last Edit: Jun 19, 2010 15:29:51 GMT -5 by Tara - Back to Top
"I can resist everything but temptation." - Oscar Wilde
Since 05 I have been arriving Wednesday night on 24 East around 1 AM and had no lines and been camped in the James Bond (BFE) area. This year I arrived at around midnight and the exit from 24 East was closed. I got off at the next exit to get in the Westbound lane but they weren't allowing anybody to get on 24 there so I continued East for another few miles until I could get back on going West and wait in line. I ended up waiting for five hours. BFE was full so at least I was camping closer to Centeroo but it was weird. Does anybody know if they opened up the campgrounds later than usual this year due to the rain? (Normally they open them between 7 and 9 PM on Wednesday.)
I loved the Lunar Stage but agree that it interfered too much with This and The Other. Perhaps if they moved it towards the center of Centeroo and then faced it the other direction? And please, please, please do not partner up with Rock Band for that stage. That was a big ol' FAIL.
I didn't notice the mud being much of a problem except between Which and What. They need to a) widen that alley more and b) find a solution for the little mud pit that runs through most of the middle of it.
It's heartening to know that they switched sanitation companies this year because it was absolutely a HUGE step backwards. The old company did such a great job, I thought that they just decided to suck this year but it turns out that they new company is just much less competent. Hopefully they go back to the original company. That said, the condition of the portopotties is often a reflection of the attendees. Stuff on the floor and in the urinals is not their fault it is the fault of the attendees.
I never had any problems with being searched or with the police. My searches were cursory at best. I've found if you get you bag open and show that you have nothing to hide they don't look much. (Not that I actually had anything to hide but they sure could've looked harder.)
2.) The Lunar Stage - It was WAY too loud. It was easily twice as loud as any other tent. I could hear it clearly from the opposite end of centeroo. I love electronic music and loved the idea when it was announced, but it didn't work. It effected all the shows in This Tent and The Other Tent. If they bring it back next year (which I hope they do if they do it right), they need to turn it down and either enclose it or relocate it.
...and it kind of defeated the purpose of the Silent Disco!!!!
This is the thread I've been looking for. First time at Bonnaroo this year, 5th large festival overall. Saying that, logisitics at Bonnaroo were absolute $HIT, I've never attended a more poorly organized event in my entire life.
I walked around the entire weekend with the overwhelming feeling that the organizers of Bonnaroo DO NOT CARE AT ALL about the experience of their concert goers. They did exactly what they needed to get by, and everything else is profit. I WILL NOT be attending another Bonnaroo unless the lineup is absolutely insane.
TRAFFIC - Unacceptable. You've been doing this for 9 years. I don't care how many people blah blah blah. 10 hours in line is QUACKING UNACCEPTABLE. Then when you actually make it into the entrance line, the jerk-offs at the gate have NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE DOING. We came to a dead stop in line before 7:30am, and did not reach our campsite until after 6pm. Seemingly useless police on both sides of the highway. There was one point we stopped dead for almost an hour. If you can't handle the traffic, stop selling tickets, or quack off.
LUNAR STAGE - At numerous times last weekend I was prevented from seeing the REAL MUSIC that I PAYED TO SEE by this bull$hit lunar stage blasting DJ's all night. TURN THAT $HIT DOWN. NOW. We were as far away as you can imagine from centeroo and the lunar stage was still a nuisance when trying to sleep. You can relocate it, sure, straight to Abu Dhabi.
MUD - The thing that reassured me that NO ONE CARES about their festival goers. Absolutely insane. Destroyed 2 pairs of footwear this weekend because some DERELICT can't send one of his 2,000 minions to go get a few bags of sand. This really blew me away that they COULD NOT FIX what started as a few MINOR mud patches. To whomever is in charge of the mud: GO quack YOURSELF YOU LAZY quacking summers breeze in a sac.
/rant. This weekend could have been so much more amazing, the music was the only thing allowing Roo to save face.