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 AintNoFreedom on Jan 15, 2011 13:07:18 GMT -5
Ok, so I went to 'Roo 07 and 08. Was pretty incredible and had some of my best memories those two years. Since then, a combination of a tighter wallet and a change in lineup orientation, among other things has kept me more local to fests in the North East.
Now that my fiance and I are graduated from college, we're a little more economically stable and are considering making the trek down to ol' tenneesee again. I understand there's been a lot of criticism in regards to the steady commercialization of Roo and how it is no longer a counter cultural mecca but is more like a Disney land for hipsters and psuedo hippies.
That said, I do know that there are certain things that are just so incredible (like the nature of their latenights) that no festival can match.
So while we wait for a lineup, maybe some of you who have been to Roo in the past few years can convince me to make the jump again; or if you feel otherwise let me in on that as well...
Post by AintNoFreedom on Jan 15, 2011 13:34:38 GMT -5
Well come on, I understand the sentiment, but going to Roo will cost me twice as much as any local fest because of travel... I'm just looking to a sense of the atmosphere there thesedays. How has it evolved? Added attractions? tighter security?
Might seem pointless, but we're all just killing time as we wait for a lineup anyways.
This is the first message board I've ever been on, the only reason I joined is because I love Bonnaroo and wanted to read and talk about it all year long.
Ok, so I went to 'Roo 07 and 08. Was pretty incredible and had some of my best memories those two years. Since then, a combination of a tighter wallet and a change in lineup orientation, among other things has kept me more local to fests in the North East.
Now that my fiance and I are graduated from college, we're a little more economically stable and are considering making the trek down to ol' tenneesee again. I understand there's been a lot of criticism in regards to the steady commercialization of Roo and how it is no longer a counter cultural mecca but is more like a Disney land for hipsters and psuedo hippies.
That said, I do know that there are certain things that are just so incredible (like the nature of their latenights) that no festival can match.
So while we wait for a lineup, maybe some of you who have been to Roo in the past few years can convince me to make the jump again; or if you feel otherwise let me in on that as well...
Thanks in advance.
Roo is what you make it IMO. I've seen countless complaints about it here and it just seems like someone had a few problems and they let it ruin their whole experience. Just like anything else, if you walk into the farm with a negative attitude, then it's going to be a negative experience for you. Just go and soak in the good times, and of course, enjoy the lineup.
I've brought over 50 people to Bonnaroo the last few years, and they all call me to go back or have bought their tickets rather than work with me. I've NEVER had someone go and not want to return.
Post by stallion pt. 2 on Jan 15, 2011 15:24:19 GMT -5
If your worried about the "vibe" or the "Scene" or the lineup changing drastically since 2007 or 08 I'd say your concerns are baseless. It hasn't changed much at all since then. If you were comparing it to 02 you might have more reason to wonder.
John: We don't even understand our own music Spider: It doesn't, does it matter whether we understand it? At least it'll give us . . . strength John: I know but maybe we could get into it more if we understood it
I don't care enough to sell you on a festival you've already attended two times.
But you care enough to post this?? Whatever dude, I'm just kicking around possibilities. I guess I was hoping to hear honest discourse of how the festival has evolved, good or bad. Maybe hear something exciting that would get me on board.
But aurawhere is right, Roo is what you make it. So are most festivals though, and like anywhere, it's a huge deal where we go every year. None of my friends are festival goers and every year a group of them swears up and down that they are in, and then bail last minute as if they never realized it would cost money. We start saving in November, but its always just my girl and I; not a whole tribe. So the overall vibe has a huge effect on us.
Personally, in my years of not going to Roo, the only people I know who have started going are different groups of rich kids from rich schools who pretend to be crunchy for a weekend. So is that what it's turned into? Also, they've changed their whole logo/theme.. Playing down the mushroom fountain in favor of an 80's revivalist look. From afar, it seems like the winds have changed down there. Is it overblown or legit?
But hell, if these questions are offensive, I'll just wait for the festival Gods and lineups to drop and start to parse through everything then.
its like I overheard my daughter telling one of her friends "there are definitely times during the weekend when you want to kill yourself but it's otherwise the most fun you'll ever have"
Post by imragegrrr on Jan 15, 2011 16:48:58 GMT -5
Dude. Last year was my first year (after making the mistake of not going in 08 or 09) and I swore to myself I would never miss roo again. Every single band I saw that played absolutely blew me away. So really if youre that concerned about the music not being as good, then just open up. I don't understand why people have to give mainstream music so much crap. Just because a band or an artist is liked by millions of people doesn't mean that you can't listen to them because theyre too hip or scene.
Additionally, I did notice a LOT of hipsters last year, but come on man. Bonnaroo is the only place I've been in the world where any one single person would help you do anything at your beckoned call if needed. The helpfulness of the entire Roo community is what will continously bring me back year after year. If you're really going to skip Roo because there are more people in the community that dress a certain way and listen to a certain kind of music that you may or may not be into (or even act fake in many cases) then just don't go. Otherwise, buy your ticket, go, do your OWN thing and not worry about the people around you (who will be having just as much fun as you, and heck, you might even be able to have fun together!) and have the best effing time known to all mankind.
Post by jaina_SOLO on Jan 15, 2011 17:03:01 GMT -5
I understand what you mean about going with just the two of you. Every year my husband and I have gone we have a bunch of friends that do the same thing so it's just the two of us. We went in '08 and '10, and are going back this summer. We've been very lucky every year and had rad neighbors we're able to spend the weekend with and I'd say overall the fest is the same. Yes, as more people hear about 'roo you're going to have kids coming for just the party (don't remember anything) aspect, or the hipsters, or w/e, just like anything else. Trust me, if it was worth it for you in '08 (and I'll assume '07) it still is. And if you can't find any non-hipster kids to hang out with we'll be happy to invite you over to our camp for some sanity
its like I overheard my daughter telling one of her friends "there are definitely times during the weekend when you want to kill yourself but it's otherwise the most fun you'll ever have"
That is pretty much the best and most accurate thing I've read about Bonnaroo in awhile.
The truth is, there is nothing comparable. Your feet will hurt, you will be miserably hot, but you will have the time of your life and every band will sound better than they ever will anywhere else.
its like I overheard my daughter telling one of her friends "there are definitely times during the weekend when you want to kill yourself but it's otherwise the most fun you'll ever have"
I don't care enough to sell you on a festival you've already attended two times.
Personally, in my years of not going to Roo, the only people I know who have started going are different groups of rich kids from rich schools who pretend to be crunchy for a weekend. So is that what it's turned into? Also, they've changed their whole logo/theme.. Playing down the mushroom fountain in favor of an 80's revivalist look. From afar, it seems like the winds have changed down there. Is it overblown or legit?
But hell, if these questions are offensive, I'll just wait for the festival Gods and lineups to drop and start to parse through everything then.
Not offensive I just do not see it as my job to "sell" people on coming to Bonnaroo. You are either on the bus or off the bus.
Post by Mista Don't Play on Jan 16, 2011 15:01:19 GMT -5
In all honesty, I don't think the festival has changed much from the 07-08 festivals you attended. Each festival lineup is a little different based on preferences, but overall they are fairly consistent with the kind of music that has been there over the last few years. I'd be willing to bet the crowd and general "vibes" are the same, as well.
Post by tommyboy7328 on Jan 16, 2011 16:30:28 GMT -5
Hey, it's Bonnaroo! It's one of the most, if not THE most magical place on Earth! The music is the finest anywhere, The people are the Best of the Best and the Bonnascoobs are to die for. Need i really say more?
I've been going since '06. The croud changes a little every year based on the lineup but its all still good people. The vibe has still been solid since 06 though I do feel its getting a little worse. Security really hasn't gotten any worse IMO since 06 people will B*tch like it has but realistically I haven't seen it get any worse/stricter. The music is always great. I've always had an amazing time. The only negatives I can really attest to would be that there have been a rise in crime (though not alarming) and there are a few more people in the croud that I don't care for. If you had a good time the previous two times you went then you should have just as amazing time this year.
its like I overheard my daughter telling one of her friends "there are definitely times during the weekend when you want to kill yourself but it's otherwise the most fun you'll ever have"
Like a few other people already said, that's pretty f'ng perfect!
I've been going since '06. The croud changes a little every year based on the lineup but its all still good people. The vibe has still been solid since 06 though I do feel its getting a little worse. Security really hasn't gotten any worse IMO since 06 people will B*tch like it has but realistically I haven't seen it get any worse/stricter. The music is always great. I've always had an amazing time. The only negatives I can really attest to would be that there have been a rise in crime (though not alarming) and there are a few more people in the croud that I don't care for. If you had a good time the previous two times you went then you should have just as amazing time this year.
Awesome, that's everything I was looking for... At one point I felt like I was done and never going back but this winter I've got this creeping feeling like "it's time". There's just a certain magic you can't get many (any?) other places. Here's to hoping everyone's lineup dreams come true.
Post by klimfactor on Jan 20, 2011 13:33:30 GMT -5
Glad to hear you think "It's time." I've been every year since 06, and I don't think the vibe has changed much at all. You hear gripes here and there, but if really has become this different monster, why do so many people return year after year? It still offers a tremendously diverse mixed-bag of live acts, and no smaller regional fests can match 'roo's epic late night lineups. Personally speaking, I can also say that I continue to meet good people at every 'roo I attend. 2010 was no different in that I was camped around a bunch of cool, relaxed people. Heck, some of our neighbors even stuck around later Monday to help us jump our car.
