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!!
So I'm pretty sure that I've decided I have to experience a bonnaroo. I want to go so bad, but I'm not sure that I'll really be able to get any of my friends to commit to going. I'm a sophmore in college in Tuscaloosa, AL and Bonnaroo isn't really the style around here. I'm wondering if I should just go for it and go by myself, but I'm worried that I may end up feeling isolated all weekend.
I went alone my first year, and don't regret it at all. You can always join camp inforoo in tent only once you get there, and you have instant new friends!
I went alone my first year, and don't regret it at all. You can always join camp inforoo in tent only once you get there, and you have instant new friends!
This. Inforoo is a really friendly bunch - hang out here, and check out Camp Inforoo for instant friends. I have seen folks camp solo in GA and they are usually welcomed and embraced by their neighbors. We have a friend who may go but not VIP like us and is actually looking forward to camping alone. You don't spend much time at camp anyway! ;D
I really want to go but ive seriously asked everyone i know and no one wants to go. I live for live music and love going to show. I found some people one of my cousin knows that are going but they havent given me much information so I might be going to tent only camp inforoo if they will let me join!
Post by mizvalentine on Feb 17, 2011 14:53:01 GMT -5
I'm in the same boat! My bf is NOT a festival or outdoors person but I totally am, so I think I'll be going alone. He's worried about my safety (its a long trek)... I'm very self-sufficient but any stories of first-time rooers (especially females) who went solo would help me put his mind at ease.
Mizvalentine, I have never gone to Roo "alone", but I spend a lot of time by myself while at Roo, wandering around and such. I have never felt threatened or scared there. There are always people around, even at 4am, and if there was some sort of safety concern, I honestly think the people around me would help. Roo folks are generally kind and helpful
And really, for those that may be worried about going alone, I like to say that you're never really alone at Roo. You can strike up a conversation with almost anyone (talking about the band in question is a good conversation starter). Be friendly, and I guarantee that's what you'll get in return.
Mizvalentine, I have never gone to Roo "alone", but I spend a lot of time by myself while at Roo, wandering around and such. I have never felt threatened or scared there. There are always people around, even at 4am, and if there was some sort of safety concern, I honestly think the people around me would help. Roo folks are generally kind and helpful
And really, for those that may be worried about going alone, I like to see that you're never really alone at Roo. You can strike up a conversation with almost anyone (talking about the band in question is a good conversation starter). Be friendly, and I guarantee that's what you'll get in return.
Thank you for this!! I'm feeling better and better about the solo trek.
I went with my sis in 2008, and alone last year. I prefered going alone. You don't have to worry about keeping up with anybody. See what you want to see, do what you want to do, rest when you want to rest.
I actually have a couple of friends that want to go with me this year, I dunno if that will happen or not. Either way, I will be there.
Post by Mista Don't Play on Feb 17, 2011 16:09:31 GMT -5
Don't sweat going alone. Camp Inforoo is an option. Plus, chances are, your neighbors in GA will be friendly. You have nothing to fear in coming by yourself. Except for the ravenous wolverines.
Post by notdarkyet on Feb 17, 2011 17:50:18 GMT -5
Don't hesitate!! I've gone alone 3 of my 5 attendances and it's a great time either way. As others have mentioned there's tons to do and it's easier to plan for and take in more when you don't have to politic or meld plans with others to do it. Besides that I always meet lots of people throughout the weekend waiting for shows to start or hanging out at camp in the AM so you definitely won't feel like you are experiencing it alone.
And really, for those that may be worried about going alone, I like to say that you're never really alone at Roo. You can strike up a conversation with almost anyone (talking about the band in question is a good conversation starter). Be friendly, and I guarantee that's what you'll get in return.
I go alone most years. This year will be no different. I love it. No scheduling conflicts deciding who wants to see what, no babysitting wasted friends, just pure freedom. And I make plenty of new friends each time.
Even if you decided to skip the camp inforoo, any group you go with will get broken up. Some of my best memories of festivals are when I got lost or rolled solo from the group. Bonnaroo is full of my more nice people than douche bags. Point is, go and thank us later.
let me just say... yes, yes, a thousand times yes. A large part of the reason I didn't go in '07 was that I didn't know anyone who was going (or so I thought - I found out later from various Facebook status updates that I actually did). Because of that, I didn't get to see my favorite band live... and now they've broken up, and it's all because I didn't want to go alone. Don't make the same mistake I did!
You won't have any trouble making friends there - Roo-goers generally tend to be a pretty outgoing bunch. Sometimes I actually prefer to go off by myself at Roo, so every show doesn't have to be a big group decision. If I'm not enjoying a set, I can leave without having a whole group conference about who wants to see what.
And yes, definitely try to make your way to Camp Inforoo once you're there.
Post by wellbalancedmusic on Feb 17, 2011 19:52:32 GMT -5
i would say I am going alone but after a few Bonnaroo's and All Good's I have made friends with quite a few folks on this board and can't wait to see them and make new friends at camp Inforoo this year.
Post by plasticpepper on Feb 17, 2011 20:42:55 GMT -5
As far as safety goes, as others have said it's not much of an issue. I'm a lil 5'1" girl and I've never felt unsafe or anything walking around by myself, even at night. (I am, however, horrible with directions to the point that I try not to go off by myself at night because I'm never sure I'm gonna find my campsite again!)
Whether or not you'll enjoy yourself is more of a personal decision. Even beyond what's already been said here, I can tell you that the majority opinion on here will be that you should go alone. So I do want to say.....that's not everyone. If it's you, fantastic, but there's nothing wrong with not being that type. I'm not - I'll wander off on my own if I don't know anyone who wants to go to the show I'm going to, but I much prefer being with friends and if I don't know for sure what show I want to see at a certain time I'm probably going to choose the one that someone I know is going to.
BUT...I know I'm like that and I'm sure you have a decent idea of which category you fit into, too. And if you think you'll enjoy yourself on your own, or think you'll make friends everywhere you go, then yes by all means go alone!
If you DON'T think you're that type of person...well, I still say you should go, but not knowing anybody right now who's going doesn't mean you have to go entirely alone. You can stay at Camp Inforoo, or make plans to meet up with other people from the board so you'll at least have a few people around to talk to and go to some shows with. And you can still try to get people you know to go with you, ESPECIALLY if you're willing to say "yes I am absolutely going regardless of who else goes."
In my experience it's always a bandwagon effect - we had four in my group my first year, and after that it seemed like EVERYONE started saying they wanted to go the following year. But then nobody wanted to commit, and only two of us bought tickets. And with the group that small, people were less inclined to make it work so nobody else joined on...and then the one guy who DID buy a ticket backed out on me when nobody else was going. So I chickened out because I didn't want to go alone. I was so mad that something I was so looking forward to could be ruined for ME just because my friends didn't want to go that I vowed I wasn't going to let them stop me anymore, and never looked back - the year after I flew down on my own and met up with JHOinTN and her group. Did the same last year, too.
That was a very tangential story, but my point is that if you're willing to decide for sure that you're going even if nobody else does, it might make people a bit more likely to make that decision.
And besides, you've got nearly 4 months to get to know all us Inforoosters! By the time Roo rolls around you may feel like you're heading to Tennessee to meet up with all your friends.
Post by popsicle sarah on Feb 17, 2011 21:59:36 GMT -5
I went "alone" to my 2nd roo in 2008. I didn't know anyone who was going but I was so addicted I was determined to go no matter what. I posted on the Bonnaroo message board (that used to exist) that I would be willing to give a ride from the airport to the farm since I would have room in my car. I got a quite a few responses. There was one that stood out to me and I agreed to pick him and his friend up from the airport on Wednesday. They were coming from Washington state and didn't bring much more than clothes with them. I ended up sharing my tent with them. It was great to have 2 young guys to carry all my stuff to tent only haha. We also ended up befriending to Roo-bies out in BFE to bring with us to tent only. That Roo is very special to me because not going to with close friends made it very different. We became great friends and even Roo'd together in 09.
I say go for it. If you don't, you might regret it!
i have told everyone that im going no matter what. and thats exactly what im doing. ive started to plan everything around going by myself. as some people might have seen the perfect tent for a solo roo goer on here somewhere.. they have this tent cot combo that is a tent over a cot. looks pretty damn comfy!
but i will most likely (as of today) be going down by myself and coming over to camp-inforoo
i cant wait! i hope im not too crazy for everyone else.. haha
rynoia don't worry about that. Haha, I am definitely going to have my fair share of experiences and am most excited about some of the bands that will be playing the late night shows.
Post by mizvalentine on Feb 18, 2011 9:20:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the info and encouragement guys!! Definitely gonna buy my ticket tomorrow, I'm sold. I shared some of the stories with the bf too and I now think he's a little less worried, anyway!
Yeah, Bonnaroo is a really friendly place. It is my vacation this year, and I honestly cant wait to get there. Just a few words of advice: 1, Bring atleast 3 pairs of shoes / flipflops / whatever, the mud pit between What and Centeroo is never fun to traverse, and you may lose a shoe. 2, Bring plenty of water, atleast 1 gallon per day, or more. 3, Everyone talks of the ravenous wolverines, but they should be the least of your worries. What you really need to look out for are the Grizzly Bears strung out on PCP, those fuckers are mean. If you find yourself face to face with an drooling, agitated grizzly bear, quickly run to the nearest wook. Bears, like humans, can smell wooks from a good distance away, sometimes as much as 50ft. And like most humans, bears want nothing to do with these skeevy, smelly, gangly creatures, and will keep there distance, at all costs.
Post by nondirochelle on Feb 19, 2011 2:37:43 GMT -5
I figured I should post seeing as this will be my first time going to Bonnaroo, and I'll be going alone. From all the posts I've read, it seems that camping is the best way to go.
I'm a little nervous, but I still think it'll be a blast.
I only have one question: What type of bag/backpack should I bring with me during the day? I don't want anything that'll be too much of a hassle.
Although you will have no problems going alone, you may not have to. If you keep giving your friends updates on the happenings of this year's Bonnaroo on a regular basis, chances are one will bite. Especially from the poster from Alabama, it's not that far of a trip at all to commit to.
I would say get in the mentality of going alone but talk about the lineup and the potential experience with your friends/family. Last year it looked like I was going with only one or two others, but after constant talk about it among my inner circle we rolled with 7. Keep at it, and use this board to sound like a Bonnaroo expert when your friends ask you important questions about the fest.
