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!!
My first 'Roo was with two of my best friends. They were not friendly with each other. We were all roommates fer like a month before one of them was forced out of the apartment. We were all a bit nervous about how the trip would go, but after that weekend the two of them had buried whatever hatchet they had and became we could all hang out together again. The magic of The Farm.
My first roo was 2012; I got in on Wednesday and just hearing the cheers as it moved across the farm was so amazing for me. Also everyone I met was so friendly and accepting and made me feel like I belong. As corny as it sounds I felt like I home. Happy bonnaroo everyone! Can't wait to see everyone in 2013
Post by wannaberoo'ing on Dec 7, 2012 13:17:49 GMT -5
I'm glad that Bonnaroo has helped you overcome some social anxieties, grassid! I am nervous in large group settings, I get all awkward, and I usually prefer being alone or with "familiars" as I call them. Festivals are a place to loose all that.
There is a thread around somewhere about social anxieties/getting overwhelmed in a crowd. I just couldn't find it.
I think being in a large crowd helps since I feel less like people are paying attention to me. Getting "lost" in the crowd helps diffuse some of the social anxiety and I can let loose. But I think the thing that really helped me most last year specifically was that I went by myself and camped alone but met some nice neighbors. To me that was the main help for my social anxiety because I was "placed" next to strangers and was in an encouraging environment to talk and get to know them.
I think it helps to realize that people want empathy so if you can provide it then people appreciate it and are much less likely to judge you negatively. At Bonnaroo I noticed that it's a good place to practice that as well.
I've always been lucky in that my neighbors on The Farm have been pretty groovy folks. I still keep up with a few of them over the years even though I get to maybe see them once a year. Sure I've heard some horror stories of bad neighbors, but I've been lucky I guess.
I was gonna say somethin' else...but I'm a little drunk and forgot.
Post by phiercelyphresh on Dec 10, 2012 12:54:28 GMT -5
My first 'Roo was 2011. The whole weekend was so magical. I saw so many things I had never even imagined, and the music drove my happiness. Mumford and Sons and Old Crow playing Amazing Grace was just beautiful then Buffalo Springfield after that made me believe that if my life ended, it would just be okay. I was also overwhelmed by love and generosity everywhere I went but one moment that I will never forget was looking up to a sparkling sky as twinkle lights were falling from what appeared to be nowhere. I just gazed in amazement, already so full of love and wonder, and thought to myself, Bonnaroo is magic. This place holds the key to everyone's happiness and not a soul should go through life without an experience like Bonnaroo. 2012 had it's moments but nothing will ever top my first year. I can't wait for 2013!!
My first 'Roo was 2011. The whole weekend was so magical. I saw so many things I had never even imagined, and the music drove my happiness. Mumford and Sons and Old Crow playing Amazing Grace was just beautiful then Buffalo Springfield after that made me believe that if my life ended, it would just be okay. I was also overwhelmed by love and generosity everywhere I went but one moment that I will never forget was looking up to a sparkling sky as twinkle lights were falling from what appeared to be nowhere. I just gazed in amazement, already so full of love and wonder, and thought to myself, Bonnaroo is magic. This place holds the key to everyone's happiness and not a soul should go through life without an experience like Bonnaroo. 2012 had it's moments but nothing will ever top my first year. I can't wait for 2013!!
Post by musicmanjp270 on Dec 10, 2012 13:29:06 GMT -5
My 2nd bonnaroo when I saw Bootsy Collins. It was pretty messed up that he was late going on, but I think it wasn't his fault it was devotchka fault because they were late. Anyway! me and my boys were front row for that show, and loved all 3 hours of it, also getting to meet the band members that came out and shook hands with the audience was awesome! oh and how could I forget, bootsy coming in the crowd and walking around! it was life changing
Radiohead in 2006. I was like 30 feet from the stage, It was my first Roo and it was all just so amazing and magical. Karma Police came on and 80,000 people were singing "For a moment there, I lost myself!" and something just clicked inside me that this is what heaven must be like
Gosh some of these thread bumps are tough.
Here's to hoping yoderoo is enjoying his own personal Radiohead concert.
My first 'Roo was 2011. The whole weekend was so magical. I saw so many things I had never even imagined, and the music drove my happiness. Mumford and Sons and Old Crow playing Amazing Grace was just beautiful then Buffalo Springfield after that made me believe that if my life ended, it would just be okay.
I think you're swell. One of my very first posts on this board from a similar thread was eerily similar:
Last year, with my wife and three young boys standing on bleachers and jumping up and down with 50,000 of our closest friends to Mumford and Sons, then sitting down and looking at the awe on the faces of all three of my boys during an 8 minute Amazing Grace hoedown. I hope my boys never forget that moment - I certainly won't.
My first Bonnaroo was 2005. We made more rookie mistakes than I can count. We brought no shade, way too much alcohol, and not enough water. Spent too much time at the campsite, and overindulged in some things which caused us to miss most of the music that year. That Friday night we went to see Dave headline on What Stage. It was my first real concert experience. We're standing in the middle of a cow pasture with 85,000+ others, Dave walks on stage, walks up to the mic, looks out at the crowd and says "This is a nice room". The place erupted! Still my favorite live show to-date, and completely changed my view and taste of music.
My first Bonnaroo was 2005. We made more rookie mistakes than I can count. We brought no shade, way too much alchohol, and not enough water. Spent too much time at the campsite, and overindulged in some things which caused us to miss most of the music that year
This was almost exactly the same as my first year experience in 2005. I still hate myself when I look back at the lineup and all the acts I was missing.
Post by FatKeystone on Dec 10, 2012 17:37:53 GMT -5
Not necessarily life-changing but I lost my iphone at night, was freaking out, was offered a phone by a complete stranger to call mine, had another complete stranger answer my phone and agree to come find me and give it back to me, and got my phone back. All of this occurred within about three minutes.
This incident made me become a bit less cynical about the world around me and helped me realize that there still are genuinely good people out there.
Post by pondo ROCKS on Dec 10, 2012 18:40:41 GMT -5
Life-Changing moment that involved Bonnaroo....Matt Sloan.
Made me realize that life is WAY to short to not take chances and made me wanna reach out more to Inforoo members at Bonnaroo. His passing opened my eyes in many ways and actually fueled me to start The Pondo Army.
Providing an outlet and a voice for music lovers to unite under the common theme of music for all. Join The Pondo Army to show your allegiance to musical freedom! Fighting for no censorship of the arts & music education in schools, The Pondo Army will triumph! The Pondo Army Movement
Follow me on twitter@Pondoknowsbest
Post by charleswoodboy on Jan 2, 2013 10:18:49 GMT -5
Each year has it's own moment for me. In 06 it was Radiohead, listening to Thom as if he was talking straight to me "This is what you get.... " indeed!! JPJ and Ben Harper opening with Good Times Bad Times blew my mind. Last year swaying with one of those new close friends you meet at Roo listening and hanging on every phrase of Civl Wars, at the verge of tears.. beautiful Each year has it's own moment, but in the end it comes down to the same thing for me, the people and spirit of community you see everywhere over those 4 days in June.
My first 'Roo was 2011. The whole weekend was so magical. I saw so many things I had never even imagined, and the music drove my happiness. Mumford and Sons and Old Crow playing Amazing Grace was just beautiful then Buffalo Springfield after that made me believe that if my life ended, it would just be okay.
I think you're swell. One of my very first posts on this board from a similar thread was eerily similar:
Last year, with my wife and three young boys standing on bleachers and jumping up and down with 50,000 of our closest friends to Mumford and Sons, then sitting down and looking at the awe on the faces of all three of my boys during an 8 minute Amazing Grace hoedown. I hope my boys never forget that moment - I certainly won't.
That is so beautiful. I hope they never forget, too. Moments like that are just too far and few between to ever let go. Thank you for your kind words and wonderful experience! =)
Post by theeimportance on Mar 4, 2013 23:48:38 GMT -5
Waiting all day for The Strokes in 2011... My friends and I had a sign that said "Hello Ze Strokes" (a reference to a fan movie they made back in the early 00s) and not only did Julian notice it but he waved back and said "I got distracted, hello Ze Strokes!". So awesome. Two of those friends I hadn't met before Bonnaroo, only became friends with them via one of my best friend who they were roommates with. And now we're going to Coachella and Roo together this year!
Future life changing moment: Seeing Paul McCartney with my mom, the lady who got me into my all time favorite band: The Beatles.
04 drinking homemade wine at the campsite early in the morning after sunrise like 8 or so and passing a book of rumi poetry around end everyone from my group and our neighbors group reading lines at random.
That and the beyond thunder dome MMJ set from the same year. That was a life changer!
Last Edit: Mar 5, 2013 23:00:04 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
Post by batmansbrother on May 9, 2013 10:44:05 GMT -5
I remember I was in a sea of people waiting for Arcade Fire to come on, and when they played that opening video everyone was just in awe. Then Arcade Fire walked out and everyone started running towards the stage around me so I picked up my things and continued with the crowd. That moment changed my life
Post by iwannagonow on May 26, 2013 19:00:36 GMT -5
My first Roo was in 11. My wife and I joined up with the Inforoo RV group and camped together the whole weekend. Most of us were strangers but we all became fast friends that weekend.
I remember seeing MMJ. That was one amazing set. It gives me goose bumps thinking back to the coincidental timing of the glow sticks being thrown. But I was supposed to meet up with my wife for Arcade Fire so we could see it together. Both of our phones died so I ended up standing near the mixing booth while she made it in the pit. Even though I wasn't as close, their entrance on stage about had me in tears. No...I was in tears. And the glowing doodads falling from the sky made it even cooler.
I didn't go in 2012 and am not going this year either. Our son was born earlier this month but next year is our year to return.
Although we could just go for one day if we were feeling up to it since we are only 45 minutes away but new baby = lack of sleep and money.
My first roo was 2012; I got in on Wednesday and just hearing the cheers as it moved across the farm was so amazing for me. Also everyone I met was so friendly and accepting and made me feel like I belong. As corny as it sounds I felt like I home. Happy bonnaroo everyone! Can't wait to see everyone in 2013
I felt the same way, and 2012 was my first year also.
Not necessarily life-changing but I lost my iphone at night, was freaking out, was offered a phone by a complete stranger to call mine, had another complete stranger answer my phone and agree to come find me and give it back to me, and got my phone back. All of this occurred within about three minutes.
This incident made me become a bit less cynical about the world around me and helped me realize that there still are genuinely good people out there.
There really are. I always get reminded of this while at Bonnaroo. Never forget that they do exist.
I lost my friend at Roo last year...he was one of the kindest and most intelligent souls I will ever meet. We met on this board, as a matter of fact-a board that has brought many folks together from all walks of life and all over the world. Losing my friend gave me desire and motivation to explore my long-ignored spiritual self. Were it not for Bonnaroo, I'd have never known Rick; if I'd never known Rick, I might never have begun my soul searching journey.
This just reiterates what everyone is saying...there are good, kind people in the world. Sometimes you get lucky and meet one, and I believe that Roo is one of the best places in the world to meet a kind spirit. I am blessed to have gotten a chance to go back this year (THANK YOU QSAROO!) and carry my friend's memory with me to the Farm.
My first Bonnaroo was 2005. We made more rookie mistakes than I can count. We brought no shade, way too much alcohol, and not enough water. Spent too much time at the campsite, and overindulged in some things which caused us to miss most of the music that year. That Friday night we went to see Dave headline on What Stage. It was my first real concert experience. We're standing in the middle of a cow pasture with 85,000+ others, Dave walks on stage, walks up to the mic, looks out at the crowd and says "This is a nice room". The place erupted! Still my favorite live show to-date, and completely changed my view and taste of music.
Very similar experiences at my first Roo in 2003, but wouldn't trade those learning experiences because they paved the way for more shows every other year. After 9 Roos under my belt, there are too many life altering experiences to list in one post, but here is a "short" list of some of my faves; '03 James Brown- that man was the definition of a true performer, the rain and Tennessee Jed made The Dead show unforgettable in '04, Stevie Nicks surprise with Tom Petty in '06, John Paul Jones/Ben Harper/Questlove Superjam '07, wandering around from stage to stage late night in the raIn in '08- Gogol Bordello/Les Claypool/Kirk Hammett Superjam > MMJ > Disco Biscuits > Tiesto, Eddie joining Jack Johnson and PJ's epic set, the Boss playing with Phishing '09, STEVIE WONDER(probably my favorite Roo crowd/show ever, Dr John/Dan Auerbach/Patrick Hallahan superjam '11, Moon Taxi and The Word from last year.
Overall, I couldn't agree more with many posts that address the people/community/good vibes/good deeds/connections/sharing is the real reason that Bonnaroo brings many of us "home" to the farm each year. Can't wait to see all of you glorious Bonnaroovians in a few short weeks!
Post by zeljocotha on May 27, 2013 11:46:15 GMT -5
In 2010, a girl came to our camp looking for her friend Lucy. Knowing what she meant I told I hadn't seen her. As soon as she left camp my girlfriend (whos straight edge) asks, do you think we should help her find her friend? Me and my roo buddies started to die laughing when one of them explained the whole thing to her. So funny! Its been an ongoing joke for years now!
Post by oldguylikesroo on May 28, 2013 12:50:55 GMT -5
Watching the stars rain from the sky during Primus in 2011, being in the middle of the Phish glow stick war in 2009, but the greatest was crying my eyes out in the front row while I watched my musical hero, whom I never thought I would see, Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. Bonnaroo is magic.
