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What do you guys think? How would you feel if Roo booked more overtly political acts like Neil Young (CSNY), Pearl Jam or Rage Against the Machine? Do politics and music mix well for you?
I think politics certainly have an effect on music and even vice versus, but I don't think it will actually effect the line-up decision making process for Roo. This is a great thread, though. I think if Roo were smaller and geared to a much smaller demographic, then yes.
I think it will affect it somewhat. Especially if Pearl Jam is there. hopefully vedder won't break out the Bush mask and impale it on a mic stand again, lol.
Post by frankthemute on Jan 29, 2008 18:04:34 GMT -5
I don't see it affecting the line-up, but I could see more people campaigning for candidates obviously so maybe just more Go ______________ (insert candidate) stickers. But thats a good thing I think.
Post by chicojuarz on Jan 29, 2008 18:08:21 GMT -5
I think generally we'll see more people trying to get information out at roo. But I also think the artists that speak very openly about politics in their live shows will be more likely take the opportunity to play a festival where they have a large pool of potential voters.
I agree with everyone else. I don't think that it being an election year will affect who is booked, but I'm sure there will be Rock the Vote type stuff all over the place
I think spreading information about the election is a wonderful thing. I'm not down with hearing any artist pontificating ad nauseum -- Santana did it a few years ago at another festival and it really turned the crowd off. Artists: Say your piece, keep it short and play!
Im not for politics at Roo but there will be plenty of people tryin to hand you flyers and stuff on the election. Remeber they wasted a bunch of time on the 2004 DVD telling people to go vote in 2004, but the DVD came out in 2005 after the election.
Every year bonnaroo trys to get people more politicly active but I don't know how much it works. Some people might get into it but most don't want to hear it. Last year there were people booing The Flaming Lips when Wayne started talking about Iraq.
I was surprised by how little actual campaigning was done in 04. I'd expected a lot more of trying to sway the "youth vote" and undecided voters and remember very little of that going on. You would've thought Kucinich would've at least shown up! : )
This thread reminds me of something. During JBT's set last year right before hey played "Gov did nothing" John had some things to say about the inadequacy of FEMA and the US gov. I actually downloaded this show right after roo last year from a link I found on inforoo. The part where he talked about the gov is the only cut out part of the whole show or of any of the shows I DL/watched. I wonder if they edited that out before releasing the vid?
i recall some peoplel exiting during the FLips anti-bush speech last year. doesn't bother me though as long as we get an amazing performance (as we did)
keep the politics out of the show. unless its CSNY or ratm, i dont like it when they stop the show and go "down with bush" its pointless and honestly, i dont care about the musicians political views
I agree with everyone else. I don't think that it being an election year will affect who is booked, but I'm sure there will be Rock the Vote type stuff all over the place
Agree. This is the way it was in 2004.
I was a tad political as my campsite flag was this
Post by papernapkin on Jan 30, 2008 13:10:37 GMT -5
I don't think it will affect who is booked either although there should be a lot of dancing considering Bush is almost outta there! One thing I've always loved about Roo though is that awareness is brought to a lot issues such as ONE and others. Plus, big karma to Clean Vibes and what they do.
IMHO, I really don't mind it when they get political. However, I don't think it will effect who they book for Roo. I agree that you'll probably just see a lot more activists with stands pushing their cause. Here's my take on music and politics: The music being created depends greatly on the climate of the country. When Clinton was in office and everything was "relatively" groovy, you had nothing but bubble-gum pop and other crap coming out of the music industry. Within 3 years of Bush, all of a sudden protest-type music and darker imagery takes the forefront.
Post by ramblinman on Jan 30, 2008 13:19:44 GMT -5
I am hoping for a politics-free roo this year. I think by then a lot will be decided as far as who's heading up both tickets. The Rep. and Dem. conventions are in September and August, respectively, and I think this nominating frenzy will have died down a bit by then. Sheryl Crow came to Birmingham with John Mayer last year and I was dragged along. She went on this ridiculous rant divulging her political bias to anyone who gave a damn. Not many there did. I hope other artists don't take up that cross at roo this year.
Post by papernapkin on Jan 30, 2008 13:31:20 GMT -5
I have to admit, although I agree with what Wayne said about the war during the Lips show last year, I really did just want him to cut it and play. It was definitely starting to slowly kill my buzz. The problem is a lot of artists don't know when to shut up. It's fine to say a few words but I don't need a 15 minute tirade about our crappy government.
Post by ramblinman on Jan 30, 2008 13:38:31 GMT -5
I might just bring a sign this year for those moments of political ranting that reads "Shut-up and Play." I don't think this would go over well with the artists though.
One thing's for sure: I'm sureas hell looking forward to the vibe. Since I wasn't there in 04, I'm unsure how much political mumbo jumbo there should be.(Artists rambling onstage ala Wayne last year.)
Post by littlebirdie on Jan 30, 2008 14:17:50 GMT -5
I'm a little taken back by people saying "shut up and play" everyone has a right to make their opinion known including artists have been given the gift and have earned the right of having a public forum.
Artists like JBT and Michael Franti are an inspiration to me for having so much passion about political, moral and worldly issues... not an annoyance.
To say "shut up and play" is like saying your a musician only and not a person with a family who may happen to care about what happens to this world...and that's ignorant.
Do I think the election will drive the line-up in 2008, no. But I do think there will be a large buzz around it in the roo community...it's happening whether you choose to pay attention or not, so why not listen and do your part to make a difference?
"If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has the power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive."
Post by koyaanisqatsi on Jan 30, 2008 14:25:58 GMT -5
littlebirdie said:
I'm a little taken back by people saying "shut up and play" everyone has a right to make their opinion known including artists have been given the gift and have earned the right of having a public forum.
Artists like JBT and Michael Franti are an inspiration to me for having so much passion about political, moral and worldly issues... not an annoyance.
To say "shut up and play" is like saying your a musician only and not a person with a family who may happen to care about what happens to this world...and that's ignorant.
Do I think the election will drive the line-up in 2008, no. But I do think there will be a large buzz around it in the roo community...it's happening whether you choose to pay attention or not, so why not listen and do your part to make a difference?
2004 was my first 'Roo. Afterward I told a friend "It was just like Woodstock, it was muddy and everyone was against the president and the war. I expect to hear some rhetoric this year, but not alot.
