Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
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Post by candyenchanted on Jun 12, 2012 14:20:08 GMT -5
This was my first Roo, and hopefully not my last. I have to say- it was not what I expected at all. I came across a lot of very rude people, some that were jaw droppingly mean, and many more who just didn't seem to notice that there were other people around. That being said, there were many many ore people who were wonderful and friendly. But it was hard for me to stop thinking about the girl I heard say, "I wish people would make more of an effort to pretend they aren't awkward." Or forget about the people I watched throw trash on the ground (I smoke and not a single cigarette butt was thrown on the ground from me). And the guy who started popping other people's beach balls and stood behind me at Ben Fold's complaining the entire time...
I enjoyed myself so much, but there were moments when I felt like I was the only person dancing. Literally- I danced a lot and other people looked at me strangely. I shared everything I had while I was there, even giving up a lot of my own space to make room for late comers that wanted to set up camp in tent only. I don't expect everyone I encounter to be nice and I don't expect everyone to understand why I want to give them random things- but I honestly felt out of place several times while I was there.
7th or 8th year veteran. The scene has gone through a complete overhall in the past few years, and it seems like this year was a completion of that overhall. New, younger crowd, never been to fests before but excited to see what new bands. A bit under-prepared, but luckily the weather was on their side. I have a feeling that if it wasn't for the amazing weather we had, there would be a record number of heat exhaustion.
That being said; give them time. I'm fairly young, but for the first time I felt that I was older than most of the crowd. Their hearts are in the right place, but they just haven't embraced the feeling of it. This generation was taught to be cautious of strangers and be passive with them. They haven't really caught the idea that everyone in the festival has more in common then not, and are all there for the same reason: To have a good time.
This was the first year that my campsite was rummaged through and things stolen. To make things worse: Two days in the row (During Radiohead and after RHCP). It completely ruined my late nights, but I can't blame the actions of a couple of idiots on to the entire generation. There are bad apples in every bunch.
This was the first year that my campsite was rummaged through and things stolen. To make things worse: Two days in the row (During Radiohead and after RHCP). It completely ruined my late nights, but I can't blame the actions of a couple of idiots on to the entire generation. There are bad apples in every bunch.
Obviously there's no way to tell this but I'd imagine that the "first timers" and "younger crowds" had nothing to do with the stealing from your camp site. I'd say it's more likely the wooks and other scumbags that do that sort of thing for a living and have been doing it at festivals for years (including Bonnaroo).
This seems to have turned into one giant "get off my lawn!" post.
In '09 our car window was shattered and the people next to us said they chased off some scummy dreaded wook. Other than that, I've never had an issue with my stuff being messed with. I once walked to my camp and two people were sitting under our EZ-up. We ended up hanging out for about an hour after that, they were just a nice couple dying from the heat.
The argument about the changing vibes is pointless to me. I met kids (even to me at 26, they seemed like kids) who were friendly, nice, willing to share their stuff, etc. I had an old guy two-hand shove me for grazing him while dancing at Umph (my response was just a blank stare and then to shower him with glitter).
The point is, there are good and bad people within every group you want to come up with. The early Roos had bad people. This Roo had bad people. But both have an overwhelming number of nice, kind folks who are there to have fun, make sure everyone around them is having fun, and to escape reality for 4-5 days. I had one of my best Roo experiences this year, and I was without my closest friends that I've gone to every other Roo with. I was more a vagrant this year than anything else, and I ran into more welcoming people than ever. People who say it's changed are just focusing on the negative aspects a lot more than they used to. Cynicism rises with age, or so I'm told.
This was my 5th Bonnaroo and I truly embrace the Bonnaroo spirit. I shared my corn with people that I thought needed it and also shared cigarettes to an extent. I talked to many strangers and shook many hands. I also denied sharing corn and cigarettes, as well as, blew off some people trying to talk to me. If OP was one I denied, then there is a reason behind it. I will share corn with people around me, but if you make a point to come over to my group and just say "Can I hit that?" then I'm going to say no. This probably happened to me about 10 times over the weekend. That being said, I probably shared 20 ears of corn with people sitting around me that I chatted with or just looked like they could use some.
I do not feel obligated to share because I'm at Bonnaroo. I share with people that I think need it regardless.
Also my 5th Bonnaroo and I agree with the sentment of this post. I arrived around 2 or 3am Thursday morning and after an 8 hour drive and setting up camp in the dark, the first thing I hear while sitting down to relax is, "Hey man, got any extra corn?"...what I wish I had heard was, "Hey man, I'm John Doe from Ohio, looks like we're neighbors for a while, nice to meet you"...a little kindness goes a long way at these events. Unfortunately, there were very few neighbors in our area that were friendly and the ones that were didn't even sleep in their tent the whole weekend, so we saw them very little. I had a great time, but coming in at that time of night certainly put us in a group of much younger people. Also, I'm not saying the younger generation cannot be kind, but our good experiences have been few and far between.
11/2/19: Tool 5/17/19: Blues Traveler 5/9/19: Tool 11/10/18: Tenacious D 9/20/18: White Denim 7/23/18: Radiohead 6/4/18: Jack White 5/20/18: Tool 5/18/18: A Perfect Circle 5/18/18: Alice in Chains 5/6/18: Blind Melon
Post by venturahighway126 on Jun 12, 2012 14:52:27 GMT -5
This was the first roo for myself and my group, and I think we were all a little let down by the crowd. I must have had a douche magnet attached to myself all weekend or something. I did a pretty good job of just letting it go and not caring until about Saturday night. The only main stage act where I didn't get stepped on (wayyyy in the back of the what field with the other "sitters") was the Beach Boys (after we moved our blanket away from a group of jerks). And that was so great I almost cried. For serious. We sat behind a family of five, one of their kids was playing catch with a group of strangers who were all 20-somethings, there was a dancing guy, and other people just sitting and enjoying the shows. It was everything I wanted roo to be.
Before Radiohead, we sat on the ground (behind the ADA platform) with a bunch of other sitters, and a group of 7 girls came through, single file, and every single one stepped on or kicked me. One after another, after another. After the three people in front of you hit someone, wouldn't you figure it out? I had on brightly colored clothing, too. Only the first of the seven apologized, but she didn't even turn around and look at me.
That experience seemed to par for the course the rest of the weekend. I got hit in the face with a lot of backpacks the few times I tried standing in the crowds. And even sitting WAY out with twenty feet on all sides of us (eg. at superjam), we still got stepped on. Someone completely stomped on my camelbak at one point. Giant shoe stomped, pack innards crunched.
We didn't really experience anyone sharing things either. We offered to share some food and TP and stuff with people, but no one was interested. Or the one girl that took TP from me didn't even bother to give any form of gratitude. And when our propane ran out Sunday night, we had to go almost to another pod to find someone who would let us use theirs. Even walking by campsites with several cannisters left, well, they couldn't spare any of it. Or "didn't have any."
I think what makes me the most unhappy about a significant portion of the people there was that they were SO self-absorbed. Just completely unaware of anyone else except for themselves. And maybe that is a part of the "entitlement" generation. They feel that they deserve to have a good time, and they'll do whatever they need to do to have that good time, regardless of the cost to other people. If the folks that hit me or stepped on me/my stuff apologized, it'd have been totally cool. If they even cared, that'd have been even better. It did seem like the older crowd (by which I mean 30+) was much more conscious of the other roo goers, whether they were sober or not. I'm not even 30 myself, but I did feel very "get off my lawn, you young whippersnappers" several times last weekend.
That said, I never waited for a portajohn, I never encountered one with poo anywhere but in the hole, and I only found one without TP the whole weekend. And they didn't smell as awful as I'd have imagined, either. So major props to the pooper cleaners all weekend.
Also, we had tons of space, which was rad. We even had enough space to use the beanbags boards that I had (although we didn't spend a ton of time at the campsite).
I kind of like there being more "bros". They hardly ever see any of the same shows i do. Therefore the tent or stage is less grounded.
To the OP: I don't know why you expect people to give you stuff just because you give people stuff. It is cool that you hand out water to people and everything, but a lot of people don't give some random dude they dont know their things. I share what I have with my friends and will give someone a drink of water if they ask, but I am not just handing stuff out every time some drunk guy yells out Corn.
Edit: I also had no problems with anyone I encountered this year. I really don't ever think I have. The only thing that really bothers me is when people try to squeeze up to the front with no regards for anyone else in the crowd.
Last Edit: Jun 12, 2012 15:07:11 GMT -5 by CPK - Back to Top
Aug 2 - Beyoncé and Jay-Z
Aug 23-24 - FYF Fest
Sept 17 - The Breeders
Sept 22 - Lykke Li
Oct 6 - Ought
This was my 5th Bonnaroo and I truly embrace the Bonnaroo spirit. I shared my corn with people that I thought needed it and also shared cigarettes to an extent. I talked to many strangers and shook many hands. I also denied sharing corn and cigarettes, as well as, blew off some people trying to talk to me. If OP was one I denied, then there is a reason behind it. I will share corn with people around me, but if you make a point to come over to my group and just say "Can I hit that?" then I'm going to say no. This probably happened to me about 10 times over the weekend. That being said, I probably shared 20 ears of corn with people sitting around me that I chatted with or just looked like they could use some.
I do not feel obligated to share because I'm at Bonnaroo. I share with people that I think need it regardless.
Also my 5th Bonnaroo and I agree with the sentment of this post. I arrived around 2 or 3am Thursday morning and after an 8 hour drive and setting up camp in the dark, the first thing I hear while sitting down to relax is, "Hey man, got any extra corn?"...what I wish I had heard was, "Hey man, I'm John Doe from Ohio, looks like we're neighbors for a while, nice to meet you"...a little kindness goes a long way at these events. Unfortunately, there were very few neighbors in our area that were friendly and the ones that were didn't even sleep in their tent the whole weekend, so we saw them very little. I had a great time, but coming in at that time of night certainly put us in a group of much younger people. Also, I'm not saying the younger generation cannot be kind, but our good experiences have been few and far between.
I kind of agree with you both. I definitely am open to sharing and have shared plenty over the weekend but sometimes people just make it seem like you owe them something and that can be annoying.
One example where I got angry at someone (but shared anyway because whatever...I don't care too much) was when I was watching a show and enjoying some corn. A dude comes up to me and says "Hey man I have that same piece". I smile and turn to him and start to tell him that's cool and that I got it at Roo and as i'm asking him if he also did he cuts me off to say "Can I get a hit of that?". Then he kinda realized what I was saying and replied "Nah I got mine in Alabama" and I immediately understood this guy was lying to my face to try and "make a connection" so he could score something from me. This wasn't any special piece...just some cheap junk I got for the fest.
I shared with the guy and let him pass it to his friend. What bugged me even more was the sly smile he gave to his buddy, who looked back at him as if he was so cool and just "tricked" someone into giving them some.
That rubbed me the wrong way.
The rest of the weekend? I offered stuff to people and had the favor returned pretty much every time. Every now and then you have to expect an an encounter with a selfish person just looking out for themself.
@ventura- that was basically what I saw too. A lot of self absorption... it really did seem generational to me (of course I'm sure there are older jerks as well, I just didn't encounter them) and for that reason I don't think there's anything that can be done to "keep it out of bonnaroo" or anything like that. I just roll w/it... I say please/thank you or no thank you/you're welcome/I'm sorry/excuse me--even if they don't. I don't just shove around people rudely because I think I deserve to be somewhere. I share if I have stuff to share, even if others don't. I figured if enough people acted like me towards the people who weren't, by the end of the weekend maybe we would have converted them! Besides, I think if I'd focused on that type of nonsense that was going on, I probably would have had a big bummer of a time and I just ignored it and went w/the flow, I had a great weekend
Post by upliftingsound on Jun 12, 2012 15:51:02 GMT -5
That being said; give them time.
This is what I was trying to get at. Most of them will come around. And we can be catalysts, or not.
CPK, I don't expect people to give me stuff. In the example I gave I had offered to compensate people at a handsome rate. But it's not always about goods, trade, or money either. Maybe they were in short supply themselves. Maybe they thought I was a cop. Maybe they were too messed up to talk. There's lots of reasons. And it wasn't the denial that shook me, I stopped fearing that years ago. It's more the guarded way in which it was done. Smiling and saying "almost out" would suffice. But avoiding eye contact and saying "I can't".
I don't think this group is ruining 'Roo. Neither is Skrillex or the Chili Peppers or any other band that has played in it's history. A lot of these missing hippies were a lot more close minded then the new gang. The noobies seem to be really open-minded. I just couldn't get this connection with so many of them that I was achieving all most of the other types of people.
So yeah, there's a thread like this every year and this year I'm the one. I'm sure people felt jaded after the first Bonnaroo too. I was expecting to met with far snarkier responses. Yay for rational discourse!
Post by sleepingbunch on Jun 12, 2012 15:54:32 GMT -5
It was our first Bonnaroo, and our group of 4 is in our early 30's and late 20's. While we have no basic for comparison, it was an amazing experience for us. We met very many friendly folks. Some were initially standoffish (the younger kids especially), but came around as the conversation continued. Only met one unfriendly person in the Radiohead crowd that was mad because I commented on him consistently shoving me in the back (he was pushing me forward from behind) when I had nowhere to move....he yelled "oh, so I'm infringing on your space....this is OUR space!!!" and set up like he wanted to fight me, which i diffused.
Other than the Radiohead crowd, which I was less than pleased with as a whole (seems like the desire to be close to Thom Yorke was way more important than being friendly to your neighbor), every other experience was phenomenal.
We brought a 10 x 20 canopy, which we believed might be too big for the space. We got very lucky and ended up in camp Lando Calrissian right by Centeroo....we got in Thursday morning at 7 AM with no wait. Our neighbors had tents but no shade, so they were more than happy to share the canopy with us, and we all helped each other set up their stuff (after knowing each other for maybe a total of 10 minutes).
We then realized that, overprepared as we were, we somehow managed to forget beer. Those neighbors that used our canopy for shade offered us beer pretty consistently for the remainder of the fest. It was a lovely trade, and a lot of us hung out for quite some time. We met some nice local country kids from Laverne, TN, some girls from upstate NY, and some girls from Michigan, and we all hung out for a lot of the fest. We had other neighbors w/ a karaoke machine and a giant life-size truth or dare Jenga in their tent - so our neighborhood was a whole lot of fun.
The shows exceeded my expectations, once I figured out how the crowds work. Some of the tents were way more packed then I expected. (Tuneyards and Al Shakes) I spent Friday in a one-hour line to get in to Centeroo, and then baking in the sun jamming to Tune-Yards from a far distance, so I became dehydrated and a little tired. I then decided that if crowds were too intense, I would just wander over to other shows that I wasn't planning on seeing....and that was a great strategy, as many artists that were not on my "list" completely surprised me and blew me away.
Seeing the Ben Folds Five reunion was my personal highlight - my whole group are self-proclaimed BFF "superfans", so the show was wonderful for us. As far as the people were concerned, I had very few complaints....most were extremely friendly, and we made quite a few friends there, young and old. Whenever I would zone out or whenever the crowds would get to me, I would just run through the magic fountain, and all would be well for the rest of the day.
Post by clevelndmike on Jun 12, 2012 16:01:14 GMT -5
I don't that there was any more or less self absorption this year. Manners were definitely down... if you step on someone laying down, you stop to make sure they are ok. I had a ton of people step on or bump into me and not even acknowledge it.
After 5 years, the Noobs just make me laugh. Some kid thew a coronary when they played some Pearl Jam at Sonic Stage because he thought that meant that PJ was showing up for a secret show. Almost hated telling him that Matt Cameron was playing with Soundgarden in Europe. I had plenty of kids ask directions to shows, and the tent and stages names meant nothing to them, but it was more entertaining than bothersome.
Bonnaroo 2008-2013
0ct 11 Pearl Jam
Oct 12 Pearl Jam
March 16 Arcade Fire
April 29 Arcade Fire
Sept 4 Wilco
Sept 9 The Hold Steady
Oct 16 Pearl Jam
Oct 17 Gaslight Anthem
Post by nicthedick85 on Jun 12, 2012 16:03:44 GMT -5
The crowd seemed fine this year. I ran into a few asshats but I can deal with, but as usual the thieves in camp are what frustrate me every year. I had my limited edition camelbak stolen and someone stole my ol ladies ID and 40 bucks that were in her wetbox for the day. But left her raybans and other essentials. All that tells me is the crowd is getting younger and shittier. Someone needed a fake.
Could we blame all of this on dub step culture (is that what it's called?)? I had a very similar experience, at shows i've been to with a strong hippy crowd there was sharing of corn and other things. At Bonnaroo this year this was not really the case. I blame Skrillex heh heh
I'm quite sure the electronic culture has the concept of CARE. At the very least they are very, very good at sharing their glowsticks
I really don't get the complaining from those who chose to sit in a giant crowd. If you want to sit go to the back where everyone is sitting. There were so many people sitting in the middle of a packed crowd of standers. If anything they were the inconsiderate ones: A. For being a tripping hazard and B. for taking up so much space that others with energy could be using to dance. Now if you're still being trampled in the back where everyone else is sitting, then the only thing to blame is the fact that you're at a festival fool of mind altering substances. There's no point in getting pissed. If you're getting pissed drink a beer or eat some corn and remember you're at roo, or DANCE
Obviously there's no way to tell this but I'd imagine that the "first timers" and "younger crowds") had nothing to do with the stealing from your camp site.
First night we came back and everything was thrown around. Really weird kind of thievery, extremely selective. I mean, they could have gotten away with so much more since the hidden things were found and laid out in plain sight in the tents.
Second night my wife walked in on a young couple, around the age of 16-17, a boy and a girl, who were waste deep in two tents. She startled them, they tried the whole "We're with So-and-So, man, calm down." she approached them, scared the guy into dropping her prescription that was in his hands. He put one hand forward and the other towards his back; she thought he had a knife.
She screamed for help, and everyone just kept walking by. A dealer saw what was happening in the distance but didn't want to get involved because he was carrying, offered free party-favors after the fact for her troubles. A few people in the neighborhood heard her but were too "out of their minds" to do anything.
This was in Camp R2D2; from what I heard a lot of the Star Wars camps got broken into, I'm guessing because it's right at the main strip
Hmm... I agree that up front it wouldn't make sense to sit in a sea of standers and then complain about getting stomped on. But when you are surrounded by people sitting in the back and then the walkers weave through to get up front, they don't see you (not everyone brings a little light) and stomp on you.... well I can't speak for anyone else but I was just personally noting not so much that people were getting stepped on bc that can sometimes be tough to avoid, but the people were just stomping on hands and stuff without a care in the world. It really is not difficult to lean down quickly and apologize while you pass by after crushing someones bag or fingers. . Some people are just rude! (or extremely out of it because you CAN tell when you are stepping on something normally...)
Post by hollahewitt on Jun 12, 2012 16:58:35 GMT -5
This was my fourth Roo ('09-'12) and I too was disappointed with the scene. Not for people being rude/stealing things, but for people being completely uninterested in the music! I generally come with people, but spend most of my days wandering by myself, meeting new friends, and seeing shows. It seemed like most shows I went to, everyone was standing with blank faces. I tend to wander a lot through crowds to find a good group to dance/sing along with. (Don't worry, I'm extra careful not to run into/step on anyone ) I don't ask that you know every lyric, or heck have even every heard of the band. But bob your head, smile, or at least don't shove your way to the front just to have a 20 minute conversation about who knows what with your back to the stage.
This was worst during RHCP. I started waaayyy back and began to move up (when this group of bros starting screaming why this band was even on the stage since they weren't relevant anymore????) I ended up very close to the pit by the end of the show, probably stopping like 20 times to hang with the people around me. I was soooo upset when I never found anyone to dance/sing/have fun with. I was pretty disappointed since this was my first time seeing RHCP (my top band to see that I hadn't yet). I was almost embarrassed, like there is some sort of obligation to show the band were appreciate them performing by having a good time in the crowd! I know everyone may have different ways of enjoying a show, but I felt like this year people just didn't care about the music.
I was pleasantly surprised though that by the time Phish had started it seemed like the people ready to have a good time were still there and everyone else had left.
I came back to the tent Saturday night, pouted a little bit, said I wouldn't be back. But now I feel maybe if I can get enough friends to come with and bring the party with me, maybe we can get the crowd up and going.
Well I've only been to 'roo 2011 and 2012, so I can't speak volumes here, but I would say that it's completely hit or miss. All of our neighbors were extremely nice, but I did run into some people who were just straight up rude. To make matters worse, it bugs the living hell out of me when people are stingy, don't share, and complain. I drove all the way to Bonnaroo to have a good time and to escape from everyday complaining. We had one person in our group of 4 that annoyed the hell out of me, but in true Bonnaroo style I kept it cool. I go into Bonnaroo knowing that it will cost a lot (corn, booze, beer, food, gas, etc is not cheap!), but all I ask is for people to chip in and help me pay for some of the stuff. Sure smoke all my corn, drink all my beer, but gosh for bid don't complain the entire time you do it!
One thing I found really cool this year were the numerous people who had a dead phone, and thought it would be really interesting to have someone else take a picture of them and send it to them via twitter. Kind of a pain when my phone is working, but without signal, but nonetheless cool idea! Great way to meet new people and follow up with them at a later date.
Post by HeavierThings on Jun 12, 2012 18:46:36 GMT -5
I've only been to one 'Roo so far (2011), so I don't have much experience to draw on, but I have to say the general environment is what my friends and I fell in love with.
We didn't really know what we were getting into, people wise, but we found out quickly. We'd just got there and set up camp very early Thursday morning. Just me and one other friend sitting, relaxing while the third was away at the portas. Out of nowhere, some random guy came over and occupied our third chair. My friend and I exchanged worried looks, but the random struck up some genuinely friendly conversation. He talked basketball with us for a few minutes and then continued on his way. Throughout the course of the weekend, the vast majority of my neighbors and those I met on the Farm were in this vain: friendly and open.
We did have a random, shady character show up too. Somehow snuck in without a ticket or anything, and was posted up in the general vicinity of our camp. We were all friendly, but cautious. Kid ended up stealing a LED flashlight from me. Nothing major, but still something I was not happy about.
Anyways, that's my Bonnaroo environment in a microcosm. I think it echoes what's been said in here already. Lots and lots of friendly, great people and a few bad seeds.
The fuse barn seemed to be another spot for the rude tude dudes to congregate.. I don't drive cause I live in the city so I didn't have a phone charger. We wanted a working phone (like 30% battery) for the ride home. Went to charge it before phish and I don't think I will ever understand how 1. You can just sit at one of those outlets and hangout surfing the web on your phone for hours when people are waiting and there are many better things you could be doing! And 2. People looking for outlets can just walk up and start grabbing all over the charges already plugged in even though I just told you I would be done in 10 if you wanted to sit down and wait! Which happened THREE TIMES with 3 different people over a span of like 5 minutes. And I like dubstep so I don't think it has anything to do with people's musical preference! I don't like Skrillex but I have friends who do and they aren't rude... I guess my momma just raised me right! Better call her up and thank her
Post by pumpkinhead on Jun 12, 2012 19:24:45 GMT -5
I'm a 9 year Vet from Nashville, and I totally agree that the festival has changed. It has been a slow evolution though. Change isn't always bad though. We (speaking for the self proclamed Vets) should imbrace the younger crowd because if all we do is talk about how we could do without all the Brahs then we are going to alienate them. I had several dub step ragin youngins as my neighbors and by the end of the festival they have become some close friends. After seeing me pick up their trash one morning the even started to keep their "living room" clean. They would want to wear the Pumpkin Head around to help enhance the experiance of others. It would be easy for me to turn my back and say Heads and Brahs don't mix but that just ain't my way.....brah ;-)
I think it takes at least 2 Bonnaroos to really 'get it' fully. By my 3rd Bonnaroo I was really enjoying it all the way. This was my 5th one and I made sure to meet all my newbie neighbors right away and help pass on the Bonnaroo vibe just like it was passed to me. The newbies were shy just like I was my first year or two but by Saturday night we were all whooping it up together.
I talked to a girl this year who had been to Coachella, Lolla, and several big fests in the UK but she said that Bonnaroo still has the friendliest people. That really really made me feel great.
I'm a 9 year Vet from Nashville, and I totally agree that the festival has changed. It has been a slow evolution though. Change isn't always bad though. We (speaking for the self proclamed Vets) should imbrace the younger crowd because if all we do is talk about how we could do without all the Brahs then we are going to alienate them. I had several dub step ragin youngins as my neighbors and by the end of the festival they have become some close friends. After seeing me pick up their trash one morning the even started to keep their "living room" clean. They would want to wear the Pumpkin Head around to help enhance the experiance of others. It would be easy for me to turn my back and say Heads and Brahs don't mix but that just ain't my way.....brah ;-)
^This. Yes. Spot on.
I think being in Vendor Camping alienated me a little this time. Last year I camped with the volunteers. My neighbors were all under 21 and we bonded so much. One of them has stayed at my pad for Moogfest. I stay in touch and I love those kids. Mostly they know how to say 'dude' and 'legit' and between those words some really genuine things came out. I gave them so many tips on so many things and we just had a blast. Don't shun the bros, adopt one instead. You'll both get a lot out of it. I get high on the enthusiasm of virgins (not talking about sex either lol). I didn't adopt a bro this year and I should have, although an opportunity didn't present itself. Next year I need to jump out of vendor camping and slum it.
Thank you Pumpkinhead, you triggered an epiphany. I feel better now.
On a somewhat unrelated note, remember the old 'Wook vs. Custie' mentality? That's largely gone and good riddance as it was ugly.
Post by thesidebar on Jun 12, 2012 20:31:22 GMT -5
I think my neighbors were alot of newbs. I was very happy to offer them cooler space and to charge their phones. one trick, it is SO worth it to buy a deep cycle battery and a small power inverter (400 watt one will run most anything). I used that to power my electricity all weekend long. ran my LED's and many phone chargers plus the air mattress.
Post by klimfactor on Jun 12, 2012 21:06:23 GMT -5
I've been to the last seven, and yes, there are fewer "hippie" types, but I still find the fest to be very communal, even this year. I chatted up and interacted with all my neighbors, in addition to several friends' neighbors and a lot of random people I met here and there (A couple of guys from Burma while standing in line for the silent disco, for example). I figure there will be rude and mean people wherever you go (I've seen a guy punch another guy at "heady" All Good, knocking out his teeth in the process, and I've come back to my tent at another jam-centric festival, only to find some wookie passed out and wrapped up in it). My biggest gripe with this year's Bonnaroo was when large groups of people, all holding hands, would try to work their way up through the thick crowds at the stages. It's just common sense that's going to piss off people, me included.
