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 venturahighway126 on Jun 12, 2012 21:44:49 GMT -5
We had a great campsite location-wise this year, but the folks around us were not terribly friendly. When we first got parked, our neighbors came over and said hi and we all shared some booze and chatted. But that was the only real interaction we had with them all weekend. I've been to some other smaller, random festivals and made great friends with nearby campers, and have some hilarious lasting memories from those folks. (Maybe it was because we had the furthest possible camping spot and were literally across from the portos on a sweltering hot weekend... miserable situations bring great bonding?)
I even brought my rad, homemade bean bag toss board set to roo in hopes of attracting nearby folks to come play a round or two, but no one seemed interested (don't college kids play bags?). I don't know if it was the age difference (late 20's/early 30's grad students versus "this is my college graduation present") or what.
I think one of the groups of kids next to us also got busted by the police for party favors (it sounded like a sting operation! it was sort of crazy), so I understand if they were suspicious of their surroundings during the rest of the weekend.
Awesome neighbors again this year. I love sharing when I go because my first year everyone shared with me. I share my corn, water, I bring apples and bananas to share. A group of three at Radiohead asked me if I had water, I was rollingggggg so I had already drank it all since it was toward the end of the set, but the girl was really shocked when I just brought an apple for them
We have to continue to be the example for the youngsters that don't understand the sharing vibe The crowd has changed a lot since my first roo in '05, some changes for bad, some for good... luckily stil encountered lots of friendly strangers!
Post by itrainmonkeys on Jun 12, 2012 22:47:42 GMT -5
I felt like I took a first timer under my wing at Superjam. He had left his friends to come wait for the rail of the Superjam and Gza shows and we talked a lot while waiting. I answered a bunch of questions for him and gave him the right way of doing things.
The first was in the shade of the big tree by the new shade tent between That Tent and the Other Tent. I work for the local newspaper and was taking photos of people. We do it every year. But for some reason a pair of girls decided that since I am an unattractive man in his mid-40's that I'm a pervert taking photos of scantily clad young ladies and made a comment (loud so everyone would hear) "WTF are you doing? Are you perving out on all of the girls? Why are you taking pictures here instead of at the stages?" I never once pointed my camera at a scantily clad girl. I was photographing the unique and colorful people that make Bonnaroo fun and exciting.
Another time I was in a mass of people leaving Which Stage after Bon Iver and the guys behind me started pushing me and everyone else to get through the herd. There were three of them, but they were big guys and very drunk running on liquid courage and testosterone so they did as they pleased. It's just one of those cases where it's best to keep pride in check and let them go on, because they are few and far between.
Coming into backstage guest parking there was a guy with the scanner flagging me to come forward while his buddy was on the other side of the road telling me to stop. I'd slow and the guy with the scanner would get excited and become animated flagging me to keep moving. Since he had the scanner I moved forward to let him scan my bracelet and the other guy slapped the hood of my car yelling "I said stop!" The guy with the scanner told me to ignore him, he's pissed that he has to work 15 hour days for his 'free' ticket and is taking it out on everyone else. This was the only time I almost lost my cool, but I went on.
It's easy to remember all of the bad incidents because there were only three of them. But there were literally hundreds of positive experiences during my four days at the farm. I would take up several pages listing the ones I can remember. So, screw the three bad ones I listed above. They were worth it.
Have been in 06, 07, 08, 09, 11, and 12. Things really haven't changed that much over the time I've been there. Young kids who have never been to a festival and especially bonnaroo have no concept of 'the vibe' and do need to be shown by example, not any reason to be upset with them.
One thing that did weird me out by the end of the weekend this year was a consistent stream of middle aged men by themselves inviting themselves to hang out. I was nice at first and friendly but by the fourth time it happened I became pretty annoyed. It felt like they were trying to prove to themselves something about the vibe or young people being unfriendly. Maybe I just don't wanna make small talk between every song with a sweaty middle aged man who wants to share your stuff.
I definitely get what a lot of people are saying.. It was my frist year, and honestly, we didn't have too many problems. The problems we did have were from the opposite kind of people mentioned on here. Instead of the young, we had a lot of older people act like jerks. Nothing too bad, but a lot of unnecessary gestures, comments. During RHCP, I got told by some 45ish year old dude that I shouldn't even be there because "how could I appreciate something that I wasn't even born for" or something to that extent.. I appreciate everything, dude. And locals, of all people, were next to us camping.. Young kids.. Figured it'd be super cool since they'd been there almost every year.. Not that they were rude or anything, but they hooked their EZup to ours, and sat with their backs to us all weekend. We would try to talk to them, but they just kind of looked at us funny. On the other hand though, guys on the other side were awesome and we shared beer and corn, and other things all weekend. We went to a few shows together.. it was sweet.
The worst was probably on Sunday night, walking back from Phish(the first time, we ended up going back) There was this group of(I don't know how to say it without offending someone, so sorry in advance) Dirty, hillbilly guys in overalls, DRUNKKK as f#*$ sitting by the tower just yelling and harassing people. They were sitting against the wall and if anyone went on the grass, the tallest, probably drunkest one, would scream "GET OFF MY LAWN!" Well when we went back to phish, I was carrying my buddy's cowboy hat to take back to him, and the same tall dude grabs the hat, says "I'll take that"- and tries walking away. At this point, I was tired, and livid. So I screamed at him to give me my hat, and him and his buddies get up and kind of circle around me like they were gonna "jump" me or something. I was legit scared, honestly. But I just said "It's not your hat, give it back, and go sit down." and luckily they did.
But for my first time- Overall AMAZING, phenomenal experience. We had a lot of good vibes during shows, sat next to some very interesting people, and didn't get stepped on, luckily.
Post by MonkeyLoverGirl on Jun 13, 2012 9:43:00 GMT -5
Best Roo so far for me!!! BUT worst Neighbors ever!! I know I was older than all of them and I am only 35 but they were the most stuck up, rudest people ever!!! When at camp I had to sit and listen to the 2 "women" bad talk everything and everyone!!! One of the husbands talked to us once and that was to say he was a lawyer and brag that he had been to the 1st ever Roo! IT WAS JUST STRANGE to camp next to people whom seemed so stuffy!!!!
Post by burberry142 on Jun 13, 2012 10:18:46 GMT -5
This was my and my gf's 3rd roo. In our group of 10 we had 2 first-timers and the rest were 3rd, 4th, or 5th timers. We had an amazing time.
I have only been to 08, 11,and 12 so I don't know about the vibe of the early days but we didn't have any major problems with anyone. I was a little put out by the way people shoved their way to the front in the tents; I don't get up front because I know it's going to be like that, but I always end up further and further back because once one person weaves their way in front of you, they've got a chain of 10 people trying to fit into a 1'x2' space that was in front of you. I'm only 5'2" and I'm not especially claustrophobic but I need just a little personal space in a crowd like that or I end up breathing someone's back hair for the length of the show.
We also came back to our tent Sunday night after Phish to find a dude darting out of it. Luckily, we had all our valuables in the car so there was nothing for him to take.
As far as the friendly vibe, I did feel like the overwhelming majority of the crowd this year was friendly. I just think that some younger folk (I'm 28 so I don't know how much longer I'll qualify!) are just a little more reserved. As far as a stranger handing you a drink, I'm a lady and my generation of girls have been raised to be extra cautious about that kind of thing, so keep that in mind; i know you aren't trying to be a jerk, and they weren't trying to be jerks either probably, just trying to stay safe and avoid roofies and rape.
Personally, I felt guilty at the end of the weekend for not making as many friends as I should have. My whole group felt the same way. None of us are unfriendly people, but we are for the most part introverts and it's tough for me to be a conversation starter a lot of times. When spoken to, I'm super friendly, I just am often too shy to be the first to speak.
Anyone who bitched about RHCP is nuts. That was an incredible concert and they are AMAZING musicians. Such a beautiful night, too! I definitely came away with a much greater appreciation for them.
Post by candyflippedaround on Jun 13, 2012 11:25:26 GMT -5
The only issues I had this year were up close for Big G, FlyLo and SBTRKT where there was a lot of douchey shoving to get closer. I got a spot close enough to see the stage and was content with that, but was constantly shoved forwards and backwards by people trying to move up, some who couldn't get past but kept pushing and some who would stop directly in front of me and decided they wanted all the space I used to be in. If you want to get up close for a show get there early, don't just barrel your way through and if you want a bunch of dancing room stay farther back...it's really packed up front.
The other issue I had was when I was sitting way in the back of Umphreys and some douche punted my full beer without noticing. I was already tired and ready to head out after the beer and this guy just ruined the night for me. It would have been fine if he knocked it over and said sorry, but he literally sent it flipping through the air and paid no mind until I said "thanks for kicking my beer over dude." to which he replied " sorry but you shouldn't have had it on the ground. You're at a festival." like I was unaware of where I was. I was pretty isolated with a ton of walking room around me and my beer directly in front of me, no reason he had to kickit over. Gaaah! What a douche.
I didn't get smoked down once at roo. I had plenty of my own and gave out lots of beer and water. My neighbors were cool for the most part but didn't seem to want to leave their comfort zone. And I actually had people turn me down when I offered them a free smoke down.
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.
Pretty much this is the only major complaint I had regarding people. Everyone I met or talked to were very cool. Granted I got ripped off by a unlicensed vendor, but you win some, you loose some, so what ever. The long chains of people shoving through the crowd was the worst at Radiohead IMO, but I didn't let it get to me as spun as I was.
Also I was in tent only, and that has it's own special vibe I think. I get the impression that the folks who do TO have been to Bonnaroo before, or they're with someone who has.
If Bonnaroo is what you make it then I must be making out pretty damn good.
Post by roachcraft on Jun 13, 2012 14:05:17 GMT -5
I went to 02, 03, 04, 06 and 12. The diversification of the crowd and styles of music represented, that's been unavoidable and, as has been said, is neither good nor bad. The sense of adventure from the first 'roo, and the sense of community, are gone completely, because the festival is now an institution and the community no longer exists--it's splintered if not completely compartmentalized. Again, this couldn't be helped. What I miss are the musical collaborations that, for me, defined Bonnaroo and were sort of codified in the Superjam (back when they didn't pre-announce it), but more just musicians jumping onstage with each other to bounce creativity off each other. I was never a card-carrying hippie but I considered that culture to be part of my identity in the early part of this millennium; I identify with love and peace towards all creatures. But I don't really miss that scene; I just miss the surprise musical thrills that I thought were the essence of this festival, and I doubt I'll be back. For the first time, it just didn't feel like Bonnaroo at all. I know it sounds like a cop-out, but that's the crux of the biscuit for me.
Don't get me wrong; I had a focking blast this year, due to unbelievable weather, the camaraderie of my crew and our neighbors, and the incredible music we witnessed. Bonnaroo is, of course, exactly what you make it. Really happy I went out on Phish, Radiohead, DEJJ, White Denim, Pelican and Kenny Rogers! My soul went "yay" an awful lot.
Hi all, first time poster here! This year was my 2nd roo so I don't have much to compare it to but I do agree that overall this year had a great vibe to it. My group did have one incident where a friends bag got stolen but nothing really valuable was in it so we let that go pretty quickly.
As for the younger generation thing, I really think it just depends on the kids. My group and I definitely make up the younger crowd at roo (My friend and I are 17 and our other friend is 18) and we always tried to keep the good vibes going. We shared corn, provided shade, and talked it up with strangers. We even had a guy give us multiple bottles of water in the beach boys pit after he heard us talking about not having any and profusely thanked him. So I think soon the younger kids will come around if they haven't already, the good vibes at Bonnaroo are just too contagious!
I feel like as long as there has been any kind of music scene in the existence of the world there has always been people complaining that it's somehow becoming corroded with...gasp...change
I feel like as long as there has been any kind of music scene in the existence of the world there has always been people complaining that it's somehow becoming corroded with...gasp...change
Just so you know Mike, I thought "Dunzo" meant give you an awesome point but it took one away instead. So you should be at +1.
Just seems like if you are 17 and choose to spend your Sunday afternoon at the Beach Boys then you exude class. Props to you.
It's cool! It was kind of a tough decision between the Beach Boys, the War on Drugs, and the Antlers but the Beach Boys were definitely the obvious choice.
i was in TO with the bf and the only people around us were noobies which would have been okay but everytime we said hey as we walked by them or as they walked by our tent they would look at us like we were attacking them we werent looking to talk just a friendly hey.... we also helped to set up some of their camps...wtf!
we smoked out several people only one of which thanked us and returned the favor..... several people asked to smoke our stuff...and the bf being a good guy just handed it over (better person than me)
the pushing was worse this year.....i like being up close during a concert but my bf said that all the pushing just killed his concert experience.....
and the nonono word usage was redic this year! come on people some things should at least be slightly hidden....please dont be snorting every two seconds in front of security....youre asking for it!
This was Roo No.5 for my wife and I. We couldn't go the last two years, so I was relieved to be able to make it this year. Other than some differences in infrastructure and stage stuff, it felt like coming home again. We found everyone to be super friendly including our camping neighbors who couldn't have been nicer. I'm an old fart but I enjoy talking with the kids, seeing a different point of view and sharing a little corn. The overall vibe seems the same to me but that just might be my perspective. As someone else said, Bonnaroo is what you make of it, and it's amazing that no two people will have the same experience.
The crowd has changed a lot since my first roo in '05, some changes for bad, some for good... luckily stil encountered lots of friendly strangers!
always next year to try again
