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 biggest complaint is one that I'm sure will never be answered, and I kinda understand why, but it still frustrates me: please tell us what insecticide you spray the farm with. So many of us are allergic, and I feel like knowing what I'm dealing with would make it somehow more manageable. Maybe I could get a prophylactic shot or something. That said, the solution for me is probably to go RV next year and just not spend so much time on the ground.
I'm trying to figure out how to better handle allergies next year - can you describe the symptoms you think could be related to insecticide? I had not considered that as an option.
Sure. If you search "bonnarash" on this forum you'll find some gnarly photos, but basically its a severe contact dermatitis, mostly around the feet and ankles. I get a deep, weepy red ring at about grass height, with small bumps and redness above and below, and all over any exposed area that's in the grass too long. This year, I wore boots and socks but still got some bumps on my feet (from brief bootless excursions around camp) and above my boot line, as well as on my wrists, and the backs of my thighs were crazy itchy when I sat on the ground for a few shows, even though I was on a blanket (assuming this was because the grass was slightly wet). My asthma also goes nuts on the farm, which is typically allergy related BUT could also be dust/particle related. I also fell down this time and got dust in my wounds and oh boy did it sting, puff up and weep. Best prophylactic for me has been 1) wear boots and socks, 2) wipe down everything below the knee with baby wipes every time I'm back at camp, and 3) apply a thin layer of hydrocortisone from knee to toes at least once a day. I guess you could take allergy meds too but I have never found one that didn't make me super tired. Someone else on here gets the rash REALLY bad and had a homemade prophylactic cream she uses but I forget who it was.
Oh yeah, one more idea...how bout having a food collection area at the pods on Sunday and Monday? Yet again I packed too much food and I would've loved to give it away to someone who wanted it (my neighbors didn't but I'm sure someone would've). I know they collect and donate abandoned tents and gear, so maybe they could do the same with dry goods, water, etc.
I would really like to highlight how great an idea this is, and I hope it is repeated the next year
Maybe I should write them an email? Do they have a suggestion box of some kind?
Post by therobotmonster on Jun 20, 2013 10:07:26 GMT -5
Don't be greedy and oversell the festival. Inforce some sort of pathway between the What and Which stages. (I nearly lost my life when we were pooped out into the middle of Of Monsters and Men...all i wanted was out and couldn't find a path) Trash cans in the VIP pits would at least give people the option to throw their garbage away. (Seriously this place was an dump this year) I too think there should be screens at the tents (I'm small!)
Never book David Byrne again. That dude's music was terrible. And his stage presence was awkward and kind of embarassing.
Do you even know who David Byrne is? That man has more musical talent than 95% of the other performers. Top 5 show and easily the best and most laid back crowd of the fest. Watch some talking heads performances and hopefully you'll come around.
Never book David Byrne again. That dude's music was terrible. And his stage presence was awkward and kind of embarassing.
Do you even know who David Byrne is? That man has more musical talent than 95% of the other performers. Top 5 show and easily the best and most laid back crowd of the fest. Watch some talking heads performances and hopefully you'll come around.
I know who he is, I'm a child of the 80's, I grew up on MTV and VH1 when they played actual videos. I can't stand his music, I wouldn't say it's painful to hear, but it does sound disjointed and stilted to me. Since the lineup was announced I've had on the Pandora/Slacker/Spotify Bonnaroo channels and every single time his music was played it was banned after giving the song a chance.
Yes, it would. They bring in a big temp tower to Kansas City, Kansas during NASCAR weekend twice a year. It is the one place in the city that I dont get good reception on normal and my battery dies quickly. They bring in that one tower along with the 100k plus extra people hogging reception yeteveryone has perfect reception and my battery wont even go down hardly at all when a day out there usually drains it. The harder your phone has to work to get reception, the more juice it uses.
I'm a cellular rf engineer, you're speaking from a slightly less knowledgeable position. I encounter this a lot. Customers complaining about things they don't understand.
Your phone battery died because the up link noise floor had risen. For your phone to compensate, it powers up, and talks louder. More cell sits don't fix that. There were almost 100 radios added, and the sites barely blocked any calls or data.
The down link is only going to hurt your battery power, down link is for the tower to you, when you are far from the site. You were never more the 200 yards from an antenna in centroo.
I deal with this all the time. Customers who think they understand rf and cellular, but don't. Kansas speedway isn't bonnaroo. A one day event, that is 4 hours in length does not compare to 4 days
1 - One of my stepbrothers is a cellular engineer and the other does cell tower maintenance all over the country. Another friend of mine started and just sold a little t-com company too that did cell service for low-income customers. They have all explained this to me this and it was where it comes from. I also draw from personal experience. I used to work in T-COM (AT&T and two startups that didnt last) and kinda of have an interest in it. I notice when new towers go up in places and how it changes my reception and battery power. I spend alot of my summer in rural Kansas and new towers drastically change cell phone abilities.
2 - NASCAR is not a one day, 4 hour event. It is extremely similar to Roo, very much the same actually. The big NASCAR race itself is only 4 hours but the entire event is a 4 day weekend from Thursday to Sunday night and sometimes Monday if there was a rain out for any of the races. There are several races, trials, and other events going on. I have been out there raising money for charity before and just to hangout sometimes because it is a big party just like Roo just with a different and older crowd. There is over 100k new people in an area about the size of Roo so it is extremely similar, if not identical since people are camping and going in and out of a venue in a few hundred acre space. This area of KCK has cell reception problems cause the area was just fields 10 years ago and blew up quickly and the cell phone companies never kept up. T-Mobile and AT&T have huge reception problems on weekdays when hardly anyone is out there. NASCAR comes in with one or two towers and an additional 100k people and perfect service for everyone. Why does this happen and why would it not happen at Roo?
I'm not trying to argue with you but I just dont understand how not having a large temp tower out there is not going to help reception and battery power. When I have full bars like at work and home, my iPhone lasts a few days even when used frequently. If it didnt, they wouldnt bring them in for events like NASCAR or like the Final Four and Super Bowl. Why do they do it if it doesnt help? It cannot be cheap. Also, my step brothers have talked to me about pooling together some capital with some friends and building a temp tower to rent out for events because it is a growing market. Why are these necessary if they dont do what I am saying they do? It is an honest question, not criticism.
A little off-topic - If you ever need to raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma or something else, go to a NASCAR race. My ex-wife sold beads out there over 4 hours and raises over 4k grand and got all the free alcohol and food she wanted. If you're a guy, get a good looking women to do it for you, I watched my wife from a distance and guys were just giving $100 bills like it was spare change. It ia
Turtles are, actually quite sexy, if you think about it. I’m getting an erection just thinking about turtles. No, not a stripper named turtles, that’s not funny. Actual turtles.
—?Thom Yorke
Oh yeah, one more idea...how bout having a food collection area at the pods on Sunday and Monday? Yet again I packed too much food and I would've loved to give it away to someone who wanted it (my neighbors didn't but I'm sure someone would've). I know they collect and donate abandoned tents and gear, so maybe they could do the same with dry goods, water, etc.
This needs to happen. However, it doesnt really need to be a 'Roo thing. You might need their permission to pursue it but it seems like something Bonnaroovians could organize and volunteer to run booths on Sunday and Monday morning. Not sure when I will be back, but I would contribute. Roo would probably donate a booth to use since it would be a tax write-off or someone would.
Turtles are, actually quite sexy, if you think about it. I’m getting an erection just thinking about turtles. No, not a stripper named turtles, that’s not funny. Actual turtles.
—?Thom Yorke
I'm puzzled at how the Guide encourages us to leave the outside world outside, and yet we're also encouraged to link our wristbands up to social media, check Twitter updates, etc. Personally I only used my phone to meet up with friends at shows and call my dad on Father's Day.
USE THE RFID TECHNOLOGY! -Allow us to pick 1 comedy show per day, and our RFID wristband can be registered to allow us entry. -Similarly let us go to the What stage pit lines and reserve entry via RFID starting at 8am. That way we don't have to miss a day of Bonnaroo just to be able to see one act!
You have the technology. This stuff should be easy. And using the scanners it would allow for the capacity control to be down to a science, and for stand-by lines to be used efficiently.
My RFID tags worked from fest to fest lolz. I used a Marlborough one from Waka at the Roo, one from Coachella at Waka, now I am going to see if the Roo one works at other fests. I didn't do it to try and get away with anything but just for a tech question to myself. It shocked the worker mng. hehehehe ... cr****
runs off six D batteries and fits into my small over the shoulder bag. I bought mine for $25 (Target) and bought 8 D batteries for another $11. for $36 my phone was charged all weekend and I barely put the fresh batteries in sunday morning. I brought mine into centeroo with me twice and could charge all day. most of the time I charged while at camp and left it there during the day.
I actually bought a backup charger but it required a charge. The car I brought had both cigarette lighter chargers out probably due to a fuse but didnt realize it until before leaving so wasnt able to fix it. Only one car in our group charged while the car was off (this is really stupid to be building cars that dont charge things while off in today's world) so we had to take turns.
I actually got a battery charger that had a cigarette charger on it from my grandma but then realized the charging cord was missing.
I will say that last year I had no reception at all except from like 8AM to 10AM and that was spotty. This year, I had at least some reception but my phone went down really fast even though I was hardly using it. I did have an emergency occur but luckily one of my friends were called while I was with them.
Turtles are, actually quite sexy, if you think about it. I’m getting an erection just thinking about turtles. No, not a stripper named turtles, that’s not funny. Actual turtles.
—?Thom Yorke
Let me bring in beer! I have no problem with druqs and such, and would probably do them myself if i didn't need to be tested regularly. It's just annoying to see the guy next to me get through bag check with mollie and an ounce, but a 6 pack of Diesel is out of the question. I understand this will probably never change because they make tons of money off of selling $10 beers inside, but it's still a complaint i have.
These events exist to make money. Beer sales are a big part of it...this is one request that def will never be listened to.
Post by timbuckroo on Jun 20, 2013 15:56:03 GMT -5
I find the complaints about the use of social media to update people about surprise shows funny. Before social media and smart phones they did not notify you in any way shape or form. If you happened to be at a location or show that involved a surprise that lucky you. I personally kind of wish that it was still this way. A typical case of the more we get the more we want.
If they set up a screen out side of the side entrance that listed all of the surprise sets for the current day, people that enter through the arch would complain that need to walk the 200 extra yard to go see the sign... I say the fest go back to radio silence and let them be true surprises.
Post by FatKeystone on Jun 20, 2013 15:56:30 GMT -5
My only major complaint of Bonnaroo is the Which Stage. I really hate it. Move it, get rid of it, I don't care it just needs to not be where it currently is.
My only major complaint of Bonnaroo is the Which Stage. I really hate it. Move it, get rid of it, I don't care it just needs to not be where it currently is.
Agreed. Most of my favorites end up on that stage and it is really hard to get into the sets unless you`re extremely close up.
Screens at the Tent stages is all I really need. If they are opposed to screens, which they seem to be for some reason, then bacon had a great idea about raising up the land on the outskirts of the tents a bit, so people far away can still see over the main crowd. Think of the VIP Viewing mound but only a few inches and around the outside of the tents. Not sure how feasable this would be but they have to do something to make it worth seeing a band in those tents when the crowd underneath the roof is full.
I know this is back on the first page, but moving the ground up a few inches to make all the tents into mini amphitheaters would improve things drastically and wouldn't require an exceptional amount of time if they use a good crew. Irrigation could also be added in case of rain if they want to go all out. It would help with being able to see the stage and reduce noise bleed in one fell swoop.
Screens at the Tent stages is all I really need. If they are opposed to screens, which they seem to be for some reason, then bacon had a great idea about raising up the land on the outskirts of the tents a bit, so people far away can still see over the main crowd. Think of the VIP Viewing mound but only a few inches and around the outside of the tents. Not sure how feasable this would be but they have to do something to make it worth seeing a band in those tents when the crowd underneath the roof is full.
I know this is back on the first page, but moving the ground up a few inches to make all the tents into mini amphitheaters would improve things drastically and wouldn't require an exceptional amount of time if they use a good crew. Irrigation could also be added in case of rain if they want to go all out. It would help with being able to see the stage and reduce noise bleed in one fell swoop.
Unfortunately the "amphitheater" aspect wont work because eventually the ground has to level off. Such is the case with The Other Tent. It's GREAT if you're actually under the tent, everyone can see. But anyone at the top where it levels back off can't see A DAMN THING. Literally, like, NOTHING. It blows.
Post by snakeface34 on Jun 20, 2013 21:20:46 GMT -5
I'm with FatKeystone Which Stage has gotta change. Not digging it at all. The only show I saw there all weekend was Portugal the Man, partially because of my general disdain for Which.
Post by francisgarnett on Jun 20, 2013 21:22:27 GMT -5
Too me roo is perfect. I could care less who is playin or whose watchn. It's about being alive and loving life. If u get upset by people there then u just dnt understand roo. Even the gnarly ditches between the which and what stages I love. Dnt change roo you're perfect the way you are.
I know this is back on the first page, but moving the ground up a few inches to make all the tents into mini amphitheaters would improve things drastically and wouldn't require an exceptional amount of time if they use a good crew. Irrigation could also be added in case of rain if they want to go all out. It would help with being able to see the stage and reduce noise bleed in one fell swoop.
Unfortunately the "amphitheater" aspect wont work because eventually the ground has to level off. Such is the case with The Other Tent. It's GREAT if you're actually under the tent, everyone can see. But anyone at the top where it levels back off can't see A DAMN THING. Literally, like, NOTHING. It blows.
They could fix that by raising the tent and stage slightly. But what really blows is being 6' in That Tent 15 feet from the stage and not being able to see at all anyways. It's not going to fix it so that every single person can see, but a hell of a lot more people will be able to.
Edit: Also, I was only refering to about a two foot incline from front to back which for the most part would be nearly unnoticeable.
Let people walk out of Pods instead of having to wait till 6 am Thursday. A whole mess of people were trying to reach loved ones who didn't have water or food (myself included) and the people guarding the exit were being ridiculously rigid and unfair.
Screens in tents yata yata yata
Bring back the dvd's of performances, but make them full length shows. Even cd's would be appreciated. 'd love to blast Macca's set in my car all day.
More water stations.
Inform volunteers about everything so they know what they're doing. Almost (key word) every volunteer I ran in to didn't know anything when I asked them a question about Roo. I tried explaining to this man i needed to go to Tent Only, but he had no idea what that was, so he said to follow the cars, which led me to Pod 1, which is really far from Tent Only as we know.
Last thing, doctors. My brother broke his rib last year and instead of sending my doctor to a hospital or giving him relief, they just gave him alleve and sent him out. They pretty much did the same thing with me when my feet inflated like two balloons. This might not ever change since I don't see Capps shelling out money for really good doctors, but at least hire some who give a shiz.
Biatching aside, this festival was fantastic and I wouldn't wanna change 99% of anything there.
Post by SocietyUnicorn on Jun 21, 2013 0:18:02 GMT -5
Hello,
This was my first (of hopefully many) Bonnaroo's and I'm so overwhelmed with excitement on how amazingly, fantastic, wonderful, peaceful and blissful the whole experience was, for my own sake, the changes I suggest are simply making a great event even better!
First I would like to thank all of the event planners and scheduling people. I work in event planning and know how crazy it can be.
List of things that I think could improve Bonnaroo 2014:
1. Sanding down the mud pit near the "What Stage" would be a wonderful idea, not because I'm scared of getting a little muddy but when it does get muddy and swampy its slows down the traffic flow coming in, out and around that area and becomes dangerous when trying to cross (especially if you're under the influence, Like you should be Ha Ha).
2. Some mentioned above about under the tents not being able to see the stages from in the back, I didn't think about it but now looking back for example, I was very underwhelmed with the "Empire of the Sun" show, and had no idea they had these wicked cool costumes on and I feel now if I would have been able to see them I would have enjoyed it more. So My change would be somthing about stage viewing, maybe stick some screens at the tops of the Tent heads or raise the stages a bit.
3. (This is strictly an opinion) My friend whos a RooVeteran mentioned that roo has had less "hippy shows" than its previous years and progressively more eclectic in the kinds of bands and performers they have. If I don't get shot I'd love to see maybe one (or dare I say two) country music acts there. I know I go to bonnaroo one time and now I wanna change it all up ( I know, shoot me now) but this year we had Katie M. and Dwyatt Y. there (which i didn't see) but Bonnaroo is so close to Nashville that Bonnaroo is sure to find some great great music right in there backyard, no big headliners but some small bands or singers would be great.
4. This is a do or die request, it could be a deal breaker.... COKE PRODUCTS ! I know its a lot ot ask but for the love of all things groovy try and get a least one coke stand. I just cringe at the site of pepsi products. (just kidding about the deal breaker thing).
Overall it was an amazing experience and I can't wait for 2014.
Post by HighlySuspicious on Jun 21, 2013 2:41:49 GMT -5
Now that I think of it, I don't really like Which Stage either. I like the nostalgia of it all... and would like to see the tents and format all stay in place but with elevated ground around them w/screens.... but I definitely think Roo likes some of its traditions. With that said Which Stage sound/visual quality could and should be drastically improved.
Speaking of traditions... I missed the cuckoo clock going off this year and haven't seen anyone mention it. Does that mean I'm the only one?
Now that I think of it, I don't really like Which Stage either. I like the nostalgia of it all... and would like to see the tents and format all stay in place but with elevated ground around them w/screens.... but I definitely think Roo likes some of its traditions. With that said Which Stage sound/visual quality could and should be drastically improved.
Speaking of traditions... I missed the cuckoo clock going off this year and haven't seen anyone mention it. Does that mean I'm the only one?
No you are not, one of my camp mates kept mentiong it because we were camped close to it and feared the loud noises and were really bummmed when it didnt coo coo .
I'm with FatKeystone Which Stage has gotta change. Not digging it at all. The only show I saw there all weekend was Portugal the Man, partially because of my general disdain for Which.
i literally didn't catch one full show at which. I saw some of pretty lights and left after two wu tang songs.
BIGGER CINEMA TENT. Or change something about it. I felt so bad jumping the line with an artist pass (not that I'm complaining about that privilege.
It sucks seeing the number of people waiting in line for some of the most cult-tastic events of the week, only to be told that there's not enough seats and they'll have to wait for someone to leave? Not cool bro.
I know who he is, I'm a child of the 80's, I grew up on MTV and VH1 when they played actual videos. I can't stand his music, I wouldn't say it's painful to hear, but it does sound disjointed and stilted to me. Since the lineup was announced I've had on the Pandora/Slacker/Spotify Bonnaroo channels and every single time his music was played it was banned after giving the song a chance.
Disjointed and stilted?
Yeah, the music had halts in it that are unpleasant, but that's his style, and on stage I felt like I was watching robots, it was just altogether something wholly unenjoyable for me.
BIGGER CINEMA TENT. Or change something about it. I felt so bad jumping the line with an artist pass (not that I'm complaining about that privilege.
It sucks seeing the number of people waiting in line for some of the most cult-tastic events of the week, only to be told that there's not enough seats and they'll have to wait for someone to leave? Not cool bro.
What weirded me out was the HUGE line for the Polyphonic Spree/RHPS and once I got in there(Via VIP) I looked back and the whole back half of the tent was left empty.
BIGGER CINEMA TENT. Or change something about it. I felt so bad jumping the line with an artist pass (not that I'm complaining about that privilege.
It sucks seeing the number of people waiting in line for some of the most cult-tastic events of the week, only to be told that there's not enough seats and they'll have to wait for someone to leave? Not cool bro.
What weirded me out was the HUGE line for the Polyphonic Spree/RHPS and once I got in there(Via VIP) I looked back and the whole back half of the tent was left empty.
One of the workers was saying that the fire chief/marshall was being super strict about the amount of people to be allowed inside the tent. I know I saw him a few times coming and going but they said that it was about safety or something.
