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Did any one else think there were a lot more first timers this year? I feel like last year and the year before that the overwhelming majority had been to Bonnaroo before but this year seemed like 70% of the people I talked to were there for their first time.
I actually talked to more vets then ever this year. Most people I met had at least three Roos under their belt. One nice glitter fairy at mainstage said they had someone from every roo in their crew. And then she glittered me blue.
So as far as people I met they were mostly vets but I did see way more people with totally overwhelmed first time looks on their faces and I feel like I gave more directions to people holding a map then any year prior
Post by 3post1jack1 on Jun 25, 2014 12:54:28 GMT -5
I overheard something this year I hadn't heard in while, which was a conversation about what show to go to next devolving into mass confusion over the names of tents/stages.
so thank you roo for not sponsoring your main stages. still funny today.
Post by krunchykat on Jun 25, 2014 12:55:01 GMT -5
I've ran into a bunch of first timers every year and I didn't think there were more this year than normal. I don't think you really notice the noobs until you have at least two-three Roos under your belt because you're still one of them.
I overheard something this year I hadn't heard in while, which was a conversation about what show to go to next devolving into mass confusion over the names of tents/stages.
so thank you roo for not sponsoring your main stages. still funny today.
I overheard something this year I hadn't heard in while, which was a conversation about what show to go to next devolving into mass confusion over the names of tents/stages.
so thank you roo for not sponsoring your main stages. still funny today.
This was my 3rd Roo and that always gets me at least once. Damn you Ashely Capps, damn you…
You're just too young to grasp how stylin' I really was. All the boys wanted to do me when I was 5. Actually the girls did too. My haircut was confusing.
Post by Roo'adelphia on Jun 25, 2014 13:22:22 GMT -5
This was year six, and it did seem like a abundance of young noobs and an absence of the older crowd. I was working right by the clock tower on Thursday morning before the gates even opened, and just the wide eyed look of all the first timers really made me giggle. Then I had to unfortunately head them off mid euphoric slow walk towards centeroo and tell them that "gates dont open till 11am and you have to go through the scanners this wont be an enterence". I was really trying not to be a buzzkill friends, didnt mean to take the winds out of anyones sails.
Also just the amount of people walking the campgrounds/main streets before Centeroo even opened Thursday and not relaxing back at camp conserving energy/setting up for the long weekend had me thinking that this was going to be one of the newest/youngest crowds in a long time. Seems like it was an accurate hypothesis.
All the people camped around me in TO were newbies, and to their credit they were all well prepared!!
To add to this, three of my conversations with people included "I read Inforoo front to back before coming here" or "we have one person in our group that was obsessed with Inforoo"
Aside from headliner bickering, and drunken ramblings, we still are doing good work.
Post by Dave Maynar on Jun 25, 2014 13:52:53 GMT -5
At MS MR, they said it was their first time at Bonnaroo and asked if there was anyone in the audience who was there for the first time. About 2/3 of the audience cheered but there is always the factor of people who are just cheering because other people are cheering.
Post by FortSteuben on Jun 25, 2014 14:31:11 GMT -5
I felt the crowd was noticeably younger this year, (but maybe I'm just getting older) but when I talked to people, most said it was their second roo. I think this also contributed to the light tents at some of these shows. I don't think a lot of the really young crowd is up on a lot of these bands. On Friday morning I asked a lot of my neighbors what shows they saw on Thursday. A lot of them just said Cherub and that's it? I'm thinking, man you missed a ton of good shows to just crash at camp and play beer pong."
I brought 2 first timers, but i knew the drill this year.
PACE YOURSELF. Missing late night sets because of being too tired is one of the worst feelings. I made sure my noobies were as prepared as possible all weekend. Gosh Bonnaroo, so damn good this year. Hopping from Polica to Ty Segall, watching Damon play hit after hit and then Jack do the same hours later. So many amazing moments.
I cant even guess what next year will have in store for us. All i know is either way i'll be ready to do it right again. 3rd times gonna be a charm.
Post by pondo ROCKS on Jun 25, 2014 15:50:26 GMT -5
I ran into a ton of people old and new. On one side of my camp was Pondo Twitter followers and on the other side was 2 20 year olds who did not even bring a tent. The vets watched out for the newbies and I think they appreciated it.
I love seeing the familar faces (especially the sound guys that work there! One day I will smoke with the Cafe Where sound guy!) and the new ones who, at the end of Sunday, give you the look where you know they will return next year. This year there did seem to be quite a lot of first timers as a group. That struck me as strange (and awesome as well).
I kept running into the same amazing people this year! That is always a plus too!
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
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Post by KushPicasso on Jun 25, 2014 16:40:50 GMT -5
I was a first timer this year. I talked to a lot of other first timers but also some vets as well. I'm 26 and I felt like one of the older people watching Wiz Khalifa's set. I had been scoping out the best spot for a couple hours and then 10 minutes before the show, a bunch of younger kids showed up and just pushed their way towards the front. That definitely made me feel older.
I mentioned in another thread that I feel like finishing my first Roo feels similar to finishing my freshman year of college. I feel like I know so much more now going into next year.
For what it's worth, 53% of last year's respondents to the Bonnaroo census identified themselves as first timers. That always struck me as really high, but maybe more first-timers respond to the census than veterans. We won't know this year's results until just before Bonnaroo 2015, based on past release practices. (I'm a nerd so I respond every year -- you can only respond through the app this year.)
This was my third Roo, and my wife and I have been taking someone new every year since she started going. (It was her fourth.) We went bigger this year -- seven of the eleven in our group this year were first timers. I think a good portion will be back in the future.
Post by davidbyrnesbutler on Jun 25, 2014 18:24:42 GMT -5
Most of the people I met in camp were at their first Roo. I think it's due to the fact I was in Pod 1 and most veterans don't enjoy it there. Lots of military people in my area.
I agree with more 2nd timers. I assumed everyone I talked to who was on their 2nd roo, had their first roo in 2008, and were there this year to either see Kanye, or boo Kanye. Either way, Kanye West is the only reason anyone went to Bonnaroo this year.
Post by kingoftherodeo on Jun 25, 2014 20:33:58 GMT -5
i was one of those first timers, but i met this couple before i had to check in for my shift. who really was doing everything for the first time i think they had just graduated high school or something. i had to give them a hand on how to set up their tent, guy was setting up tent on wet spot and he had those tiny stakes that come with your tent. i told him if its starts to rain just go in your car or with your neighbors because i don't think your tent will be able to stand the wind and rain if it happens to rain. lucky for them it didn't rain again
Post by KathrynMary on Jun 25, 2014 23:40:32 GMT -5
A good percentage of the people I talked to were first or third timers (third timers being mostly at camp). It was actually kind of neat getting to experience the not fully prepared and kind of overwhelmed, but in a good way from all the new insanity, from an outsiders perspective. A good chunk of the conversations were started because I had more tapestry than people to cover it, so I'd offer a spot on there instead of sitting on the straw grass, or someone lost the only lighter they brought to 'Roo, so I'd give them one of my extras (I always bring a bunch of backups to cover for accidental thievery) or the sharing of funsies when not enough funsies were on hand.
I loved hearing about the experiences they'd be having their first time. I don't really know how to explain it without sounding silly...but it made me so giddy knowing that things about 'Roo I've loved for so long, that are unexplainable if you haven't been there, were now being loved by a whole new generation of Bonnaroovians (that made me sound ancient..but next year is my 10th year in a row, so I feel like generation could be applicable). And every first timer I talked to said they were most assuredly coming back.
It was also very interesting to watch how not used to the Bonnaroo Vibes they were (but they were definitely into it and loved every second). Everyone would always thank me for being so prepared and kind and such, and I would just tell them that when they come back and notice someone who seems like they need a kind word or someone who looks a little lost or even just the person hanging next to them waiting for a show, offer them what you can and pass it along. The community vibe Bonnaroo fosters really is what makes it my favorite event.
In rereading I realize that's kind of a long post, but I can't help it...I still have my Bonnaroo Glow :-)
Post by Tainted Opossum on Jun 26, 2014 7:06:16 GMT -5
I am twenty six, maybe I haven't been to the farm in too long (last time was 09) but good god there are a bunch of young faces at broo! It reminds me of a scene from the show spaced where everyone is looking at the teens dancing and they are shining so brightly it's blinding haha
I felt very old this year, but I also felt prepared to the point where had someone else needed help and been near our camp -they would have been fine.
We happened to camp in sparklefart for our first venture out of GA into VIP and it was the best decision ever. Evvvvvvuuuurrrrrr.
I was 18 in 2006, completely unprepared and having my mind blown by greats like les claypool and johnny greenwood. When I met up with my cousin on Sunday at the farm, I realized he was going through exactly what I did. Sweaty unprepared and loving it all for the very first time
i'm in my early 30's and for the first time in my life, I felt like I was that weird guy that's to old to be at this party. Don't get me wrong, I can go all day and all night, It just seemed like the crowd was a much younger crowd that didn't have the time for us older folks.....not saying that about all. anyone else get that feeling?
