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!!
1. Drop the new empty Camelbak policy, maybe by just requiring them to be open for a sniff test. Time suck=harder to stay hydrated.
There was only one time which I went in that they were making people do this and I don't think it is a coincidence that this was by far the longest it took me to get in all weekend.
Also, I had friends who went pit for Mumford on Saturday and apparently security was borked again...at least on the left side. They had said it looked done well for Kendrick the day before and that is why they went over there, but Saturday it was apparently a mess. IMO, that is something they absolutely should not be fucking up.
Post by TacticalTurtleneck on Jun 15, 2015 17:42:56 GMT -5
1. Leave the screen on for the SuperJam. Also, turn the damn volume up on it. Or turn down Bassnectar/Kolliope, either way works for me.
2. Convince Mother Nature to give us a full four days of 75 and overcast with a breeze.
Did anyone else have the new camping layout? We rolled in thursday afternoon and parked in the Zoolander neighborhood. Basically, You park in a straight line, bumper to bumper with the cars in front of and behind you. Your gear goes either to the left or right of your car (leaving space for the emergency lanes on the other side). This gave us (6 cars total) a TON more space for camp this year. All in all, we were able to fit 6 medium-sized tents and 4 EZ Ups in our space, with even more space left over. I really dig this new camping layout, and really hope it sticks.
And because it was nasty, people were dumping their bottles out right after filling them, creating more problems. A swamp formed on the path between the Which and What stage as a result.
you must be new. That was no swamp compared to what it use to be.
Compared to the ditch, yea. But I was still inconvenienced! I do suppose there is a separate thread for trivial bitching though...
Did anyone else have the new camping layout? We rolled in thursday afternoon and parked in the Zoolander neighborhood. Basically, You park in a straight line, bumper to bumper with the cars in front of and behind you. Your gear goes either to the left or right of your car (leaving space for the emergency lanes on the other side). This gave us (6 cars total) a TON more space for camp this year. All in all, we were able to fit 6 medium-sized tents and 4 EZ Ups in our space, with even more space left over. I really dig this new camping layout, and really hope it sticks.
Yeah, we had this, and it was great. We didn't have more room than last year (our lines seemed to be painted closer together than others, so it was probably just a mistake), but we didn't have less either, so it was fine. I liked that exhaust didn't go under canopies and into tents when neighbors cranked their cars. We had one neighbor who sat in their running car about half of every day :-) so it was nice that their exhaust was just going into the car behind them.
Did anyone else have the new camping layout? We rolled in thursday afternoon and parked in the Zoolander neighborhood. Basically, You park in a straight line, bumper to bumper with the cars in front of and behind you. Your gear goes either to the left or right of your car (leaving space for the emergency lanes on the other side). This gave us (6 cars total) a TON more space for camp this year. All in all, we were able to fit 6 medium-sized tents and 4 EZ Ups in our space, with even more space left over. I really dig this new camping layout, and really hope it sticks.
Yeah, we had this, and it was great. We didn't have more room than last year (our lines seemed to be painted closer together than others, so it was probably just a mistake), but we didn't have less either, so it was fine. I liked that exhaust didn't go under canopies and into tents when neighbors cranked their cars. We had one neighbor who sat in their running car about half of every day :-) so it was nice that their exhaust was just going into the car behind them.
I didn't even think of that, but that's reason enough to adopt this festival-wide.
Also, I had friends who went pit for Mumford on Saturday and apparently security was borked again...at least on the left side. They had said it looked done well for Kendrick the day before and that is why they went over there, but Saturday it was apparently a mess. IMO, that is something they absolutely should not be fucking up.
It took security a long time that day to figure out what they wanted to do with the massive build-up of Mumford fans. I thought it was weird that they didn't immediately line everybody up for Mumford against the wall and instead they waited an hour to get a guard rail pen set up off the wall for them. It looked miserable in there. They were baking in the sun the whole time. Then they gave Hozier the wall and lined up MMJ right next to them. But because this took an hour, I don't think everybody on the wall knew that they weren't in line for either MMJ or Mumford or whoever--they just assumed they were in the right line. So people who thought they were the first 10 in line were actually like in the first 50 once all the lines got merged.
I kind of wanted to walk through the arch one time. So, please, unless you're a legitimate street artist...please leave your one can of black spray paint home.
Post by itrainmonkeys on Jun 15, 2015 18:56:02 GMT -5
There should be a rule about people who get into the pit at what stage.
If you get in you shouldn't be allowed to turn your back to the stage and talk about inane bullshit that doesn't have anything to do with the show or the fest. I hate having people around me quiet down for certain songs and then hear about me or two voices chatting about how hard they raged and plan to rage in the future. One or two comments or chats between songs is fine. Spending half the set distracting others is terrible.
There should be a rule about people who get into the pit at what stage.
If you get in you shouldn't be allowed to turn your back to the stage and talk about inane bullshit that doesn't have anything to do with the show or the fest. I hate having people around me quiet down for certain songs and then hear about me or two voices chatting about how hard they raged and plan to rage in the future. One or two comments or chats between songs is fine. Spending half the set distracting others is terrible.
Motion to ban the use of the word "Rage" in all non- Against the Machine context from here forward?
I think 2016 needs to be the year they begin to get serious about the 'art' aspect of the festival. It is the Bonnaroo Music and ARTS Festival after all. I think this can include architecture as well.
The music aspect of Bonnaroo is second to none...as we know it has consistently put out one of the best lineups each year. From an artistic and architectural viewpoint, the festival is lacking. The stages are boring with little creativity put into their design. I mean hell, I could argue there is NO thought put into ithe stage design—they setup the stage, then maybe the tent and it's ready to go...nothing further.
The stages with their creative names could be designed to reflect the same creativity. The Other Tent can look drastically different than the That Tent, etc. I am an architect myself, and I also love Bonnaroo so I intend (if I have time) to contact AC Entertainment about this soon. Maybe we can begin by redesigning the shade structures which are completely inadequate.
I get a bit jealous when I see beautiful, creative installations at other festivals. Because Bonnaroo is in a relatively flat field, it should be easy to setup more than a dozen art pieces or installations that captivate the imagination. I know this may sound cheesy or whatever, but I do appreciate good art, and I believe becoming serious about art at Bonnaroo can go a long way in improving the festival. I just don't think we realize the impact it can make.
1. Leave the screen on for the SuperJam. Also, turn the damn volume up on it. Or turn down Bassnectar/Kolliope, either way works for me.
2. Convince Mother Nature to give us a full four days of 75 and overcast with a breeze.
Did anyone else have the new camping layout? We rolled in thursday afternoon and parked in the Zoolander neighborhood. Basically, You park in a straight line, bumper to bumper with the cars in front of and behind you. Your gear goes either to the left or right of your car (leaving space for the emergency lanes on the other side). This gave us (6 cars total) a TON more space for camp this year. All in all, we were able to fit 6 medium-sized tents and 4 EZ Ups in our space, with even more space left over. I really dig this new camping layout, and really hope it sticks.
Our camp was set up like that also. Much more room and not a mad dash to claim land. I like it!
They were like airplane toilets and AMAZING. I pretty much used them exclusively in Centeroo all weekend. The attendants cleaned them every 20-30 minutes and they always had toiilet paper. There was rarely a line because we could get in and out really quickly beause there was no fumbling around with wipes and tp and gross seats. The ones in centeroo were for females only so that also helped.
They were gender specific, or divided I guess you would say, but there were some for guys as well back by This Tent. A nice upgrade, but they definitely needed a dang bag hook or something on the inside of the doors. I'm not complaining, but they were very tight and there was nowhere to put a backpack. The attendants there did an amazing job, and the added urinal troughs sped things up. I didn't use the ones by my camp in Pod 10 (stupid 10, that's another story), but people said the attendants were definitely charging for them, whether or not that was how they were supposed to be.
Most important need that has never been addressed - more shade.
The water in Centeroo didn't taste bad to me, and after Thursday they stopped telling people to dump their Camelbaks, as far as I saw.
Soundbleed was still a problem of course, and some shows on Which seemed extra quiet.
The NBA Finals game on Thursday should have been shown outside on a big screen, like last year. Thursday wasn't exactly a stacked lineup, so even though we were not there to watch sports, it would have been nice. A ton of people were surprised that it was only on in the dinky Cinema Tent, since it was a big game. Someone suspected they cheaped out on viewing rights, though I have no idea how much that would have cost, if anything.
Post by mahgeetah34 on Jun 15, 2015 21:39:25 GMT -5
Pod 10 sucked. I don't think they cleaned the toilets much over the weekend. It was the first time I had longer than a 10 minute walk to the entrances, this year it was 25 to 30 minutes. There's nothing that can change about that though. Our camping was set up the old way where cars are parked right beside each other and you only had the space behind your vehicle available.
So much trash this year. Everywhere you walked it seem liked you were walking on empty water bottles or plastic cups. Not sure if the camelbak policy, running out of water occasionally at the refill stations or just the heat helped contribute but there seemed to be way more plastic everywhere.
Pod 10 sucked. I don't think they cleaned the toilets much over the weekend. It was the first time I had longer than a 10 minute walk to the entrances, this year it was 25 to 30 minutes. There's nothing that can change about that though. Our camping was set up the old way where cars are parked right beside each other and you only had the space behind your vehicle available.
Yea pod 10 definitely didnt have the cleanliest toilets. Might be traumatized from a few of the things I saw in there on Sunday night. Luckily my camp was untouched, but I guess some looters cleaned house in pod 10 on Thursday.
Pod 10 sucked. I don't think they cleaned the toilets much over the weekend. It was the first time I had longer than a 10 minute walk to the entrances, this year it was 25 to 30 minutes. There's nothing that can change about that though. Our camping was set up the old way where cars are parked right beside each other and you only had the space behind your vehicle available.
We were out in Pod 10- Peter Griffin I think it was? 15 minute walk for ice.. by the time we got back to the campsite with the bags, it was significantly melted. We started driving up for it. Also- on Thursday, the closest toilet was 15 minutes away. I don't know if it was planned or if a lot of people complained but they finally gave us 3 or 4 porta potties back there on Friday. I've camped in pod 10 before and it wasn't the best but it wasn't as bad as this. This year camping wise sucked.
Post by famousblueraincoat on Jun 15, 2015 23:08:34 GMT -5
My 8th Bonnaroo in the can, and I must say, the improvements continue. We went VIP this year (which I enjoyed) so a number of my thoughts are vip-related.
1) Vip pit access at tents, cinema, comedy - I get that this access is not formally included as part of the vip package. However, Thursday and Friday we had zero problem getting pit access at this and the other, and then it stopped. Obviously, it would be great for this access to be available at all times (I never once found the pits to be overcrowded), but, at the very least, have a policy for such access and clearly communicate it to vip patrons in advance. Policies shouldn't change mid-festival. (May I suggest allowing vip three reservations for pit (could even be rfid driven) for the festival to be scheduled in advance of attendance? You could list a preference level pre-fest and then have the more popular shows randomly selected.)
2) VIP bathrooms/showers - Additional location(s) throughout vip please. Didn't love the 10 min. walk to use restroom.
3) More craft beers outside of the broo'ers tent.
4) Was there a VIP entrance at the back of vip grounds? I know there was one by the patio bar, but it'd be nice to have one in the far back to encourage vip to explore the grounds.
5) Thursday night. I don't need a headliner but I'd like to see a few more late night tent acts booked. Those late nights are so popular, it seems a waste not to use the tents past one on thursday.
All in all, I had a tremendous time. But, hey, there's always room for improvement.
1) Vip pit access at tents, cinema, comedy - I get that this access is not formally included as part of the vip package. However, Thursday and Friday we had zero problem getting pit access at this and the other, and then it stopped. Obviously, it would be great for this access to be available at all times (I never once found the pits to be overcrowded), but, at the very least, have a policy for such access and clearly communicate it to vip patrons in advance. Policies shouldn't change mid-festival. (May I suggest allowing vip three reservations for pit (could even be rfid driven) for the festival to be scheduled in advance of attendance? You could list a preference level pre-fest and then have the more popular shows randomly selected.)
This happens literally every single year. Like you already knew and pointed out, VIP doesn't get pit access at any of the tents. Security ALWAYS fucks it up Thursday then figures it out the rest of the weekend. It's only for Artist/Guest/Media. And while it may seem empty for some sets, I can assure you those things fill up tightly for the majority of shows. And they're at a shitty angle so unless you're in the absolute front, you can't see shit anyways, so you aren't missing much.
Also, I'll never understand why people sit in the hot sun ALL day waiting in the pit line. I guess if you just HAVE to be on the rail then it's necessary but for literally every single headliner this year I waited until the first song was over then just walked right in and went to the very back dead center of the pit for the best spot in the house.
Also whoever said you can get a donut in the pretzel line at the Amish vendor booth is a liar. They'll yell at you and make you go to the back of the donut line. Don't even try it.
Fine. Apparently EVERYBODY is going to talk about the magic toilets in Centeroo that were NEVER busy. I kept my mouth shut about them all weekend. It was like finding a hidden trampoline. So beautiful. Swept out after every use. Glorious. Next year it will be ruined. Ruined I tells ya!!!!
Okay, so back to what to improve:
1) Figure out the damn Comedy Tent. Seriously. It's been a decade. Why haven't they figured it out? This year it was 'come and get your wristband scanned and you are registered for the shows you indicated. Come back a half hour before the show and line up.' Perfect!
Thursday at Noon
Door Guy: 'You need to come and line up an hour before the show. We don't scan wristbands.' Me: 'The sign right there says that you do.' Door Guy: 'Uhhhhh. Let me get my supervisor.' Door Guy's Supervisor: 'Come back in an hour and we'll be ready to scan.' Me An Hour Later: 'Are you guys scanning wristbands now?' Door Guy's Supervisor: 'No. We're not doing that.' Me: 'An hour ago you said to come back in an hour.' Door Guy's Supervisor: 'Yeah, we're not doing that. Come back an hour before the show you want to see.' Me (sputtering): 'But... the sign... and you said... and we came back... and the sign...?' Door Guy's Supervisor: 'Yeah... we're not doing that." I show up an hour and a half before the show. Giant line. Finally it starts moving. At the end, they ask what show and scan my wristband to register for the show and then tell me to go and immediately wait in another line to get into the tent. Wait for an hour. The line moves. No wristbands are scanned at entry. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
PS: On a whim I take a shot for Chris Hardwick. People are flowing right in. First I'm told to walk five feet from the entrance to have my wristband registered for the show. I do it. walk to the door and my wristband is scanned for entry. I just don't know.
So that happened.
2) The damn What Pit. Why do they insist on not figuring that out? Apparently there were fist fights on the left side after the pit filled by Kendrick fans who wanted to be next in line to go into the pit next so security decided that for the rest of the weekend when the pit filled up they were not letting new people in when people exited. I was told by security that there were 1300 GA/VIP allowed per show and that they needed to make sure that they didn't let anybody else in case people with Guest or Artist wristbands showed up. Aside from their continued dogged loyalty to everyone but the average attendee who pays for their own ticket, if you're going to change the damn rules just let us know. If I knew that they were not replacing the pit I would get there early. (I'm fine with waiting my turn and getting in the pit halfway through for some shows.)
They have created a system where pushing, shoving and general rudeness pays if you want to get in the pit. By refusing to define where pit lines are and by declining to have security monitor the process, the thing turns into a mob for any popular show. It's just a matter of time before someone gets trampled. This is the opposite of radiating positivity.
3) Late Nights. How about an option besides EDM? Friday after 12:45: Deadmau5, Odesza, STS9, Flying Lotus. Saturday was slightly better with two stages having an alternative. (Kaliope going both nights.) More variety and more late night. It wasn't that long ago where you had 3-4 different options at 4AM. Now your option is... Kaliope. After it gets burned down by Inforooers next year there won't even be that.
Finally, 4) Never close the Amish Donut place. Wandered over after Superjam! and was so sad to see it shuttered.
Oh! 5) Let's let the food vendors go back to having their own customized signage. It's just cooler.
Oh! And remove anybody who sits on a blanket in the pit. (From the pit, not the whole festival!) That's prime real estate. Sit on your blanket on the lawn.
I've finally come to grips with the fact that people feel that it's not selfish and rude to sit on a blanket under a tent while bands are playing and people are forced to stand in little island gaps in between but it makes zero sense to do this in the pit.
Post by mypatronusispatron on Jun 16, 2015 8:34:14 GMT -5
I wish they would figure out the PIT situation already. Four years i've been going and its still a mess. I spent a good part of the weekend being "security" because people didn't respect the roovians who had waited for hours. But by Florence and the Machines I had it down.
Post by theamazingswan on Jun 16, 2015 9:27:27 GMT -5
Every time I asked a volunteer a question I was never able to get any kind of answer. This happened probably once a day for me at the festival. It all was highlighted as I was driving out on sunday night. There was not really anybody leaving at the time so there was no line going through the exit. I get to an intersection where you could drive straight or turn left. There were two people directing traffic. I yelled simply "exit?" and pointed left at the first kid directing traffic. He just gives me a dead stare and looked really high. The next person down was this surly old lady that just was yelling at me that I was blocking traffic when I was just trying to figure out which way to go when there were no signs and the attendants were doing nothing.
Educating volunteers that have some sort of motivation would go a long way
Also shade in the comedy area would be great. The ticket system worked well for those who waited for them in the morning. Extend the maze for the waiting area and put up some shade canopies. Similar kind of thing would be nice for pit lines too
And the sound bleed from stages needs to be better. I was just trying to hang out in the back for FlyLo and the noise from Kalliope was pretty offensive
