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!!
When I compare lineups year to year, I look at perceived lineup quality and also the total number of acts playing on the 5 main stages/tents (what, which, this, that, other).
IMO, the overall lineup has decreased in quality from 2014 > 2015 > 2016 (so far)
When looking at the 5 main stages based on my printed schedules:
2013: 112 2014: 114 2015: 102 2016: 96 (so far)
So we are getting worse lineups AND fewer total bands....not a good trend...
It's more the fact that there's a growing army of people like you who value vibez and community over artists.
Why is this innately a bad thing?
Because the #vibez will be there no matter what. Bonnaroo is the happiest place on Earth regardless of who's playing. The music is the part that they can control in terms of quality. And this year's lineup is lacking in it, at least in the top few lines it is.
I do go for the music as well, but aren't dead set on being entertained by specific artists. So the theme of the lineup is more my fancy. Still is about the lineup.
Please, go on. What is the theme of this lineup?
Was talking about this in another thread. The headliners hone in on some older demographics and classic festival fans, where the mid level acts are mostly indie rock that was important to the college demographic during their formative years. The lowest level (like vulfpeck) hit some of the broader music fans. The conclusion we reached was that the people that disliked the artists were generally older than that college age, and would prefer those low level gems to be swapped for some gem mid level acts. However, it appeals to me (21yo) because of the close attachment that I and many others my age have to those top-mid artists.
When I compare lineups year to year, I look at perceived lineup quality and also the total number of acts playing on the 5 main stages/tents (what, which, this, that, other).
IMO, the overall lineup has decreased in quality from 2014 > 2015 > 2016 (so far)
When looking at the 5 main stages based on my printed schedules:
2013: 112 2014: 114 2015: 102 2016: 96 (so far)
So we are getting worse lineups AND fewer total bands....not a good trend...
I may of miscounted but I thought I came up with 97 last year.
When I compare lineups year to year, I look at perceived lineup quality and also the total number of acts playing on the 5 main stages/tents (what, which, this, that, other).
IMO, the overall lineup has decreased in quality from 2014 > 2015 > 2016 (so far)
When looking at the 5 main stages based on my printed schedules:
2013: 112 2014: 114 2015: 102 2016: 96 (so far)
So we are getting worse lineups AND fewer total bands....not a good trend...
We also used to get longer sets and more LN options. Those have started dwindling away as well.
Also, the large screens are something I don't have access to in my house. There's something about those fountain cokes too. See? Overall experience, more than just the primary content.
Play this comparison out to its logical conclusion and it'll be you and your Vibez Crew paying a premium to sit in a theater watching loops of youtube cat videos on a cool large screen with $9 fountain cokes.
Awesome overall experience, bro.
I wouldn't do that, but I wouldn't judge someone who'd like to.
I just used the printed schedules that they provide when you enter the festival grounds because that's what I have easy access to and what Bonnaroo originally intends for the schedule to look like. I think those are printed a couple weeks prior so my numbers may be off slightly but generally accurate.
Because the #vibez will be there no matter what. Bonnaroo is the happiest place on Earth regardless of who's playing. The music is the part that they can control in terms of quality. And this year's lineup is lacking in it, at least in the top few lines it is.
Very true. Great post. Which leads me to wonder... did Bonnaroo's culture first come from the lineups they got, or the people who are attracted to large outdoor festivals in the early 00's?
I hope they book small stage acts on the level of what they did in 2014: The Orwells, Skinny Lister, Speedy Ortiz, Diarrhea Planet, Griswolds, and others. That could help convince me to go.
I've done 7 straight Roos. With Wednesday arrivals and Monday exits, I've spent a month of my life on the farm. Bonnaroo is the brand I have the most loyalty to out of any product or event. There are years I've gone in the past when the lineup sucked but nothing as bad as what this lineup is. There's still so much excitement and nostalgia when I go back to Roo and that is the primary driver for me, not the lineup and that sucks. I'm worried that if I don't go this year that I might never go back. I'm glad I keep waiting on getting a Roo tattoo, it could be real embarrassing in 10 years if they keep trying to book Lolla lineups.
Same. This fits me perfectly. That roo tattoo would be a little embarrassing right about now. Sucks to see them go down this way.
I hope they book small stage acts on the level of what they did in 2014: The Orwells, Skinny Lister, Speedy Ortiz, Diarrhea Planet, Griswolds, and others. That could help convince me to go.
I've done 7 straight Roos. With Wednesday arrivals and Monday exits, I've spent a month of my life on the farm. Bonnaroo is the brand I have the most loyalty to out of any product or event. There are years I've gone in the past when the lineup sucked but nothing as bad as what this lineup is. There's still so much excitement and nostalgia when I go back to Roo and that is the primary driver for me, not the lineup and that sucks. I'm worried that if I don't go this year that I might never go back. I'm glad I keep waiting on getting a Roo tattoo, it could be real embarrassing in 10 years if they keep trying to book Lolla lineups.
I feel you man. Let me guess, a lineup brought you to roo in the first place, and the nostalgia and culture is what brought you back?
I hope they book small stage acts on the level of what they did in 2014: The Orwells, Skinny Lister, Speedy Ortiz, Diarrhea Planet, Griswolds, and others. That could help convince me to go.
I've done 7 straight Roos. With Wednesday arrivals and Monday exits, I've spent a month of my life on the farm. Bonnaroo is the brand I have the most loyalty to out of any product or event. There are years I've gone in the past when the lineup sucked but nothing as bad as what this lineup is. There's still so much excitement and nostalgia when I go back to Roo and that is the primary driver for me, not the lineup and that sucks. I'm worried that if I don't go this year that I might never go back. I'm glad I keep waiting on getting a Roo tattoo, it could be real embarrassing in 10 years if they keep trying to book Lolla lineups.
Same. This fits me perfectly. That roo tattoo would be a little embarrassing right about now. Sucks to see them go down this way.
One bad lineup, or even a downward slope of quality of lineups, does not devalue the original years I went and the great experiences and memories that roo allowed me to experience.
Post by abefroman1 on Jan 14, 2016 14:45:34 GMT -5
Is anyone else worried that Live Nation is trying to turn Bonnaroo into a 2nd tier festival? I'm not an economist but maybe the profit margins are better for Lolla than Roo? Lolla sells out almost instantly every year, Roo maybe sells out a couple weeks before June (if at all). The guarenteed money is there at Lolla. Plus add in aftershows, maybe some backroom deals with hotels, travel logistics for the employees/crews/bands. Props to them for installing new water lines and permanent bathrooms but that shit costs big money. Not to mention Lolla is expanding to 4 days while Roo seems to have 10 less bands a year....
Bonnaroo '15/'16/'17/'18/'19 - ACL '13/'14/'15/'17/'18 - Fun Fun Fun '14 - SXSW '13/'14/'15 - FPSF '16
2019 Shows: 4/30 - Vampire Weekend 6/28 - Father John Misty & Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit 9/6 - Cardi B w/ Teyana Taylor 9/28 - Vulfpeck w/ The Fearless Flyers
I'll go ahead and be the guy to ignore public perception and say that Macklemore is a great artist for Bonnaroo.
I was reluctantly dragged to his show in 2013 and honestly it's a blast. The dude emanates positive energy.
Look, Macklemore was fun in 2013. But his set was also at 2:30pm and followed by Nas and Kendrick Lamar. Tickets were $300 and had Sir Paul McCartney playing for 3+ hours (with Wu Tang before him on Which).
In the span of 3 years I'm expected to plop down $400 for Macklemore (whom has 2 new songs out in that time) to probably play at 9pm on Friday/Saturday? Fuck that noise.
Same. This fits me perfectly. That roo tattoo would be a little embarrassing right about now. Sucks to see them go down this way.
One bad lineup, or even a downward slope of quality of lineups, does not devalue the original years I went and the great experiences and memories that roo allowed me to experience.
that's not what we are saying doofus...
No one is going to "Men in Black" your past Bonnaroo experiences, but the "downward" trend in lineups makes it more likely that the loyal attendees will stop attending and they will no longer have a top tier festival....
Last Edit: Jan 14, 2016 15:02:54 GMT -5 by ZIG - Back to Top
the remainder are most likely café acts and comedians.
Looks like they put most of the café acts already.
Cafe/club stage acts are a completely separate announcement. Last year's wasn't until April I think.
That being said, last year's club stage announcement brought us some of my favorite acts: Boy & Bear, Raury, Son Little, Broncho, Falls, Kaleo, Sol Cat, and others. In fact I remember becoming twice as excited for Roo when I saw these names on that announcement.
I don't care if the "vibez" aren't enough, but many need to stop being be so quacking negative. It gets old.
Also, as always, I have full confidence that plenty of people are still going to attend this wonderful festival and have the time of their lives. Experiences get old for some people, and that's no surprise. The first year you go to Roo is probably going to set a high standard for you, especially lineup wise since it's the lineup that convinces you to make the trip. That doesn't mean you gotta bash the lineup. If it doesn't appeal, just don't go.
Bonnaroo '15/'16/'17/'18/'19 - ACL '13/'14/'15/'17/'18 - Fun Fun Fun '14 - SXSW '13/'14/'15 - FPSF '16
2019 Shows: 4/30 - Vampire Weekend 6/28 - Father John Misty & Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit 9/6 - Cardi B w/ Teyana Taylor 9/28 - Vulfpeck w/ The Fearless Flyers
When I compare lineups year to year, I look at perceived lineup quality and also the total number of acts playing on the 5 main stages/tents (what, which, this, that, other).
IMO, the overall lineup has decreased in quality from 2014 > 2015 > 2016 (so far)
When looking at the 5 main stages based on my printed schedules:
2013: 112 2014: 114 2015: 102 2016: 96 (so far)
So we are getting worse lineups AND fewer total bands....not a good trend...
I figured it's more a matter of opinion but I totally agree with you as far as lineup quality. Despite having a few amazing acts 2015 was a bummer when it dropped. Really though this is only the 2nd year in a row of underwhelming acts by volume. I'd give it 3 years then call it a trend. Right now it's just a slump.
Because the #vibez will be there no matter what. Bonnaroo is the happiest place on Earth regardless of who's playing. The music is the part that they can control in terms of quality. And this year's lineup is lacking in it, at least in the top few lines it is.
Very true. Great post. Which leads me to wonder... did Bonnaroo's culture first come from the lineups they got, or the people who are attracted to large outdoor festivals in the early 00's?
the culture came from phish fans and other like minded college age music fans who didn't have anything else to do summer of 2002 because phish was on hiatus.
I'll go ahead and be the guy to ignore public perception and say that Macklemore is a great artist for Bonnaroo.
I was reluctantly dragged to his show in 2013 and honestly it's a blast. The dude emanates positive energy.
Look, Macklemore was fun in 2013. But his set was also at 2:30pm and followed by Nas and Kendrick Lamar. Tickets were $300 and had Sir Paul McCartney playing for 3+ hours (with Wu Tang before him on Which).
In the span of 3 years I'm expected to plop down $400 for Macklemore (whom has 2 new songs out in that time) to probably play at 9pm on Friday/Saturday? Fuck that noise.
This is everything that needs to be said. Macklemore is a seriously a god damn joke, the single he put out a couple months back is essentially Thrift Shop v2.0 and it blows just as much. Who is actually into this guy?
Last Edit: Jan 14, 2016 15:12:15 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
I just counted about 101 stage acts for last year (This Tent, That, Other, What, and Which Stage). My counting might have been a bit off though, but if we have 93 confirmed acts plus 3 headliners...there might be room for like 4 or 5 more. Not saying I'm getting my hopes up, but I just remember last year there being less bands than previous years so I don't know if this will be a trend that continues. I wonder if Thursday will start later again too
I'm just glad a lot of the people I go with care less about the lineup than me. Like most of us, I know too much music and am aware of too many artists they missed out on to be satisfied. But most of my crew are fine with it, which is good in that it reminds me how fun the festival is.
For every 20 members of the Vibez Crew, there's one person who cares about the actual lineup.
Welcome to the future of festivals.
It's more that a lot of my crew just don't know as much music and don't follow the whole scene as much as we do here. So they'll count 15 artists they like and then research more after seeing the lineup. But yeah it can be a little annoying having them not understand why this lineup is as bad as it is
When I compare lineups year to year, I look at perceived lineup quality and also the total number of acts playing on the 5 main stages/tents (what, which, this, that, other).
IMO, the overall lineup has decreased in quality from 2014 > 2015 > 2016 (so far)
When looking at the 5 main stages based on my printed schedules:
2013: 112 2014: 114 2015: 102 2016: 96 (so far)
So we are getting worse lineups AND fewer total bands....not a good trend...
I may of miscounted but I thought I came up with 97 last year.
and if you include 2011 and 2012, the reversal of lineup size is more pronounced.
2011: 106 2012: 107
Slight increases every year thru 2014, then a drop off...
I'm still hung up on how the hell White Denim isn't on the lineup. And Portgual. The Man and Shpongle were supposed to be confirmed from the bands themselves ... It's official, can't trust anyone's scoopz anymore.
I know some of the guys from White Denim are in Leon Bridges' backing band. I never thought we would get both bands.
Yeah you have to ask a lot of questions to know somebody is snorting coke or offering to sell other drugs to you
I just can't believe how you ran into every single person that had attended every single festival you went to and observed their drug use. Glad we have you here to crunch those numbers.
Do yourself a favor and read what I originally said. I said bonnaroo has the most drug use I have seen. That means just my observation. I don't think anyone has exact numbers. All I was saying was that I have personally only been to one festival that I looked around and saw more people getting high. Maybe bonnaroo has the lowest usage, but not from my own personal experience.
I'm still hung up on how the hell White Denim isn't on the lineup. And Portgual. The Man and Shpongle were supposed to be confirmed from the bands themselves ... It's official, can't trust anyone's scoopz anymore.
I know some of the guys from White Denim are in Leon Bridges' backing band. I never thought we would get both bands.
I read someone say on facebook that the new White Denim tour will have a few different musicians since those guys are still out with Leon. Hoping the new/stand-in guys are just as good.
Is anyone else worried that Live Nation is trying to turn Bonnaroo into a 2nd tier festival? I'm not an economist but maybe the profit margins are better for Lolla than Roo? Lolla sells out almost instantly every year, Roo maybe sells out a couple weeks before June (if at all). The guarenteed money is there at Lolla. Plus add in aftershows, maybe some backroom deals with hotels, travel logistics for the employees/crews/bands. Props to them for installing new water lines and permanent bathrooms but that shit costs big money. Not to mention Lolla is expanding to 4 days while Roo seems to have 10 less bands a year....
Livenation has zilch to do with booking. They are just there as a bank roll. This is all on AC/Superfly.
I can tell you that the #1 priority they have and what they are using the Livenation investment money for, is fixing up the farm. Maybe in a few years once they are done building, they'll start inflating the talent budget.
It makes sense they want to build up the farm. If the long-term goal is to get other big music/festival/whatever events on that land then having running water and flush toilets will go a long way to convincing people to hold their event there.
Look, Macklemore was fun in 2013. But his set was also at 2:30pm and followed by Nas and Kendrick Lamar. Tickets were $300 and had Sir Paul McCartney playing for 3+ hours (with Wu Tang before him on Which).
In the span of 3 years I'm expected to plop down $400 for Macklemore (whom has 2 new songs out in that time) to probably play at 9pm on Friday/Saturday? Fuck that noise.
This is everything that needs to be said. Macklemore is a seriously a god damn joke, the single he put out a couple months back is essentially Thrift Shop v2.0 and it blows just as much. Who is actually into this guy?
