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!!
Specifically for this festival and how it has been marketed sure, but I dont buy that this festival couldnt be financially successful with a different target market based on Austin City Limits, Outside Lands, and even Boston Calling, all city festivals that are able to pull enough support from the older demographics to make money
I will note that the Saturday VIP sold out which is exclusively 21+ so it's not like the "older" crowd is entirely missing. I feel like we all have this same conversation every year after this festival. We note that the hip-hop/pop/annoying EDM sets were the best attended and usually reflected a crowd of youngsters yet still want the festival to book acts that appeal more to an older demographic. Can't see GB taking that route anytime soon but let's hope they don't go all out in that direction and end up like Made In America.
The difference this year is that the younger cohort that some have complained about actively went out and destroyed shit
Now that I’ve had some time to recover and regain my thoughts:
1. Kacey Musgraves - Stole the show. Incredible charisma. Pink cowboy hats and pride flags galore. The crowd belting out Rainbow was the highlight of the weekend for me. Only downside was all the young’ns losing their shit once Kendall Jenner showed up in VIP.
2. Florence - Stayed way in the back so I could have room to run around and dance. I had never seen her before and heard she was a great live act, but damn. Not the biggest fan of her whole art school hippie aesthetic and I only really know a handful of her songs, but she won me over.
3. Denzel Curry - The new songs slap live and he reps the 305 harder than just about anybody. My dude. Only negative is that I wish he’d played Bulls on Parade.
4. Tyler - Idk where people that saw this set get the idea that he can’t headline. He’s got the catalogue at this point and is coming off of the hottest album in the world. Could’ve brought it a little harder, but it’s his first show with the new material and you could tell he was a little thrown off by how big shit has blown up for him. I’m willing to give him a bit of a pass. Would’ve enjoyed his set a lot more if it weren’t for these damned kids.
5. Mitski - deserves better from us and you could tell she was kinda annoyed, but she brought it. Her stage presence is intense. Definitely does a lot of Pilates.
6. BROCKHAMPTON - these kids have really learned how to own a stage and a crowd. 19-year-old sister-in-law asked me if I think they can headline fests one day and it’s honestly not out of the question. At least for smaller regional fests.
7. Suzi Wu - went into her set not knowing much about her music outside of a cursory listening of her 3-4 top songs on Apple Music, but left thinking she might be a candidate to blow up once she puts out a proper album.
8. U.S. Girls - love their music and they sounded great, but something about them at 1pm feels off. Much more suited to an intimate, dark venue.
9. Voidz - when they weren’t having sound issues, they were shredding it. The small crowd that was there was fully into it.
10. Sunflower Bean - perfect early-day rock act for sitting in a field drinking frozen lemonade.
11/19: Caribou 11/22: Ranger Trucco 11/29: Armand Van Helden* 1/16: L'Impératrice 1/30: Jamie xx 2/1: DJ Seinfeld 2/7: Mild Minds* 3/1: Father John Misty* 3/19: Confidence Man 3/23: DARKSIDE 5/8: Rüfüs Du Sol
I’m satisfied with their explanation. Takes integrity to take ownership, field questions and offer a detailed breakdown of what happened when you fuck up. I’ll probably never buy a ticket again so my opinion is worth nothing, but I respect the move.
Now that I’ve had some time to recover and regain my thoughts:
1. Kacey Musgraves - Stole the show. Incredible charisma. Pink cowboy hats and pride flags galore. The crowd belting out Rainbow was the highlight of the weekend for me. Only downside was all the young’ns losing their shit once Kendall Jenner showed up in VIP..
You sure it wasn’t cause future Knicks Point Guard Kyrie Irving was next to her
Now that I’ve had some time to recover and regain my thoughts:
1. Kacey Musgraves - Stole the show. Incredible charisma. Pink cowboy hats and pride flags galore. The crowd belting out Rainbow was the highlight of the weekend for me. Only downside was all the young’ns losing their shit once Kendall Jenner showed up in VIP..
You sure it wasn’t cause future Knicks Point Guard Kyrie Irving was next to her
Charli XCX was the only act we were looking forward to today and thank god she had a makeup show at Le Poisson Rouge. Already home safe and sound, I just knew going to Randalls at 6 would be awful.
This whole year was handled horribly, with the shit lineup, to the reactions to customer reactions to the lineup to today. And what would make things much better is what I’ve been suggesting for years now - MOVE THIS TO CITI FIELD. Never was a problem there for Meadows...
Sorry to everyone who tried today, you got robbed.
"New" fest there in the fall that will target the GB demographic to a T... that combined w/ the issues this year may mark this is the beginning of the end for GB.
Post by jorgeandthekraken on Jun 4, 2019 7:36:43 GMT -5
Alright, so, like elpingu, I've had the chance to collect my thoughts and reflect back on the weekend. Here's a ranking of the 22 sets of which I saw at least something. Just one guy's opinion, of course, so take it with whatever grain of salt you'd like.
1. Florence + the Machine, and it's not even close. Easily cracks the top 5 sets I've seen at this festival in six years. Amazing, positive crowd energy and just an unbelievable performance. I still get chills thinking about it. 2. Lord Huron - Surprise of the festival for me. I thought they'd be a decent way to pass time before Florence, and instead had my face rocked. 3. Nas - Still got it 4. Sunflower Bean 5. Bob Moses 6. U.S. Girls 7. Mitski 8. Noname - really, really wish I'd gotten to see more of her. 9, Hippo Campus 10. Denzel Curry - Would've jumped a couple spots if he played "Bulls on Parade." 11. Kacey Musgraves - My group's energy was kind of in a dip at this point, so we chilled on a blanket for this one. I think I might have dug it more if I'd been up in the crowd, which looked fun. 12. The 1975 13. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever 14. Vince Staples - Probably would have been ranked higher if he didn't finish 20 minutes early. 15. Cautious Clay 16. MØ 17. Hundredth 18. The Voidz - or, why sound checks are important and necessary 19. Gesaffelstein - I know he crushed it for a lot of people, but his style of music just isn't my thing. 20. Deal Casino 21. Blood Orange 22. Lily Allen
Like many here, I was disappointed by Sunday, but understand the situation they are in. Biggest issue (that they cannot fix) is that they are on an island, and it needs to be evacuated in bad weather. Unfortunately, sometimes the decisions they make seem wrong in retrospect. But there is little they can do I suspect. I actually really enjoyed my 3 hours there Sunday LOL!
Top 3 Sunday: 1. Lily Allen (was a must see and did not disappoint) 2. Bob Moses (I take them for granted but always really enjoy them) 3. Shaed (just behind the rail for 4 song set at the Dive bar stage) HM: Nas
I agree the crowd is terrible. Usually that is kind of OK for me - as an old dude, I am generally happy that the youngsters are NOT generally at the set I am. I can get much closer, though it is disappointing to see small crowds for acts you love. But a big crowd for Mitski (for example) would probably be full of a good number of disinterested folks chatting (at least I tell myself this). Other fests (Outside Lands for example) have larger crowds for these acts, but man it's hard to get into when everyone is talking. I'll take the smaller, more dedicated crowd, though I wonder how long this type of artist will come to fests with this demographic.
No excuse for crowd behavior after - destroying stuff etc. That did put me in a bad mood. On Sunday, I said never again. But I live here, and if the lineup is decent, I'll probably go. This lineup was barely passable, but Saturday was very good, Friday had Mitski and Gesaffelstein, and I still had a really good time. We'll see I guess.
Top 10 weekend:
1. Mitski 2. Sunflower Bean 3. US Girls 4. Kacey Musgraces 5. Lily Allen 6. Gesaffelstein 7. 1975 8. Florence 9. Bob Moses 10. Rolling Blackouts CF
Alright, so, like elpingu, I've had the chance to collect my thoughts and reflect back on the weekend. Here's a ranking of the 22 sets of which I saw at least something. Just one guy's opinion, of course, so take it with whatever grain of salt you'd like.
1. Florence + the Machine, and it's not even close. Easily cracks the top 5 sets I've seen at this festival in six years. Amazing, positive crowd energy and just an unbelievable performance. I still get chills thinking about it. 2. Lord Huron - Surprise of the festival for me. I thought they'd be a decent way to pass time before Florence, and instead had my face rocked. 3. Nas - Still got it 4. Sunflower Bean 5. Bob Moses 6. U.S. Girls 7. Mitski 8. Noname - really, really wish I'd gotten to see more of her. 9, Hippo Campus 10. Denzel Curry - Would've jumped a couple spots if he played "Bulls on Parade." 11. Kacey Musgraves - My group's energy was kind of in a dip at this point, so we chilled on a blanket for this one. I think I might have dug it more if I'd been up in the crowd, which looked fun. 12. The 1975 13. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever 14. Vince Staples - Probably would have been ranked higher if he didn't finish 20 minutes early. 15. Cautious Clay 16. MØ 17. Hundredth 18. The Voidz - or, why sound checks are important and necessary 19. Gesaffelstein - I know he crushed it for a lot of people, but his style of music just isn't my thing. 20. Deal Casino 21. Blood Orange 22. Lily Allen
Totally agree that Lord Huron is an under-the-radar really good show these days. Saw them at Osheaga last year, was super impressed, and left with a totally new outlook on them.
Charli XCX was the only act we were looking forward to today and thank god she had a makeup show at Le Poisson Rouge. Already home safe and sound, I just knew going to Randalls at 6 would be awful.
This whole year was handled horribly, with the shit lineup, to the reactions to customer reactions to the lineup to today. And what would make things much better is what I’ve been suggesting for years now - MOVE THIS TO CITI FIELD. Never was a problem there for Meadows...
Sorry to everyone who tried today, you got robbed.
"New" fest there in the fall that will target the GB demographic to a T... that combined w/ the issues this year may mark this is the beginning of the end for GB.
Is this new info? Are you saying that essentially The Meadows is coming back?
"New" fest there in the fall that will target the GB demographic to a T... that combined w/ the issues this year may mark this is the beginning of the end for GB.
Is this new info? Are you saying that essentially The Meadows is coming back?
Specifically for this festival and how it has been marketed sure, but I dont buy that this festival couldnt be financially successful with a different target market based on Austin City Limits, Outside Lands, and even Boston Calling, all city festivals that are able to pull enough support from the older demographics to make money
I will note that the Saturday VIP sold out which is exclusively 21+ so it's not like the "older" crowd is entirely missing. I feel like we all have this same conversation every year after this festival. We note that the hip-hop/pop/annoying EDM sets were the best attended and usually reflected a crowd of youngsters yet still want the festival to book acts that appeal more to an older demographic. Can't see GB taking that route anytime soon but let's hope they don't go all out in that direction and end up like Made In America.
Ultimately, it boils down to number of music stages at a festival. If you've got 6+ stages, you can be tremendously genre-diverse and make everybody happy because you've got to book so many acts. It's easy for an ACL or Outside Lands to please everybodfy.
It's the 3-4 stage festivals where things get problematic, because one or two of those stages are going to be in "between set" mode at any given time, so there are only a couple of acts performing at once.
Last Edit: Jun 4, 2019 10:57:40 GMT -5 by tw12 - Back to Top
Specifically for this festival and how it has been marketed sure, but I dont buy that this festival couldnt be financially successful with a different target market based on Austin City Limits, Outside Lands, and even Boston Calling, all city festivals that are able to pull enough support from the older demographics to make money
Yeah, I went into this year thinking GovBall became the way it did because a festival centered on rock music just isn't commercially viable...then, I went to Shaky Knees, in a smaller market, and saw how successful that was from an attendance perspective. Of course, it may be a matter of scale - Shaky isn't close to GovBall in terms of sheer audience numbers, and it's probably also much more expensive to put on a festival in NYC, so they need to shoot for a certain level of ticket sales to make a profit.
Still, it got me thinking, especially after the dismal turnout for Mitski compared to Boston Calling. I know it'll never happen, but I think Founders should turn GovBall into a hip-hop/pop/R&B-only festival, and launch a second, significantly smaller event at another time of year catering to the indie/rock crowd; maybe a more modest, one- or two-day thing with a lower headcount. Just Like Heaven just demonstrated this year that an event for this kind of crowd is viable. It's just not doing anybody any favors to try to force that type of thing on a GovBall audience that has zero interest in it, and people who would normally be into it are staying away because they don't want to deal with the usual GovBall crowd.
Multi-genre festivals are struggling. GovBall has done better than most, but the past few years have demonstrated where the audience that has come to claim it's interests are. So, why not go all in and, instead of trying to jam a few guitar band square pegs into round holes, give them their own thing with a lower-level event and see how that flies?
Mitski's just as pop as she is rock, especially in her newer material.
Surprised by the negative response to Blood Orange. His show at Coachella was amazing and I’m a very casual fan
Yeah, to be honest, I'm surprised at how little he did it for me. Could've been partially situational - I tend to get a dip in energy around 5 PM at festivals when I've been there since opening, so it could have been as much me as what I was seeing/hearing.
Post by wheattoast1 on Jun 4, 2019 12:05:58 GMT -5
I'm gonna be really interested if they answer the 'are you gonna make the fest 18+' question. seems like many, many people want it to happen based on this ama
I'm gonna be really interested if they answer the 'are you gonna make the fest 18+' question. seems like many, many people want it to happen based on this ama
"We have been an all ages festival since our inception, and each year we add more 21+ areas around the site to give people of age areas to have more privacy. This year our Garden Party 21+ and 19th Hole 21+ areas saw a ton of foot traffic and we are already looking for ways to add more for next year. We also make great efforts to combat underage drinking via ID scanners and roaming security guards. We do more each year to combat this and i truly believe this has gotten significantly better over the past 3 years. - TR"
I'm gonna be really interested if they answer the 'are you gonna make the fest 18+' question. seems like many, many people want it to happen based on this ama
"We have been an all ages festival since our inception, and each year we add more 21+ areas around the site to give people of age areas to have more privacy. This year our Garden Party 21+ and 19th Hole 21+ areas saw a ton of foot traffic and we are already looking for ways to add more for next year. We also make great efforts to combat underage drinking via ID scanners and roaming security guards. We do more each year to combat this and i truly believe this has gotten significantly better over the past 3 years. - TR"
I'm 35 but I don't think this should be an 18+ festival. Some of my best memories of live music and coming of age moments came from seeing shows age 12-17. Each generation seems to forget that it was once young and somewhat irresponsible at times. I never personally drank underage at concerts but I don't think making the entire thing 18+ will eliminate annoying crowd behavior. I think a lot of people are equating teens with college kids who would still fall into 18+.
I'm 35 but I don't think this should be an 18+ festival. Some of my best memories of live music and coming of age moments came from seeing shows age 12-17. Each generation seems to forget that it was once young and somewhat irresponsible at times. I never personally drank underage at concerts but I don't think making the entire thing 18+ will eliminate annoying crowd behavior. I think a lot of people are equating teens with college kids who would still fall into 18+.
Social media has changed the way kids act these days. Everything is an audition
Post by festivalfurby on Jun 4, 2019 13:00:47 GMT -5
They can't make this 18+ and survive. They know this and have known it for years, and they've given the same answer of "we fell in love with music at festivals when we were 16 and want other to as well" for the last 5 years during this AMA. Also, they did add another nice 21+ area this year, so they are aware and trying.
The problem is with the lineup and hopefully they answer my question. It was inexcusable to have Tyler play unopposed rather than have a Death Cab or Gaslight Anthem type set opposing. Next year they to go back to balancing this more 50/50 with mature acts and kiddie acts. Book more Noel Gallagher's, Robyns, Pixies, etc. The older crowd is still the one that buys the beer and VIP.
Post by jackalope11 on Jun 4, 2019 13:14:46 GMT -5
Finally cooled off as well--very disappointed by the way Sunday was handled this year but at least we're getting partial refunds.
Really enjoyed The 1975, Brockhampton, Rolling Blackouts CF, Tyler, Major Lazer, Lily Allen, Mitski was criminally under-attended, caught the end of Sunflower Bean and loved it, finished with Louis the Child on Sunday which was pretty enjoyable in the rain.
Don't think I'll be returning next year because some of the logistics of this festival are far too frustrating. I'm thinking Boston Calling might be the move in 2020.
For some reason, I get an inkling that Billie Eilish will be a Gov Ball headliner in 2020 and it will be a TOTAL shitshow.
Oh for sure. Nothing will change. Today is about getting feedback and showing accountability.
Teens have short memories. They'll forget all about yesterday in a week, and then by next January when the lineup is out, they'll be ready to go again. And for those that don't, there will be a new crop of 13-15 year olds who'll want to go, because it's cool and they saw it plastered on their instagram last year. As long as Gov Ball is cool, it's a fountain that'll auto-replenish with new kids.
Tom and Jordan (the founders) know all this. And I'm sure they would love to book the acts you see at a Primavera Sound, but it's not beneficial to their business. Doing things like adding 21+ areas does nothing to hurt teen appeal, but booking The Cure or Pavement over a Billie Eilish as a headliner definitely does.
They can't make this 18+ and survive. They know this and have known it for years, and they've given the same answer of "we fell in love with music at festivals when we were 16 and want other to as well" for the last 5 years during this AMA. Also, they did add another nice 21+ area this year, so they are aware and trying.
The problem is with the lineup and hopefully they answer my question. It was inexcusable to have Tyler play unopposed rather than have a Death Cab or Gaslight Anthem type set opposing. Next year they to go back to balancing this more 50/50 with mature acts and kiddie acts. Book more Noel Gallagher's, Robyns, Pixies, etc. The older crowd is still the one that buys the beer and VIP.
I'm standing by my #breakupgovball solution. Let the kiddies have this one, and launch a second, smaller (one- or two-day, to start), 18- or 21-plus event that caters to the more mature crowd. I'd be very curious to see how something like that would do; if we could replicate the success of something like Just Like Heaven.
