2022 -the Tale of Two Bonnaroo

It had been over 1000 days since we last set foot on the farm for Bonnaroo. While I had been there a few times for special events in 2021, it felt so good to get the grass between my toes and the music in my ears at The Bonnaroo Farm. As I did in 2019, putting my thoughts on the week that just closed helps me to reflect on the fun we had.
TLDR: #10 for me was EPIC in its own special way.
Bonnaroo 2022 was special. When it canceled in 2020, we managed to throw together a small gathering of core Bonnaroo friends that helped us limp along. In July that year, dad had an emergency double bypass. Then in 2021, when the floods took it away from us, we had another gathering to try and wipe away the tears. Setting foot back on the Bonnaroo Farm last week brought tears of joy in ways that are hard to express. Getting to hug friends I have made ONLY through Bonnaroo all week long was the most epic part for me.

First let’s get the things that I did not like out of the way. They are small in comparison to the good.
1. Removing the Tower Entrance. For many this added an extra 5-to-10-minute walk from camp to a show. Glad there was an exit here. However, forcing everyone into a single choke point brought back memories of the 2019 traffic nightmares to some. I personally never had issues getting in when I wanted or with searches.
2. Security personnel just seemed to not be in the loop properly. #1 for me is after Stevie when we were all walking out. ALL OF US> and they forced us thru 6 lanes of beepers. Then they opened the big gates but had not removed the fencing under the Arch. This created yet another choke point. Finally, they moved this, and we took a turn back and got to walk under the beloved Arch one last time this week.
3. We miss the funky that gave Bonnaroo its identity. The camp names. The signage for the band that was to play next.
4. ICE. They ran out of ice at the campground Friday and Saturday.
5. The towers for the Plazas. These were hard to see and read from a distance. We need the gigantic balloons back please. Please.
6. Jamtrax was a joke. With the masses in the roads, it was slow, full and I personally did not get it. Sounded good, poorly executed.
OK, I will quit and get to the good stuff.
1. That glorious ARCH. Oh what a thing of beauty that we have anticipated for since the old one was decommissioned in glory, and we got stuck with the Squarch. After Stevie, did anyone notice how they played back each color arch from the past? Nice touch and good to see some of them.
2. The BONNAROO sign at What. HOLY COW. I could not stop staring at it all weekend. And then the tricks you did during Stevie Nicks! I was in a trance.
3. FANS!!! I am a Fan of the GIGANTIC FANS in the tents. WOW. Well done.
4. The complete openness of Centeroo. Wow. The layout changes were slightly confusing at first but after a few hours, it was great. Super easy to roam and move. That new bridge you made. YEP. that was slick.
5. Nice flushers around the perimeter. That was nice. Much better
6. DAILY ENTRY. YES> finally. It took the 4 Rvs in our group 5 minutes or less EACH to get thru tolls.
Ok wow. That was an intense week. It started Monday afternoon meeting up with Roo Neighbors from 2019 and friends we met ONLY because 2021 canceled. It was finally here and there was no stopping us now. We had been thru Covid, had 4 “mini Roo” parties and FINALLY we were nearing the start line. We pulled up to the gate around 10 am and as we had 4 RV of veterans, it was easy. They parked us all together in the 30-amp section of RV. The Bonnaroo gods blessed us with incredible fortunate and as night fell, we had AC and were not burning fuel to have it. Our camp was on what seemed like an ISLAND in the middle of RV emptiness. Our flagpole a Beacon of hope all weekend long. We made killer fajitas and ate and had so much fun. That night with only a few thousand folks on the farm already, we visited our Friends at the Roo Bus and they kicked it off hard with a B2B2B DJ set. DJ Floque kicked off so hard, our faces melted at watching the spectacle unfold. We retired to our Camp and drank and laughed and caught up with friends until late late.
Wednesday brought many more Bonnaroo family over to see us. I woke to good friends singing Happy birthday to me and Birthday shots. With the intense HEAT everyone was looking for shade and we had plenty. We also had a giant fan that kept us comfortable all day. We were determined to stay outside and get used to it. Flipturn kicked off the evening festivities along with so much else it was hard to keep up. However, the Heat got the best of me, and I turned in at 10:30. Seriously. Best decision ever. Camp mates went to Where in the Woods and had a blast.
Thursday started off HOT! Like wow. But I felt great and was ready to rock and roll. Made it to Centeroo at 2pm ish and just soaked it all in. First band was Nothing. I was looking forward to this show and it fell flat. Either I expected more, or it was just too heavy for a Thursday. I should have had The Dip. Rolled to weather station and then to Miloe and really enjoyed that show. Those guys KILLED IT. While we were standing there, some artist came up and asked to draw us. We obliged and were impressed at the quick abstract result. I left Centeroo and headed to Camp for dinner as we had Paul Cauthen and The Turn Pike Troubadours at Plaza 5. OMG. Paul Cauthen KILLED IT. MIC DROP. Probably one of my top shows all week. crowd was great, I had beer from camp and my friends. Turnpike was equally as good in their own way. Sound was Great. Stopped by camp to drop off the cooler and then to Andy Frasco. I missed this Set at the Other Fest as I was hosting a large group at my place. TOTALLY DID NOT DISAPPOINT. It was rowdy, high energy and OH SO MUCH FUN. They finished with some Rage, and a dragon pool float battle on top of the crowd. It was INSANE. I was done. Nearly 12 hours of music later.
Friday brought the change. Woke and went to the Camp Reddaroo beer exchange. Right as we arrived Bonnaroo had to shut it down due to the weather. We made our best trades on the way back to camp, so I never made it back. The storms rolled in. Thank you to the thousands of folks who lost their canopies. Your sacrifice for the weather that followed will never be forgotten. Temps dropped, time to go!!! Friday was my biggest music day. Unfortunately, I missed Southern Ave due to weather and us making sure everything was settled, but we were able to walk into a very empty PIT for Maggie Rose. We went to the rail, and it was glorious. While I have taken Dad to the pit before, being able to “Ride the Rail” brought him to tears of joy. It was incredibly special to spend that hour with him and our good Friends Alison and Robert. Group HUG and beers afterward. I bounced to Bristion Maroney and then waited for Whiskey Meyers. That Must not miss show was excellent and I had such a good time packed in the middle. From there, we went to Alison Krause and Robert Plant. They were EXCELLENT. Dinner and then I just wandered. Ended back at What for the Chicks and their sing along. It was good. Finishing my night off was King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. I was close to the middle with Shawn and it was an extremely fun show. Shawn Ducked out to Illenium and I went to the bathroom and then came back to meet up with Daniel from the Roo Bus as I had not had the chance to see him that day. I knew he was there with his RIckey the Cat totem in the middle of the tent. At the beer booth, I looked up and yep, still there. I paid for my beer and somehow his totem was at the front of the tent. HUH?? I made my way to the back and after the show was over, I intercepted him. Glad I did as he was on a euphoric high from that show that only he can explain. WOW. To see his joy and excitement. We walked to Goose, then to Illenium where I stumbled into some other friends and neighbors. Nearing 2 am it was time to roll back home as Saturday was looking equally longer.
Saturday, initially my least full day. Ended up as one of the busiest. Started at back seat Lovers but when they did not start on time, I bailed and somehow ended up at All Time Low. In the Pit. We had good fun but about half the set but bounced to get close for Charlotte Sands. We got a pair of Rail spots here and I had one of the best shows of the weekend. I danced, bounced and headbanged so hard for an hour. I walked away in a daze. Took me a bit to find myself. Then Dad sends me a photo of him with Charlotte! OMG. I rolled back to Who for Bre Kennedy and then we went to Billy Strings. This was a great show and wow can he play. I left about ¾ thru and went to camp for warmer clothes for Tool. This was one I wanted to see but not what I necessarily needed. I like song or two, that’s it. I did not hear them. However, the Bonnaroo Visuals were EPIC (I did not see them Friday night) however I was done. Prior to the Show, Daniel told me they were going to go on a journey. I bailed and met them at Porter Robinson. Such a stark contrast from Tool. Then to Flume, then to Mark Rebillet. Flume was way too quiet. ZERO bass for the first song and a half. Visually stunning though. Mark Rebillet however was incredible. His attempt to start the show at the back near the neon sign was epic. Had it worked, even more so. The rest of what I saw was so funny. “You thought this was a concert”. The lift on stage. The Beach balls everywhere. I wish I had not left for Pigeons. While good, I forgot to remind myself that I do not like jam bands. Turned in at 4 am after a nightcap at camp.
Sunday. Is it really over? I lacked the motivation to make it to Flipturn so we started with Sierra Ferrel. She was so cute, and incredible. Loved that show. we danced and soaked it up. from there I wandered and then All Them Witches. Unfortunately, I could only handle some of the Witches at 3pm on a Sunday so I just went on a walk about. Literally just ambled around Centeroo aimlessly. Soaking it in. people watching. I was tired and hot. I snagged a Smoothie and continued. I found myself on the far side of the What field in the shade from the stage. Laid my tapestry down and just laid down on it. Staring straight up at this crystal blue cloudless sky. I closed my eyes for a 5-minute power nap. I messaged my camp croo that I was “on the left by the bees in the shade.” That cooled me off, I grabbed a High Wire Mountain Water and when i got back to my spot, some friends showed up. then more. The six of us embraced that show together and it was great. Man can Nathaniel Rateliff sing and play. Tyler, Amelia, Kenny, and I bailed to go see Zack Bryan. We parked in the shade for a brief rest and then rolled in under the fans. Talk about a good country show. I had tears driven by memories of a long time ago in Texas. From there, Herbie Hancock for a brief minute. I think we got there at the wrong time because it was not for me. Maybe they should have swapped his spot with the witches. I left to change clothes and get a good spot for Stevie Nicks. Dad and I met up, Ate, and hung out in a great spot for the final show. our entire camp showed up and we all watched it together. She was great. Dad loved it all. He stood and danced the entire time. Her Tom Petty tributes brought me to tears. And then there was that Glorious Bonnaroo Sign above the stage. I loved it. The way it danced to the music.
So, #10 now in the books. We made it. 73 miles walked, 7 days on the farm. It was an epic 45th birthday at Bonnaroo. The good more than outweighed the bad. I have no regrets on misses and only one or two people I did not get to see and hug. Since 2011 I have been on the farm roughly 55 days. The Friends I have met during that time are some of the best ones I have. Thank you, Bonnaroo, for making it back after lockdowns and hurricanes.

Album link photos.app.goo.gl/ZS6CCVnFZBFZY1N47