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!!
"The turnover": The exact moment of the festival that you just get so amazed and full excitement during the fest. You look around and realize you are in the place you love most and that everything is going to be good even if it's messy in your life. Every year there's one show, usually Fri afternoon, that makes me just turn in realization.
I remember this exact moment from my first Roo in '11. Was during the second half of the MMJ's set and I was full of corn, but it was waning. I laid down in the grass with my friends and looked behind me to see the Arch all lit up and people all around with glow sticks/toys singing and dancing. Everyone just loving life. I had the biggest grin on my face and thought to myself, this is the most amazing place on Earth. Not Italy. Not Costa Rica. Not some Caribbean island. But a farm in the middle of Tennessee. With strangers that are enjoying this moment on this farm as much as I am right now.
I can see it so vividly in my head and I it still get chills thinking about it.
Things First Timers Might Not Expect: How magical it is to sit in the field at What from 7:30-midnight, from the beautiful sunset until the start of LNs, and listen to amazing music.
I've probably said it, maybe even in this thread and I'm sure others have too, but the potentially life-long friendships you may make that weekend with complete strangers. I still keep up with several neighbors from years past, and of course there's Inforoo.
I have to agree with those of you who already said it, but this is an awesomely informative thread. I've been to Roo for the last 5 years and every post I read I was like "Oh yeah! That's so true but wouldn't think to mention it!" So I'm sure a lot of what I have to add has already been said but here are my thoughts:
*When you roll through the gates, whether it be Wednesday night at 8 pm or Thursday at noon, roll your windows down and start taking it all in. The volunteers working will be in high spirits and give you a good feel for what you're in for.
*Talk to every neighbor in your area. Help them out whenever possible because at some point in the wknd, you'll need their help with something.
*Pee every chance you get. You might think, eh, I don't have to go that bad yet, I'll wait. DON'T! If you pass a porty and there is no line and you might have to go in the next hour or so, don't wait!
*Don't try to plan too much. If you try and pack your entire day with shows and plans, you won't follow through with half of them. Make sure to make those 'must see' shows on your list, but other than that, go with the flow.
*If someone is being a dick (and I think I've seen that...maybe once), just let it go. The amount of good hearted, happy, fun, there-for-the-right-reasons people far outweigh the jerks. Don't think twice about them.
*Do not be self conscious. If you wanna dance, dance. If you wanna pop a squat with a group of strangers, do it.
*Be kind. No matter how tired you are, how hungover you might be, what hour of your coming down you're on, be kind. Bonnaroo is a community and the way you act at all times reflects that community and every person around you.
*Take more pictures than you think you need.
*However much sunscreen you think you need, bring more.
*When you leave your group at a concert for whatever reason, make sure you've got your bearings first. Figure out an easy point of reference to find them again. You might think they won't be hard to find cause you're right next to that tree, but trust me, they will be hard to find.
Above all...enjoy every second you can cause it'll be over before you know it and you'll be counting down the days 'till Roo 2014!
Post by sudieraeep on May 13, 2013 12:28:28 GMT -5
Just because you're there with people, doesn't mean you have to stick together. And that goes for duos. My husband and I almost always have at least two acts that one wants to see and the other doesn't (2011 is the best example: I wanted to see Robyn, he wanted to see Cold War Kids. Who's still humming "Dancing On My Own" 2 years later??). Just make a plan--"as soon as so and so is over, meet me at the Petros Food Truck (Because IT IS THE BEST THING ON THE PLANET. If you get separated, it's not the end of the world! Enjoy your alone time! You won't be separated forever and they won't leave the farm without you
p.s. 1st timers-in your mind, you may picture heading to car any time to grab food, drink, or fresh clothes at will. my 1st year, we ended up getting parked 40 minute walk from gates, (pu**y galore grid), plus 20-30 minute wait to get in! (you can't go any faster, moving in a slow stumbling herd of thousands of roosters..) we realized day 1, once we left, we were gone for the day. came home with mass amounts of food, and even more beer. we'd leave our car and be gone for 13-15 hours. 2nd year, we were parked 5 minutes outside gate, 12 minutes from main stage. beers, shots, food, & back within 1 hour! it's a total crapshoot, both years were equally amazing. nice to have access to own beer and food, but hey, don't depend on it! and don't freak if you are in the boonies-just gear up and go! you are not totally in control, and that is a beautiful thing these days....
Last Edit: May 14, 2013 0:54:15 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
Totally agree with njohns about not being afraid to go off by yourself. For whatever reason there always tends to be a time or two that I completely disappear from my group (one year they claim I went into a Porto John and never came out lol...I came out we just have no clue how we never saw each other). For the most part there's something awesome about being out there by yourself for a little bit, especially at night. I like to see a majority of the shows with my group but you can do some fun no strings attached exploring when by yourself.
This may seem obvious, and it's too late now to be terribly helpful, but bring plenty of money! There are always several things that I find myself wanting desperately - be it a fancy new hat or a sweet blown glass jar or whatever. Plus, the vendor food is delicious. And I have a major addiction to the lemon shake-ups that are sold all over the place. I probably spent $150 on lemonade alone in 2011 . I'm actually going to make my own this year, but I still see myself buying a couple. It's good to bring some food and drinks for camp, obviously, but if you can manage to scrape together some spending money, you'll definitely find something amazing that you want to own, and not having some Spicy Pie or a pesto mozzadilla while you're at Roo is practically a crime.
This may seem obvious, and it's too late now to be terribly helpful, but bring plenty of money! There are always several things that I find myself wanting desperately - be it a fancy new hat or a sweet blown glass jar or whatever. Plus, the vendor food is delicious. And I have a major addiction to the lemon shake-ups that are sold all over the place. I probably spent $150 on lemonade alone in 2011 . I'm actually going to make my own this year, but I still see myself buying a couple. It's good to bring some food and drinks for camp, obviously, but if you can manage to scrape together some spending money, you'll definitely find something amazing that you want to own, and not having some Spicy Pie or a pesto mozzadilla while you're at Roo is practically a crime.
In another thread people were recommending ~$300 give or take to be comfortable. You agree?
It all depends on the person I guess. In years past I've left the house with something like $800, but I usually come back with around $300. But I like to buy stuff, and some of that goes to gas and last minute supplies too. This year I'll be taking a little more, so maybe I can afford one or two of the more expensive and awesome things for sale at Roo. There's tons of art, clothing, posters, and so forth. If you plan on buying nothing but food and maybe a t-shirt and a few drinks, then yeah I reckon $300 would do just fine.
Someone might have said it, but I don't have time to read this in its entirety...
If you're bringing hard liquor, mix or chase with water and powdered Crystal Light, which they make in a million flavors. This may limit what liquors you can choose, but you'll be thankful when you're not dehydrated from all the soda.
Post by kirby010694 on Mar 12, 2014 15:40:26 GMT -5
How close are places to get water from campsites? My friends and I are going to roo for our first time, but with very limited space in the car because there's 4 of us in a subaru impreza.
How close are places to get water from campsites? My friends and I are going to roo for our first time, but with very limited space in the car because there's 4 of us in a subaru impreza.
They are pretty close in the campground areas - last year I walked about two-three minutes each way to the nearest water station to my campsite. The campgrounds are set up in groupings called 'Pods'; pretty much in the middle of each of these is the water / washing / showering areas, usually next to the info tents.
Once inside Centeroo, the water filling stations are e'rywhere.
Post by kirby010694 on Mar 12, 2014 16:04:58 GMT -5
Oh sweet, thank you! I've been lurking this board for the past few weeks since I'm coordinating our journey to roo, really excited to finally get to go to roo.
How close are places to get water from campsites? My friends and I are going to roo for our first time, but with very limited space in the car because there's 4 of us in a subaru impreza.
They are pretty close in the campground areas - last year I walked about two-three minutes each way to the nearest water station to my campsite. The campgrounds are set up in groupings called 'Pods'; pretty much in the middle of each of these is the water / washing / showering areas, usually next to the info tents.
Once inside Centeroo, the water filling stations are e'rywhere.
Edit: Welcome to Inforoo!
Pretty much spot on!
I don't know if you plan on bringing a cooler at all but freezing water bottles and putting them in the bottom of the cooler have worked to both keep things cold and to have cold water once the bottles start to melt as the festival goes on. (Just a tip that I've learned over the years)
They are pretty close in the campground areas - last year I walked about two-three minutes each way to the nearest water station to my campsite. The campgrounds are set up in groupings called 'Pods'; pretty much in the middle of each of these is the water / washing / showering areas, usually next to the info tents.
Once inside Centeroo, the water filling stations are e'rywhere.
Edit: Welcome to Inforoo!
Pretty much spot on!
I don't know if you plan on bringing a cooler at all but freezing water bottles and putting them in the bottom of the cooler have worked to both keep things cold and to have cold water once the bottles start to melt as the festival goes on. (Just a tip that I've learned over the years)
I would like to, but we may not have the space. If we do it'll probably be just for water as all of us are under 21 (boohoo). Definitely will do.
Expect to be sick when you get back. (If you don't get sick, good job, but at least prepare for it) I had a wicked case of bronchitis and didn't find out 'till afterwards that it's common after 'Roo. Wish I had taken one more day off work to really rest up.
Also expect to not be able to stop dancing like a fool for a few weeks and wonder why others are not.
Expect to be sick when you get back. (If you don't get sick, good job, but at least prepare for it) I had a wicked case of bronchitis and didn't find out 'till afterwards that it's common after 'Roo. Wish I had taken one more day off work to really rest up.
Also expect to not be able to stop dancing like a fool for a few weeks and wonder why others are not.
I've never got sick from Bonnaroo (knock on wood)..maybe I'm just lucky?
Post by davidbyrnesbutler on Mar 13, 2014 0:21:17 GMT -5
If you live in an area like me, don't expect everyone to jump on board with how awesome Bonnaroo is. Not many people even know what it is in New England. Give it some time and people will start to be curious about what you are so excited about. Also, be prepared for late night sets. They may seem pretty cool at first, but they are cooler than you could ever imagine. Conserve your energy throughout the day! (So you can see Cut/Copy)
It gets cold at night; I suggest sweatpants for LN sets and a decent blanket for sleeping. Though the blanket I bought my first night at Roo is probably one of my favorite souvenirs from anywhere. =)
It gets cold at night; I suggest sweatpants for LN sets and a decent blanket for sleeping. Though the blanket I bought my first night at Roo is probably one of my favorite souvenirs from anywhere. =)
This! The past couple of years it has been way colder at night than many would have expected! Be prepared (jacket, sweatshirt, one pair of pants, shoes other than sandals, ect - at least one of these) and at least one semi-warm blanket - granted it will only get used for like 2 hours then you will wake up drenched in sweat in your tent BUT it does come in handy for the two hours that you will be cold trying to get any amount of sleep that you can!
I'd go in the opposite direction. The last two years have been ridiculous cooler and more comfortable than usual (cant speak for last year first hand as I only went in 2012 and not 2013, but ive heard things). If you go in expecting pleasantly temperate weather you might be in for a shock when its 93 and humid as. Many years ive been unable to sleep past 8 am due to the intense early morning heat, so if youve only been the last two, keep that in the back of your mind. Dont think ive ever needed warmer clothes, either.
Post by theamazingswan on Mar 13, 2014 10:46:25 GMT -5
Figure out where all the tents and stages are. This, that, the other, which, and what is pretty confusing at first
The crowds are massive. Thursday is packed because stages are not being used (hopefully this changes). But then there is even more people there through the weekend. Be courtious by...
Not constantly pushing through the crowd to get closer or out of the crowd. Enjoy the show where your at
Not sitting on blanket near the back of the tent where there are thousands of people trying to get from one area to another
It gets cold at night; I suggest sweatpants for LN sets and a decent blanket for sleeping. Though the blanket I bought my first night at Roo is probably one of my favorite souvenirs from anywhere. =)
This will be my first roo acclimated to heat, I'm basically cold if it's under 70 these days so I'm definetely bringing warm clothes for LN this year. By warm clothes I mean rediculous costumes.
Post by FortSteuben on Mar 13, 2014 10:54:15 GMT -5
You really have to prepare for any and all weather. Boots and ponchos if it does rain. Sweatshirt and blanket for chilly nights.
My first year in 2011 it was so hot out, you could have been naked for the whole duration of the festival and still felt overheated. The next year I looked ahead of time at the forecast, and saw temps that were more moderate and normal to the area, but still thought "last year was so unbelievably hot, even if it is 10 degrees cooler, I don't need to pack any heavier, the weather should be perfect." Well it rained a bit on Saturday and cooled the place off and on Saturday and Sunday night I was freezing cold, it definitely affected my sleep and experience on Sunday a bit.
IMO Sleep/Rest is the most important necessity in order to experience the festival at a high level for the entire time. You need a few hours of sleep each day/night to be able to make it through Sunday Night, especially if you are traveling from a far distance and probably didn't get any sleep on Wednesday either. You expect not being able to rest during the day because of the heat/commotion of the fest, but not a lot of people plan for not being able to get rest because you are too cold at night.
. I'm actually going to make my own this year, but I still see myself buying a couple. It's good to bring some food and drinks for camp, obviously, but if you can manage to scrape together some spending money, you'll definitely find something amazing that you want to own, and not having some Spicy Pie or a pesto mozzadilla while you're at Roo is practically a crime. 
