Popular Bands on the Inforoo Polls

Maybe I have a little time on my hands, but seriously it didn't take me that long, maybe half an hour to an hour. I looked over the polls that are listed for the bands that the people of Inforoo want at Bonnaroo for next year. These polls may mean nothing, but they could mean a little something. We'll have to wait for the lineup to come out but I sorted out which bands where most popular. This was based on the votes, some bands didn't receive many votes, others received a lot. Anyways here are the bands that seemed to get around 40% that were either for or didn't mind if they were at Bonnaroo:

George Clinton and P-Funk appeared to be the most popular. Other popular artists included Neil Young, Zappa Plays Zappa, Rev. Horton Heat, Taj Mahal, The Crystal Method, The Avett Brothers, David Bowie, Primus, Imogen Heap, Prince, Tom Waits, Daft Punk, Carlos Santana, Beastie Boys, Arcade Fire, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Trey Anastasio, Massive Attack, Rush, Soulive, The Shins, Levon Helm, Joni Mitchell, PJ Harvey, Peter Bjorn and John, REM, Paul Simon, Hank Williams III, Vida Blue, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Minus the Bear, Sufjan Stevens, Stevie Wonder, Yes, Cake, Jethro Tull, The Polyphonic Spree, Animal Collective, Muse, The Eels, Belle and Sebastian, Ani DiFranco, G. Love and Special Sauce, Burning Spear, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, GWAR, They Might Be Giants, Steve Miller Band and M.I.A.

And judging by that I came up with my own strategy I guess you could say as to who might play based on our votes, that is if these polls mean anything, which they might not mean anything at all. So I tried to group certain artists together, especially those that could headline and what not and/or those that are a little similar or have similar fan bases. Again, it really didn't take me that long, I do work full-time, I do have friends, I do have a life. I just love Bonnaroo a lot, waiting for the lineup may drive me crazy, but I just love thinking about who's going to play next year, maybe I love it too much, but I don't care what anyone thinks.

I'll start with some bands that could be headliners:

Pearl Jam, Radiohead, REM - these are 3 bands that I would think if we got any, we would probably only get 1. I don't think 2 or all of these would headline Bonnaroo next year. If any, it would be 1 of them. The hype about Pearl Jam seems very likely to me that it will happen, but I've been known to be wrong quite a few times in my life. Radiohead played in 06, they just released a new album, and I have heard they said it was one of their favorite concerts that they've ever played and it was the longest they've ever played. I think them coming back next year could be too soon, but look at how many repeat bands we have had, especially how many times Widespread has headlined. REM is coming out with a DVD, there hasn't been too much talk about them over the past few years, hell, I'm not even sure when they toured last or broke up. I think they could have a chance at Bonnaroo if another festival doesn't grab them first.

Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Prince, David Bowie, Rush, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Jethro Tull, Paul Simon, John Fogerty (I don't think CCR is reuniting soon) - again, I think the chances are, if any, it's probably only 1, maybe 2 of these - one definitely being Neil Young. He last played in 03, which was the 2nd year, and he has that connection to Pearl Jam, which makes me think they both will be there. Bruce Springsteen just came out with a new album with the E. Street Band. I have listened to it, some songs remind me of the old school Boss, some the solo Boss. I've heard they are very good live, and he headlined at Jazz Fest a couple years ago. The Who, I believe also have a connection with Eddie Vedder or something, and think it's possible we could get them. Bowie would be fucking awesome but I think he would play Coachella before Bonnaroo. Rush had a good tour this past year, Prince doesn't seem likely to me or seems like he would also play Coachella first, Paul McCartney seems out of the question, Stevie Wonder also seems unlikely but would be really fucking awesome, not sure about Jethro Tull, Paul Simon also played Jazz Fest the same year as Bruce, and I don't think CCR is getting back together, but a Fogerty solo set with his band could be likely, he also has a new album, I've only heard 1 song, so I'm listing him right behind Bruce.

I'm having trouble trying to place George Clinton, Zappa Plays Zappa, Tom Waits, Taj Mahal, Santana, Levon Helm, Joni Mitchell, and the Steve Miller Band - First off I don't think any of these bands would ever headline Bonnaroo. George Clinton is the most popular on the polls, and I think him and P-Funk would add a great vibe to Bonnaroo. Not real sure about ZPZ, Tom Waits would be a dream come true, Taj Mahal has played before, and I think we may get a blues legend again, maybe BB King or Robert Cray, hopefully Clapton is there too, Santana would be good either latenight on the which stage or a pre-headliner on the What Stage for Saturday. I think he took last year off from touring, not sure if he's getting back in it this year, Levon Helm of the Band would be a treat, Joni Mitchell would also be great, I think you should have a female legend/icon there, and to be honest, I don't much care for the Steve Miller Band, although they played the Riverbend Festival last year.

Trey Anastasio, Yes, Allman Brothers Band, Dave Matthews Band, The Dead - There has always been at least 1 headliner that favors the jamband community, which I am a huge fan of the jambands along with most other music too. Yes will have their 40th year anniversary which is pretty huge, but I'm not sure they are a band that will sell tickets, I could be wrong though. Then again it always seems like a lot of people leave before or during the Sunday headliner. Trey could make a triumphant return but I hope he's clean, and I hope it wouldn't be a latenight Which Stage show. I'd rather Phish headline Sunday night. The Allman Brothers can definitely headline Sunday night, but again, I don't think them headlining will help sell tickets, probably more than Yes, but I think they need someone bigger. I love the ABB, and they too have been around for about 40 years, and their 05 show was my first and it was incredible, I think they will be there but I'm not sure if they'll be headlining. I love the DMB, have seen them 22 times, I don't care if they are there or not, but I think they would be a good Sunday night headliner and they would help sell tickets. I've never seen them with Tim Reynolds and I didn't see Dave and Friends in 04. I'd like to see DMB on Sunday night this year, but they better bring the guests. Also a short acoustic set with him and Timmy would be a nice addition. And while the Grateful Dead are one of my favorite bands of all time, I'm not real sure if they would get together. They are getting older, Phil's health is decreasing but he's still hanging in there, maybe with could get Phil and Friends again, no chance of Ratdog 2 years in a row, but I would love to see the Dead get together and maybe have Bruce Hornsby join them. That would be a perfect way to end Bonnaroo 2008.

There are other names that I think have a chance of playing next year, but there were no polls created. I would love to see Eric Clapton there, Ben Harper - notice how he didn't play anything off his latest album this past year, makes me think he could be back, The White Stripes did belong on the What Stage, but I think next year is too soon, My Morning Jacket could be back, maybe Jack Johnson, maybe Modest Mouse comes back to show they are better than that poor 05 performance (in my opinion), Blues Traveler is having their 20th anniversary next year but they don't really have anything new since they last played in 06, at least to my knowledge.

Then I think of some bands playing Vegoose this year. Could they be at Bonnaroo next year? My mind tells me no, but it could definitely happen. I don't think Rage will be at Roo, even though I would enjoy it, Daft Punk is having their last US Pyramid show this year, not sure what that means, probably not last US show ever which is what I'm thinking, The Shins are pretty good live, they had a huge crowd at ACL 06, I like moe and Umphrey's McGee, but they've played Bonnaroo several times and I'd like to see some new additions.

I think either Mars Volta or Muse for a latenight show would be good, but maybe not both.

Okay, its late, and I think I just wrote a book here, so I'm going to bed...