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Post by oatmealschnappz on Dec 13, 2007 13:08:12 GMT -5
I know that many of us have been questioning wether or not Les has given up on bonnaroo. "The Mayor Of Bonnaroo(a title that apparently comes with an open-ended invitation to play every year)"'s inexpicable absense from last year's festival, even though he was free on Thursday and in the general area, has made me think that it was no mistake. When you consider that he signed-on to play The Echo Project (an upstart festival that surely couldn't provide the compensation or crowd that Roo can) which was only 300 miles away from the farm, seemed like a big old "Fuck you" to me. I know that he has said that one of the big appeals of playing Roo in the past was in the fact that it was a "real music festival" that wasn't dripping in huge corporate sponsorship. While I'm not going to open the inevitable "Has Roo sold out?" can of worms, I think that we can all agree that there was more and bigger corporate sponsors last year (Garnier Fructis, for example). For whatever reason, It seems to me like he's purposely distancing himself from the "hub" of the summer festival scene. What do you guys think? Will he be back?
Last Edit: Dec 13, 2007 13:16:18 GMT -5 by oatmealschnappz - Back to Top
"Quest for Festeroo" is making rounds in small theaters. He's playing at Langerado. Maybe he wasn't there last year because he just wasn't there... many things could've stood in the way.
I hope he does but I don't see bonnaroo going back to the it was, if anything there will be more corporate sponsors, I fear one day all the vets will be telling stories about how bonnaroo used to be. In a small way I've already done that.
Further, the festival featured his mockumentary heavily in the Cinema Tent.
I kind of think this is much ado. He's playing Langerado too. He took a year off. So did Trey. So did MMJ. It's not like they're never coming back cause they weren't here last year.
Further, the festival featured his mockumentary heavily in the Cinema Tent.
I kind of think this is much ado. He's playing Langerado too. He took a year off. So did Trey. So did MMJ. It's not like they're never coming back cause they weren't here last year.
Exactly.
Jumping to the conclusion that he's taking some moral stand against the direction of Bonnaroo, just because he doesn't play EVERY SINGLE YEAR, is ridiculous. It's a little known fact that musicians do other things besides play music and might even have events in their lives that aren't necessarily related to their profession. I doubt all festival appearances are 100% dicated by geography and scheduling.
Also, if the organizers are smart, and they seemingly possess a brain cell or two, they won't burn themselves out on a handful of acts. More importantly, if the regulars miss a couple years here and there, it will only make their return to the lineup that much more special.
Post by oatmealschnappz on Dec 13, 2007 14:48:34 GMT -5
Well, I certainly wasn't trying to come across as ridiculous. I was just asking a question that's been on my mind. You guys all make fine points and I really hope that you're right.
I don't think it is necessarily an unfounded question. It isn't like other performers who are sometimes there and sometimes not. He's been there every year (in some form or another)other than this one, hasn't he?
I think that it's a good point that the Quest For Festeroo was featured there this year, but does that say more about him or about Roo's organizers? (On the one hand, they probably needed his permission to show it. On the other, they probably got that permission in '06 when he was there and they showed it the first time. It is entirely possible they got permission to continue using it after that year.)
I can't say I know a ton about the man, but based on what I know, he seems like the kind of guy who appreciates a less commercial setting. And, without going into the merits of the discussion itself, I think we can all agree that there are those who believe Bonnaroo has gotten too commercial. So, I don't think it is so farfetched to wonder whether Les might not be back.
Personally, I think it is likely he won't be. But I've been wrong before.
Post by stallion pt. 2 on Dec 13, 2007 15:14:37 GMT -5
I think he will. Maybe he WASN'T invited back this year. Bonnaroo invited VERY few people back from 2006 (Sasha, MuteMath, Medeski & Martin and Lewis Black are the only who come to mind). I think a lot of Roo Vets will be back again this year (MMJ, Mike Gordon, Bela Fleck and yes Les Claypool). Some people are seriously getting rediculous about the whole "selling ot" thing. So what if someone was around handing out free shampoo? I heard most of their samples got stolen anyway. Am I the only one who enjoyed the music this year as much if not better than any year previous?
John: We don't even understand our own music Spider: It doesn't, does it matter whether we understand it? At least it'll give us . . . strength John: I know but maybe we could get into it more if we understood it
Post by oatmealschnappz on Dec 13, 2007 15:18:43 GMT -5
personally, I dug the music in '06 more....but I was also battling a sinus infection, so that did affect my opinion. Again, I hope you guys are right....but I'm not as optimistic as you. Only time will tell.
guess what, there was only 1 artist that played in 2006 and 2007. superfly just wanted to keep the lineup fresh is all. im excited for 2008 (minus the ledzep rumors, boooo) because all the awesome bands from 06 that were missing in 07 have a good chance of coming back.
i say he'll def be back this year.
(edit, i though sasha was the only artist from 06 and 07, didnt realize about mute math, and 2/3 of mmw.)
guess what, there was only 1 artist that played in 2006 and 2007. superfly just wanted to keep the lineup fresh is all. im excited for 2008 (minus the ledzep rumors, boooo) because all the awesome bands from 06 that were missing in 07 have a good chance of coming back.
i say he'll def be back this year.
(edit, i though sasha was the only artist from 06 and 07, didnt realize about mute math, and 2/3 of mmw.)
What the hell is the point in calling someone's post absolutely ridiculous??? If FM thought it was ridiculous, he wouldn't have posted it. And, by the way, if it was SO ridiculous, why did four separate people agree that it was definitely a possibility that he would not come back? Disagree with the post all you want, and argue about why you think it is wrong all day, but there isn't any need to call the post itself ridiculous.
To me, saying that Superfly did not invite him back this year because they wanted to keep the lineup "fresh" is every bit (if not more) as out-of-thin-air as wondering whether or not he will be back. Looking back, it seems apparent to me that Superfly (and AC) have always sought to avoid having the same bands come back year after year, and yet, Les has always been the exception to that. That is what is so odd about his absence last year.
Last Edit: Dec 13, 2007 15:54:29 GMT -5 by oatmealschnappz - Back to Top
alyroo
Bonnafunky Dirtyroo Princess of Blinkytown and moonpie expert
...Superfly (and AC) have always sought to avoid having the same bands come back year after year,and yet, Les has always been the exception to that. That is what is so odd about his absence last year.
I believe Robert Randolph is also in that category
...Superfly (and AC) have always sought to avoid having the same bands come back year after year,and yet, Les has always been the exception to that. That is what is so odd about his absence last year.
I believe Robert Randolph is also in that category
I stand corrected! See, I told you I'd been wrong before!
and - I think some people are missing the point anyway - FM's post was not JUST about him missing last year but also about how Les may feel about the corporate bastardization of Bonnaroo and that he may be making a statement by staying away.
Last Edit: Dec 13, 2007 16:45:03 GMT -5 by Meg - Back to Top
Also, corporate bastardization is everywhere if you look hard enough. At least Bonnaroo doesn't try and hide it. At the end of the day, it's really a matter of how you perceive it and how much you let it effect you as a person. I still don't think any of this has to do with Claypool's absence or potential return.
We regularly post in a forum dedicated solely to a music festival in the middle of nowhere that happens once a year. If you're posting here, you're probably ridiculous....
