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!!
I read on Billboar that it went over well. 60,00 the furst day..not too shabby. I caught a couple of the last acts online..stellarstar was good. I also just read that Madonna didn't go over to well. What a shock:
OK, just got back from one of the best weekends I've ever had...
First off, me and about 15 friends did the lodging right this time and rented a pimped-out house about 20 min from the festival, complete with pool, hot-tub, huge enclosed patio, even a statue of a stegosaurus (or is it a triceratops?) and a bust of Elvis' head in the backyard. The house was decked out in retro 50s decor, kinda looked like Pee-Wee's Playhouse crossed with Palm Springs chic. I was enjoying a nice soak in the hot tub friday night when, about 30 min into my soak, I realized my cell phone was in the pocket of my swim trunks... the next morning a trip to the cingular store was in order, and I picked up a new Razr which I'm still trying to figure out...
Of course we had a DJ spinning vinyl in the kitchen during breakfast... doesn't everybody?
Saturday the weather was hot, in the 90s, so we delayed getting to the festival until around 4pm. I tried a new "shortcut" to come at the festival from the south and it worked well, we only waited in line about 30 min. Once inside, I split off from everyone (becuase trying to keep a group together really slows you down at these things). I did a couple "laps" past all the stages and tents, looked at the crazy artwork, before settling in to see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. They were good... I heard the 2 songs of theirs I'm familiar with and then left to settle in at the 2nd stage for My Morning Jacket. My first time seeing them and they did not disappoint. Left their set before the end as well and headed towards the main stage where Kanye West had drawn a huge crowd. I didn't care about Kanye, but I wanted to start worming my way into the crowd so I'd be in position for Sigur Ros. Sigur Ros was amazing... their set started just after the sun went down, There seemed to be problems with their sound levels... Jonsi kept signalling the techs off stage for adjustments throughout the show. Maybe because this is their first date on their new tour. But I thought it sounded amazing. I stayed at the main stage for Franz Ferdinand, and they may have been my biggest surprise of the weekend... I had no idea that they put on such a big, rock star show. Awesome lights, awesome style, and their sound was so tight. I pictured them as a gritty little pub band, but they are full-blown rock stars. People were crowd surfing... it was nuts. By the time Depeche Mode came on, the crowd was surging at the front and people were getting crunched. But I ended up really close to front and center. I haven't listened to much Depeche Mode in the past 5 years, but their set reminded me of why they were once my favorite band. Of course they went all out on the spaceship-looking stage design and video panels that changed position throughout the show... I thought it was great. After DM I stopped to hear She Wants Revenge do a song, but I wasn't feelin it so I moved on to the Electronica tent for Daft Punk, and... Wow. It was insane. There were the 2 of them in their robot outfits, perched atop a giant pyramid made of video screens. It was just about the most unique looking stage setup I've ever seen (pics HERE, video HERE), and they had a huge crowd just flipping out completely. It was so much fun. I had forgotten just how many classic dance tracks are theirs. We got back to the house around 2am and we partied like rock stars until 5am
The next day, we again waited until 4 because it was even hotter, about 100 degrees. The crowds were noticably bigger than Saturday, probably the biggest crowd I've ever seen at Coachella. We got there in time to see Matisyahu, but the crowd was so massive we had to watch from a mile away. Good thing they had giant video monitors this year. Matisyahu was excellent, great energy and got everyone jumping, even way in the back where we were. After that we camped out in the beer garden for a couple hours and just chilled while listenng to Paul Oakenfold's DJ set. I then split off from the group to watch the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who sounded great... I just wish I wasn't so far away from the stage. I then made my way back to my friends in the beer garden who were still in the same spot (totally faded) but by this time, there was a sea of Madonna fans surrounding us. There must have been 35,000 people trying to get into a tent that only holds 10,000. We waited (and waited, and waited) for her set to start... I just wanted to see a bit just so I could say I've seen Madonna. But from where we were you couldn't really see or hear anything, so I split about 2 minutes into her first song. I went over to see Mogwai. They were amazing. They are post-rock gods! No vocals... just guitars and drums and keys that build and build until they are screaming louder than a jet taking off... strobes exploding everywhere... so surreal. It's like Sigur Ros, their music builds slowly, and just when you think they've reached their peak and couldn't possibly play any louder or faster, they somehow do. After Mogwai, it was time to grab a corndog ($5)and some garlic fries (also $5) and just wander for a while. I watched about 4 songs by Massive Attack, which looked and sounded great, but I ended up back at the 2nd stage, drawn in by The Go! Team, which is an odd collection of musicians... A Black British girl is the lead vocalist/MC, and asian girl on drums who sings backup, another asian girl on bass and keys and also sings backup... and some white dudes rounding out the cast. Their blend of rock and dance music had the crowd going nuts. I found myself jumping around with everyone else. After they were done, I decided to stay there for The Scissor Sisters instead of going to the main stage for Tool like everyone else. What a great decision! I was right up front for a mind-bending performance. The Scissor Sisters are another act that I was way off on in terms of what I was expecting... they have this crazy, over-the-top, glam thing going on, and it works. the female "sister" (Anna Matronic) was cracking me up with her made-up-on the spot diatribes in between songs. The crowd was totally into it... they just fukking killed! (CLIP) When they wrapped up at 12:20, I was done. I was gonna stop to catch the last couple Tool songs, but I just kept on walking. They seemed to have pretty cool video graphics and stuff... you know, the weird stuff you see in their videos. The house party that night was smaller, but still lasted until 5 or so.
All in all, an amazing weekend, maybe the best Coachella yet. I mean, nothing can top The Lips, Pixies and Radiohead in 04... but this year I saw so many bands for the first time and almost all of them exceeded my expectations and I found myself just losing my mind at shows I never expected to... I wish I could have seen more bands... I heard a lot of positive buzz over Animal Collective... I also heard Gnarls Barkley was amazing... but Daft Punk was without a doubt the act most people were talking about at the end of the weekend... not just in my group, I'm talking about everyone... just read some of the comments in this THREAD. Also, I was more impressed by what seemed to be an expanded emphasis on the interactive artwork and "ambience enhancers" like the smaller "chillout" tents that had various decor... one of them looked like a jungle on the inside and had performance artists interacting with the audience... very trippy...
I did talk to a fellow infooo poster, Reembot, on the phone but was never able to meet up with her in person. Reema, hope to meet you at Bonnaroo... let's camp out for radiohead together.
I hope Bonnaroo can bring it like Coachella did this year!
Wow!!! Sounds like alot of fun. Nice write up as well. I can't believe you skipped Tool though. I give my left nut to see those guys again. Could you spot the Tool Army amungst the crowd? Yeah I definately am gonna have to hit up Coachella one of these years. It'd make it alot easier if I moved out west, like I've been wanting to do. Someday. Anyhow, ONWARD TO BONNAROO!!!
Glad the Go! Team was good- I have heard good things from them.
Great write up Kampy, I appreciate it. At the same time, it reminds me why I love Roo so much. Having been to some massive festivals in the vein of Coachella, Roo has my heart because there aren't massive crunches in the crowd, tents are more chill and in general the vibe is so hard to describe.
That said, I would have been at Coachella if I was on a different coast. Thanks for the update!
Post by melikecheese on May 2, 2006 9:19:46 GMT -5
after reading a little blog about how long the lines were and how they would turn you back if your book bag was to big, hours to get a drinking pass, then hours to get the actual drink, I really thought about how cool the roo is. I love you bonnaroo.
Great write-up Kampy, sounds incredible. I didn't have much time this weekend to see as much of the internet stream as I was hoping to, so its great to get a taste of what the weekend was like.
Post by blueslikehail on May 2, 2006 13:13:06 GMT -5
that's a great write up kampy, thanks a lot.
i still really want to check out coachella, but my excitement faded a bit when i realized this year that most bands only play 45-55 minute sets. that's way too short.
after reading a little blog about how long the lines were and how they would turn you back if your book bag was to big, hours to get a drinking pass, then hours to get the actual drink, I really thought about how cool the roo is. I love you bonnaroo.
Yeah, it seems like Coachella is stricter than roo on checking bags at the gate, and when you drink booze, you have to be in a "beer garden" area with your 21+ wristband... but it certainly didn't take "hours" to get a wristband or a drink... maybe 15-20 minutes when the lines were at their longest, and later in the evening there were no lines at all...
Post by thefussydutchman on May 2, 2006 14:20:13 GMT -5
Can anybody answer why coachella is considered bigger than bonnaroo??More corporate sponors??? As far as i can tell there is 60,000 people at coachella while bonnaroo has 80,000. Are the festival grounds bigger than bonnaroo's, which seems nearly impossible. I was just wondering because it seems like bonnaroo never gets the coverage it deserves. I mean is tool and depeche mode bigger than radiohead and tom petty??? And coachella is only two days!!!!
"We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, movie gods, and rock stars. But we wont, and we're slowly learning that fact & we're very, very pissed off......."
Post by sparklybecca on May 2, 2006 14:21:54 GMT -5
I would have to say it's because of the act's that go there - Madonna, Kanye West ect are more mainstream acts therefore, to some poeple this would make coachella 'bigger'
Post by melikecheese on May 2, 2006 15:32:52 GMT -5
sparklybecca said:
I would have to say it's because of the act's that go there - Madonna, Kanye West ect are more mainstream acts therefore, to some poeple this would make coachella 'bigger'
I would have to agree.
IMO Bonnaroo IS the great american fest
yeah thanks for the write man, very interesting to read. Also nice to know that hours simply means 20 mins. Festival time can be a bit off then normal earth time.
Well and the 60,000 that go one day aren't necessarily all the same people that make up the next day's 60,000. I think there's probably 10k or more that don't overlap.
With that said-- it's a good festival but not as "big" or massive, or as large a production as Roo. Two days is impressive- but stewarding an entire community for four nights with as laid back an atmosphere as Roo is really impressive.
Can anybody answer why coachella is considered bigger than bonnaroo??More corporate sponors??? As far as i can tell there is 60,000 people at coachella while bonnaroo has 80,000. Are the festival grounds bigger than bonnaroo's, which seems nearly impossible. I was just wondering because it seems like bonnaroo never gets the coverage it deserves. I mean is tool and depeche mode bigger than radiohead and tom petty??? And coachella is only two days!!!!
Coachella takes place in Cali and kicks off the festival season. On top of that, they're the festival known for rare live reunions and breaking the next "it" bands. That's why they have the rep they do.
Post by Hipster Doofus on May 2, 2006 18:37:49 GMT -5
sparklybecca said:
I would have to say it's because of the act's that go there - Madonna, Kanye West ect are more mainstream acts therefore, to some poeple this would make coachella 'bigger'
Can anybody answer why coachella is considered bigger than bonnaroo??More corporate sponors??? As far as i can tell there is 60,000 people at coachella while bonnaroo has 80,000. Are the festival grounds bigger than bonnaroo's, which seems nearly impossible. I was just wondering because it seems like bonnaroo never gets the coverage it deserves. I mean is tool and depeche mode bigger than radiohead and tom petty??? And coachella is only two days!!!!
I wouldn't say Coachella is considered "bigger" than Bonnaroo... if it gets more press, it's probably because of it's proximity to big media cities like LA, OC, San Diego, etc. A lot of the big record labels are in LA and all the "industry" folk who like to be ahead of the curve put a big emphasis on Coachella. It's been going on a couple years longer than bonnaroo, and has built a reputation in the music industry for a lineup formula that combines 3 main ingredients: up-and-coming indie bands that are about to "break", older "pioneers" of alt music, and the best DJ/electronic acts. some examples of mostly unknown bands that got a huge boost from Coachella are Modest Mouse, At The Drive In, Jurassic 5, Sigur Ros, Von Bondies, Polyphonic Spree, The Killers, Kasabian, and last year's legendary Arcade Fire set really propelled their popularity. There's almost always some good hip-hop too... usually of the alternative/underground variety. This year's late additions of Madonna and Kanye West are very out of character for Coachella. Some coachella regulars were pissed about it, most of us were just puzzled....
from everything I've heard about Bonnaroo, a main draw for people, aside from the music, is the "vibe" and the spirit of community that people feel there. I'd bet that stems from the fact that everyone is like, living together for 3 days. Coachella is more of a "commuter" festival. Only about 10,000 actually camp on site. And a lot of people come for only one of the 2 days (that's how they can claim 100,000 over the weekend). So the sense of community is probably nothing like 'roo. But I love Coachella because I know I'll see at least a couple brand new bands that I'm only vaguely familiar with, and they will blow my mind, and a few months later they will be all over the radio
Can anybody answer why coachella is considered bigger than bonnaroo??More corporate sponors??? As far as i can tell there is 60,000 people at coachella while bonnaroo has 80,000. Are the festival grounds bigger than bonnaroo's, which seems nearly impossible. I was just wondering because it seems like bonnaroo never gets the coverage it deserves. I mean is tool and depeche mode bigger than radiohead and tom petty??? And coachella is only two days!!!!
I wouldn't say Coachella is considered "bigger" than Bonnaroo... if it gets more press, it's probably because of it's proximity to big media cities like LA, OC, San Diego, etc. A lot of the big record labels are in LA and all the "industry" folk who like to be ahead of the curve put a big emphasis on Coachella. It's been going on a couple years longer than bonnaroo, and has built a reputation in the music industry for a lineup formula that combines 3 main ingredients: up-and-coming indie bands that are about to "break", older "pioneers" of alt music, and the best DJ/electronic acts. some examples of mostly unknown bands that got a huge boost from Coachella are Modest Mouse, At The Drive In, Jurassic 5, Sigur Ros, Von Bondies, Polyphonic Spree, The Killers, Kasabian, and last year's legendary Arcade Fire set really propelled their popularity. There's almost always some good hip-hop too... usually of the alternative/underground variety. This year's late additions of Madonna and Kanye West are very out of character for Coachella. Some coachella regulars were pissed about it, most of us were just puzzled....
from everything I've heard about Bonnaroo, a main draw for people, aside from the music, is the "vibe" and the spirit of community that people feel there. I'd bet that stems from the fact that everyone is like, living together for 3 days. Coachella is more of a "commuter" festival. Only about 10,000 actually camp on site. And a lot of people come for only one of the 2 days (that's how they can claim 100,000 over the weekend). So the sense of community is probably nothing like 'roo. But I love Coachella because I know I'll see at least a couple brand new bands that I'm only vaguely familiar with, and they will blow my mind, and a few months later they will be all over the radio
Kampy, I cant agree with your comments more. I have been to both and definitely there is a commuter feeling to Coachella compared to the Roo. But there are positives and negatives to that. Seems like you had a great time and those were some great pictures. The Daft Punk Experience seems pretty amazing. I am hoping that there will be a full set video of that one of these days. And I think that Goldenvioce paid those guys alot of money to put on that kind of show, but it seems like it was well worth it.
I'm gonna bump this thread because I just found a priceless pic of our friend Howe spinning vinyl in the kitchen during breakfast (yes, it was that kind of a weekend) and added it to my earlier post...........
Post by DJ DonkeyPunch on May 9, 2006 8:42:38 GMT -5
I too was at this year's Coachella and have to agree with Kampy that renting a house is the way to do it; we were in a house in the PGA West Country Club with a private pool/sauna and a fully stocked fridge waiting for us when we arrived. We were even able to catch a ride to the Polo Grounds with the neighbors in the morning each day.
And for whoever was asking about Dungen, they put on a really great set (I was right in the very front of their stage) but seemed to have a pretty small crowd. I think a lot of people went to go watch Massive Attack and try to get a prime spot for Tool. They missed out on Art Brut though who, after time and reports are in, it will be said had the greatest, most legendary, set of any Coachella act ever.
I blogged on MySpace (yes, I am that lame), about this year's Coachella and posted some pictures from there as well.
Post by melikecheese on May 10, 2006 12:18:58 GMT -5
djdonkeypunch said:
And for whoever was asking about Dungen, they put on a really great set (I was right in the very front of their stage) but seemed to have a pretty small crowd. I think a lot of people went to go watch Massive Attack and try to get a prime spot for Tool. They missed out on Art Brut though who, after time and reports are in, it will be said had the greatest, most legendary, set of any Coachella act ever.
sweet thanks! I can't wait to catch those guys. Glad to here Art Brut was good. They are such a fun band. I think your comment about it being the greatest set ever fits right up there ally. They tend to have that attitude.
Post by melikecheese on May 12, 2006 13:44:22 GMT -5
I wish the blue room would allow you to stream the entire set after it happened live. That would be sweet. Did anyone used to be a member with the Digital Club Network? (was Unfortauntly its something eMusic bought and they now allow you to download the mp3's but only a few clubs remain and no more video and very limited set of shows. This site used to have archived shows (about 4000 or so), all with video, from a ton of clubs. You could watch at least 5 live show streams a day and always have access to them after that night. To bad they closed up shop....
