Anybody else gearing up for Bonnaroo next week? This will be my first time there; in fact, I’ve never done any of the big outdoor festivals like that. I wasn’t really planning on it this year, but when some friends had an extra spot in their RV, I couldn’t very well pass it up.
Acts I’m most excited about (in roughly chronological order): The National, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Gillian Welch, DJ Shadow, Googol Bordello, The Hold Steady, Spoon, The Police, The Flaming Lips, The Decemberists, Wilco, the White Stripes.
It’s going to be hotter than Satan’s balls, but it’s going to be a blast. Any other Dopers? (Feel free to regale us with tales of Bonnaroos past, if you like.)
I am going with half a dozen friends from work and they are meeting some other friends up there as well and we’re all going to camp out together. It’s my first experience with Bonnaroo or outdoor festivals as well and I am looking forward to it, especially since three of the people I’m going with are all vets and have been talking about it pretty much non-stop since February. I’m fairly excited.
As for acts, I’ve already written down a rough iteniary and, in rough order, I am planning to see Apollo Sunshine, Tool(!), Aesop Rock, Regina Spektor(!!), Damien Rice, Franz Ferdinand, The Police, Pete Yorn, Wolfmother, The Decemberists, and The White Stripes (who I actually don’t like but will listen to just because they’re there and playing unopposed) and am having difficulyt deciding between The Roots, Manu Chao, and The Black Keys on Friday evening.
My companions are veterans as well.
The Roots/Lily Allen/Black Keys conflict is a tough one, and there are a bunch of bands playing close together on Sunday afternoon that I want to see. I wish Girl Talk weren’t playing at the same time as the Flaming Lips, but I’m too big a Lips fan to call it a real conflict, especially since they’re bringing their giant UFO stage setup.
Just giving my thread a little bump since it’s coming up this week! I’m excited!
This will be the 2nd Bonnaroo trip for me, and I’ve been to a handful of other festivals, too. I’m meeting about 10 friends driving in from various places, and we plan to camp together. I’m bringing my portable rechargeable amp so I can jam back at the tent when I’m not at one of the shows.
I’ve always wanted to see The Flaming Lips perform, so I guess that’ll be the highlight for me.
I have alternate driving directions using old roads that will allow you to circumvent the long lines. I can personally vouch for these directions. If any Dopers would like a copy, then let me know and I can email them.
We’ll be in a big RV in the accessible camping area. I hope to have a big sheet with my blog address (http://thejtrain.typepad.com) hanging up somewhere.
We’re getting there about 3AM on Thursday; we’re not especially worried about the lines.
If you get a chance, check out the Tenderhooks, and cheer loudly. My girlfriend’s sister is in the band.