Somehow it works out every year for all my pals to get the hook-up at Bonnaroo and this year was no exception. Sporting the artist pass known as “That Pass” around my neck, I got to experience Roo the best way one can. The artist tent served 3 free hot meals a day with; steaks, smoothies, iced lattes and everything yummy. There was also the all you want to drink tent with liquor and beer, free giveaways at nearly a dozen booths and ice cream from the Ice Cream Man all weekend. Most of the pics above are from the artist tent. Highlights there- included nearly every artist coming by for food or goods, a performance by MGMT in the Ice Cream Man truck, two little kids playing like street performers and a photo area featuring free Onitsuka Tiger shoes.
Day one I checked out the DJ Academy, where DJ Sugar Ray & DJ Exess helped me lay down my best beats, which I definitely need some more work on. Next we checked out the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (pictured). There was a slight technical problem, leading them to perform Maps acoustically. After, I went to the presser featuring; Lucinda Williams, Justin Townes Earle, Bon Iver, Justin Vernon, Portugal. The Man and The Low Anthem (all pictured). Lu talked about how it wasn’t her first Bonnaroo and how much she loves the festival. Beastie Boys rocked my face Friday night, with a special appearance by Naz. My group nearly lost our voices singing Paul Revere. The boys came out for a finale with Sabotage. Our next stop was to see Flava Flav and his group, Public Enemy. I though the show was mediocre, but that’s where we first spotted Drew Barrymore & her bf Justin Long. Drew’s face was painted with glitter. They danced around in the front for a bit, but scooted out as people began recognizing the celeb couple. Later that night, we checked out Pretty Lights and then Girl Talk, where people were climbing ropes and sliding in mud with a full on dance party. My Friday festivities wrapped up with more booty shaking at The Silent Disco. This was my first time to actually go in to experience The Silent Disco. The spot looks funny from the outside, as only those who come in can hear the music on headphones. It was awesome. However, heading to sleep in a tent at 5:30 in the morning doesn’t work so well. It wasn’t long before the sun came beating in.
I had to regroup from Friday’s festivities with a massage in the artist tent, it was so worth it! Not long later I made it out for Jimmy Buffet’s performance. Surprisingly it wasn’t too crowded, making it easy to get up front. Jimmy said he was opening with something spiritual in case we didn’t make it to church Sunday and then went into Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw. Later we headed out to listen to the festival headliner, Bruce Springsteen. The Boss utilized the photo area making his was down through the crowd, collecting signs for requests. The first request he played, Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I wrapped my evening up with NIN, Ben Harper some incredible burlesque at the Sonic Stage and MGMT. MGMT was packed; Bruce, Drew and Justin all made it out for their show. Bruce made another appearance Sunday, jamming Mustang Sally with Phish.
Among the others pictured- Ethan Oharra, Anna Pardenik, Dan Fancher & Rychel Loo, Kevin Bevil of Heypenny , Emily Dickerson, Josh Hayes & Libby Callaway shooting fashion for Vogue, the ladies of Gypsy Hands, Stephanie Powers, Shaun Bertrand & pals, Lolly & Larry the Panty Boy, Angela Morris Bobby Bare Jr., Beatle Bob, Joel Wilson as an astronaut and oh so many more. Pic of Drew and Justin credit- Just Jared.
