A small quite town known as Manchester becomes one of the largest and definitely the loudest cities in Tennessee for a few days each summer. Bonnaroo is a unique experience, and attract music lovers from all over the world. This four day music festival is held on a farm and everyone just camps out/ or passes out on its vast fields. Because it is on private land the police can’t come on so the rules of society change somewhat.
At Bonnaroo instead of ice cream and popcorn venders you’ve got your weed and shroom venders. Its quite shocking the first time you hear someone walking by saying “get your acid!” For some people clothing is replaced by paint, I would advise blinders or a barf bag.
If you can handle some of the odder things it really is the most incredible music experience. I was fortunate enough to go in 2006 and see some incredible performances from the likes of Andrew Bird, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, Beck, Devandra Bandhart, My Morning Jacket and many many more. My last night there I saw the best show of my life, Radiohead, they were perfect and it was fun seeing little Tom prancing around.
Bonnaroo started out as a small and all Jam camp out, and has expanded to 80,000 people with several stages and attractions. The music genres have also expanded and Jay-Z is even showing up this year, which I find a little disappointing.
Even though the festival has sold out a little bit commercially, this has allowed them to draw more exciting artists. Check out some of the bigger names in the 2010 line up below.
Dave Mathews Band
Kings of Leon
Stevie Wonder
Jay-Z
Tenacious D
Weezer
Damian Marley and Nas
Norah Jones
Michael Franti and Spearhead
Regina Spektor
Ween
LCD Soundsystem
The Avett Brothers
Rise Against
The Black Keys
Dropkick Murphys
She & Him
Against Me!
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
They Might Be Giants
Blues Traveler
Calexico
