Ohmpark’s Guide To Bonnaroo 2008
Less than a week away and I’m ready to go! If you’re going to Bonnaroo this year, the following post will give you what I think is the crucial info and best acts. If you’re not going, you might want to rethink that and buy a ticket. You can read up on some of my stories from the first 5 Bonnaroos here. You can read my review of last year’s fest here. If you want to really obsess about Bonnaroo for endless hours, I highly recommend checking out Inforoo, the Bonnaroo message board. You can get pretty much every single bit of information you could ever imagine about the fest there. I’m going to give you a couple of nuggets that I think are particularly educational for first timers:
Currently, the Weather.com forecast calls for scattered t-storms all weekend right now (up to 60% chance of rain Saturday) and highs in the ’80s. I recommend you get some good mud boots just in case, because even a little bit of rain is going to make that place a big muddy mess. The mud will literally eat flip flops off of your feet, so beware. All my hippier friends swear by wearing crocs during regular conditions, but I always feel more comfortable in socks and tennis shoes. Also on the rainy weather tip, I’ve seen the thunderstorms decimate some campsites, so prepare accordingly. Put tarps under/over your tents. Bring a poncho.
The gates usually open early Wednesday night, but ever since the 3rd ‘roo (when they finally found the best way to deal with traffic), they send all of the first arrivals to the very, very far away Southeastern camping outpost. I’ve been the victim of this several times, and it was annoying. The more you walk, the more energy you’re going to exert, and this will hinder your ability to all out party for 4 days. And don’t expect to get a bunch of sleep, because usually by 8am it is too hot to sleep in your tent. It seems like if you get there late Thursday morning or early Thursday afternoon you can get a spot closer to Centeroo (the area where the stages are), especially if you are coming from the east (like us ATLiens). The downside, less time at the party and longer waits in the line to get in. Think about it.
Speaking of the party, this is a big-ass music fest with circa 75,000 people, so there is gonna be some craziness going on. BUT, this is not the Bonnaroo of your older cousin’s. There will be police sparsely around inside the fest grounds looking to bust folks for illegal activities. The ban on unofficial vendors is heavily enforced now, so “Skakedown Street” is not what it used to be. If you’re smart and just a tad bit careful, you are almost assured have a fun-filled week, just don’t be too stupid.
Ok, so let’s dig into the line-up. The first night has me really excited:
Thursday:
6:00 PM Troo Music Lounge: The Big Sleep
This brooklyn trio caught my ear when I was checking myspace pages of bands I didn’t recognize, so I’m planning on checking this out:
6:25 Pm Cinema Tent: Sigur Ros‘ Heima
Get yourself prepared for what I am already calling the best show of the fest, with a spectacular documentary on the band.
8:30PM This Tent: MGMT
While I thought their live show was a little lackluster when I saw them with Yeasayer earlier this year, now that I know and really enjoy their album, I’m excited to catch them again:
10:00 PM This Tent: Battles
This is my pick for Thursday’s “can’t miss show”. Listen to the live show i posted recently here.
10:30 PM That Tent: The Sword
Black Sabbath-esque stoner metal/rock that is really good:
11:30 PM This Tent: Vampire Weekend
I’m glad I’ll finally get to catch 2008’s super hype band, if only to talk smack about them. Really, I don’t think they are bad or anything, but their stuff just doesn’t really hold my interest long enough. But maybe their live show will change my mind:
11:45 PM The Other Tent: Darkstar Orchestra
This is what I consider to be the best cover band to ever exist, so go get your artificial dose of The Grateful Dead.
1:30 AM Troo Music Lounge: Royal Bangs
I’ve just discovered these guys and I am totally into their album, We Breed Champions. I’ll have more on these guys very soon, but I highly recommend checking them out:
Friday:
1:15 PM That Tent: Fiery Furnaces
We are big FF fans around here at Ohmpark, so even though I’d be interested in catching Jose Gonzalez, I can’t miss another chance to catch the Friedbergers. I’ve got a bunch of Fiery Furnaces live videos I’m getting out of the vault soon, so I’ll spare you for now.
2:30 PM This Tent: Tegan And Sara
While these ladies only fall in my “like but don’t love” category, I really want to see them. Get ready for this song to be stuck in your head all weekend:
2:45 PM That Tent: Minus The Bear
Minus The Bear were outstanding at Langerado, so I can’t wait to see them again:
4:30 PM That Tent: !!!
Another band that was at Langerado, another great live act I’m excited to see again:
Midnight Which Stage: My Morning Jacket
While i have still yet to listen to it, I’m hearing good things about Evil Urges. Their late night set at Bonnaroo 2006 was epic, so I expect them to up the ante:
1:30 AM Troo Music Lounge: Howlin Rain
Thsi is the new project from Comets On Fire’s Ethan Miller. Comets On Fire were badass, so this should be good (they are at the Drunken Unicorn tonight!):
1:30 AM This Tent: Tiesto
While he’s not my favourite DJ in the world, he’s not too shabby either. Also, he’s going to have guest appearance by Tegan And Sara, Jose Gonzalez, and Cary Brothers.
2:00 AM That Tent: Disco Biscuits
Yeah, they are a jamband, but they are really good.
Saturday:
4:00 PM That Tent: Mastodon
Atlanta’s own spectacular metal outfit. If you haven’t seen these guys yet, this is a must see:
6:30 PM This Tent: Iron & Wine
I thought his Bonnaroo set in 2006 seemed a bit underwhelming, but the set I caught later that year at Lollapalooza was phenomenal. I think his album from last year is Sam Beam’s best work to date, so this show is gonna be sweet:
10:15 PM What Stage: Pearl Jam
I made my case for them last post, so check that out.
1:00 AM That Tent: Sigus Ros
Could be the best show all weekend:
Sigur Ros : Gobbledigook
1:30 AM Troo Music Lounge: Dead Confederate
If you read us regularly, you know we are fans. If you don’t, go look into these guys:
Sunday:
2:30 PM The Other Tent: Ladytron
I’ve yet to listen to the new album yet, but I do plan to catch them and give them the live show test:
6:00 PM The Other Tent: Broken Social Scene
I’m really stoked about seeing these guys. Word on the street is that they are doing half older stuff, hald Drew/Canning solo stuff. Sounds Perfect:
Brendan Canning : Hit The Wall
7:00 PM Which Stage: Death Cab For Cutie
We just dropped a review of Narrow Stairs, so you know how we feel.
Alright, that’s enough Bonnaroo hype for now. We will have plenty of more soon.
- Posted by Davy Minor on June 6, 2008 at 5:50 am
