Is anyone going to Bonnaroo this year?
So tomorrow I leave to my 6th year of Bonnaroo. Fully shooting and being directly paid from old employer, AOL. Coverage will be mostly on Spinner.com but also on AOL Music. All this means I’m being paid more because I can also resell my images as stock as well as being paid form AOL. Better all around for myself and my freelance business.
Downside? Hmmm…might be the line up. I had to go through it today to decide what we are going to cover. My list was….lacking. Please feel free to suggest any bands I should shoot, my 1st pass list is below. Thursday and Sunday are really lacking. Other downside, this will be the first year I don’t know of any of my friends going. I couldn’t even give away my extra pass. Though in many ways it makes it better, I can actually get an assistant to help carry all my gear and help upload photos.
I have a feeling this will be the first year Bonnaroo will not sell out. It should still be a great show, just not quite it’s been in the last few years though.
Thursday (please add some bands)
Vampire Weekend
Friday
Tegan & Sara
Les Claypool
The Raconteurs
Willie Nelson
Rilo Kiley
Chris Rock
Metallica
My Morning Jacket
SuperJam
Saturday
Mason Jennings
Gogol Bordello
Cat Power
B.B. King
Ben Folds
Jack Johnson
Pearl Jam
Sigur Rós
Kanye West (2:45 AM!!! sheesh)
Sunday (please add more bands!)
Aimee Mann
Death Cab for Cutie
OK, so I had to look.
On Thursday, definitely catch MGMT and The Sword. On Sunday, Rogue Wave, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss featuring T Bone Burnett, Solomon Burke, Aimee Mann, and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
And one more…you have to check out Mastodon on Saturday. Supposedly they have the best rock drummer out there (so says the buzz).
There are maybe 10 bands (or individuals) in the history of rock that I like enough to brave a Tennesee summer; 8 of which are dead and/or disbanded. The remainders are not on this list. I don’t have any recomendations but I would be curious to hear about the fan reception of Metalica. Given their style of music is a bit different than the normal Bonnaroo bands and their drive against music downloads I could see them getting a luke warm greeting to say the least. Again, not worth going out in a Southern summer but I am curious.
I love your blog, and I definitely enjoyed your account of working it last year. I’ve been before, but this is the first time I’m going with a media pass. (I’m a writer covering it for a local journal.) Two questions: Do the media camp in the same areas as the rest of the folk? And is the line to get in just as long?
Oh, and Mastodon is supposed be pretty intense live.
On Saturday: Iron and Wine?
Oh, and Mastodon is supposed be pretty intense live.
On Saturday: Iron and Wine?
I’ll answer Mike’s question since Bryan’s on the road, and since I’ve gone the last 6 years. The media camp is usually behind the 2nd stage and is kept up better than the Main grounds (i.e. free showers and food). You have to check in at the local hotel and then you go in the back way behind the main stage. The line at the media/photo is usually short unless you arrive before they open on Thursday. The drive into the campgrounds is a piece of cake compared to entering the front entrance. Have fun!!!
Oh Bonnaroo. I braved the event twice, and I may never go again. If I did, I would only attend with a press pass. You have to be extremely cool, or just a plain old hippy to attend with the rest of the crowd. I need a shower and cup of coffee every morning. BR – go see Kanye for me, I know its not your thing. But consider the bigger picture. Also, I can’t believe I am missing Aimme Mann. Someone has to watch the dogs and pack this house up!
Hey Mike, if you see this sent me an email photo @ 3sight.com
Though take out the spaces, I’ll send my cell number. I’d love to catch up before the whole thing is done. Prob see ya in the press tent anyway. Free water!
Oh there’s wireless at the campsite this year, rock on.