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[Howlin' Mad]

Went for my very first time last year and had a blast. The highlights for me last year, in no particular order, were The Dead Weather, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Conan O'Brien, the Flaming Lips, and the food. I was surprised how good the food was from a lot of the stands. The worst part of the experience was the combination of late nights and the heat in your tent during the early morning. This lead to very little sleep for four days. Also, I learned that goldbond powder is a twice-a-day necessity...

Anyone ever bother with the VIP tickets? Are the viewing areas / private tents worth it?

Just like last year, I will update this thread with the initial band and comedy lineup announcements and adjust the list with additions and dropouts as we get closer to June.



TICKETS ON SALE FEBRUARY 19 AT NOON


WHEN

June 9 -12, 2011

WHERE

Manchester, TN




The Bands

Eminem
Arcade Fire
Widespread Panic
The Black Keys
Buffalo Springfield feat Richie Furay, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Rick Rosas, Joe Vitale
My Morning Jacket
Lil Wayne
String Cheese Incident
Robert Plant & Band of Joy
Mumford & Sons
The Strokes
the Decemberists
Ray Lamontagne
Bassnectar
Iron & Wine
Girl Talk
Primus
Dr. John and the Original Meters performing Destively Bonnaroo
Alison Krauss and Union Station
Pretty Lights
Florence & the Machine
Superjam feat Dan Auerbach and Dr. John
Explosions in the Sky
STS9
Gogol Bordello
Beirut
Big Boi
Scissor Sisters
Gregg Allman
Ratatat
Global Gypsy Punk Revue curated by Eugene Hutz
Robyn
Warren Haynes Band
Deerhunter
Opeth
Atmosphere
Old Crow Medicine Show
Bootsy Collins & the Funk University
Wiz Khalifa
Matt & Kim
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
The Del McCoury Band and the Preservation Hall Jazz band
Mavis Staples
Bela Fleck & the Fleckstones
Chiddy Bang
Javanotti
Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers
Loretta Lynn
Cold War Kids
The Walkmen
Devotchka
Wanda Jackson
Neon Trees
Portugal The Man
Sleigh Bells
Amos Lee
Best Coast
Dam-Funk
The Sword
The Drums
The Black Angels
School of Seven Bells
J. Cole
Nicole Atkins & the Black Sea
Wavves
!!!
Junip
Freelance Whales
Justin Townes Earle
Ryan Bingham
Deer Tick
Band of Skulls
Sharon Van Etten
Abigail Washburn
Omar Souleyman
Twin Shadow
Kylesa
Man Man
The Low Anthem
Alberta Cross
Railroad Earth
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Smith Westerns
The Head and the Heart
Karen Elson
Beats Antique
22-20s
Phosphorescent
Clare MaGuire
Hayes Carll


The Comedy

TBA

 

[killertofu]

Are there any rumors to who's playing?

 

[Howlin' Mad]

During Jay-Z last year, there was some murmur in the crowd that Lady Gaga was there and that she had been checking out the stage with her people earlier in the day. Could just be crazy rumors.

It's the 10th anniversary, so hopefully they pull some strings and put together a good lineup.

 

[Vanillalite]

Ahhh the Rooo...

My how you've become such a weird event in the industry. You still attract a ton of mofos and sell tickets by the truck loads. Yet it seems each year you have more and more a visibly identifiable identity crisis.

 

[HighAmperage]

One would think My Morning Jacket would be a lock, with a new album on the way.

 

[Howlin' Mad]

2011 Lineup announced. Eminem, Arcade Fire, Widespread Panic, The Black Keys, Buffalo Springfield are the headliners.

http://www.bonnaroo.com/artists.aspx

 

[Dahellisdat]

Fuck yeah Dr. John with the Meters!

 

[Vanillalite]

LoL@That list!

You can take my previous statement and times it by 10. Roos identity crisis gets worse every year. LoL

 

[YagizY]

Ugh @ Eminem. Wish they could've gotten a better headliner then him. I had my hopes up for something like Radiohead or Daft Punk.

 

[Bread]

Some awesome bands on there, I need to see Arcade Fire, Ratatat, Black Keys, Big Boi, J. Cole, Portugal the Man, Sleigh Bells... but I wish they had better headliners. Eminem/Lil Wayne/Widespread Panic are meh. Not sure if I'm gonna go this year, I'll see if my friends are interested.

 

[Vanillalite]

The problem is the lineup is all over the damn place. Even if we understand there is a lot of indie hip-hop cross over audience most of them couldn't give a fuck about the hippie stuff.

Then you randomly see Opeth is playing. Fuck remember the South Park episode with cartman driving away Pish and the hippies. He finally made it to the stage and if memory serves me correct put on a Slayer album.

Trying to please everyone ends up pleasing nobody with this festival in particular IMO of course.

 

[Archaix]

The problem is the lineup is all over the damn place. Even if we understand there is a lot of indie hip-hop cross over audience most of them couldn't give a fuck about the hippie stuff.

Then you randomly see Opeth is playing. Fuck remember the South Park episode with cartman driving away Pish and the hippies. He finally made it to the stage and if memory serves me correct put on a Slayer album.

Trying to please everyone ends up pleasing nobody with this festival in particular IMO of course.

I completely disagree. I wouldn't be nearly as interested in the festival if there weren't such a wide variety of music. I wouldn't go to an Eminem concert, but I'll end up seeing him at Roo. I never would have gone out of my way to see Mastadon, but I am glad I was able to see them in an empty spot on my schedule. It's been my experience that the people at Bonnaroo are mostly musically open. I am constantly chatting up Rooers who had no idea who a given band was or aren't into their genre, but love the show. Why would you want to pay 200+ dollars to be exposed to nothing outside your comfort zone?


That said, who the hell is Eminem and why does he have the headlining spot that should be filled by Grammy Award winning Best Album band Arcade Fire?

 

[Vanillalite]

There is cross over love though from the indie crowd and the hip hop crowd though. This shit works at Coachella or Lollapalooza because there is more cross over in terms of what fans like.

I like broader based festivals, but I feel Roo has gotten to broad. You honestly gonna tell me Panic fans want to see Robyn? LoL

 

[vitaminwateryum]

Explosions in the Sky, yes plz.

 

[Archaix]

There is cross over love though from the indie crowd and the hip hop crowd though. This shit works at Coachella or Lollapalooza because there is more cross over in terms of what fans like.

I like broader based festivals, but I feel Roo has gotten to broad. You honestly gonna tell me Panic fans want to see Robyn? LoL

No, I can't say they all will. Can you say they all won't? Either way there's a lot going on at any given time. It's better to have four bands that appeal to entirely different groups of people than to have four bands that people want to see at the same time. When I look at the schedule and see two or three bands that I don't want to miss, I get pissed. If I look at the schedule and see one band I love and three I could not possibly care less about, that's pretty awesome. And so far I've not had a problem filling any single (non headliner) spot with music that I've loved.

Personally, I'm thrilled that I can see Arcade Fire, Buffalo Springfield, Primus, Ratatat, !!!, Bootsy Collins, and My Morning Jacket. Last year I went straight from Isis, to Mumford and Sons, to Dead Weather, to Jeff Beck, to Stevie Wonder, to Jay Z. I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[wenis]

Opeth? Weird choice, but overall a solid lineup.

 

[sefskillz]

already got my tickets, so much fun every year

 

[Howlin' Mad]

I've been digesting the lineup for the past hour or so. Overall, I think it's a disappointment, especially considering that this is the big 10 year anniversary. Sure, there are plenty of bands that I want to see, but there's no wow factor on the list.

My Roo crew consists of three of my friends and three out of the four of us are pretty meh about the list. The fourth, my friend's wife, is ecstatic about Gogol Bordello, Beats Antique, and Scissor Sisters.

We'll probably still end up going and I know I'll get pumped before we get there. The best part is the weeks before when I start listening to the bands I've never heard of and will inevitably find some new music that I like.

 

[ACE 1991]

I really, really want to go this year (this would be my first musical festival ever) but as a college freshmen (19 years old) I really don't have $400+ to spend on gas, a $280 ticket, and food. How difficult is it to get in as a volunteer? Does anyone here know what it's like and if it's worth going as one?

 

[TheLastCandle]

I hope Opeth destroys that crowd with an extended outro version of Deliverance.

 

[DominoKid]

lineup looks weak as hell for my interests

seen Wiz live already. Wayne sucked when I saw him live. cant imagine what 3 more years of his lifestyle has done to his performance. not to arsed about Em.

i'm actually a little interested in seeing Wavves & Best Coast live, but I think a more intimate venue would be better.

i'd be excited to see Ratatat & J. Cole. maybe even Florence. but thats about it.

probably should've gone last year.

 

[TheApatheticOne]

Headliners are weak IMO.

I've only went to one (the one with the infamous Kanye West incident), but I will say that Gogol Bordello stole the show that weekend for me. Had never heard of them, and they just tore it up and everyone dancing. Got home to find that after listening to some studio stuff, and IMO, they are a LIVE band ONLY. lol Didnt care for their CDs at all.

Looking at the rest of the list, sure there are some bands I wouldnt mind checking out, but thats probably overall one of the most blah 'roo list Ive seen.

 

[Menelaus]

Gogol Bordello stole the show that weekend for me. Had never heard of them, and they just tore it up and everyone dancing. Got home to find that after listening to some studio stuff, and IMO, they are a LIVE band ONLY. lol Didnt care for their CDs at all.

Saw them live after hearing 1 or 2 of their songs, and that show ruined me forever to their albums. Standing against the stage, having Eugene pouring wine into our open mouths, sweating our clothes transparent from the dancing....insane fun.

 

[ACE 1991]

Ended up submitting my Volunteer application. *fingers crossed*

 

[ATF487]

Ended up submitting my Volunteer application. *fingers crossed*

Volunteering is a pretty sweet gig. I had one of the worst jobs, which was sitting at the recycling centers and instructing people to compost stuff, but I still was able to see most of the stuff I wanted to. And you get free meal tokens, and obviously the price of tickets/parking makes it a no-brainer.

 

[ACE 1991]

Volunteering is a pretty sweet gig. I had one of the worst jobs, which was sitting at the recycling centers and instructing people to compost stuff, but I still was able to see most of the stuff I wanted to. And you get free meal tokens, and obviously the price of tickets/parking makes it a no-brainer.

Yup. I am simply unable to go if I can't volunteer for monetary reasons. I'm hoping to land one of the pre-festival positions, but I'm sure these go fast and mostly to returning volunteers. Are all volunteers allowed to stay in the staff site?

 

[OrangeGrayBlue]

I'd really like to see Atmosphere and The Black Keys. A couple others that intrigue me, but those are the main two. I'll probably just wait for individual concerts in my area from both.

 

[ATF487]

Yup. I am simply unable to go if I can't volunteer for monetary reasons. I'm hoping to land one of the pre-festival positions, but I'm sure these go fast and mostly to returning volunteers. Are all volunteers allowed to stay in the staff site?

Yeah, you get your own lot but I forget whether it's staff and volunteers or just volunteers. But you don't intermingle with the commoners. Oh, and I forgot, you get your own showers which is really really clutch in the Tennessee heat

 

[ACE 1991]

Yeah, you get your own lot but I forget whether it's staff and volunteers or just volunteers. But you don't intermingle with the commoners. Oh, and I forgot, you get your own showers which is really really clutch in the Tennessee heat

Sounds great! Is it pretty difficult to grab a spot as a volunteer as a first timer? Me and a few friends would love to go to the show in this fashion. Thanks for all of you help by the way.

 

[Bliany]

My girlfriend and I are thinking about road tripping out to this from WA since Sasquatch tickets sold out so quick. The lineup is pretty eclectic but there's definitely lots of good stuff. I just hope my car will make it there.

 

[ethic]

Better headliners and the lineup would be awesome.

Eminem? At Roo? As a headliner? For the tenth festival?? lol.

2009 was the last time I was there. 2006 before that. The festival has strayed away from what made it special. When I saw that the Xbox 360 arcade had replaced the awesome arcade with Q-Bert, I knew it was over. Here's hoping Rothbury 2011 happens. With Q-Bert as a headliner.

 

[Nard Bagman]

No lineup will beat last years lineup. Tenacious d, damian marley, blues traveler, medeski martin & wood...this years list sucks. I was gonna go but not anymore i don't think. I'd really only see buffalo springfield, black keys, and arcade fire but last year had some of my all time favorite artists. The only way I would go is if the cat empire played or john petrucci came and played his solo album.

 

[SteveWinwood]

No lineup will beat last years lineup. Tenacious d, damian marley, blues traveler, medeski martin & wood...this years list sucks. I was gonna go but not anymore i don't think. I'd really only see buffalo springfield, black keys, and arcade fire but last year had some of my all time favorite artists. The only way I would go is if the cat empire played or john petrucci came and played his solo album.

This is completely right. Nothing could beat it. Not even some of the crazy rumors going around like U2 or Radiohead

Spoiler

I don't like U2

.

Last years was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I'm somewhat sad that I don't think i'll be going back again, but also somewhat happy that no memories of a worse one will interfere with what I have of '10.

 

[Nard Bagman]

This is completely right. Nothing could beat it. Not even some of the crazy rumors going around like U2 or Radiohead

Spoiler

I don't like U2

.

Last years was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I'm somewhat sad that I don't think i'll be going back again, but also somewhat happy that no memories of a worse one will interfere with what I have of '10.

We went together last year i think

 

[Bread]

Last years was good, but I prefer 2 years ago. Nine Inch Nails made the weekend for me.

 

[Howlin' Mad]

Well, my friends have made their decision. Instead of Bonnaroo this year, we're heading for the Hangout Music Fest in Gulf Shores, AL (May 20 - 22). They have a pretty good lineup and I'm already looking forward to Paul Simon, Foo Fighters, Black Keys, Flaming Lips, Cee-Lo, Primus, Bassnectar, Girl Talk, Matisyahu, Portugal.the Man, and Beats Antique. It'll be a nice change of pace from Manchester, TN, since the whole fest takes place on the beach and there are plenty of nice condos and beachhouses to rent.

Anyone else heading to Hangout?

http://hangoutmusicfest.com/lineup/

 

[lush]

Banking on Moogfest(Asheville, NC) and Big Ears(Knoxville, TN) myself. Not exactly sure what's happened to Bonnaroo, the lineup this year is pretty bad.

 

[ncsuDuncan]

Definitely thinking about going. Mumford & Sons is probably my favorite on the list.

Any idea when the comedy acts are going to be announced?

 

[Manus]

Ordering my tickets in about a week thanks to my tax return.

 

[Archaix]

Definitely thinking about going. Mumford & Sons is probably my favorite on the list.

Any idea when the comedy acts are going to be announced?

Comedy lineup was released today

Lewis Black
420 Comedy Blaze hosted by Cheech Marin featuring Ralphie May, the stars of Workaholics and more
John Waters
Henry Rollins
Henson Alternative’s STUFFED AND UNSTRUNG
The League (Paul Scheer, Nick Kroll, Jon Lajoie, Stephen Rannazzisi)
Donald Glover
Kathleen Madigan
Eugene Mirman
Ted Alexandro
Tim Minchin
Tig Notaro
Hannibal Buress
Craig Baldo
Nate Bargatze

 

[DeathbyVolcano]

Look for the app to be released soon, for iOS and Android. I'm currently a graphic designer for it

 

[tearsofash]

This is my first roo. I'm kind of excited to see what the big deal is. Got tired of people always talking about it, and it sounded cool. Plus, there's a dozen or more bands I'm wanting to see.

 

[Ben Pierce]

2010 was my first bonnaroo experience, and it was great. I really enjoyed the lineup and the atmosphere. DMB stole it for me. Greatest show I've ever been to! This year's lineup seems like a complete 180 I'm only interested in a few bands (mumford & sons, primus, opeth, arcade fire, cold war kids, and just a few more) and I think bonnnaroo is catering to a different musical audience than what made them in the first place. I'm actually more excited over the comedy lineup than anything else. Ill probably still go to bonnaroo, but I'm not expecting 2010's quality. Then again I could be wrong.

 

[Archaix]

2010 was my first bonnaroo experience, and it was great. I really enjoyed the lineup and the atmosphere. DMB stole it for me. Greatest show I've ever been to! This year's lineup seems like a complete 180 I'm only interested in a few bands (mumford & sons, primus, opeth, arcade fire, cold war kids, and just a few more) and I think bonnnaroo is catering to a different musical audience than what made them in the first place. I'm actually more excited over the comedy lineup than anything else. Ill probably still go to bonnaroo, but I'm not expecting 2010's quality. Then again I could be wrong.

People say this about Bonnaroo catering to a different musical crowd, but I just can't agree. You've got Buffalo Springfield, Mumford and Sons, My Morning Jacket Robert Plant, Dr John, Warren Haynes, String Cheese Incident, Widespread Panic, Bela Fleck, Old Crow Medicine Show, Greg Allman, the Superjam coming back, and countless others that appeal to that crowd. There's just also music that appeals to entirely different crowds and expands the tastes of a lot of people who see it. Sure, there's more rap, and there's less electronic music than a few years back. The lineup fits with what it has been since 2006 when Radiohead was the headliner.

I think this lineup is great all around, and personally feel that there are more great acts at the top of the lineup than there have been since 2007. There are only a handful of acts in the top 25 on the billing that I'm not interested in seeing.

 

[dominuece]

Going for Explosions in the Sky! I've been to Bonnaroo in 2006 (Radiohead!!!) and 2007 and both times were amazing.

 

[Mango Positive]

I'd been to Bonnaroo 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008 (artist access pass!), and 2009. The artists haven't been enough the last couple of years to deal with camping in that heat. I was spoiled when I stayed in a condo for the Phish festival in Indio, CA Halloween 2009. This year the wife and I splurged on a beach front condo in Gulf Shores less than a mile from the venue for the Hangout Music Festival.

I'm also playing Floyd Fest X this year! It's a smaller festival in the mountains of Virginia.

 

[J-Roderton]

Anyone know when tickets are shipping out?

 

[J-Roderton]

Tickets ship this week. Some a few people I know have already gotten them. Any one on Gaf gotten theirs yet?

 

[Archaix]

Surprised nobody's bumped it, but it's time for Bonnaroo. Sort of snuck up on me this year, but I'm taking off tomorrow afternoon for the wonderfully terrible drive.

What's the offical NeaGAF headcount for Bonnaroo?

 

[sefskillz]

heading down in about 12 hours. only about a hour drive for me, the wait in line is like 4x time