Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Post by Britney's_Fears on Jan 7, 2009 13:43:09 GMT -5
I know a lot of people on this board have expressed concern that they may have to attend Roo "alone". As in none of their friends can go, and some people have actually (*gasp* perish the thought) considered NOT GOING because of this. But I can tell you from my experience that being at Roo solo is AWESOME. I guess it all depends on the type of person you are and I am somewhat "older" than the average Rooian (38) and not at all codependent.
My buddy and I last year kept getting separated everytime we would go to shows, and instead of wasting time searching for each other we just stayed separated for the rest of the day. And despite it all I HAD A BLAST!!!
It's great not having to be caught up in someone else's BS throughout Roo. And I had new friends all around me!
Post by itrainmonkeys on Jan 7, 2009 13:57:38 GMT -5
I actually LOVED being alone at Roo. I went with friends or a companion each year (since '05)......but wouldn't stay with them. The first year I didn't know anything so I tried to stay with my buds........but after that year I said screw it.
I would end up waiting for everyone to get ready to go into centeroo. Instead of leaving campsite at like 11:00 like I wanted I'd have to wait for everyone to get ready, go to the bathroom, gather all their stuff, and then slowly walk in. Of course everyone wants to stop at different food and product vendors too. So from '06 on I would go on my own when I wanted to.
It was weird.....spending the whole day alone while friends were scattered about. But I got to see what I wanted - when I wanted. I also was able to easily get closer to stages and sleep in the air conditioned movie tent.
It's always fun.......whether with someone or alone. But Sometimes you gotta do your own thing.
Post by lordrockinhood on Jan 7, 2009 14:11:28 GMT -5
I voted solo, but actually...
'06- Alone '07- One friend '08- Three Friends '09- ???
Every year has been/will be fantasic in different ways... but all I know is that if I didn't go alone that 1st time, I may have never even gone at all... and I may go with a crew this year... but until they have ticket confirms in hand, well, until then, I am just planning it all as if it is a solo trip once again... nothing and no one going or not going could keep me away from the farm!
I've done a few different configurations. Went with a bud in 04, group expanded to five in 05 then seven in 06. In 07 it was down to two of us and then I went solo last year.
Roo is what you make it. In a group, if you follow your gut you'll have a good time. I'm not saying screw over your friends but you also shouldn't put yourself or them in a position to blame each other for hamperting your experience. If you go by yourself, do what you want when you want to. The toughest part for me was the travel. (900 miles each way.)
I had fun both ways. This year there are four of us with tickets so far but that's not because I didn't enjoy going alone -- it's just that there were people that wanted to go, too.
I've been doing shows and festivals mostly solo since my college days (early 80's) including three Roos and two Coachellas. For me, it's the only way to go - I love being as spontaneous as I want to be. Wait five hours for a band and leave after one song if I want to. Skip tent-to-tent. Nap when I want to. Push to the front or hang out at the back. Eat when and what I want. No responsibilities at all.
As a husband, father and manager, I'm always tied into others. Don't get me wrong, I love my family and my job's great, but for one weekend a year I love being my own person.
Plus, I have 64,999 family members right there on the farm.
Post by strumntheguitar on Jan 7, 2009 14:29:03 GMT -5
Even when I do go with a group I tend to wander off by myself at times. Mostly for the reasons stated above. Festivals are as much a personal experience as they are a friendship experience. You learn a lot about both through the course of a weekend.
Post by purplefuzzystuff on Jan 7, 2009 14:31:24 GMT -5
Every year I have gone with a group but every year I spend most of roo by myself. Not because we dislike each other, I love my group and I love when we do get to chill together. But I prefer being able to do whatever I want whenever I want.
I wish people could see how great it is. Bonnaroo isn't a lonely place. Even if you're camping by yourself you will ALWAYS find someone to hang out with.
The first year I went to roo I spent almost every minute of my time alone and that might seem intimidating to new roosters but you shouldn't let it scare you away, I still think that firstyear was the best because being alone made me make some really awesome friends and have some really amazing experiences. I was never stressed about where my friends were or where I was supposed to be
Edit* haha just like what ccrgmac said, I was just a little late
I went solo and camped solo, though I did meet up with a good buddy of mine down there... however, most of the day I usually wandered around by myself. I told myself I was going to go to the shows I really wanted to go to, not necessarily the one my friend and his friends wanted to go to. I can hang out with my buddy whenever I want - seeing a particular band that he's not into, who knows when I'll get that opportunity again.
The good thing about Roo is that, as long as you're not shy, you will make a bunch of cool friends down there. Roosters are a friendly bunch for the most part, and there will be thousands of other folks in the exact same boat as you.
I've been doing shows and festivals mostly solo since my college days (early 80's) including three Roos and two Coachellas. For me, it's the only way to go - I love being as spontaneous as I want to be. Wait five hours for a band and leave after one song if I want to. Skip tent-to-tent. Nap when I want to. Push to the front or hang out at the back. Eat when and what I want. No responsibilities at all.
As a husband, father and manager, I'm always tied into others. Don't get me wrong, I love my family and my job's great, but for one weekend a year I love being my own person.
Plus, I have 64,999 family members right there on the farm.
Amen to that! I spend the whole year doing the bidding of others. Friends, Family, Work. I don't need people Ruling My Roo!
Really the important thing is just to go see what you want, but still get some time in with your friends. Also go to the inforoo brunch you will start seeing people you know everywhere after that.
Post by MonkeyShirt on Jan 7, 2009 17:34:13 GMT -5
I have never been to 'Roo with less than 10 people. My first year I was a part of an epic group of 50+
As the years have gone by I have found that spending some time alone is an important part of the 'Roo experience.
Last year I had an all veteran (minium of 3 'Roos) group of 15 - that was nice - no one was looking to me for advice or direction.
In 2007 I was a 4th year 'Rooer with a bunch of 'Roo virgins - and they were all just waiting around for the entire group to do something - I had to explain that if you want to do or see something - sometimes you have to go by yourself. People were asking me all sorts of questions and the answer was almost always "go find out for yourself" - I will never roll with such a 'Roo virgin crowd ever again.
Post by mulcherry0420 on Jan 7, 2009 17:39:27 GMT -5
Never been alone, went in 07' with three other friends, all of us ROOkies. And man did we get burned by one black guy DO NOT BUY from a guy with a black fanny pack.. straight wooked!!! (also my first festival, unless you count Deer Creek experience, and even then i was with much older people, Heads if you will. They hooked me up PHAT my first time).
But in 08' I went with some others that were "hip" to the scene and everyone saw what they wanted and there werent any stragglers or people getting bunk'd
Last Edit: Jan 7, 2009 17:40:28 GMT -5 by mulcherry0420 - Back to Top
This will be my fifth 'Roo, and I have traveled with a group, to include my family, each year.. I love having their company but am not bound by them which gives me the perfect mix. My first three years my girlfriend came along, and it was nice to be able to be together throughout the fest as we both enjoyed everything about it. BUT, there were still little things that she couldn't handle that I could, like long days, no sleep, and it would ultimately end in an argument. Well, to my demise, we broke up and I traveled to 'Roo 08 solo. And I can tell you it is a completelllllly different experience, and I absolutely loved it. I wandered off all friday and didnt return until sunrise Saturday morning, and I did and went whatever I wanted because, obviously, it was just me. So if you're flying solo, don't fret, and by GOD child don't even think of not attending, you'll have a blast, guarenteed. ;D
Post by Jello Biafra on Jan 7, 2009 17:52:09 GMT -5
I go with a group that started out in '03 as about 6 and now is about 25. I love it. I've gone two times with a g/f and those years were a bit tougher because I couldn't be selfish and run off whenever I wanted to. I love going with people I have no obligation to. It's fun to have a big bunch of people to go to headliners with, it helps with that many because it's easier to save spots. It is really nice though to be able to run off during late night and see what you want during the day. And this way there is usually a handful of my friends at most shows I want to see. So I can walk away from a group of friends at one tent and go to the What Stage and see a show with others. I have the best of both worlds.
Post by crazykittensmile on Jan 7, 2009 23:47:50 GMT -5
went solo my first roo. was the best experience of my LIFE. made tons of great new friends, didn't have to think about anyone else or what they wanted to see, if they were tired/hungry etc... was soooooooooo freeing and lovely. i highly recommend it
when you bring someone you feel kind of responsible for their good time, especially if it's their first, so there's none of that when you're on your own
for all intents and purposes i'll be going solo again this year. but meeting up with wonderful inforoo peeps (Tara <3) and camping in camp inforoo, but i know we'll all go off on our own, meet together when we run into each other, etc... it's so great... for some reason this thread is making me really excited for june! i can't wait ;D ;D ;D
Post by rideincircles on Jan 8, 2009 0:13:44 GMT -5
I will probably always go with some peeps, but I will not hesitate to break off and go see whatever I want to. We lost my friend Gina everyday last year, and just met up at the end of the day. I had two situations last year where I split up from my group, my friends wanted to leave My Morning Jacket to go back to camp cuz of the rain, and they wanted to leave Sigur Ros early to get up front for Kanye. Screw that, are you retarded? I am staying. I almost got into an argument at Sigur ros which was ridiculous. I ended up throwing my keys at my friend when they were leaving and i dove back into the crowd.
I went solo last year and had an amazing time but there were times when I wished that I had someone with me (in the mornings, or when there wasnt anyone playing that I liked.) but overall it was a great experience. I do wish I had someone to keep my musical ADD under control, sometimes at a music festival I will bounce around from set to set so much that it feels like I miss alot and regret leaving a great set for a mediocre set so having someone to keep me grounded is nice. But like everyone else said its really easy to make new friends, i would consider myself a pretty introverted guy but it wasnt hard at all to start a conversation seeing as your going to have something in common with almost everyone there.
Although I enjoyed my solo experience im trying to "recruit" some people to go with me this year, but if it doesnt work out then I will be more then happy to go solo again.
I ended up solo back in 2005 and had a great time. Had some really cool neighbors with whom i shared party supplies the whole time, we both looked out for each other's stuff, shared food and everything. What i liked the most, like other people on here, was that i had absolutely no constrictions on where i was. If i got the notion to wander off into the night it was no problem at all, and i didn't have to meet up with anyone else at any time or see any show that i wasn't totally into. Since then i've gone with big groups of friends and we've made it clear that there's no reason for all of us to stay together as long as we all make it back to camp at some point so not everyone else freaks out. Going solo is good stuff.
Three was the worst. My buddy brought his girlfriend and she wanted to go shopping at the WORST times imaginable (i.e. during Pearl Jam, Lez Zep, and Metallica). I ended up watching shows by myself when I rather would have had my buddy with me. I recommend either 2 or 4 or more...three really is a crowd!!!!!
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I've always went with at least 3 people. It's fun to have your friends around. But, if you do get separated...don't waste time trying to find em'. Just go and have fun! Good people are all around.
'02 - alone '03 - one other '04 - one other '05 - alone '07 - one other '08 - one other (and camped with Clato and wife)
But even when I go with another I spend 90% of my time alone. Solo is the only way to do Roo, IMHO. That way you do what you like and make friends where you find them. I've never not had impromptu friends around when I want some company. But mostly like being alone in the crowd.
I'll be going with a best bud, but certainly we'll both have our own "alone" experience there. Just a bit different lives, lol, I'm married and have been since 2001. Wife just doesn't care for the camp for days thing. I'm 28, I'll be going to see all the shows I can dream of. And probably retreat to the old tent in between
My buddy will be going at 35 and freshly divorced. Which makes the separate tent thing important. It would be a good bet to guess that he'll be meeting lots of new "friends" and that damn tent will be busy. I need to sleep dude if I'm getting up as early as possible for more tunes!
Post by stallion pt. 2 on Jan 8, 2009 12:04:36 GMT -5
In seven Roos it's been The Wife and I twice (02 & 05). These were also the 2 years I'd probably put at the bottom of my list of best Roo experiences. 03 we brought a friend, and every other year we've gone with between 3 & 10 other people. More is not always merrier, but I have had a better time when we've had at least one other friend to share the experience.
John: We don't even understand our own music Spider: It doesn't, does it matter whether we understand it? At least it'll give us . . . strength John: I know but maybe we could get into it more if we understood it
Post by dreamingtree on Jan 8, 2009 12:24:44 GMT -5
2006 I went with my hubby, his 2 friends and my daughter. Didn't get to see everything I wanted and was too worried about keeping everyone happy - it also was my first time and I was not prepared....
2007 I took my teenager and her friend - I spent most of Roo alone and had a total blast. I am not a very social person and did not really make any friends or anything but I still had fun
2008 Went with hubby and 3 teenagers - never saw the teenagers and spent most of the time with the hubby but we did split up a few times for some shows.
Post by tommyboy7328 on Jan 8, 2009 12:26:26 GMT -5
I went with a friend last year and when we got camp set up our group of two turned into about 10 as we merged our camp with two others. We hung out at a few shows and i went solo a few time and it was totaly cool both ways. I like the idea of having at least one other person at camp to help set up and take down. I loved hanging at the camp with all kinds of people i just met and share my recs and stories with.
I went with a friend last year, it was just the two of us. She was a bit of a downer at times, so when I'd had enough, I went my own way. She refused to go to any shows alone, so when we had conflicts, I would leave and do my thing.
I hadn't planned on spending time alone until we got to Roo, and I realized how many shows I wanted to see that she didn't care for. Seriously, leaving her behind was the best thing I did. And unfortunately for her, she missed Sigur Ros because she "couldn't find me" in the crowds, so she just went back to the tent.