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!!
This will be my third Roo, but really the first where I have become "aware" of the musical buffet that is there. I am wondering how other folks deal with the inevitable conflicts that will occur, especially once the lineup is filled up with the aces up AC/Superfly's sleeves (hopefully ABB/Dead), as well as, comedy, jazz, reggae, blues, djs, hip/hop, and more alt/indie acts.
As I am an overly analytical person, my first approach was to create a list with the headinds...
MUST SEE WANT TO SEE NICE TO SEE DON'T KNOW ENOUGH YET DON'T CARE NO!!!
Right now have 40+ in the first three and <20 in the last three. Once the additions are announced, thought of ranking in each heading, then wait for the schedule to come out and come up with some crazy ass way to maximize my music fun, without running around like a chicken with my head cut off. My Roo BCS formula!!!
That being said, I get the fact that this is way too complicated, but it helps me through the 4 months of anticipation without going completely mental.
I'm interested in how others plan the music portion of the Roo experience?
Post by Darth Boo Boo Kitty @#*& on Feb 11, 2009 8:03:41 GMT -5
Must-Could-Should ranking in my head based on who I love and haven't seen, who I love and have seen, who I think I will love and who I know nothing about. Combined with day-of mood and occasionally influenced by an opinion of someone in my group.
I usually put around 5-7 acts in the Must-See category, meaning I will see them so long as they don't conflict with other Must-See acts. After that, I wait until the schedule comes out to plan who else I will be seeing. Always remember that you shouldn't put too many of the smaller acts in your Must-See category because you're going to want to save up for the late night acts, and going to see a smaller band for a 2 p.m. set will likely make to regret it when you're struggling to get to the epic late night set put on by someone like MMJ or Flaming Lips (my vote is for Animal Collective this year)
I made a rough list similar to yours, but it will change once the schedule comes out and I see where people are playing. I love the Other tent and What stage, but I hate the Which stage (unless you get there before the show starts). So stage location could influence my priorities.
lots of people run around and catch bits of every set. i tend to make a choice and stick with it for full sets. sometimes you just have to miss something that you want to see. it's inevitable.
Always remember that you shouldn't put too many of the smaller acts in your Must-See category because you're going to want to save up for the late night acts, and going to see a smaller band for a 2 p.m. set will likely make to regret it when you're struggling to get to the epic late night set put on by someone like MMJ or Flaming Lips (my vote is for Animal Collective this year)
I couldn't disagree more. My strategy is to rest during the headliner - either at the stage or back at camp (tent-only so I can still hear). This year Phish's headlining show will slightly change that strategy, but I think you should just plan on not sleeping and try to catch as many small acts as possible AND late night.
Always remember that you shouldn't put too many of the smaller acts in your Must-See category because you're going to want to save up for the late night acts, and going to see a smaller band for a 2 p.m. set will likely make to regret it when you're struggling to get to the epic late night set put on by someone like MMJ or Flaming Lips (my vote is for Animal Collective this year)
I couldn't disagree more. My strategy is to rest during the headliner - either at the stage or back at camp (tent-only so I can still hear). This year Phish's headlining show will slightly change that strategy, but I think you should just plan on not sleeping and try to catch as many small acts as possible AND late night.
That running around wears me out personally, and for the most part, I'm at Bonnaroo FOR the headliners... Especially with the Top 10 being so strong for me this year, I probably won't be wearing myself out during the exceptionally hot days, so I'm ready for the cooler, action-packed nights
I'll highlight everyone I'd like to see, research those with which I'm not familiar, then play it by ear once I get there. If the biggest problem I have is a musical conflict, I'm not going to sweat it.
I usually put around 5-7 acts in the Must-See category, meaning I will see them so long as they don't conflict with other Must-See acts. After that, I wait until the schedule comes out to plan who else I will be seeing. Always remember that you shouldn't put too many of the smaller acts in your Must-See category because you're going to want to save up for the late night acts, and going to see a smaller band for a 2 p.m. set will likely make to regret it when you're struggling to get to the epic late night set put on by someone like MMJ or Flaming Lips (my vote is for Animal Collective this year)
I tend to disagree with this as well. The smaller acts tend to be in the tents and thus have shade which equals a bit of rest and relief. Also, I usually end up enjoying the undercard so much more than the headliners so to skip out on them to sit next to my car and rest is not an option. (I do tend to nap periodically throughout the day for rest, though always in Centeroo next to a stage.)
I am one of those folks who tends to wander from set to set to experience as much as possible. There are some acts that draw me in and that's great but if they don't compel me to stay after a few songs then I move on to someone else.
I wouldn't get to caught up in assigning points and whatnot to various artists because there are plenty of intangibles. For example, is the artist playing near somebody else that you are planning on seeing? Proximity can gain you an extra song or two. A tent artist can provide shade and extra energy for later. Is the artist playing near someplace you want to grab food or a beverage from?
I say, take a look at the schedule when it comes out and highlight your can't misses and then follow your ears to fill in the gaps. You'll have a grand old time -- it's Bonnaroo, after all!
Ok well this is my first year at going to this fest but I have been to a bunch of others throughout the years and know that I will never see everything I want to... but what I would like to know is things like how long does it take to walk to each stage from each other? How many stages are there actually and are there like 2 big ones and the rest are small? that would help me out for planning things out later on. Last year I attended the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan and it was absolutely insane how big that entire event was and took about 20 minutes to get to each stage while you walk through crazy lights that lit the forest. So I hope this event doesnt take more than 20 minutes to get to each stage.
Post by candyflippedaround on Feb 11, 2009 20:20:38 GMT -5
last year i tried to plan out all 4 days, going from this show to this show to this show. that just doesnt work, haha. this year im just going "i like this band and this band and this band" but im not gonna make any decisions of who im going to see until im actually there.
to the above poster the two stages are What Stage (main) and Which Stage. What is where all the headlining acts, and bigger acts during the day, play. Which is where the Flips performed their latenight in 07, MMJ/Phil got it for the late nights last year.
the others are tents. This, That and The Other Tent. all of these have coverings over them as opposed to the exposed stages. not sure how one compares to the other, they are pretty similar in size but wouldnt be surprised to find out theyre all different sizes/capacities.
Theres also the Sonic Stage which is the smallest and is often acoustic and one of two sets of the weekend for whoever is performing there.
Centeroo is big but 20 min is probably the most amount of time it would take to get from one stage to the next even if they are the two farthest apart.
I usually put around 5-7 acts in the Must-See category, meaning I will see them so long as they don't conflict with other Must-See acts. After that, I wait until the schedule comes out to plan who else I will be seeing. Always remember that you shouldn't put too many of the smaller acts in your Must-See category because you're going to want to save up for the late night acts, and going to see a smaller band for a 2 p.m. set will likely make to regret it when you're struggling to get to the epic late night set put on by someone like MMJ or Flaming Lips (my vote is for Animal Collective this year)
i agree that u wanna save energy up for late night, but i was still in centeroo shortly after it opened up each day. once we woke up wed go down to one of the wash stations and get cleaned up, come back get some food and relax for a little bit and talk with the others in the campsite. after these wed head on in, if there was any bands we wanted to see wed check them out. usually wed spend the early part of the day in the cinema tent so that we could relax in the air condition. from there wed wander around the festival in different stages. usually about an hour to an hour and a half before the pre-headliner wed head back to camp, grab some dinner then head back to the cinema tent to relax in the air before we came back out to catch the rest of the bands for the night.
i think spendin a little time in the cinema or comedy tent each day goes a long way towards keeping you fresh for the long days. we usually looked for the time on the schedule when they were showing the short films and picked that as our time to go. it was generally less crowded, and sometimes got to even find a spot on one of the couches.
Post by mymorningwood on Feb 12, 2009 0:27:48 GMT -5
My 3rd roo was the first time I had a schedule strategy. It didn't work out. I liked the acts I saw at my first bonnaroo in 05 better, even though I was completely unfamiliar with most bands on the lineup.
I'm still gonna try to listen to the bands from this lineup that I never listened to before, but there are too many x factors when you get to Manchester to plan your weekend in advance. And it's hot as shit down there so you don't know how your body will react at X o'clock when your must see band is playing. I dunno just don't be too rigid...
Ok well this is my first year at going to this fest but I have been to a bunch of others throughout the years and know that I will never see everything I want to... but what I would like to know is things like how long does it take to walk to each stage from each other?
The set-up is pretty effecient within Centeroo (in the camping areas/getting into Centeroo can be a different story). The What Stage is huge, and the field it is on could conceivably hold everyone attending. Its the only one that is really isolated from the rest of the stages. The rest of the stages (4 or 5 or 6 depending on what you count) are very close to each other (5 minutes or less apart, maybe 10 if you get a little turned around or its really crowded). Even the What Stage is close and is only a 10 minute or so walk with no crowds. When tons of people are moving all at once (between shows) and/or mud and rain have limited the pathways, it can take a little bit of time to get to What Stage (probably 20 minutes tops as mentioned above).
I've spent days just catching full sets and days running around seeing 20 bands and both can be great. I guess my overall tendency is to get to Centeroo in the mid-afternoon (usually missing the first sets), and generally avoid What and Which during the day due to sun (of course there are exceptions) to save energy for late nights. Usually, I end up resting at camp or on the ground during headliners, but Phish changes that. I always have a plan, and never stick to it religiously. Late nights are the key, though. I always end up sleeping through something I was excited for, but my only real regret in 5 years is sleeping through one of the late nights in '03. Sometimes I'm just stumbling around exhausted, but you have to be there.
I just make a rough list and wing it. Sometimes I get to a set that I really didn't plan on and end up staying the entire time because I was feeling it. I also get to some and move on after 10min b/c the vibe wasn't right. I have a rough list of who I want to check out and see what happens from there.
Motivation is partly about doing something Roo related every day to keep the spirit alive, and partly about missing so much of the music and RooExperience last year with the gf. Don't get me wrong we had a GREAT time, but we're focused this year on the total package. Making smart decisions about everything...camping, food, activities, music, beverages, other stuff.
Keep the good ideas coming, all appreciated, and I promise once the schedule comes out I will post my overly complex RooCS daily schedule...
I will sit and analyze and plot and plan for weeks before I get to the farm. Then I get there and base it all on what am I in the mood for RIGHT NOW!
this. It's an experience not offered all that often, to be able to go see exactly what you want to see with respects to your current mood. I want blues, I go see it
Yeah, some conflicts can take out multiple must see shows:
Zappa Plays Zappa/BB King/Levon Helm/Iron and Wine/Ben Folds last year, 06's Beck/Blues Traveler/MMW/Cypress Hill/Les Claypool/Disco Biscuits(Sonic Stage)/Dungen(Sonic Stage) are the worst I can think of.
Post by Lawn Gnome on Feb 13, 2009 21:07:54 GMT -5
I always have a complement of bands that I will make it to no matter the conflicts. Past that, I just play it by ear. Sometimes a band you REALLY want to see disappoints, and a band you've never heard of rocks face.
Post by sandmantend13 on Feb 14, 2009 15:38:03 GMT -5
Do most of you just stay at one tent and see like everyone at that tent? or do some of you just walk around and see who you want to see? I am used to doing that, just going around and seeing who I want to see. Just for instance like if you want to see a band that you are dying to see. How early should you get there to get a good spot? and do most of the people move around alot or just kind of stand there? I hope some people can answer this
Do most of you just stay at one tent and see like everyone at that tent? or do some of you just walk around and see who you want to see? I am used to doing that, just going around and seeing who I want to see. Just for instance like if you want to see a band that you are dying to see.
I do what you do. I don't just stay at one tent. Gotta move around from stage to stage to see who you want. It's nice when the bands you want to see are in one tent right after each other (like last year on Thursday saw MGMT -->Battles --> Vampire Weekend) so you don't have to leave.
But I don't mind walking from show to show because they are all in close distance to each other.
How early should you get there to get a good spot? and do most of the people move around alot or just kind of stand there? I hope some people can answer this
I'd get to the shows at least 20 minutes before they start if you want a good spot. The best plan is to get there as the band before the show you want to see is ending. When they finish up most people will leave and make room while some will stay. You'll be able to find a good spot and if you don't mind waiting a little bit - you'll have a good time.
Most people stand around but there definitely is some dancing. depends on the show i guess.
Do most of you just stay at one tent and see like everyone at that tent? or do some of you just walk around and see who you want to see? I am used to doing that, just going around and seeing who I want to see. Just for instance like if you want to see a band that you are dying to see. How early should you get there to get a good spot? and do most of the people move around alot or just kind of stand there? I hope some people can answer this
I don't let the tents decide which show I want to catch, I see what I want to see and let the rest work itself out. That being said, sometimes it can be good to stake out a spot in one tent and just get as close as possible. If you want to get up close for a show, get there about five-ten minutes before the preceding show ends. The crowd will peter out a lot at that time, and you should be able to get a good spot. I never pushed or shoved anyone at a show, and I hated those who did - but at the same time, I didn't pass up an opportunity to move forward when I could. If there's an empty spot right in front of me, you're damn right I'm going to stand there.
And if you don't mind getting dirty it's even easier to move forward later in the festival. It seems that every year we get some precipitation and there is enough room to park a Buick right in the middle because nobody wants to stand in a mud puddle. Generally speaking, I don't want to stand in a mud puddle either but if it helps me to enjoy a show a bit better I'm not above muckin' it up!