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I know we have plenty of threads to discuss the best shows and worst shows, but as far as I could tell, there wasn't a thread on the shows that you weren't expecting much from or didn't know much about/stumbled upon, only to be blown away by the performance.
Here's my 5 for this year: 1. Vieux Farka Toure - If anyone else saw him, he'll be at the top of this list for them, too. I had long been a fan of his father, and figured the son would do something fairly similar. What I was treated to was a tremendous rocking Afro-blues show, excellent conga playing and heavy rock drumming. He definitely has his own style. 2. Delta Spirit - I've talked about this in another thread, but this show was amazing. The tent was quickly becoming a mud pit as it poured outside, and those that came in to shelter themselves from the rain got to see a band that put every bit of energy they had into every note they sang and played. One of the few sets to bring tears to my eyes. 3. Mike Farris - I had seen a Youtube of this guy, but he was performing alone with an acoustic guitar, so I wasn't ready for how good this show was going to be. What a way to start out Sunday at Bonnaroo. He had a full gospel ensemble up there, and performed soul-wrenching versions of "Can't No Grave Hold My Body Down" and "I'll Take You There". He is like a man possessed on stage, and he has a tremendous voice. 4. The Giraffes - I stopped through the Troo Lounge on the way from Springsteen to Ben Harper because I heard this band rocking out. I still know nothing about them, but they were incredibly tight and very heavy. The guitarist was very impressive. 5. Tangiers Blues Band - Another Troo Lounge surprise. I was less than enthused about the shows at the main tents at this time, so I suggested to my girlfriend that we head to the Troo Music lounge, at least partially because it was raining and in past years the Troo lounge had been enclosed. These guys put on a great show and are extremely talented. They played mostly covers, including very funky versions of "Rainy Day Women", "I'll Be Doggone" and "My Sharona". Honorable Mention: Alejandro Escovedo - this show was varied, but beautiful throughout. I'm very glad I made it down early for this one.
The Mike Farris show was a good time! We heard it from the Brooer's tent and found a nice patch of grass to chill on. Great Sunday morning tunes... that man can bring it!
The Jimmy Buffet show really surprised me. We had a great spot, and hearing everyone singing along to his songs gave me chills.... I even got a little choked up, by the Bonnaroo spirit. He seemed really excited to be there, and that always makes me appreciate a show a little more.
portugal the man (i already liked them, now i love them. they were amazing) katzenjammer dillinger escape plan (was really surprised/impressed how much it was like a real dep show. complete insanity. i didn't expect it to be like that at roo. and man that had a big crowd. surprised by all of that.
Passion Pit - My interest in the band was mild headed into their set, but they knocked it out of the park for me. Reminded me a lot of The Rapture shows I've been to.
Aziz Ansari - I know the guy's funny, but he's really picked his game up the last couple of years. He's graduated to a heavyweight comedy act. If you like to laugh, see him. Cannot emphasize enough how funny he is.
AA Bondy - I think he's going to be great in a few years time. He's got a great feel for the crowd and a great handle on how to get the sounds he wants out of the guitar. The next step (which he was close to doing this time) is soloing.
Post by StreetBum87 on Jun 16, 2009 12:20:09 GMT -5
i was blown away by Buffett. I really thought it was going to be Ilo with Buffett doing just a few song...no. Vice Versa. You could really tell Buffett loved it and really connected with the audience. On top of that it was a small(er) crowd as far as I could tell which I thought was awesome making it one hell of an intimate moment. Also I’m pretty sure jimmy and I made eye contact and then he winked at me.
dillinger escape plan (was really surprised/impressed how much it was like a real dep show. complete insanity. i didn't expect it to be like that at roo. and man that had a big crowd. surprised by all of that.
I'm bummed I missed this, unnecessarily camping out for the pit for Erykah (there was still plenty of room in the pit line when DEP ended). Probably had a lot of people show up who were blown away by DEP's performance with NIN the night before.
Post by candyflippedaround on Jun 16, 2009 13:17:42 GMT -5
Bon Iver - wasnt sure how that album would translate on stage, and i was absolutely blown away. one of the best shows all weekend.
Band Of Horses - loved this band and was happy to see them on the lineup, but the live show was much more than i expected it would be. still cant get them out of my head.
David Byrne - i feel weird putting this as a surprisingly good show, but it was. i expected to see a good show but Byrne brought me closer to the Talking Heads than i ever expected. if you dont think he still has it, i dont know what to say. phenomenal performance
dillinger escape plan (was really surprised/impressed how much it was like a real dep show. complete insanity. i didn't expect it to be like that at roo. and man that had a big crowd. surprised by all of that.
I'm bummed I missed this, unnecessarily camping out for the pit for Erykah (there was still plenty of room in the pit line when DEP ended). Probably had a lot of people show up who were blown away by DEP's performance with NIN the night before.
yea we went from dep to erykah and got a great spot. you didn't need to do that. it was a great show.
Probably had a lot of people show up who were blown away by DEP's performance with NIN the night before.
I actually changed my Sunday plans at the last minute on this speculation. I had planned to catch AA Bondy and Lovell Sisters before grabbing a good spot for DEP, but after they ripped it during NIN I knew it would be much more crowded in there. So I grabbed the rail (with Druid) before Cage the Elephant.
And, to get back on topic, THAT was a really good show. I knew basically nothing about them, and I wasn't impressed by their actual songs, but it was one of the most fun shows to watch. Their frontman is like Iggy Pop reincarnate, stumbling around, thrashing, sweating, crawling on top of the crowd, climbing the scaffolding. Towards the end when he stood up on top of the crowd and sang, that was pretty impressive.
King Sunny Adé was killer, too. Also on the rail since practically everybody left the tent after Béla finished (let's face it, no one was there for Toumani. Most of the people around me didn't even know who he was or what instrument he was playing). It was a lot more rocking, and what a large band with several various drum and percussion players. Great guitar and talking drum solos, and dancers as well. I really regret missing Grizzly Bear, but I think it was worth it.
So I grabbed the rail (with Druid) before Cage the Elephant. THAT was a really good show.
I have to agree. When he came out in his red condom suit I busted out laughing and almost left. But I have to give the skinny Phillip Seymour Hoffman look alike props. He put on a good show.
1. Vieux Farka Toure - If anyone else saw him, he'll be at the top of this list for them, too. I had long been a fan of his father, and figured the son would do something fairly similar. What I was treated to was a tremendous rocking Afro-blues show, excellent conga playing and heavy rock drumming. He definitely has his own style
Yep. This set blew me away! I have his older record, but the new one must rage because they were not screwing around. So, so, so much fun, and you could tell how much everyone on stage loved being there. Really good time. This -> Grace and the Nocs might have been my favorite 1-2 punch of the weekend.
Also:
Badu- went to this show expecting some Sunday afternoon chill music, but she was fantastic. What a voice, and such a fierce bish.
NIN- Heard good things about the live show, and though I wouldn't call myself a fan, these guys were terrific. Of course I would choose the last NIN show ever to decide I really like them. Good timing.
Post by Ian'sGotAFeeling on Jun 16, 2009 14:54:56 GMT -5
Did anyone catch Allen Touissant? That was a very good show also!
Snoop was stroking his ego, but very fun. Bruce was excellent, but he looked disappointed at the crowds, people just didn't seem to be reacting as much as he wanted.
Did anyone catch Allen Touissant? That was a very good show also!
This was definitely one of the shows of the weekend for me, though not a big surprise. That man has so much soul in his hands. And he did so many of my favorite songs. "Sweet Touch of Love" was special, as was the Professor Longhair medley. I wish I could have made it to his Sonic Stage set as well.
Post by questionablesanity on Jun 16, 2009 15:54:55 GMT -5
Bon Iver was a lot more........exciting than I anticipated and I'm glad I skipped Booker T for them. I love the album, but it's so low key and mellow compared to their live show.
A Thieve's Parade 2/24 Conspirator 2/26 Kevin Smith 3/11 Keller 3/17 Papadosio 3/18 JJ Grey 3/25 Bela Fleck/Edgar Meyer 3/26 Toubab Krewe 3/27 O'Death 4/11 Budos Band 4/22 EOTO 4/28 Summer Camp 5/6-29 All Good
A.A. Bondy on the other hand ... One of the best shows I saw all weekend. Dude has gone from zero to hero in my book. Everytime I've seen him was less than to be desired. Glad he finally cut loose.
A.A. Bondy on the other hand ... One of the best shows I saw all weekend. Dude has gone from zero to hero in my book. Everytime I've seen him was less than to be desired. Glad he finally cut loose.
Never heard White Rabbits before, but I really dug them. And I was surprised by just how totally awesome Al Green was. David Byrne also phenomenal, better than I expected. Also Crystal Castles was was insane.
Snoop for sure. I have never been a fan, but I had a great time at his show.
Hard to say David Byrne was "surprising", but since Talking Heads were one of the best live bands I had ever seen, I just wasnt expecting that level for a solo show, but the show was killer.
1. Erykah Badu FLOORED me. Ive got a couple albums and Ive seen a little live footage of her but, in all honesty, I figured it would be a sort of "stock" hip hop show. NOT AT ALL. She fronts that band so well and the breakdowns she played on that beat pad were pretty kick @$$. The bass was so loud you could actually see the air in front of the speakers distort. I had such a good time @ that show and will be taking my gf to one of her shows asap (the gf unfortunately couldnt swing Bonnaroo due to work).
2. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals is a band that Ive read all sorts about on jambase.com and jambands.com but have never heard them. WOW. So much soul. So much energy. My buddy's gf said she had heard a few of their songs on JamOn so we went. She is a powerhouse. You could drop that band in 1972 and have them open for the dead and they'd go over like gang busters. Downloading some stuff as I type this.
3. The dude a couple campsites from me who sat up all night after Phish's Sunday show rolling his quacking face off playing his Djembe. Im surprised that nobody killed him... especially after he took, what I can only desribe as a set break and then started up to everyones horror. I know what you're all thinking. "Thats pretty presumptuous to say that he was rolling just cause he was playing a drum all night". Yeah? Well Im pretty sure the name of that multi hour opus was "Im rolling my quacking face off, everybody!!". Because he sang those words randomly. hahahaha. After his second set break he came back for I guess an encore. (using the common set 1, set 2, encore formula) and my buddy went and politely asked him to stop because some people needed to get some rest due to long drives home. He responded with a song tentively titled "Its called Bonnaroo... Not Snooozaroo, you Quack!!". At this point, voices began coming from tents screaming at him to shut up for the night. He finally cut it off and we got to sleep a little before heading home. You know what though.... it was still better than Coheed and Cambria. Anybody else get to hear this "show"?