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I agree with 2012>2011. I don't know how anyone says this is a bad line-up.. There's still to be additions and its already incredible.
That being said, 2011 was the only festival to get Man Man last year and Man Man fuckin rock! But Radiohead>Arcade Fire, RHCP>Eminem, and The Roots and Luda >>>> Anything in Young Money. This summer will be epic.
And everyone I've talked to over 40 about the Beach Boys said they are boring and bad live, sooo if they are in the Buffalo Springfield spot, I'll prob try to get a better spot for RHCP.
Well, I saw RHCP play live on Paladia last night. They were awful. I highly doubt they'll get as big a crowd as Radiohead does on Friday. And by "highly doubt" I mean "I'd bet my testicles."
My roommate loves them, so I brought him in for a biased opinion, but in the opposite direction of mine. He watched for about a song and a half before asking me to change it because he was getting depressed.
If they play like they did in that show, I'll happily be taking in the Ham Sandwich set and prepping for a wild late night.
I really do not get why RHCP is the only band who is currently slotted for Saturday (would've thought Beach Boys would've been Saturday pre-RHCP). Seems like a glaringly deep hole, considering the level of act that has played saturday in the last 5-6 years. RHCP, though they have a new album out, seems to be the most "washed up" of the three headliners who are all bands of the 90s. I'm showing my age here a bit, but I simply have not cared about RHCP since I was a young teen and Blood Sugar, Sex Magick came out. I rocked that album like it was tied to my soul, but to say I've given two fucks about them since then is a gross overstatement of my level of interest since my teenage years. They are playing here, in Memphis, in April and I'm not going. They are playing in Vegas for the entire week in March when I'll be there and I'm not going. I can't imagine I'll have a strong desire to see them at Roo, but they'll play unopposed so I'll check them out. If Frusciante was still in the band my level of interest would, admittedly, be much higher.
It's a stark contrast for me for the other two headliners, one of whom I've seen over 100 times, and will see many more times this year, and another I've seen 9 times, and have plans to see them 3 more times prior to Bonnaroo in places as far away as St. Louis, Houston, and Glendale, AZ.
At this point, I'm hoping for a stacked late night saturday, b/c the Chili Peppers just don't do it for me.
2012>2011. Looks like they didn't blow too big a chunk of their budget on hip hop which works for me. We need some depth added in the undercard without a doubt, particularly in the area of world music. Of course my first Roo was 2008 and that was amazing!
BTW when I was watching the Beach Boys I found that if I closed my eyes they sounded so much better than if I watched them. I think it was the combo of Mike Love being a little creepy and Brian looking so sad and lost. So if they're not opposed to someone I want to see I'll check them out, I just won't watch.
Post by BRCHLD LFNT on Feb 16, 2012 10:53:23 GMT -5
I think last year was crippled by conflicts. MMJ vs Primus. Bootsy vs Buffalo and Black Keys. Robert Plant vs Explosions vs Beirut vs the Strokes vs Superjam is still unbelievable to me. And if you're into electronic music, Shpongle vs Ratatat vs pretty lights.
I hope this year rocks the schedule a little better. still believe something big is missing on Saturday. We shall see.
And depending on what time the show is, I think it's very possible RHCP has as big a crowd as Radiohead. They're one of the biggest bands of the last 20 years. Everybody on this board knows at least 3 songs by them if not a ton more. Of course, they don't have Frusciante but I don't know how much sway that will hold on the average festival goer. Let the schedule come out and I may take your bet.
Though instead of testicles maybe just a beer or two at the fest? I don't really feel like betting mine, just in case.
Post by RxMarky Mark on Feb 16, 2012 10:55:30 GMT -5
2011 for me had more artists I was personally listened to, so I'm going to say on paper 2011 is better than 2012.
But last year had Arcade Fire, my favorite band ever, and MMJ, in my top 5 ever. Then add in Scissor Sisters (who I adore), Florence ATM, Black Keys, Band of Skulls, The Drums, Matt and Kim, some Eminem, Sleigh Bells, and The Strokes, all of which were in are in my iTunes even before the lineup was announced. (Although, MMJ was not before the announcement, I discovered them because of Roo).
This year I have some Radiohead, Foster, Young the Giant, Two Door Cinema, Phantogram and Grouplove on my iTunes before the announcement. But I can't really compare until June 11...maybe I'll find another MMJ this year.
Post by highcountrychillin on Feb 16, 2012 11:29:31 GMT -5
I can agree that last year on paper I didn't think it was possible to see so many bands I love at one place , but! This year has so many good new bands that my friends keep telling me to look up. Thursday and early weekend shows are going to be so fun this year . Can't wait to be Introduced to good music
2008 was so stacked. I remember how pissed everyone was when the lineup cameout, and how I had extreme reservations about buying a ticket. But it was the only bonnaroo where 99% of the shows i saw were absolutely amazing. i saw in one weekend
MGMT (the exception) Battles Dark Star Orchestra Drive By Truckers Umphreys McGee Les Claypool MIA Metallica MSTRKRFT Disco Biscuits Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings Gogol Bordello Mastodon Zappa plays Zappa The Coup Sigur Ros Ghostland Observatory Chali 2na and Galactic Orchestra Baobab Aimee Mann Broken Social Scene
such an amazing weekend of music, and ohhh the conflicts and sacrifices I had to make that year.
Post by clevelndmike on Feb 16, 2012 11:55:40 GMT -5
I've kinda been championing the RHCP is terrible live crew for a while now. They haven't been the same live band in years, tend to strip mine their catalog, and really seem to just be going through the motions...
This will be my fifth.... 2008>09>12>11>10 would be my ratings....
Bonnaroo 2008-2013
0ct 11 Pearl Jam
Oct 12 Pearl Jam
March 16 Arcade Fire
April 29 Arcade Fire
Sept 4 Wilco
Sept 9 The Hold Steady
Oct 16 Pearl Jam
Oct 17 Gaslight Anthem
the thing about RHCP is, even though most of us are nonplussed about it, we're all going to end up at their show for at least awhile. i haven't really cared about them since high school (i'm 30), and i probably wouldn't drive more than 20 minutes to see them for free, but when i'm walking around centeroo with a happy head and i hear the start of Power of Equality, i'm going to sprint over to the What Stage.
Post by ronburgandy? on Feb 16, 2012 12:58:32 GMT -5
this will be my fifth
you cannot judge this year yet until its over. thats crazy. i will say, on paper, its my favorite lineup for my tastes ever. its huge having the best set of headliners because they are the only acts where you dont really have other options. the rest of the time there is always something good going on. we will see how it plays out.
Post by I LOVE SPICY PIE on Feb 16, 2012 18:59:27 GMT -5
I like this lineup a lot, but that glaring weakness on Saturday is just hard for me to swallow. Last year our pre-headliners were MMJ and The Black Keys, both of which were fantastic. Bon Iver will be a great pre-headliner, but who will it be on Saturday? Even though it is probably a very slim chance, Jack White being added to that Saturday night pre-headlining slot would change my entire perception of this lineup.
yea, that's a given (2012>2011). The last two years at Roo have been among the weakest lineups the Roo ever put out. This year is certainly better than anything since 2009.
However, no Bonnaroo lineup, as of yet, has compared to 2006... Far and away the best they've ever had, and the festival itself was really amazing. And so many of you weren't even there for the first year, so your experience is limited to "looking at the lineup," but anyone who was there will tell you it ranks among the best. Festival was so incredibly different back then. It is pretty amazing how much Roo has changed since then (for better and worse). For me, the festival has yet to get back to the 2006 level.
for me the top 3 are
2006 2002 2004
yep, i'd say that 2006 is still my favorite lineup, but there are many close years. but the best bonnaroo ever will always be 2002.
Headliners: 2012 Bottom of undercard: 2012 Middle of undercard: 2011
I think it's a tie. The bottom half of this year's lineup is amazing and has so many great artists I want to see and the Top 3 is one of the best ever for a festival.
The only part I liked more about last year is the set of bands in the upper undercard. Last year had Primus, MMJ, Black Keys, Mumford, Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, SCI, Plant, Alison Krauss, Strokes, Warren Haynes, Ray Lamontagne, Bela, etc. all of which I loved. This year is more mediocre outside of Roots, Bon Iver, Shins, Dispatch, Avetts, The Word, and Skrillex for me.
Post by tobiasthediscocat on Feb 16, 2012 22:20:15 GMT -5
i'm in LOVE with this lineup. i loved a lot of the artists last year, but there were so many conflicts (florence/ray pretty lights/ratatat, etc.) that i literally didn't see half of the artists i'm a big fan of. this year there's just a lot of upcoming indie bands and a broader selection of genres that i'm just getting into, so i feel like i'll be less disappointed if i miss one for another.
This is easily my favorite lineup of the era of my life I call The Bonnaroo Era: 2010-present.
The underwhelming 2010 lineup that we all bitched about was definitely a reality, but I had a ton of fun in 2010 thanks to Jay-Z, the National, LCD Soundsystem, Neon Indian, Stevie Wonder, but mostly that special feeling that comes along with your first Bonnaroo. Then last year came along and when the lineup dropped, I honestly didn't feel really great about it. I loved the New Orleans stuff that I grew up on, MMJ, Decemberists, BS, Black Angels, Arcade Fire, some of my favorite groups ever, but for some reason when I saw that 2012 lineup, poop instantly got real for me. Individually it doesn't add up to as much as the other years maybe, but there's something about this poster that really got me, and I don't even really like Bon Iver, can't stand the Shins, and would rather eat nails than listen to Skrllx.
I'm just really quacking excited, something about this year is bringing back the excitement that I got when I first fell in love with Bonnaroo: my favorite "indie" bands: Radiohead, the Antlers, FlyLo, SBTRKT, Fitz, Battles, White Denim, St. Vincent, Mogwai, Blind Pilot, the War on NO NO WORD!!! Here We Go Magic; some of my favorite rap artists: Mos Def, Kweli, Gambino, Das Rascist, The Roots, Danny Brown; my favorite jammy/classic artists: Phish, Umphrey's Robert Randolph, Spectrum Road, Alice Cooper; some awesome bluegrass/blues: Punch Brothers, Trampled by Turtles, The Devil Makes Three, Gary Clark, Jr., Darondo; some awesome nostalgia acts: RHCP, Ben Folds, Ludacris, Beach Boys...
Something about this lineup just seems really holistic for me. I feel great about it and it really blew me away. I can't imagine having any free time in my schedule.
EDIT: I'll also add that the additions each year have been great: NOFX, Shpongle, Umphreys/Galactic (every year ever), Ween, JBT; so I have no doubt that this lineup is just going to get deeper.
Last Edit: Feb 16, 2012 22:56:44 GMT -5 by nate - Back to Top
Emoney serves more of a purpose than any of you, especially Nate, whose incessant, garbled ramblings are so mindless and pointless that I get depressed just seeing them.
Post by blueslikehail on Feb 17, 2012 0:31:23 GMT -5
i should also say that although i am super pumped and think this is a great lineup, i prefer 2011. just looking at the top 10 artists, 2011 has 4 of my favorite artists and a few more that i am a fan of. 2012's top 10 has just 1 of my favorite bands and 1 or 2 others that i would consider myself a fan of.
Post by BRCHLD LFNT on Feb 17, 2012 11:08:55 GMT -5
Your post could only have two purposes. To make people feel bad for liking the later Bonnaroo's because in your opinion they just aren't as good OR to make yourself look better by saying you went to those early Roo's and the "Vibes were totally crunchier back then."
I just think it's lame and unnecessary. Personally, my favorite Roo was 2010 and it gets sh*t for actually being Roo's weakest year. (Probably helped that I didn't watch KOL or DMB but whatever.) It's all subjective. Saying 2003-2008 > 2009-2012 just reeks of attempted superiority when we should be looking forward to 2012, not being told how everything we're looking forward to is second rate.
Just my two cents.
Also Juggs, I'm sure it's already been said but your JGGRNT picture is badass.
Your post could only have two purposes. To make people feel bad for liking the later Bonnaroo's because in your opinion they just aren't as good OR to make yourself look better by saying you went to those early Roo's and the "Vibes were totally crunchier back then."
I just think it's lame and unnecessary. Personally, my favorite Roo was 2010 and it gets sh*t for actually being Roo's weakest year. (Probably helped that I didn't watch KOL or DMB but whatever.) It's all subjective. Saying 2003-2008 > 2009-2012 just reeks of attempted superiority when we should be looking forward to 2012, not being told how everything we're looking forward to is second rate.
Just my two cents.
Also Juggs, I'm sure it's already been said but your JGGRNT picture is badass.
Or he could just think the earlier years were better. Ever think of that? He stated his favorite years, just like everyone else. I've been going since 2003 as well, so am I not allowed to say that 2005 was my favorite? No, that would reek of superiority and make people feel bad.
I miss the early year "vibes". Jamband oriented, longer sets, more guest appearances, people seemed friendlier and less likely to rob you. But thats just my opinion, and the last few years lineup have been outstanding. Every Bonnaroo is special to me, but I prefer the earlier years. The only way I feel superior to people who didn't go in 2003...I got to see Neil Young & Crazy Horse, and they didn't.