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So. For the first time since I was introduced to the magical lands of Bonnaroo in 2006, I am not going to be attending 'Roo this year. There are various reasons, which don't particularly matter - it just isn't working out for my Bonnaroo crew this year, and I can't imagine having all that fun without them, (even though I *know* the lovely people of Bonnaroo would welcome me with open arms were I to attend alone) - what I need right now is some support. I need someone to tell me that Bonnaroo will still be there for me next year. I will not be somehow cursing myself by missing what could have been my eighth year at Bonnaroo. Someone needs to tell me that, even though my friends and I are all slowly getting a bit older, we will not necessarily get lamer, and Bonnaroo will always be there for us.
Bonnaroo has grown to mean a lot to me over the years. Bonnaroo is a way for my friends and I to reunite - friends who I now no longer get to see otherwise. It's a way for us to rejuvinate, to escape from reality for awhile and have a true vacation. Here's a question: Is there a better way to have fun than seeing your favorite bands in a land of total freedom for four days? I can't think of one. And because I've been going for seven years, it's become a way of life, something I always have to look forward to. And because I know it's there, it's a way for me to get through the rest of the year whenever things get frustrating. I have a good life and many things to enjoy. But sometimes a person must escape. Sometimes you need to run away somewhere where there are no rules. Just music, just what's infront of you, and the only thing to be concerned with is having a good time - despite the heat and the dirt. Sometimes because of it...because it always gets a little more real when everyone's dirty. Right?
And I know I'm not the only one who feels this way about Bonnaroo, or the only one who's missed a year - I just haven't until now. That's why I'm asking for some support. And perhaps this can be a place where others who can't attend can commiserate - or, what I hope more - encourage each other. It's just one year. There will always be another. Bonnaroo is still there for us. Bonnaroo still loves us.
Post by billypilgrim on May 18, 2013 21:00:52 GMT -5
Yes. Missing Roo is hard - harder by far than going alone. But we promise to treat it well so it's there for you in 2014. In the meantime, there are other live music opportunities, even festivals, to act as your methadone. See you in 2014. I bet that some of your favorite band will be there.
Post by johnlytlewilson on May 24, 2013 18:45:20 GMT -5
Sounds like going alone would still mean missing a big part of your Bonnaroo tradition- your friends. Sorry that worked out that way for you this year. Remeber the great times in years past. Get on the phone with them and watch Paul McCartney stream online or something. Hope you all can make it next year. I still dont know if I'm going. I have a pair of irons in the fire. If those dont work out I'll be in the same boat...
Post by iwannagonow on May 25, 2013 13:11:09 GMT -5
I missed last year and I'm missing this year. It sucks because the whole process of driving there, meeting up, the traffic and any other minor detail makes Bonnaroo more special. As soon as you arrive in Manchester it's a party.
I hope to go next year as long as the wife and I can get someone to watch our kids for the weekend.
I was in the exact same position as you last year and then last second, by the miracle of god or what have you, another group of friends had decided to go and had an extra ticket for me. But up until that point I was so distraught with my self and the situation I didn't know how I was going to fill that void. I don't really have any solutions to your problem, but I want you to know I know how you're feeling right now, and like someone mentioned already, part of the whole Bonnaroo experience is going with your friends. So maybe it's just not meant to be this year.
Anyway, take care and try not to get too down on yourself.
I'm also not going to Roo this year. The decision not to go has been A LOT harder than I thought it would be. Seeing everyone's excitement about getting ready and packing and making schedules has had me down the past few weeks. So I will happily commiserate with those in the same boat!
Post by pondo ROCKS on May 27, 2013 10:02:31 GMT -5
I hope to see all of you guys next year on the farm. Not sure if this will help, but Billion and myself have some really cool remixes of this years artists. Maybe listening to them during the weekend will help feel like you are there.
Providing an outlet and a voice for music lovers to unite under the common theme of music for all. Join The Pondo Army to show your allegiance to musical freedom! Fighting for no censorship of the arts & music education in schools, The Pondo Army will triumph! The Pondo Army Movement
Follow me on twitter@Pondoknowsbest
Not going, but I'm not particularly bummed... only acts I'd be absolutely psyched for are Macca, Bjork, McLaughlin, and especially Swans. Stylistically, this was one of the least appealing lineups to me in years, like since the jam band heavy days. Not saying it's a bad lineup, because it certainly isn't, it's really good... I'm just finding far more of my kicks at other fests this year. However, I do still wish I could have gone last year.
Post by thebigbuddha on May 28, 2013 7:16:18 GMT -5
I started going with two of my best friends in '05. We went together as a group until '09 and then the party disbanded. One of them moved to Texas and the other friend wasn't interested in going again. I volunteered in '10, went with my Texas friend and a couple others in '11, and then attended solo in '12. None of those last three experiences came close to what we had those first 5 years, but they were still pretty great. If your crew is going again in 2014 then taking a year off probably isn't a bad idea. Last year was an amazing time with the rest of the farm family. However you do miss having close friends at the campsite who can share the experience. My neighbors were nice enough but they seemed to stay at their tent the entire time drinking beer and talking sports. We didn't have a lot in common.
Not sure if this will help, but Billion and myself have some really cool remixes of this years artists.
I'm really interested in this. Haven't listened yet, but I'd love to hear more about your remix process. What software are you using for matching beats? Are you adding effects and playing with time signatures or just matching up new beats/production with the lyrics?
Not on these mixes. I can do that with the software I use but mostly the mix is a long mash of various artists songs from this year. I also have several other mixes as well from past Bonnaroo artists. Message me if you wanna know more about the programs I use.
Providing an outlet and a voice for music lovers to unite under the common theme of music for all. Join The Pondo Army to show your allegiance to musical freedom! Fighting for no censorship of the arts & music education in schools, The Pondo Army will triumph! The Pondo Army Movement
Follow me on twitter@Pondoknowsbest
I'm not going this year either after having gone in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012 (missing 2010 due to a test on Bonnaroo weekend was pretty hard).
I have nobody to go with this year either (my Bonnaroo buddies are all busy this year) and I'm too busy this June to really be able to take a week off for Bonnaroo (it really has become a week long affair), so I decided not to go myself and meet up with some online friend presence. Not to mention, it's a lot harder to justify spending all of the money on a trip by yourself, because part of the fun comes from being with your good friends.
My biggest regrets are missing the year with what I think is the best set of headliners (Paul McCartney is my favorite Bonnaroo headliner to date, and I would enjoy seeing Tom Petty over any jam band), and missing Empire of the Sun and Animal Collective late night sets (I've been clamoring for these bands in late night sets).
So how am I coping?
1) Book another festival. Knowing that we couldn't do Bonnaroo, I convinced my friend to do Newport Folk Fest with me. I've been dying to go there, so I'm more excited for it now than I would be for Bonnaroo. Plus, I'm starting to get over the whole giant festival thing where you have to compete with crowds everywhere and am happy to be trying out a more niche festival.
2) Book something fun that weekend. Don't worry about watching parties; those will just make you more depressed. I'm going camping and kayaking with some of my best friends that weekend, and honestly, if I now had the option of going to Bonnaroo by myself for free or going camping with my best friends, I would choose camping.
Last Edit: May 28, 2013 10:33:28 GMT -5 by k2b - Back to Top
I swore 2 years ago that I would never miss another.
My dog needed ACL surgery and my "discretionary" spending took a $2000.00 hit. OUCH
How can you say no to him though?
I plan to deal with this by limiting my contact with the non-Bonnaroo world as much as I can as much in 2 weeks. The biggest difference is I will be showering regularly
I'll be monitoring this thread for and to give support...let's plan for next year!
Alright everybody...We are getting down to the wire. I am vicariously excited as I know you all are! Although I have to work next week I will be streaming the live feed at a abnormally high volume level.
I would like to provide some contacts so that you all can share pics with me....
I missed a year back in '07 (I also started in '06)and it just made '08 even better. I think I appreciated it more, took more in, experienced more that year then any year since because I realized that we can not all go every year. Life happens, gets in the way some times...but like you said, Roo will be there next year.
My usual plan is to load up last night, work this morning until noon or so and head to TN. What a sad sight...my empty truck with nothing but Bonnaroo stickers on it.
Plus the highway to work looks suspiciously like I-24. I had to wrestle the steering wheel with both hands to get off at my exit and not continue on south.
