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!!
"Congratulations on getting your pass... You're about to have your dreams come true for an entire 4 days. There are musicians backstage in the media area just milling around at all times of the day. We do most of our interviews at the picnic tables backstage, or at the tents.
It was definitely a very cool moment when we saw our first big headliner standing right next to us. Embrace it, but follow proper protocol. Contact musicians through their publicists and set up interviews. A great thing about Roo is that they have daily press conferences with middle to headlining status. You'll be able to get amazing pictures, and may even get a chance to speak with them.
Most importantly, remember that you're at Roo on assignment, and so are all of the other people that are wearing media bracelets. Working behind the scenes at on of the world's premier music festival will be something that you'll never forget as long as you live. Do great work while on-site (and afterward) so you be approved for next year!"
Didn't get the photo pass that I tried for, but did get a media pass so I am still really happy. I can't wait and I still think I'll be able to get some pretty good shots even without the photo pass.
Didn't get the photo pass that I tried for, but did get a media pass so I am still really happy. I can't wait and I still think I'll be able to get some pretty good shots even without the photo pass.
I'm bringing a D300 and probably just going to use my 28-75 2.8 and 70-210 f/4. Last year I used two bodies and rented a 70-200 2.8, but I figure since I won't have access to the pits, why spend the money to rent the 70-200 2.8? I'm thinking my 70-210 will be fine during the day, and the chances of me being close enough at night to get decent shots with it is probably pretty slim. I feel like renting the 2.8 would be a waste of money this year. What about you?
I decided to give it a try and just got notification that I was approved for a media and photo pass. Now I'm starting to think I may be in over my head.
As an aside, what are some good lenses to bring. I have a Canon 70-200 IS f2.8 but it's a little hefty to lug around all day. Any suggestions?
I decided to give it a try and just got notification that I was approved for a media and photo pass. Now I'm starting to think I may be in over my head.
As an aside, what are some good lenses to bring. I have a Canon 70-200 IS f2.8 but it's a little hefty to lug around all day. Any suggestions?
MC
Your going to need the 70-200 at the main stages. All i used last year was the 70-200, 28-75, and a fisheye once and a while. Yeah, its heavy to carry around, but trust me, you'll need it.
All I had was a press pass last year and I was able to get into the pit and shoot the whole time. Except the What Stage. So bring your lenses, it will be worth it! I'm pissed because I let the deadline creep and creep closer and missed it due to my focusing on three jobs and not my freelance writing gig. Boo.
Thanks... Still waiting for more responses. Lots of research to do now! I always have to be very well prepared for these things. Only one chance to make magic!
Question: What exactly do you get access to with a Media wristband? Besides backstage. Is there any photo pit access at any of the tents or stages? Or is that strictly for the photo pass?
Question: What exactly do you get access to with a Media wristband? Besides backstage. Is there any photo pit access at any of the tents or stages? Or is that strictly for the photo pass?
Well....backstage is kind of an exaggeration. Media passes get you behind the barricades between the What and Which stages because that is where the media/press tent/area is....but it won't get you ON the stages...like the people you see hanging out on the side/wings of the stages. It isn't a laminate or badge or even an artist/guest wristband. You CAN get into some special access/restricted areas in the VIP/Guest sections depending on security/situations/how stealthy/flirty/sneaky you are etc... ;D
The photo pits at the big stages and larger tents (THAT Tent, etc) are reserved for photo passes only tho I have seen a couple of people get into the tent pits with media passes IF they were WITH someone with a photo pass on rare occassions....but the big stages you have to meet at the press tent before the set starts and be escorted into the pit...do the shoot then you are basically led out of the pit after the third song......
Post by BrokenLight on May 22, 2009 0:47:15 GMT -5
i've got just the media pass. what all is available behind the barricades? i know they got the media tent, is there only one tent to hook up my laptop? i'd buy a blackberry but i can't afford it right now. about how big is this media tent and how many people can hook up their laptops at one time? do a lot of people bring laptops? how long of a wait is it to be able to hook up your laptop? am i going to be spending like half the day just trying to get access to a place to hook up my laptop and work? if so, that's gonna suck. is the media tent open all night? what are the times that it is generally open? is there anyway at all possible i could use my laptop without hooking it up? how long would the battery last? i may sound like an idiot, but these are just things i've never experimented with before. so what else is behind the barricades? food, bathroom, i'd imagine. do artists just like hang around back there? are you sure theres no way to get on the side of the stages with just a media wristband? i know a guy who's gone to bonnaroo almost every year. i've only gone with him once but it was in a big group of people so i didn't hang out with him much. i remember him saying that every year he's gone, on sunday night, they let whoever on the side of the stage for the headliner. as a regular camper, he's gotten on the side of the stage for panic in 07 and phil in 06.
Post by indierocklance on May 22, 2009 1:34:01 GMT -5
I'm going as press for my campus newspaper, but I don't plan on covering the music part of it (at least not extensively). I figure every blogger who managed to make the cut is going to be doing that, so I'm planning on dedicating my time to documenting what makes Bonnaroo weird and unique in comparison to other festivals. I figure it'll hold up better over time and be more fun to put together.
As a result, I'll probably skip all the press conferences. I'm sure they're interesting but that's time I could spend chatting up random strangers with a tape recorder. It also gives me a good excuse not to spend money I don't have renting a long lens.
Edit: And NateDogg, if I were you, I'd start figuring out your laptop battery life now before you get to Bonnaroo. My PC gets about 2 hours and my Mac gets about 3 and a half hours. If you're really worried about it, buy a back-up battery.
A couple of questions for the bonnaroo media vets out there ... this will be my first, and to say I'm psyched would be an understatement.
• I've been approved for a media wristband and a photo wristband. Does that mean that I can bring a photographer from our magazine (because that was what I'd intended -- I'm a words guy and want to bring a pro who can get the shots I need). So, does that put both of us on the ground to do the job?
• Where/when/how do we actually pick up our passes/wristbands?
• Any suggestions on where to camp? Do the media types stay in the same general area, or what?
Jerry, yes, that means you can bring a photographer. Only the one with the photo pass has access to shoot in the pits, though.
You will receive an email closer to the festival with all of the details to pick up your passes.
Re: camping, I have no idea...if you're in regular camping (which it sounds like it), you basically have to fight it out with the rest of the crowd.
Nate - relax, there is plenty of space for everyone to do work in the media tent/trailer. And no, you're definitely not getting on stage or even in the big pits with only a media wristband.
I'm planning on dedicating my time to documenting what makes Bonnaroo weird and unique in comparison to other festivals. I figure it'll hold up better over time and be more fun to put together.
Good call. Our coverage combines artist interviews with capturing the essence of the festival... Which definitely includes partying with everyone and recording while we do it!
Every year, I see so many people that just camp out in the media area that they don't get the full experience. We're fortunate in the sense that we create our own coverage plans, and only adhere to our schedules (which are VERY loose).
The best part is that we always have our microphones in the backpack, so we can record at any given time. When we see something exciting, we break out the mics. If someone comes out onstage as a surprise, we record it. We even recorded Trey's soundcheck at Phish. We were three of maybe ten people there at his soundcheck, including Mike Gordon, Trey's kids, and two or three other people. It was AMAZING.
Always be on the lookout for those situations, because THAT'S when you capture the true magic of a festival. Sure, it's good to have a general idea of what you want to cover, but if you're too focused on a certain goal, you'll miss the truly special moments of Bonnaroo.
In 07, we got some of the most magic moments of our show's history, when we partied with Gregg Gillis/Girl Talk and his boy while in the pit at the Tool show. We all were HAMMERED, and came up with the idea that we wanted to interview people while the crowd surfed. That audio (which I'll like if you want) makes me laugh every time I hear it, because it's Bonnaroo in it's craziest, most pure form of party mode!
i've got just the media pass. what all is available behind the barricades? i know they got the media tent, is there only one tent to hook up my laptop? i'd buy a blackberry but i can't afford it right now. about how big is this media tent and how many people can hook up their laptops at one time? do a lot of people bring laptops? how long of a wait is it to be able to hook up your laptop? am i going to be spending like half the day just trying to get access to a place to hook up my laptop and work? if so, that's gonna suck. is the media tent open all night? what are the times that it is generally open? is there anyway at all possible i could use my laptop without hooking it up? how long would the battery last? i may sound like an idiot, but these are just things i've never experimented with before. so what else is behind the barricades? food, bathroom, i'd imagine. do artists just like hang around back there? are you sure theres no way to get on the side of the stages with just a media wristband? i know a guy who's gone to bonnaroo almost every year. i've only gone with him once but it was in a big group of people so i didn't hang out with him much. i remember him saying that every year he's gone, on sunday night, they let whoever on the side of the stage for the headliner. as a regular camper, he's gotten on the side of the stage for panic in 07 and phil in 06.
there is a media tent and media trailer. both have decent wifi access. the media tent has a/c, which is great. this is where the press conferences happen. it has some couches and chairs and some tables and a bunch of power outlets. it would be wise to BRING your own power strip. i learned this quickly last year. the outlets fill up during peak times. there is usually a big cooler full of bottled water. sometimes, they just bring the cases of bottled water and drop them off... be kind and refill the cooler. if everyone does this, there will always be cold bottled water available.
the press trailer has a bunch of tables/chairs and outlets. again... good idea to bring your own outlet. don't "hog" up any space. if you walk away, your "seat" is not reserved. the press tent is pretty much open 24/7. the first night last year, the lights were out... don't remember about the other nights. the trailer gets locked up by big hassle pretty late and then opens in the a.m. it's safe to leave stuff in the trailer, but remember, it could be locked up at night.
laptop battery strength - if you don't know how long your batteries last on your laptop, how are we supposed to know?
use common courtesy in the media tent/trailer. CLEAN UP after yourself, don't hog up space, etc.
artists normally don't hang around back there unless they're doing an interview. it isn't really that exciting of a place to hang out, especially when they could be hanging out in the artist area.
and no... media or photo wristband will not get you ON stage and if you try to be slick and sneak up there... you'll likely get caught and I unless you come up with a good excuse, my guess is they'll take away your media/photo wristband.
Bringing your own power strip is a great idea! Plus chances are you won't need ALL the outlets...and it's a great way to make friends! Cause at peaks times there is ALWAYS someone waiting on an outlet.
And you DO have a wifi card for your laptop? Cause that is the only connection you'll have at roo....there is no dial up or cable modem/DSL available that I know of. The Beacon trailer might have something but idk....I've never asked/needed it.....I just always assumed everyone used wifi......which has worked really well for me every year so far *fingers crossed for 09* ;D
