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!!
Post by steveternal on Oct 27, 2006 13:53:28 GMT -5
Hello to you, menikmati. I recognize your handle from the Coachella boards, where I do some lurking. I'm a little unclear; are you speaking with the pseudo-authority of a good track record, or with the greater authority of a person with solid insider information? Not to interrogate you-- I certainly hope your names become reality. I'd be a happy camper, literally. And I more or less agree about the dance/DJ stuff. I don't necessarily think Bonnaroo needs a tent devoted to one style, like... well, like Coachella does. Not a bad idea, just not necessary. Yet I'll gladly second the motion to have more of those types of artists there. 'roo gets good DJs, but very few. However, the real deficit is with electronic musicians. Really, the only significant artist Bonnaroo has gotten was Mouse on Mars in '05 (not counting Amon Tobin's superb yet pithy bumper set in '02). I'd love to see some of the great ones come to Tennessee... Aphex, Squarepusher, μ-Ziq, Daft Punk... yes, it's way past time.
"I recognize your handle from the Coachella boards, where I do some lurking. I'm a little unclear; are you speaking with the pseudo-authority of a good track record, or with the greater authority of a person with solid insider information?"
--
Maybe a little of both, can't say. I will say though, there are certain procedures that lead to the big bands headlining the festivals. Look at Radiohead last year...there was talk all last year (2005) that a new album was in the works. I remember reading several interviews where bonnaroo promoters said they'd tried for the past three years to book em.....Radiohead then announces their going into the studio to record, now what's the best way to promote new songs and a possible album?....a lot of things just add up (same kinda scenario for Tom Petty too).
Anyway with that said, I do have a good track record (I think at least), and maybe a few other things up my sleeves for predicting what bands are playing what festivals. I can't guarantee anything, but it's a safe bet Tool is going to be there. Pearl Jam too maybe, because they've been in talks with promoters for years now too, though I'm not sure PJ is ready to go back to playing larger festivals (though they did play Reading this past year, hmmmm).
And as far as the DJ tent goes, I'm just suggesting maybe something running from midnight-6am or something...just all night stuff, so for those who don't wanna go watch a late night show of MMJ or Trey, can just go dance their butts off....and I'm not just referring to DJ Logic or somesort...I mean maybe 10 different DJ's over the 3 days covering a wide array of electronic music (Infected Mushroom perhaps?).
Post by steveternal on Oct 28, 2006 13:10:57 GMT -5
Oh, no doubt any greater emphasis on DJ/electronic music should cover a lot of ground. Logic rocked the Silent Disco this year, but I wouldn't want to just watch him (for example) for hours. But yes, we could get a nice array of classic turntablists (why no Shadow yet?!), some great IDM, some nice house or club, some downtempo or dub, maybe even a little experimental stuff. I still maintain that jazz is the most unfairly underrepresented genre at Bonnaroo, but electronic is a close second.
And as for the main topic, I still think there's some logic behind Phish as a headliner (assuming the reunion happens by then). I'd also be terribly happy if Paul Simon was there, but he'll probably be done promoting "Surprise" by then. Shame. Also if the rumors are true, U2 should have a new album around then. They would be a very good fit as well.
Post by frankthemute on Oct 31, 2006 0:51:14 GMT -5
Tool, Phish, The Dead.......I think maybe in Rolling Stone Trey was getin everybody rdy for a Tool - Phish Bonnaroo. I think He knows he'll be there and I think Trey knows who else will be there.
I have softened to the idea of Tool at 'Roo but why does everyone think that the Dead and Phish will be booked as headliners? If the questionnaire they sent out and last lineup are any indication they're trying to bring more diversity to the festival. That's what made this year the most successful so far (financially, at least).
Face the facts, people. Anyone that would go to see Phish would probably already be going to see the Dead.
Post by steveternal on Nov 2, 2006 16:58:54 GMT -5
Yes, they're trying to bring diversity, but they're also trying to be an even bigger, more popular, more influential festival. This is why Phish fits-- while it wouldn't propel them towards "diversity", it would be a change of pace to say "we're big enough to have Phish as one of three headliners". People who certainly take notice. As for The Dead, I ain't on that bandwagon, never have been.
Post by ziggyandthemonkeys on Nov 14, 2006 14:48:49 GMT -5
I dont know if this has been mentioned, but seeing that The Who is touring again I think it is a possibility that they could have a slot, and i definatly would not complain if that were the case.
I just can't see Phish playing there, especially if they don't really do a large tour before that. Manchester would be a ridiculous mess with the amount of people who would show up. I agree that if there is a festival big enough to have Phish in the lineup it is Bonnaroo. I just think the logistics of it happening wouldn't work. I could see it happening if they had been touring extensively before the festival. But if they were to re-unite at 'roo then it would get crazy. We always talk on here about how fans of certain bands wouldn't travel that far for 1 show but Phish fans would. It will be intersting to see if the rumors are true.
Post by ziggyandthemonkeys on Nov 15, 2006 15:59:42 GMT -5
umphreak said:
I just can't see Phish playing there, especially if they don't really do a large tour before that. Manchester would be a ridiculous mess with the amount of people who would show up. I agree that if there is a festival big enough to have Phish in the lineup it is Bonnaroo. I just think the logistics of it happening wouldn't work. I could see it happening if they had been touring extensively before the festival. But if they were to re-unite at 'roo then it would get crazy. We always talk on here about how fans of certain bands wouldn't travel that far for 1 show but Phish fans would. It will be intersting to see if the rumors are true.
Perhaps they could have a suprise headliner, if the first two were good enough. Then Phish could play there, but not all their fans would come, just like 3/4. ;D
If Phish re-united for the first time as a Bonnaroo headliner I think it would be cool and funny. Mostly because all of their most hardcore fans would probably throw a ridiculously huge fit.
If Panic can play two nights Phish could/would play two nights, right? I can't imagine them getting such a huge booking and not having them play two nights. Might just be me.
About U2, they would change the face of the festival. Radiohead was huge but U2 would be much bigger and would bring in lots of fans just for them. From my experiences, most U2 fans aren't jam fans, (myself excluded) so it would be very strange.
If SCI were to play '07, could their demise push them to be a headliner? I know they've played in smaller roles in the past, but they are still a big draw and a last festival performance (or performance overall?) could increase their value.
For the headliners, I'm curious if Langerado will have any effect on Bonnaroo. This last year Roo kinda stepped off the gas when it comes to jambands, giving 1 jam headliner on sunday and adding a lot of different bands to the bill. In that void, Langerado has stepped up with an incredible array of jambands to create what looks like the best jam-festival lineup. Bonnaroo could ideally go either direction, either further away from jambands or back to them by booking someone/something really big or just bringing more jam acts than even Langerado could pull off. Most likely the festival will bring in someone really interesting again, a big name and a surprise. It's curious to see if they do go with the more eclectic route, how far they could push the boundary. Someone like RHCP would be a little different, but for Tool or Daft Punk to play would show the balls the festival's got.
I like the Jay-Z idea too, and Eric Clapton with JJ Cale would rock.
Anyways, if you've noticed the biggest festivals have started to spar and push at eachother more than the past. Lollapalooza pulled RHCP and Kanye (big) and DCFC (boo). ACL got Van Morrison (big deal) Massive Attack (surprise, given the nature of the TV show) and Tom Petty (had to eventually). Bonnaroo got their jam headliner, unflappable TP, and the huge coup of Radiohead. Each of the three got some surprises and went outside of their original box and what they've done in the past.
07 Roo should continue this. I'm really interested to see what they do, the creativity of the lineup and surprises of late make me ancy for the lineup. For most genres, there are only a few acts who could seriously headline. Like has been said very well, it's not a term of ability, but in having the kind of fanbase that's going to appeal to at least half of the festivalgoers. While not everyone listens to Phil or TP that often, I'm sure lots of people just couldn't miss the chance to see either of them. To figure out your headliners, ideally you just pick out who you think could be picked from each musical style, then kinda go your own way. Like formulas in math.
For hip hop you've really only got Kanye West and Jay-Z. Outkast isn't touring Andre3000 I don't think, so their draw isn't as big without him.
Electronic music, which I'll admit I am largely uneducated on, seems to be at it's biggest with Daft Punk. While Massive Attack headlined a night at ACL, Bonnaroo seems to go biggest (practically) or nothing.
Modern rock is more interesting, because there are plenty of capable acts jumping around. Tool, if they toured, have the draw to play. However, don't know if the organizers have the balls. Other acts would be Pearl Jam (classic rock or modern rock? early 90's classic by now?) or Incubus or Red Hot Chili Peppers. I haven't seen any of the four but they all have the capability to draw enough fans.
For the classic rock the Who would rock. the Boss would be huge, Neil could get back up there. While Van Morrison is a legend, he's not legendary for live performances, and often struggles to 90 minutes. A headlining spot is probably out just due to time things. However, something late night would rock.
And as to jambands, whatever. Trey on his own isn't big enough anymore, although G.R.A.B, should they have success with their album and be touring by then might be able to. The Dead, should they have reformed, would rock. And of course WP and DMB.
As to some other special shows that don't really go anywhere...Prince (never gonna happen)...U2 (too big)...Elton John (I would love this)...and some others I've missed.
I meant to ask, while the Black Crowes alone aren't big enough to headline, what about the Black Crowes with Jimmy Page? They've toured before, and while I don't know how big that tour was, but to me it looks like an awesome show. Especially if they mixed together their incredible bodies of work. I can't really imagine a better Roo moment than hearing the creator play heartbreaker or kashmir or stairway.
Sorry if I missed any, but I can see all three headliners being listed somewhere in that post. Happy thanksgiving.
Well thought out post, Isaac, just bumped you a karma point for that one.
I never knew that the Crowes toured with Jimmy Page, and I definitely think that would be headliner worthy. Prince would be amazing. Also I think that Beastie Boys could be the Modern Rock/Hip Hop headliner, and they definitely have enough songs to play for 3 hours. And you could get Mix Master Mike to do some sit ins with other bands as well.
As for electronic bands, if they could pull off a Chemical Brothers, Underworld, Orb, bring Orbital or FSOL out of retirement, Aphex Twin, or Boards of Canada, all of those bands would definitely draw a different but agreeable group of music fans to the festival. Last year, I thought that the electronic was lacking, but Tortured Soul and Sasha were pretty good. Actually, I thought Tortured Soul was top notch. They made Thursday night for me.
Post by steveternal on Nov 22, 2006 23:56:59 GMT -5
Yeah, it seems to me that the electronic artists that Bonnaroo gets are not necessarily the biggest names, but the ones that border on the jamband scene, or at least are highly danceable. This is especially true with the DJs. But more to the topic, I don't see any electronic artist whatsoever that could headline. In fact, I don't see any non-rock artist headlining, not even hip hop (at least not yet).
Post by frankthemute on Nov 25, 2006 2:14:34 GMT -5
The Grey Album idea is genuise man. How about having The Roots and Jay-Z and they could play for him and do their own set. His Un-Plugged is really cool I thought.
Post by ziggyandthemonkeys on Nov 29, 2006 16:40:33 GMT -5
I actually saw a song of that on Leno, or some latenight show, and i didnt much care for it. I havent seen the actual show though, so it may be a lot better.
It looks like everybody has their ideas about what would make an ideal Roo here and I think that I would attend most of them!
I'm not sure how they'll tweak the line up this year but there definitely have been some heavy-handed Trey and Tool rumours out there. If the Dead are touring I think that they'd be a sure-shot but from what I've heard that's a very long-shot.
I think that Springsteen and the E Street Band are too big for Roo though I wouldn't rule out a Springsteen solo spot. I know that he's the draw and not the band but it just seems too huge -- like the Stones or U2. I also agree that a one-off Phish reunion would be more hassle that it would be worth for Super Fly.
The Who is an intriguing idea but I have a suspicion that it would be kinda like waffles -- all good at the begining but by the end you're sick of 'em. (RIP, Mitch Hedberg...)
As far as Tool goes, I've never been much of a fan but I know that they are an act that most people would check out even if they weren't fans (similar to Radiohead). If we were to go for a heavier headliner, though, I'd rather see Nine Inch Nails bring their epic, snarling jams.
I've got to agree that there are not a lot of rap outfits out there that could fit the headliner bill. Beastie Boys and Kanye West are the only two that come to mind.
I haven't heard a lot of mentions for Country headliners here and with the festival going on in Nashville right around the same time I don't know that it will ever happen. There are also not a lot of country acts that still have a lot of "street cred" these days since it has become so commercialized. Willie Nelson may be the lone artist of headliner caliber now that Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash are dead but he was slated as a co-headliner a couple of years back and hasn't done much since then to raise his profile. Well, there was that reggae album but the time to promote that has past.
Which leaves Widespread Panic as a possibility after sitting out a year. They don't do much for me but they do have a pretty rabid Roo fanbase. Also likely after a year off is the Dave Matthews Band - not a unanimous fan favorite but certainly earned a level of respect from a lot of haters after playing as a unit. (Much better than the Dave and Friends set!)
I also am in line with the thinking that it's probably Pearl Jam's time. They have long since shed the stench of commercial success and have always been a bit of a jam band in their own way.
So I think that my prediction is:
Fri: Pearl Jam Sat: Dave Matthews Band (though I wouldn't be shocked with a Dave/Trey show) Sun: Widespread Panic
I'll also predict special late night sets from Flaming Lips and Primus. (Anybody who thinks that Flaming Lips can't play a full set should track down the video of their show at Lollapalooza last summer -- I think that the number I heard that they drew was around 60,000 and they put on an actual SHOW complete with dancing Santas and Aliens and the lead singer in a giant bubble.)
Anyways, those are my thoughts on this at the moment...
I think Bonnaroo is capable of moving past WSP and DMB. They are going in a new direction and probably won't revisit too many previous acts. Maybe bring Neil back with CSNY, but other than that it might be fresh talent. Look for more popularity like Pearl Jam and less old hat like WSP or Dead acts- speaking of which, I'd look for a void in Dead acts b/c Phil won't tour. Maybe Ratdog or rythym devils?
just my two coins
edit: well with Herring in WSP now it might be fresh enough to revisit again... Hmmmmm
good thoughts cdevaney. hit you up with a karma point for 'em.
I too am hoping for Pearl Jam, having never seen them it would be a great chance. Also, from all of the videos I've watched of them online the vocals hold up well and they can jam when they need to. I think they'd be able to attract people who weren't necessarily fans. While Pearl Jam isn't too heavy, I still can't see them playing the same year as someone else heavy(ish) like I would doubt to see them on the same bill as Incubus or Tool.
Bruce Springsteen would be a really big show. If there was a festival for him, it would be Bonnaroo. Coachella is the only other one big enough, and that's not the right scene for him. Maybe it's the part of America I'm in, but here Tom Petty is a bigger name than Springsteen. They both come through St. Louis and sell out, but Petty gets more airplay and seems to be more talked about. I don't know how SuperFly sees it, but if they got Bruce (& the E Street Band?) to play Friday night it would be a great coup, given I can't remember him playing any of the other fests.
I would imagine Dave Matthews would be back in some way, although I don't know if it will be with the band. A Dave/Trey show would be pretty cool, I hadn't thought of that but it would be a fun show and probably a headliner. If he isn't there headlining, then a late night show with Tim Reynolds would make for a great 1-4 kind of gig. I don't think together they're big enough to headline a night, but I think a late night show would be a huge draw.
I can't really say Panic has increased in size since two years ago, and they've had plenty of time headlining Roo, but they are still big and are apparently a much better band with Herring on guitar. I'd check them out but I wouldn't call myself excited to see them if they were there. Maybe they'd do better at this point with a four hour late night show. That would satisfy just about everybody I think.
A late night Flaming Lips show would be great, but I don't know if they have the material to play for long enough. Even headlining Wakarusa they only played a 90 minute set. If they were to play 90 minutes or two hours late late it would make for an awesome end to a night, but I don't know if their set would be too much different than when they last played Bonnaroo. They easily have enough draw, though, when I saw them at Austin City Limits this past year they drew probably 40-45,000 of the attendees, and that was going against Ben Harper and followed across the park by Muse. They were the last act before Petty though. [/]
Oh, and I think Jay-Z is another hip-hop headliner big enough. Other than that I'm dry on names. Someone said they didn't think Roo was ready for a hip-hop headliner, and I can see where they're coming from, but a late night big name show would rock. The Beastie Boys or Kanye (played non-headlining at Coachella) would both rock late.
The Lips have plenty of material, they just dont play it live. Every show seems to be about 1.25 hours. I dont know if that is because they have so much stage set up or that they try to give it their all for a shorter time. But between At War, Yoshimi, Clouds, some earlier stuff, happy birthday, War Pigs, Bohemian Rapsody, and maybe some other covers, they should be able to put on a 2 hour show.
Also, I could see Bruce playing at ACL before Bonnaroo.
I just hope that they stick to the same formula as last year with the Legend on Friday, the new school legend Saturday, and the Jammy on Sunday. Following that type of formula you could get something like this:
Bruce/Who/CSNY - Friday Pearl Jam/Tool/Beastie Boys - Saturday Widespread/Dead - Sunday
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