Final lineup for Bonnaroo

Bonnaroo 2008 is almost here. 22 days……. June 12 – 15, 2008. I don’t know what to make of the lineup though. There are some bands that I would love to see

Metallica
Pearl Jam
Widespread Panic
Kanye West
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Death Cab For a Cutie
O.A.R.
Les Claypool (from Primus)
B.B. King
Mastodon
The Sword
Little Feat
Phil Lesh & Friends

Then there are lots of bands that I have never heard of, but after looking at their websites I think this could be a music festival for music lovers of all kinds. There is a little bit of everything here:

Jack Johnson
My Morning Jacket
The Raconteurs
Tresto
Sigur Ros
Levon Helm & The Ramble on the Road
Ben Folds
Cat Power
The Bluegrass Allstars
MIA
Umphrey’s McGee
Iron & Wine
Stephen Marley
Yonder Mountain String Band
The Swell Season
Zappa Plays Zappa
Talib Kweli
Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Soul Stew Revival
Gogol Bordello
Broken Social Scene
Robert Randolph’s Revival
Porter-Batiste-Stoltz
Rilo Kiley
The Disco Biscuits
Lupe Fiasco
Against Me!
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Pat Green
Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk
Ozomatli
Tegan & Sara
Henry Butler & The Game Band
Solomon Burke
and many, many more !!

There is a lot going on at Bonnaroo.

1. There is a cinema tent that is air conditioned with seating, and it features movies 24 hours a day.
2. The Blue Room Cafe has seating, food and drink and the Troo Music Lounge features seating and drinks, both have live music.
3. At the I’m Connected Internet Cafe, if you join the “i’m initiative” from Microsoft, donations are made to social causes for emails and IMs you send.
4. There is even a hair salon sponsored by Garnier Fructis, a scratch DJ academy hosting a “DJ 101 workshop”, Karaoke Bay hosted by StubHub where you can perform in front of a live band, Media Lounge and WiFi so you can stay connected with family and friends, Broo’ers Festival has lots of microbreweries and you can vote for your favorite, an art area featuring a live fire performance at night, pitching and batting cages plus MLB video games, Sonic Village features the Sonic stage where you can catch intimate acoustic performances and industry reps are on hand with activities, a poster art exhibit, performances by street performers called Bonnaroo Buskers, Kidz jam tent which features activities for the little ones and their parents, a 20 ft. lighted fountain and a market featuring many different types of vendors, the Bonnaroo Beacon which is the festival newspaper, yoga classes, and even an academy which offers classes in art, theater and dancing.
5. There is a comedy tent which features seating and air-conditioning.  This year’s lineup includes Chris Rock, Janeane Garofalo, Mike Birbiglia and many more.

Wow!  That is a lot of stuff.  I have never been to Bonnaroo or known anyone who has been there. I did not know very much about it before writing this article. I am truly intrigued now and I might just have to put this one on my list of must sees. It is definitely a “green” festival that truly cares about the environment, preserving the arts and peace on the earth. There are many “green” programs such as the Clean Vibes Raffle where you receive a raffle ticket for every bag of recyclables you turn in. The grand prize is 2 free tickets for Bonnaroo 2009. The Bonnaroo Pods are stations placed throughout the campgrounds featuring 24 hour access to information, water and shower stations (showers require a small fee), recycling areas, security and medical personnel. The pods are supported by a Bonnaroo ambassador who can provide information about stage schedules, directions and activities. There are also interactive sculptures being worked on by art students. The Bonnaroo community is highly encouraged to take part in this activity. The values and ideals of Bonnaroo can be expressed through art and the Bonnaroo patrons’ input is greatly desired.

In the Planet Roo area there is a stage that is solar powered, a waste free cafe, and booths manned by representatives of non-profit organizations and organic lifestyle companies. There are also 2 yoga classes taught each morning.

Bonnaroo sponsors a Silent Auction. Artists and sponsors donate autographed items to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The proceeds are used to help those in need.

There is also a Silent Disco….a silent disco? I wondered what that was. Apparently it is a dance club where you wear head phones so that the noise doesn’t disturb anyone else and you can dance into the late hours. That would be interesting. There is also an Arcade Discotheque powered by Xbox 360.  There are kiosks where you can play the latest Xbox 360 games and you might get to play Rock Band on the big screen.  At night there are DJ’s and an awesome sound system so you can dance the night away.

Bonnaroo fan experience charity VIP packages are still available exclusively at StubHub.com. Proceeds benefit Manchester Art Center, Rock the Earth and Common Ground Relief. VIP Fan Experience Packages feature:

Two (2) VIP tickets to Bonnaroo 2008
Invitation to watch a performance from special side stage viewing platforms
Opportunity to view a backstage radio performances
(Bonnaroo will provide a large selection of shows and radio performances to choose from. Package winners will choose their top 3 shows and get to see one of them.)
Invitation to view artist backstage press conferences
All regular VIP ticket amenities including access to VIP hospitality area, with catered buffet, beer, & soft drinks
Private restroom facilities
Preferred camping area access (Please note VIP RV Parking Upgrade is extra, you will be contacted by a StubHub representative upon purchase)
Commemorative Bonnaroo 2008 merchandise package

 There are regular tickets still available for $244.50.  This is for 4 days and camping plus parking.  RV’s are not included in this price.  You will need a RV pass.  Be sure to check out the ticket info and all policies. 

 If any of you have attended this event in the past or if you make it to Bonnaroo 2008, please send me some feedback and let me know about your experience.

Be sure to check out the videos below.  The interview with Lars Ulrich from Metallica is very interesting.  Lars said Bonnaroo is about variety.  “The fact that we have been asked to be a part of it seems so natural and obvious, this was one of those what we in our world would call it, a no brainer.  It was like would you like to play Bonnaroo next summer?  Yes.  Next question.”

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[tags]Bonnaroo, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Green festival[/tags]