Non-stop Bonnaroo coverage (heat stroke not required)

It’s that time of year again — when local music festival fanatics leave the unseasonable heat and humidity of Asheville for the downright hellish temps and baking sun of Bonnaroo. But the four-day event (today though Sunday, June 12) in Manchester, Tenn. is eagerly awaited each year.

This year’s lineup includes Eminem, Arcade Fire, Widespread Panic, The Black Keys, My Morning Jacket, Lil Wayne, The Strokes, The Decemberists, Ray Lamontagne, Primus, Dr. John with Original Meters and about a bazillion more acts (see them all here).

Among those performers are a couple of local boys: Warren Haynes Band and Aaron “Woody” Wood. And, a long list of acts who have either recently played Asheville (Robert Plant & Band of Joy, Ryan Bingham, Mumford & Sons, Matt & Kim, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Amos Lee) or are about to play Asheville (Bootsy Collins, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Portugal. The Man, Ben Sollee).

To keep track of it all, our intrepid reporter (and Clubland editor) Dane “Dudeman” Smith is on the Bonnaroo scene — fellow reporter and Bonnaroo veteran Jake Frankel will join him Friday evening.

Follow their Twitter handles: @MXClubland and @JakeFrankel, or follow the hashtag #avlroo for updates (from the comfort of your air-conditioned and mud-free home or office, of course).

Here are some early photos from Dane, who arrived early to find the festival’s stage compound deserted and a massive effort underway to put the finishing touches on everthing from food tents to carnival fare:

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

4 thoughts on “Non-stop Bonnaroo coverage (heat stroke not required)

  1. Isle of Man

    It takes a special kind of person to return to Bonnaroo every year. I went once, and swore I’d never go again. The music is great, but sleeping in a puddle of sweat three days in a row and constantly risking heat stroke? I can think of about a million other things I’d rather spend a weekend in June doing.

  2. dpewen

    I love Bonnaroo but could not make it this year … great music and great party! Love the heat!

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.