Non-stop Bonnaroo coverage (heat stroke not required)

Posted on by Alli Marshall

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:

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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
View all posts by Alli Marshall →

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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!

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