This week, we bring you a special edition of My Side of the Mountain, recorded during Bonnaroo with Detroit-based indie/electronic duo Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
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This week, we bring you a special edition of My Side of the Mountain, recorded during Bonnaroo with Detroit-based indie/electronic duo Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
It feels like weeks since we arrived at Bonnaroo. After four days in the sun, three nights in a tent, dozens of shows and uncomfortably close encounters with tens of thousands of red-faced music fans, it’s good to be home. But the relief comes with more than a little hesitation. Despite the discomfort, festivals can be an oasis, if you’re into that sort of thing, and Bonnaroo is the most epic of American music experiences. Luckily, there’s always next year.
By the third day of Bonnaroo, structural improvements have made all the difference. Shade is easy to find, bathroom lines are entirely reasonable and dust is minimal. Cool temperatures have done a lot to ease the experience, but organizers’ efforts will make even the most scorching festivals to come all the more comfortable.
It’s 9 a.m. and I’m sitting in a crowded Starbucks about a mile from the festival grounds. As has been the case in years past, the internet at Bonnaroo, even in the press tent, is patchy at best. Luckily, I brought a bicycle to slip in and out of the festival quickly. It’s not the most convenient approach, but the air conditioning is a welcome change from the humidity and the cold iced coffee is just what I needed.
Bonnaroo 2011 was hot – and we’re not just talking about the temps. Asheville guitar god Aaron “Woody” Wood played scorching sets that garnered national radio time; local b-boy crew Fresh Trix wowed crowds with their funky body contortions; locally based music marketing company Music Allies ran a huge backstage operation, and countless other peeps with local connections worked, played and partied hard just down the road in Manchester, Tenn. Photos by Jake Frankel
Our correspondent is having a hard time finding wireless access for his computer. His Thursday dispatch from Bonnaroo was delayed, but here it is — complete with ongoing live Twitter coverage.
Local musician Aaron “Woody” Wood will be there, along with a laundry list of nationally-touring artists (most of whom either just played Asheville or will play here shortly). To keep track of it all, our intrepid reporter (and Clubland editor) Dane “Dudeman” Smith is on the Bonnaroo scene.
Xpress has two more sets of tickets to Bonnaroo. Want ‘em? Here’s how.
Asheville B-Boys Hunab Kru returned to Tennessee’s Bonnaroo this year. Watch a video of their performance.
Asheville-rooted performers blew it out at this year’s Bonnaroo. Read the dispatch here and check out some sweet Bonnaroo vids.
Our fine music writer Jake Frankel reviews last week’s Phish show, which includes minty-fresh updates from last night’s Bonnaroo show.