Some like to look at Bonnaroo Thursday as a practice day: a day to prepare for enduring the next three days of music by “easing” into it with a light day of music. I, however, would argue that Thursday is not a “light, ease into it” day, but the most challenging day of all. I would agree, though, that if you can handle Thursday, you can handle any day at Bonnaroo. Thursday is a test of patience. Any seasoned Bonnaroo veteran can tell you that you can easily spend most of Thursday not at the festival, but stuck in your car for countless hours just waiting to get checked in to the campground or will call.
The PopWreck team had a slight Nashville detour for sushi and a glimpse of the CMAs, which were also this weekend, so by the time we arrived in Tennessee, the car line just to enter the city of Manchester was already outlandish. We then had to spend more time waiting for our credentials before embarking on an even larger journey to find our campsite, which managed to confuse several volunteers. Then another delay came with the time it took to set up the tent before we lost daylight. Suffice it to say, we missed a few Thursday bands that we would have liked to have seen, but those are the breaks and almost everyone at Bonnaroo has to deal with them.
For Thursday, only half of the stages were in use and while there were plenty of good bands spread across various stages, as far as this indie hipster is concerned, the only stage to be at Thursday was “That Tent.” The evening line up at That Tent consisted of Local Natives, Neon Indian, The Temper Trap and The xx. So like I said, this was the place to be Thursday and the tent was packed all night.
My compatriot, Josh, did venture off to explore other bands. He went to Manchester Orchestra at The Other Tent. Here the alt rockers payed a high energy cover and a new song as well as their radio hits such as “I’ve Got Friends” and “Shake It Out.” He also swung by the wild dance party that was Miike Snow at This Tent. Snow went late, which made Josh miss The Dodos as planned. Then, Josh caught the many indie rockers in Blitzen Trapper before grabbing a few laughs with Margaret Cho at the Comedy Tent. As a special treat, The Raconteurs’ Brendan Benson performed with her.
Manchester Orchestra by Joshua Hammond
Manchester Orchestra by Joshua Hammond
Blitzen Trapper by Joshua Hammond
Meanwhile, That Tent, where I was, had a constant showcase of a great indie bands. I began with CA’s Local Natives, who played most of their tunes off Gorilla Manor and a Talking Heads cover. The Fleet Fox-esque band took me by surprise. I guess I just assumed that like the Fleet Foxes, they’d be bearded and flannel-wearing gents. But the harmonious group was a bunch of young hipsters. From listening to the record, I knew to expect the great harmonies, but it was only by seeing them live that I realized how skilled the percussive heavy act really was as members, as members switched up guitars with mandolins and extra drums as well as moving around who had lead vocals. Truly fantastic.
Local Natives by Joshua Hammond
After Local Natives was the chillwave act Neon Indian. I caught Neon Indian in Denver over a year ago and I can’t get over how much they’ve progressed. The group jumped up and down while playing multiple synths. The audience couldn’t help, but dance. The band got a little scandalous during “Deadbeat Summer” when a group of of topless girls loosely covered in paint and feathers like, well, Indians, came out on stage and danced. The set was over all too quickly and sensing that, the band reappeared and played one more: a brand new song.
Neon Indian by Joshua Hammond
Next up was Australia’s The Temper Trap. I guess the third times the charm since I’ve been trying to see these guys on multiple occasions and something has always come up i.e. tornado watches. Lame. Not lame? The band’s performance. I was surprised by their jam band tendencies, but l also loved that they had them. During one great jam break, singer Dougy poured water on an extra tom drum and as he banged on the drum, water sprayed up all over the stage. Of course, the falsetto-rich “Sweet Disposition” really got the crowd moving with an extended guitar riff intro.
The Temper Trap by Joshua Hammond
But the band of the day was The xx. In an almost holy manor, the three touring members of the xx appeared dressed in black on the dimly lit stage. They surrounded turntables set up with big banners of white xs and began their set. They played most of their set and a cover. At first I thought female singer/guitarist Romy Madley Croft, was the member to watch, but I think I was getting drawn into tricks of the spotlight. Sure she has some of the better vocal parts, but it is her fellow singer and bassist, Oliver Sim, that was the real skill behind this band. Regardless, the chemistry of the back and forth vocals and answering dings of the drum machine make this a haunting band to watch. Throw in a starry backdrop and you have the perfect way to end the evening.
The XX by Joshua Hammond
Well, at least the perfect way to end an evening at That Tent. Bonnaroo Thursday has a a tradition, as St. Louis legend Beatle Bob pointed out, and that is to end the music portion with an act on the smaller Troo Music Lounge stage that features rising acts. Joshua James had the honor this evening and his American rock resonated through Centeroo as campers made their way back to their tents. Amped and ready for another day.
More photos and more recaps to come…
