Lessons learned from Day 1‘s crash course in surviving Bonnaroo, but not so well-rested (it is hard sleeping in a muggy tent in the Tennessee weather), we awoke early to check out the first real day of Bonnaroo. Thursday was like practice Bonnaroo, which turned out to be much needed for Friday’s and the rest of the weekend’s adventures.
One nice thing about the artists at Bonnaroo is that they are very accessible. So instead of running off to see bands perform on stages first thing Friday morning, I took some time to sit in on a press conference that Big Hassle Media organized with Janeane Garofalo, Matthew Vasquez of the Delta Spirit, Grace Potter, Ani DiFranco, and Galactic Band. The artists spoke about their Bonnaroo experiences and struggles to get there. Things got a little heated between Garofalo and DiFranco. At the start of the conference, Garofalo and DiFranco joked how they looked alike with Garofalo reminding DiFranco to be at her set in the comedy tent at 2 pm. However, when things got a little political, the differences between the two came out:
“It’s so heartbreakingly disappointing how Obama has acquiesced in the name of bipartisanship,” Garofalo said. “I can’t find humor in that.”
DiFranco later said, “I don’t think one person can do everything. It takes all of us to make something radical happen.” She said Obama shows us how to be like “family and forgive.”
The two had their different opinions, but at the end of the conference, they hugged.
Leaving the press conference, a large crowd had gathered for Gomez‘s pop rock and audience members got extra excited when they realized that, “OMG! That song was on Grey’s Anatomy” as the band played “Moon and Sun.”
Over at This Tent, Kaki King impressed the crowd in her own way as her fingers flew across her guitar in blend of pressing and tapping on the strings. Her backing band complimented her well with the typical drums and bass, but also some wind instruments on the occasional tune.
After Kaki King, Animal Collective got the crowd dancing at Which Stage. The audience danced as if they really were a collection of wild animals (the many masks probably helped, too). Arms flailing in dance, while singing along, some in masks, Animal Collective had some solid fan representation at the fest. The guys bounced around vocal and instrumental duties between each other and never had a dull moment in their set.
Playing against Animal Collective was the amazingly talented St. Vincent and she was probably one of the best secrets of the festival. There was a good crowd there, but if she hadn’t been up against Animal Collective, I think more would have discovered her greatness. She is like a feistier Feist. The indie darling’s powerful voice carried out far beyond the reaches of That Tent and instrumental solos from her violinist colored me impressed.
Another press conference was next on the agenda. This time, Julia Nunes, John Gourley from Portugal the Man, Kaki King, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, Lucinda Williams, Justin Townes Earle and Ben Knox Miller from Low Anthem were the ones to join the press. Justin Vernon turned out to be quite the comedian. After Kaki King said the most challenging part of an outdoor festival were the “strings and sweatiness on the guitar,” Vernon said, “Sweatiness is what I’m going for. I’m trying to look as wet as possible.”
Several members of this conference were new to the festival and talked of their nervousness and experience, the legendary Lucinda Williams spoke of playing this festival since its second run and even gave her advice about the music industry.
“Can you imagine Neil Young trying to get a record deal right now? Or even Bob Dylan?” Williams said. “You have to believe in yourself. I was doing this without a label for 15 years. It took an English punk label to sign me because I fell in the cracks between rock and country.”
As the conference let out, Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs was starting her signature vocals on the Which Stage in front of a backdrop of blue swirl and the eye from “Zero.” We could hear her vocals the entire walk to Brooklyn very own Grizzly Bear on This Tent. The boys were running a bit late, but their indie rock soon filled the tent and they were quite tight, but we had passes to the comedy tent and had to get over there in time for Triumph the Insult Dog and other comedians. After a jam from the house band and a video introduction, Triumph was soon slinging the insults at everyone from the audience to the artists.
“You hippies can make anything out of hemp,” Triumph said. “Except deodorant.” With a paw over his face he explained, “You see? It is because you smell. Haha.”
He attacked Trent Reznor for ending his career and Flava Flav for setting back the civil rights movement with his clock. Even bands not at the festival weren’t safe from his insults.
“Not everybody could be here. Fall Out Boy couldn’t be here today,” said Triumph. “Because they all got their periods at the exact same time.”
After breaking ourselves away from the funny (and she swears unracist) comedian, Amy Schumer, we dashed back to the Which Stage (there is a lot of running at Bonnaroo) and watched TV on the Radio blast through “Wolf Like Me” and other hits. As always, the element of brass gave these guys an extra special element that made them worth watching.
Taking a breather before rocking out (err….rapping out with Beastie Boys), I had my first taste of true fest food and ventured to try an “arepa.” For those who were in the dark like I was, an arepa is a fried patty of corn with melted mozzarella in between the patties. Ridiculously greasy and ridiculously delicious. Stomach full at last, I somehow managed to work my way up nice and close to see the Beastie Boys who brought out all the hits and some guests. In the first big Bonnaroo surprise Nas joined the guys for a few numbers.
The Beastie Boys were a blast to “Jump, jump, jump around” with, but I couldn’t miss the chance to catch a Talking Head perform. Across the park, David Byrne was rocking out with his own tunes after a busy day of curating some of the other tents.
Phish jammed out at the What Stage after the Beasties finished, but knowing they had a second performance, I snagged a spot up close for the much buzzed about French band Phoenix. “Lisztomania” started things off and I was surprised with how energetic and bold the band was after seeing them acting rather shy back in the press area. It wasn’t long before other hits off their American debut had the crowd dancing and the singer joined them out in the audience.
They were just the start of a crazy night at That Tent. Alice Glass from Crystal Castles had the crowd rapt with her blend of electronica goth. In a zombie like manner she wrapped a strobe around her neck and jumped on the crowd multiple times. Glow sticks began to appear during this set and That Tent was quickly transformed into a rave. They didn’t disappear until well after Girl Talk‘s performance. Instead of jumping on the crowd like their predecessors in That Tent, Girl Talk brought the crowd up on stage to join in the dance party. The DJs were joined by costumed characters and blow up seats. It was an oraganized chaos that was fun for everyone (except maybe security). Girl Talk’s set lasted well into the night, but even they couldn’t keep up with Paul Oakenfold‘s set, which didn’t stop until after 6 am in the morning. People staggered back to camps or just passed out in the main grounds before they were ready to embrace an even bigger Day 3 of Bonnaroo.
Stay tuned…
Bonnaroo: website | Day 1 | Quick News
Photos by: Joshua Hammond
Four years ago, when West came out, a Lucinda Williams album was still an exciting thing. Somehow, in the time between then and now, the anticipation has been lost. This probably has a lot to do with her last album, Little Honey. It sounded like leftovers from the West sessions, and it didn’t have much to recommend by itself. The good news is that Lucinda is back, and back to being great. Blessed starts off with the first single, “Buttercup”, and it’s a doozy. The bluesy riff that opens things up is worth the price of admission alone, but the lyrics are great as well. “You will never cop to the damage you’ve done/ you will never stop because it’s too much fun” she sings. Then the chorus hits: “now you want somebody to be your buttercup/good luck finding your buttercup.” Lucinda Williams is back, and she has returned to tearing off the faces of the men who screwed with her. It’s a good thing.
