In theory, all music festivals are relatively the same. Tens of thousands file in, get wrist-banded and do unspeakable things to port potties over the course of two to four days… just ask Kanye about that last one. But, there’s something about Bonnaroo that separates itself from the others.
Off I-24 on a farm, The Farm, about an hour and a half outside of Nashville, 80-100,000 make the pilgrimage to brave temperatures that reach the hundreds. Festival goers forgo showers, making due with baby wipes for days (unless they break down and shell out the $8 to Garnier Fructis, letting lukewarm water trickle create some semblance of reality) and survive on beer, pizza and teriyaki bowls.
But it’s the music that’s important, setting the stage for the most memorable moments. Singing “Tiny Dancer” with Elton and 60,000 others. Getting a scar after being hit by a chair before The Orewlls’ set got shut down. Hearing Chance the Rapper say, “Everybody’s Somebody’s Everything” because that shit felt so real at 4 a.m.
The thing about all this, is that the artists playing have the same feelings. They’re sleeping in tents, discovering a new favorite band, and making new friends. Pop ‘stache caught up with a few of those artists and asked them to recall their four days on The Farm.
Joe Dunwell of The Dunwells
Pop ‘stache: Was this your first ‘Roo?
Joe Dunwell: This was our first ‘Roo and wow! What an amazing festival. Let’s hope it’s not our last.
P’s: Tell us about your set.
JD: We played three sets, one at the Ford stage acoustic, which was the first set of the day and really determined what was going to be an ace day. There were a lot of people in there getting out of the sun. The PA system was actually The Ford car that was parked in there. I think we are one of the first bands to ever play a show through car speakers. What a start to ‘Roo! The second set was on the Sonic stage. We played a full electric set, the first of the day, with a Q&A in the middle. It was an ace set and we got a great crowd. The third and final set of the day was on the New Music stage, it was a 6:40 set. The sun was cooling off a bit and we were ready for it. What a great atmosphere in that tent. It was electric.
P’s: What was your favorite set to watch?
JD: My favorite set was on the New Music stage where we did the quickest line check in the world. It sounded awesome. People started flooding in including some people who had already been to some of our other shows that day. It was one of those shows you remember when you start to wonder why you do this as a job. I felt completely at home on that stage. The 50 minute set flew by so quick it felt like we were on stage for no more than five minutes.
P’s: What was your favorite non-musical moment of the weekend?
JD: Favorite non-musical moment has to be once we packed the van with all the gear and went back stage, cracked open a beer and hung out with our friends Bronze Radio Return, talking music and shows and festivals until the sun went down.
Jeremy Messersmith
Pop ‘stache: Was this your first ‘Roo?
Jeremy Messersmith: This was my first ever Bonnaroo and, if I’m being honest, my first ever music festival! My fear of crowds and love of hot showers managed to keep me away for a long time.
P’s: Tell us about your set.
JM: We played three sets at Bonnaroo. We had a nice crowd of rowdy sunburnt festival goers at the Sonic Stage who matched us in intensity the whole set. We don’t tour a lot, so it was great to play for people who were seeing us for the first time. There is something magical and unflinchingly honest the first time you play a song for someone.
P’s: What was your favorite set to watch?
JM: My favorite set was James Blake. No contest. I’d heard his records and wasn’t sure how they would translate to a live show- little did I know the EDM masterpiece that awaited me.
His voice is one of those pure things in the universe, like glacial snow or Helen Mirren.He played a cover of “Case of You” by Joni Mitchell and it just destroyed me in the best way possible.
P’s: What was your favorite non-musical moment of the weekend?
JM: My favorite moment of Bonnaroo was actually a series of little moments. Nearly every time I talked to a festival goer (Bonnarite?) our conversation ended with them bestowing a bright and shiny “Happy Bonnaroo!” At first I thought it was odd and culty, but by the end of the festival not only was I craving it, but I started saying it myself! I think for most of the festival goers, Bonnaroo is their Christmas/New Year/Birthday all rolled into one. I hope I get a Happy Bonnaroo card in the mail sometime…
Damien Bone of The Weeks
Pop ‘stache: Was this your first ‘Roo?
Damien Bone: This wasn’t my first ‘Roo, but it was my first ‘Roo that I attended for more than a day. I went a couple years ago for a day, because John Prine’s wife gave me a ticket the day before his set.
P’s: Tell us about your set.
Damien: I thought our set was great. There wasn’t any huge bands playing at the time we played so we had a huge crowd for the Sonic Stage. It definitely got rowdy at times due to audience members jumping on stage. Got to see some old friends during our set which is always nice so overall it was a great time.
P’s: What was your favorite set to watch?
DB: My favorite overall set to watch was J Roddy Walston & The Business. It was the first time I have ever saw them play, and I thought they crushed it. They had the whole crowd going for majority of the set and every song was solid. I did see others bands that I thought were fantastic as well ,such as Dr. Dog, Arctic Monkeys, Elton, Jack White, and many more, but J Roddy took the cake.
P’s: What was your favorite non-musical moment of the weekend?
DB: They had hoop fever in the artist area and I got to destroy everyone that I play with and work with at basketball while enjoying complementary drinks thanks to Bonnaroo. I set the high score at one point, which was exciting. Also, camping with everyone was an experience all in itself that was incredible.
Grant Brinner of The Orwells
Pop ‘stache: Was this your first ‘Roo?
Grant Brinner: This was indeed our first.
P’s: Tell us about your set.
GB: Our set got shutdown, because kids we’re climbing on shit and pushing barricades. Truly a wild experience.
P’s: What was your favorite set to watch?
GB: Kanye West.
P’s: What was your favorite non-musical moment of the weekend?
GB: Seeing all our homies there was pretty tight and spending time with them in the Artist’s area.
