Bonnaroo, Let’s Talk

By Art Michalski

Now that I am done rattling off about the good, bad and ugly of Bonnaroo, it’s time to talk about the scene at the event. I would love to sit down and talk to some people face to face about what they thought of Bonnaroo. But because that may never happen, I’d figured I’d send out a manifesto including the good things I saw, and things that just plain shocked me.

When you turn a small town on the side of an interstate like Manchester, Tennessee into the sixth biggest town in the entire state for four days, you are gonna have some tourists that take advantage of the hospitality given from the locals. So, Bonnaroo Nation, let’s sit down and have a little one-sided conversation.

Bonnaroonies, let’s talk about something good first. The festival was one of the most peaceful and relaxing events you could be at. Everyone was in good spirits, even if everyone probably needed a bath by Friday afternoon. I didn’t see one fight at the event, which is the opposite of about 80 percent of the shows I see here in Detroit.

More good things. The event seemed really interested in their recycling and greening initiatives. The festival even had a raffle for the person who collected the most amount of recyclables and could win tickets to next year’s event. I think most of the people at the event would prefer a ice cold water or 12 pack of beer personally.

Also, the Bonnaroo Beacon was a daily newspaper that gave fans an insight to the bands and different events going on at the event. Plus, it gave a weather forecast each day. Unfortunately, it was the same forecast every day; Sunny and hot as _____ (fill in any four letter word here).

But along with the good things of Bonnaroo, there were a few minor issues that I had along the way. Here’s just a couple.

Parking - It’s great if you are one of the 90-percent of people camping, you have no problem. But if you hate camping (like me), then trying to park for day parking can be a hassle. When driving in on Friday, not one of the people in charge knew where the day parking for the event was or could give me a straight answer. I do have to give thanks to the old farmer dude who let me park my rental car on his lawn for a few days.

Unruly volunteers - The supervisors didn’t have any control over many of the college-aged student volunteers of the event. I witnessed at least two volunteers smoking weed while “working” and two more drinking with festival-goers. You know, if you’re gonna get into some crazy stuff at Bonnaroo and you’re working, at least take off the shirt that says you’re an employee of the event. Even though it was slightly humorous, probably the most dangerous situation was right before the Police’s set, when two volunteers played demolition derby with their golf carts, and almost hurt a few fans in the process.

Girls - It looked like the Olsen twins dressed about 75-percent of the female audience. Big sunglasses and dresses that make you look like a bag woman is not an attractive look. I’m not saying anything more than that, in fear I’ll sound like a pig. And guys, your no shirt and Speedo look that I saw more and more of by Saturday was just as bad.

The guy that died Thursday night - There was no mention of the 25-year-old Kentucky man’s death at the event itself, but only in the local news media. The man is rumored to have died of a drug-related overdose, but we not know well until this after article is out. It was the sixth death in the six years of the festival.

Bonnaroo Diehards - Okay, please stop whining that Bonnaroo sold out because the Police and Tool are headlining a few of the nights of the show. In order for a festival to grow, the festival must diversify who they have on the bill. If String Cheese Incident and Bob Weir headlined every year, the same people would show up and the festival would not grow. In order for a festival to be financially viable, they have to try some new things, even if it means throwing a metal act or two on the bill. Diehards, it’s just something you are gonna have to get used to.

I had a great time at Bonnaroo, but like anyone else, I had some problems with some minor details. But let’s face it, if I didn’t have at least a few problems with something, it wouldn’t sound like me at all. But next year, pray for a little rain because the dust kicking around at the event looked like those History Channel shows about 1930s Oklahoma.

Check out more Detroitbuzz coverage on Bonnaroo 2007 here and here .