Bonnaroo

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I'm not going, but Saturday 5-7:30P at the same time:

MMW
Claypool
Blues Traveler
Beck
Cypress Hill

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I went the first year, had a grand time. [censored] like this is why I won't go again, though.

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Agreed. Shows are amazing when you catch the whole thing, but in many cases, it's only feasible to take in a couple songs.

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For advice:

1. Buy a ticket.
2. If you live or are staying close, walk. It's faster than driving.
3. Camp on the grounds; it's worth it and it's a wild experience.
4. Arrive early. Concerts officially start on Friday, but there are some on Thursday night. The ground open Wednesday, so if you can make it for then, definately do so. Otherwise, definately make it for Thursday morning. On this note, plan to stay late as well. It's well worth it to book off Thursday-Monday for this event (we drive from Toronto, so we need a lot of time for it).
5. Expect to wait a minimum of 5 hours in a car line up to get in.
6. Buy your drugs there; they're easy enough to get. Avoid baked goods, as you are usually getting ripped off.
7. Bring a cooler and plan to buy ice at least twice, unless you plan to buy everything as you need it, which is insanely expensive.
8. If camping, plan to spend the entire trip on the campgrounds. Getting out of and back into your campsite by car is impossible.
9. Check out the unofficial vendors, as they usually have some pretty good stuff. Unofficial food/drink vendors' pricing is high for the first couple days, but they usually plummet on Sunday.
10. DRINK A TON OF WATER OVER THE WHOLE TRIP. This is key. You WILL get exhausted standing around for three days. Feel free to take naps whenever you can.
11. On the same note, don't bring a lot of stuff with you when you go into the concert area.
12. When you leave your campsite, try to do it early and then move your car into the daytime parking area. This will make for a much easier get away.
13. Finally, be kind and curteous to everyone you meet. I'm not sure if it needs to be said, but everyone there is working really hard to make it an awesome festival. It's hard to do it if you are pushing, arguing, or just plain rude.

[Philuva]

I went last year and am going again this year. It was an amazing experience. Artists and the crowds were very fired up at each show I went to and really fed off each other to create amzing shows. It is pretty much anything goes, yet I did not see a single fight or altercation the entire 4 days I was there. Just a lot of people having fun and enjoying great music. I would recommend it to anyone interested in some of the bands scheduled. The other fun part is to check out bands you would normally never get a chance or even choose to see on your own.

Anyone else going this year?

Also, buy a ticket before heading there, the festical staff and artists put a lot of work into running it really well and deserve every penny of the price of admission IMO.

[Soul Daddy]

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I may be crazy here but I think the music is the least fun part of the whole experience. IMO the best things are just walking around checking out all the venders. Eating the good food everyone is selling, looking at all the crazy ppl, enjoying no laws, and just hanging out with your friends getting messed up.

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I completely agree. Last year I went with 5 others. 4 of them got up and started drinking immediately, then went off to see as much music as they possibly could. I don't think they made it to the headline show at all as they were so worn out and destroyed by 8 pm. The other and I took our time, walked around, did drugs, played games, watched movies, and just took it all in. We saw all of the shows we wanted to see and then some, along with everything else. They all agreed later that they wish they'd followed our plan at least a little more. It's a completely different society there for 4 days, don't spend the whole time scurrying to see a slew of bands you don't know. There's quite a bit to absorb in addition to the music.

[JoshuaD]

I'll be there. First time going. I'm [censored] psyched.

[jbrent33]

I've been every Bonnaroo and there is no way I'll miss one as long as they have it. The line-up this year has a lot of bands that I don't listen to normally, but who knows what I might end up liking. I wish Widespread was there none the less.
My tips:

TAKE AN RV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't stress this enough. To be able to take a shower and [censored] is key. The AC is also nice when your sleeping but that is a small portion of the time. There are many companies that rent them, I used three before I bought mine and thought El Monte had the best deal.

Take many many gallons of water. Water is your friend. You can also buy a thing called a Sun Shower for about 20 bucks that works really well and will let you conserve all important tank space in the RV. Seriously, stop at a wal-mart and buy as many 39 cent gallons of water as you can fit in your vehicle.

Pick two or three acts you really want to see and be fluid with the rest. You'll end up finding some great new artists.

The late night shows in the tents are something that can only be experienced in person. Seeing the Flaming Lips for the first time at 4 in the morning on just the right blend of drugs is cool. They also have a thing called SuperJam that puts members if several different bands together.

Take some kind of flag to raise over your campsite so that you can find it.

Look for the tall curly headed blonde guy in the front of the stage for Government Mule, I'll hook you up [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[MycroftX]

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Trey Anastasio [of Phish fame playing in a band called Oysterhead]

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Does that suggest Trey Anastasio is famous for playing with Les in Oysterhead....as opposed being a member of Phish?

[jbrent33]

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Trey Anastasio [of Phish fame playing in a band called Oysterhead]

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Does that suggest Trey Anastasio is famous for playing with Les in Oysterhead....as opposed being a member of Phish?

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Intrestingly enough, in terms of records sold and general pop culture presence the drummer is the most famous guy in Oysterhead.

I think they phrased it the way they did avoid any sort of rumor that Phish might play.

[Emmitt2222]

I am getting more and more pumped every single day.

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. My plan is to see a few major bands that I really enjoy and then just go with the flow from there. I am taking summer classes in Ohio so I have to leave at around 3pm on Thurs and arrive sometime late night in Tenn. I then have to leave around 4 or 5 [maybe after Matisyahu] on Sunday to get back in time for a Monday morning test.

Anyone know how long it will take me to get on the road and out of traffic when I am leaving Sunday around that time?

So pumped!

[MycroftX]

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Intrestingly enough, in terms of records sold and general pop culture presence the drummer is the most famous guy in Oysterhead.

I think they phrased it the way they did avoid any sort of rumor that Phish might play.

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75,000 people and myself that went to Maine on several different occasions for weekend festivals to see Phish says thats a bunch of hooey. I was there.

And that was just Phish alone, not a single other band. Bonnaroo might not even see that many people there this year.

Kelly Clarkson problably sells more records than Phish ever did on any given record, but it still don't mean [censored].

Edit: And for the record OP it's Phil Lesh, not 'Leash.' Vince Welnick (Grateful Dead pianist) was supposed to play with them at Bonaroo, but unfortunately he commited suicide in Sonoma Valley over the weekend. So I don't what the deal with them might be at bonaroo. Someone will have to fill in.