Entertainment
BONNAROO II
Mon, Jun 16, 2003 12:00 am
Story and Photos by Will Jordan
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HT.COM BONUS Read Bonnaroo Busts Tossed, for the true story of fans who were released after getting pinched in a roadside sting.
HT.COM BONUS Read Bonnaroo: Another Point of View for a first-person account of the festival.
Tens of thousands of stickered vans, rental moving trucks, and cars with signs reading "Bonnaroo or Bust!" clogged up Middle Tennessee roadways for days on end to participate in what has arguably become one of the nation’s most anticipated music festivals. Bonnaroo 2003, which took place June 13-15 on an expansive, flooded
600-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, brought together some of the biggest names in music for three days of revelry, despite an ever-present drizzle, unbearable traffic conditions, and overbooked parking accommodations. Due to menacing rains, bleary-eyed ticket holders were caked in flip-flop-stopping mud. After traveling up to 36 hours for the festival, some even pitched sleeping bags on the side of the roads. It’s a wonder the exhausted ticket-holders could even stand up, much less "get down" on Friday, but when the music started the dancing never stopped.
Friday’s lineup was an appropriate introduction to the musical diversity
Bonnaroo would showcase throughout the weekend on the six very different stages known as "What Stage," "Which Stage," "This Tent," "That Tent," "Arcade," and "The Other Tent." From hip-shaking grooves produced by DJ RJD2 to soulful folk singing by beach shorts-clad Jack Johnson to a stellar performance by songstress Lucinda Williams to gritty avant-garde indie rock legends Sonic Youth, there truly was something for everyone in attendance to appreciate.
"We were very intent on making this festival about diversity," said Ken
Weinstein of Big Hassle Entertainment, which handled publicity for the
event. "Many of these artists have an under-appreciated fan base. We’re here to promote any kind of music, as long as it’s good. Bonnaroo is about anything good."
Friday’s headliner Neil Young and Crazy Horse played for several hours, proving their place among the jam bands, with a lengthy performance of "Down by the River" mixed in with other classics like as "Hey, Hey, My, My" and "Cinnamon Girl." Young’s set would have been enough of a capper on the evening for a normal concertgoer, but as soon as the legendary singer left the stage other bands were gearing up to carry the crowd into Saturday morning. The Funky Meters and Sound Tribe Sector 9 both kicked off at 12 am and played into the morning. But it wouldn’t have been a late-night Bonnaroo spectacle without an impromptu parade. New Orleans funksters Galactic, along with guitarist Charlie Hunter, led a Mardi Gras-styled parade complete with a decorated float through the campgrounds and into Centeroo for an all-out improvisational jam session. Some scrambled back to their tents for a "cat-nap" and others pushed it further as an equally impressive lineup was gearing up for Day 2 of Bonnaroo.
After a light sprinkle Saturday morning, the sun came out with the Wailers, who carried on the legacy by playing Bob Marley favorites. Bluegrass trio Nickel Creek picked and grinned on the Which Stage as the audience stomped their feet. "If people’s asses were rocked, it’s a collective thing," observed Nickel Creek mandolin player Chris Thile. "Our asses were rocked as well. I didn’t feel like we were performing, but participating."
Across the way at That Tent, the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players had a jaw-dropping theatrical presentation of photos and music, complete with nine-year-old daughter Rachel’s drumming. "This is our first big festival we’ve ever done," said Jason Trachtenburg. "It’s been a phenomenal experience. They really treat you well here."
Other artists such as Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Josh Kelly, and Emmylou Harris kept the jams going as the legendary Allman Brothers, took the stage for an early evening show. "I’m mesmerized that we’re still able to pay the rent," said Greg Allman in a press conference backstage. "Southern people are a groove. Fans in America are great." The renowned singer discussed the impact the addition of Warren Haynes has had on the group. "It’s like having another bullet in the gun. He’s added really good newness to the band, just like this guy," Allman said motioning to guitarist Derek Trucks.
Philadelphia hip-hoppers the Roots were also a nice surprise as they
kept the sweat-drenched crowd in absolute undulation. After the sun fell for the day, Widespread Panic played for over three hours without a break and were joined by Warren Haynes, Robert Randolph, and Galactic drummer Stanton Moore.
Medeski Martin & Wood, the Flaming Lips, Mark Farina, and Josh Wink carried on the late-night Bonnaroo tradition by playing into the wee hours of Sunday morning. Backstage, when Wink was asked how he felt about Bonnaroo, Flaming Lips’ front man Wayne Coyne took the DJ by surprise as he leaned over and said, "You’re peaking on twenty hits of acid right now." Wink just shook his head and smiled.
But the surprise act of the morning was Particle, who started jamming at 4 am and didn’t stop until around 8:15. "It was awesome non-stop energy," said Particle’s Charlie Hitchcock after their performance.
A couple of hours later the New Deal began priming the Which Stage for a full day of unstoppable rocking, which continued with the North Mississippi Allstars, G. Love & Special Sauce, and moe. Meanwhile, the other smaller stages were pulsating with the eclectic sounds of O.A.R., Drive by Truckers, Spearhead, Buddahead, and Topaz.
But there was no question where most of the die-hard music lovers spent their Father’s Day. The What Stage was transformed into a virtual all-star lineup of the weekend greats, from the soul-drenched crooning of opener Warren Haynes to Galactic’s explosive funk. The "Godfather of Soul" James Brown, with full entourage, scooted from one side to the next, transforming the audience into a sea of booty-shaking ripples. The only interruption was when the entire crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to Brown, who turned 70 in May. "I just want to see America dance to my music," Brown said backstage before his show.
The Dead finished the festival with their first performance together since last summer’s Grateful Dead Family Reunion. "Since Jerry checked out, we all went our separate ways, but we’ve’ all got a brand new bag," said Bob Weir backstage, copping a James Brown song title. It may be a "new bag" but the Dead picked up right where they left off, and sent the festival-goers home happy with songs like "Sugar Magnolia," and "Friend of the Devil’" dancing around in their heads.
Next year, if and when the festival returns to Tennessee, fans will pray for less clogged roadways, drier campgrounds, and, of course, better weather, but even if that doesn’t happen, they’ll turn out for the experience alone.
HT.COM BONUS Read Bonnaroo Busts Tossed, for the true story of fans who were released after getting pinched in a roadside sting.
HT.COM BONUS Read Bonnaroo: Another Point of View for a first-person account of the festival.
Tens of thousands of stickered vans, rental moving trucks, and cars with signs reading "Bonnaroo or Bust!" clogged up Middle Tennessee roadways for days on end to participate in what has arguably become one of the nation’s most anticipated music festivals. Bonnaroo 2003, which took place June 13-15 on an expansive, flooded
600-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, brought together some of the biggest names in music for three days of revelry, despite an ever-present drizzle, unbearable traffic conditions, and overbooked parking accommodations. Due to menacing rains, bleary-eyed ticket holders were caked in flip-flop-stopping mud. After traveling up to 36 hours for the festival, some even pitched sleeping bags on the side of the roads. It’s a wonder the exhausted ticket-holders could even stand up, much less "get down" on Friday, but when the music started the dancing never stopped.
Friday’s lineup was an appropriate introduction to the musical diversity
Bonnaroo would showcase throughout the weekend on the six very different stages known as "What Stage," "Which Stage," "This Tent," "That Tent," "Arcade," and "The Other Tent." From hip-shaking grooves produced by DJ RJD2 to soulful folk singing by beach shorts-clad Jack Johnson to a stellar performance by songstress Lucinda Williams to gritty avant-garde indie rock legends Sonic Youth, there truly was something for everyone in attendance to appreciate.
"We were very intent on making this festival about diversity," said Ken
Weinstein of Big Hassle Entertainment, which handled publicity for the
event. "Many of these artists have an under-appreciated fan base. We’re here to promote any kind of music, as long as it’s good. Bonnaroo is about anything good."
Friday’s headliner Neil Young and Crazy Horse played for several hours, proving their place among the jam bands, with a lengthy performance of "Down by the River" mixed in with other classics like as "Hey, Hey, My, My" and "Cinnamon Girl." Young’s set would have been enough of a capper on the evening for a normal concertgoer, but as soon as the legendary singer left the stage other bands were gearing up to carry the crowd into Saturday morning. The Funky Meters and Sound Tribe Sector 9 both kicked off at 12 am and played into the morning. But it wouldn’t have been a late-night Bonnaroo spectacle without an impromptu parade. New Orleans funksters Galactic, along with guitarist Charlie Hunter, led a Mardi Gras-styled parade complete with a decorated float through the campgrounds and into Centeroo for an all-out improvisational jam session. Some scrambled back to their tents for a "cat-nap" and others pushed it further as an equally impressive lineup was gearing up for Day 2 of Bonnaroo.
After a light sprinkle Saturday morning, the sun came out with the Wailers, who carried on the legacy by playing Bob Marley favorites. Bluegrass trio Nickel Creek picked and grinned on the Which Stage as the audience stomped their feet. "If people’s asses were rocked, it’s a collective thing," observed Nickel Creek mandolin player Chris Thile. "Our asses were rocked as well. I didn’t feel like we were performing, but participating."
Across the way at That Tent, the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players had a jaw-dropping theatrical presentation of photos and music, complete with nine-year-old daughter Rachel’s drumming. "This is our first big festival we’ve ever done," said Jason Trachtenburg. "It’s been a phenomenal experience. They really treat you well here."
Other artists such as Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Josh Kelly, and Emmylou Harris kept the jams going as the legendary Allman Brothers, took the stage for an early evening show. "I’m mesmerized that we’re still able to pay the rent," said Greg Allman in a press conference backstage. "Southern people are a groove. Fans in America are great." The renowned singer discussed the impact the addition of Warren Haynes has had on the group. "It’s like having another bullet in the gun. He’s added really good newness to the band, just like this guy," Allman said motioning to guitarist Derek Trucks.
Philadelphia hip-hoppers the Roots were also a nice surprise as they
kept the sweat-drenched crowd in absolute undulation. After the sun fell for the day, Widespread Panic played for over three hours without a break and were joined by Warren Haynes, Robert Randolph, and Galactic drummer Stanton Moore.
Medeski Martin & Wood, the Flaming Lips, Mark Farina, and Josh Wink carried on the late-night Bonnaroo tradition by playing into the wee hours of Sunday morning. Backstage, when Wink was asked how he felt about Bonnaroo, Flaming Lips’ front man Wayne Coyne took the DJ by surprise as he leaned over and said, "You’re peaking on twenty hits of acid right now." Wink just shook his head and smiled.
But the surprise act of the morning was Particle, who started jamming at 4 am and didn’t stop until around 8:15. "It was awesome non-stop energy," said Particle’s Charlie Hitchcock after their performance.
A couple of hours later the New Deal began priming the Which Stage for a full day of unstoppable rocking, which continued with the North Mississippi Allstars, G. Love & Special Sauce, and moe. Meanwhile, the other smaller stages were pulsating with the eclectic sounds of O.A.R., Drive by Truckers, Spearhead, Buddahead, and Topaz.
But there was no question where most of the die-hard music lovers spent their Father’s Day. The What Stage was transformed into a virtual all-star lineup of the weekend greats, from the soul-drenched crooning of opener Warren Haynes to Galactic’s explosive funk. The "Godfather of Soul" James Brown, with full entourage, scooted from one side to the next, transforming the audience into a sea of booty-shaking ripples. The only interruption was when the entire crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to Brown, who turned 70 in May. "I just want to see America dance to my music," Brown said backstage before his show.
The Dead finished the festival with their first performance together since last summer’s Grateful Dead Family Reunion. "Since Jerry checked out, we all went our separate ways, but we’ve’ all got a brand new bag," said Bob Weir backstage, copping a James Brown song title. It may be a "new bag" but the Dead picked up right where they left off, and sent the festival-goers home happy with songs like "Sugar Magnolia," and "Friend of the Devil’" dancing around in their heads.
Next year, if and when the festival returns to Tennessee, fans will pray for less clogged roadways, drier campgrounds, and, of course, better weather, but even if that doesn’t happen, they’ll turn out for the experience alone.
