Going to Bonnaroo?

Jake Berzoff-Cohen Guest Writer

How is Bonnaroo fitting for a Vassaroo? Many students plan to make the pilgramage to the festival this year to revel in the communal aspect of festivals.

But it is too simple to call Bonnaroo just a “Music and Arts Festival.” To do so would ignore the countless attractions: a silent disco where live music channels through dancers’ headphones, batting cages sponsored by Major League Baseball, a village devoted to domestic and international beer, interactive art “pods” and a full market located next to the 24-hour lighted fountain. As Bobby Goodrich ’10 put it, “It’s going to be like Founder’s Day on crack.”

Bonnaroo is a four-day festival held in Manchester, Tenn. from June 12-15. Since its inception in 2002, Bonnaroo has hosted artists of all musical origins, from Neil Young to Jurassic 5. There are over 130 artists playing this year, including Kanye West, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Broken Social Scene, Willie Nelson and Talib Kweli.

But Bonnaroo is not limited to music; comedy is a vital part of the festival’s atmosphere. There will be a comedy tent where many artists will perform throughout the week, including Chris Rock, Janeane Garofalo and David Cross.

Jim Norton, Ben Folds and Patrick Hallahan from the band My Morning Jacket are a few of the artists who will play at Bonnaroo this summer. They spoke to a group of about a dozen journalists in an interview over the phone on April 23.

Hallahan described the seasonal atmosphere at Bonnaroo as promoting “a feeling of togetherness” and “a very comfortable, laid-back vibe.” This will be My Morning Jacket’s fifth Bonnaroo appearance. Their last Bonnaroo appearance, in 2006, began at midnight and lasted three hours.

“That was one of the most electrifying experiences of my life,” said Hallahan. “It was something out of the heavens, that’s for sure.”
The festivities appeal to the Vassar student as well.

Peter Canino ’10 summarized his reason to go to Bonnaroo this year with a terse exclamation: “Just to have some fun!”

“I’m looking forward to seeing My Morning Jacket, MGMT, Pearl Jam and M.I.A., especially because I couldn’t get a ticket when she played here,” Canino said. While he has never been to Bonnaroo before, Canino said that he “has been looking forward to it for a few years.”

Folds admitted that he did not truly enjoy festivals before he played Bonnaroo for the first time in 2006.

“I was sort of a born-again festival player after that,” said Folds. “I don’t take [festivals] as lightly now when I go because it’s possible that it might not suck when you show up.”

Julie Carlsen ’11 is going to Bonnaroo for the first time this summer. “I’ve been meaning to go to a festival for a few years, and I figured, ‘You might as well go big or go home,’” she said.

Tickets are still available online, at various discount Web sites and at the festival’s official Web site, bonnaroo.com. The price ranges from $209-$244 for general tickets, which include a parking pass and camping site.