Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Post by sarahsssnake on Feb 11, 2010 17:22:22 GMT -5
Hello Inforoo population. This is my first time going to Bonnaroo. I bought my tickets pre-sale as a graduation present to myself. I am bringing a friend of mine with me, and it is his first time there also.
I am a little nervous, but I am extremely excited. Is there any advice you guys have for me as a first time goer?
The best advice I can give is keep reading Inforoo, especially as Roo gets closer. Too many threads to list individually but the threads are invaluable for a Roo virgin.
You will have a fantastic time. Just read this board. There are many threads with useful information.
Here are some of the basics:
Practice setting up your tent if you have not already. If its not set up properly you could get all your gear wet if it rains.
Bring a shade canopy
Bring a big hat to block sun and sunscreen.
I bring an air mattress to make the few hours of sleep i get that much better.
Also one of those solar shower bags are great for quick washing up. They gotta hang from something pretty high to work properly (gravity). We tied ours to the luggage rack on the car so it hung down the side.
Bring plenty of spending money. You can go on the cheap if you bring your own food. but keeping food cold can be a hassle with the heat and constant trips to buy ice.
Last year was our first. I spent two solid months on this board. You will get alot of invaluble information. Just sift through and make the best decisions for you and your friends. Above all "have a great time"
Bring plenty of spending money. You can go on the cheap if you bring your own food. but keeping food cold can be a hassle with the heat and constant trips to buy ice.
Canned goods don't need ice. You can get a propane stove for around $20 Then you just need a pot and a couple of utensils. I do bring a small amount of fresh cooked food as well every year. I never buy more than one or two meals inside Centeroo.
Post by Lawn Gnome on Feb 11, 2010 21:09:25 GMT -5
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of putting some TP in a ziploc bag to bring with you into Centeroo. Dazed and confused in a port-o-john at 3:30 AM taking care of business is not a fun time to realize you're about to have to get creative (speaking from personal experience)...
EDIT: And WTF are you nervous about OP?! It's Bonnaroo!
Post by sarahsssnake on Feb 11, 2010 22:13:15 GMT -5
I just have no idea what to expect, that is why I am nervous! But the excitement definitely overrides the nerves.
The friend who is going with me has all the camping gear, so I will make sure that he has a propane stove or something for food.
We are trying to go cheap, because well, I am going out-of-state for college next year and need to try to save my money, not spend it all on gear/food for Bonnaroo.
Post by JustSoYouKnow on Feb 12, 2010 0:05:11 GMT -5
Go to latenight!!
Bring a shade canopy
Buy a CD in the record store of an artist u saw, they are not crazy prices($9) and it's great keepsake... all your 'Roo feelings will come rushing back when reaching for that CD =)
My first year I tried to cram as many acts as i could in one day. Stage hopping. The next year I relaxed the schedule a lot and hung out at each stage for a few hours. For me, that was much more enjoyable. You don't want to wear yourself out and miss the late night. My first year i missed a lot of the late night.
I am still trying to figure out a way to sleep past 8am. I am thinking of building some sort of tarp wall to block the sun for a few more hours. Once that sun comes up the tent gets hot and im awake.
I am still trying to figure out a way to sleep past 8am. I am thinking of building some sort of tarp wall to block the sun for a few more hours. Once that sun comes up the tent gets hot and im awake.
get a dark colored rainfly...did wonders for me last year
other stuff: don't bring a ton of food, you probably aren't going to eat very much all day bring a lot of water if possible (camelbak recommended) plastics bags for phone/camera if you're going to be jumping in the fountain or attending GWAR
i'd say don't worry about an air mattress, three of four blankets laid on the floor of your tent will do just as well.
the last (and possibly most important) thing: bring two tarps. one goes under your tent, one goes on the bottom inside. this will keep you dry as a bone
The best advice I can give is keep reading Inforoo, especially as Roo gets closer. Too many threads to list individually but the threads are invaluable for a Roo virgin.
Agreed.
Last year was my first. I spend a couple of weeks slumped over my computer reading every relevant Roo thread, and it helped immensely. As a result the *only* mistakes I made were underestimating the size of tent I needed to really be comfortable and drinking too much Tequila one afternoon.
Post by questionablesanity on Feb 12, 2010 11:59:52 GMT -5
Keep reading. Threads will pop up about what tents, shoes, camelbaks, people are buying. people will post where to find good buys on camping supplies. I wish inforoo existed before 2004 bc I was so unprepared my first year. Just follow people's advice and you'll do fine. Pack as light as possible. I brought way too much crap last year and made multiple trips from BFE to tent only every morning which quickly wears you out. Last year I slept from the beginning of Bruce til the next day, missed sooooo much good music. Take a nap during the day.
A Thieve's Parade 2/24 Conspirator 2/26 Kevin Smith 3/11 Keller 3/17 Papadosio 3/18 JJ Grey 3/25 Bela Fleck/Edgar Meyer 3/26 Toubab Krewe 3/27 O'Death 4/11 Budos Band 4/22 EOTO 4/28 Summer Camp 5/6-29 All Good
Post by myxomatosis on Feb 12, 2010 13:12:31 GMT -5
I gotta agree with the reading of inforoo, there was a lot of helpful advice on here and some I didn't follow that I wished I had. The 'learned from past bonnaroo' thread is a good one to pay attention to as well.
Post by onesweetla83 on Feb 12, 2010 14:47:22 GMT -5
Welcome Sarah!! You'll have a great time this year!!
I started on Inforoo before the '08 fest because I thought I was going. I even started a blog - bonnaroovirgin.blogspot.com - but as the fest grew closer and no one would buy a ticket with me I grew timid and missed that year.
'09 was my first Roo instead, and I brought back the blog. I was determined not to miss that year after the '08 fiasco, so I spent even more time on this forum DEDICATED to my trip (VERY helpful), and I finally did it. It was the best decision I've ever made. My life is now changed for the better. And I'm not exaggerating.
The farm is the happiest place on earth. Don't let Disney tell you otherwise.
A lot of people on here have gone a lot more times than me, but one thing I have is the fresh memory of being a newbie, and which choices worked vs. which ones didn't for me. A few words of advice:
-Fake crocs might not be pretty, and they might not ever get worn outside of the farm, but when everyone else complained about blisters and their feet hurting, I still felt like I was walking on air.
-Fans that double as water bottles are essential. That blast of cool only lasts for a moment, maybe a little longer if there is any sort of a breeze, but each of those moments are sweet relief from the hot TN sun.
-REAPPLY SUNSCREEN. Especially if you're using a squirt bottle or squirt fan. The SPF will melt right off your face and leave you red as a beet. Also important on your shoulders, especially if you're carrying a backpack. Carrying a backpack on Saturday and Sunday with blisters already on my shoulders (the scars from which are still present) was pure torture.
-Gold bond. Because everyone at Bonnaroo sweats, and you can't afford a leg rash with all that walking.
-Keep valuable items in the car you came in to avoid tent theft.
-Pick your battles. Your legs will kill you if you try to stand through 5+ shows in one day. Some sound just as good from the ground or under a shade tree. (And when you have enough energy for the shows that are priorities, you will thank me.)
-Beware of homemade peanut butter cups with cherries on the wrapper (esp. when its about 100 degrees out or if you don't know where they came from). At least 4 people in front of me at the Animal Collective show probably thought they were fun for the minute or two before they passed out and had to leave.
-Ponchos keep you dry in the rain and double as something to sit on so your butt doesn't get wet/dirty when you sit/lay down.
-Do your own thing and feel free to wander. I went to most of the shows with my boyfriend last year, and although I had fun at those shows (because I too liked those bands), I had the most fun at The Decemberists while he was at Wilco. Doing my own thing.
-Use the portos near your campsite whenever possible. They are cleaned often and generally better taken care of. One of the portos I used in Centeroo had barf dripping from the seat and was nearly full.
....and more.
(I still do the blog, even though the title is technically wrong, and will probably post more tips there since I'm bringing some newbies this year. Feel free to stop by if you want!)
2010: 3/12: The Bad Plus/Happy Apple/Buffalo Collision/The Bad Apple 6/10-13: Bonnaroo 6/19: Rock the Garden 7/30-31: Mid West Music Fest 8/21: Los Hombres Calientes 8/31: Marijuana Death Squads 9/11: The Book of Right On w/ City on the Make 9/23: Of Montreal w/ Janelle Monae 10/4: Broken Social Scene 11/23: Grinderman
I am still trying to figure out a way to sleep past 8am. I am thinking of building some sort of tarp wall to block the sun for a few more hours. Once that sun comes up the tent gets hot and im awake.
I think I read this on the board somewhere last year, and it totally works: If you bring a shade tent (as you should), position your shade tent to the East of your tent. As the sun rises, your shade tent will actually block the sun for a good while. If at all possible tuck a little of your tent under the shade tent, or get a tarp to cover the gap. Also, bring an inexpensive, decent sized area rug to put down under your shade tent. I got a pretty decent sized one for 20 bucks at Wal-Mart. The grass (if that's what you want to call it, it's more like green razor blades of death) is pretty brutal...oh and have fun!
Post by theshining on Feb 13, 2010 13:00:59 GMT -5
Last year was my first year on the farm and it was awesome, life altering actually. As soon as it was over I was in anticipation mode for this year. This will be repetitive but...
1. Pace yourself, this may be my most important piece of advice. Its 4 days and numerous hours long. Don't be the person who gets too wasted and sunburned on the first day. By Sunday last year I was a broken man! Its hot, really hot, there is little to no shade, you will get about 5 hours sleep a night if you're lucky, you will be on your feet a lot. So just try and stay hydrated and pace yourself.
2. Inforoo is your best friend leading up to Roo. There are many posters in here who have been to just about every year and have lots of valuable info for you which they have been kind enough to spread. Listen to their advice.
3. Don't get to tied up in who you want to see. There will be conflicts, line-ups getting in and out, you will get burned out. Do yourself a favor and go with the flow. Maybe pick 2-3 must sees and definitely soak in the late night atmosphere.
4. Take your time setting camp. It rained last year on the Thursday (a hell of a lot) and some kids who just threw things together and then dashed for Centeroo came home that night to a scene out of hurricane Katrina. If you can manage to keep everything clean and dry you will be a happy camper.
5. Don't worry too much about bringing food in. I spent very little time at my tent and was unwilling to trek back and forth during the day. If anything bring easy stuff for breakfast (juice boxes, granola bars, PB and J) and snacks for the end of the night return. And water bottles are a must; though it is not terrible the well water in Centeroo stinks like eggs and is warm. Food is not that over priced at Roo and the Whole Foods in Centeroo provides even cheaper and healthier options.
6. Bring more money than you think you will need. There will be merch and memorabilia you want, food you need to have one more time before leaving, and then there's Shakedown.
There is probably more to spread but you will have most likely read it somewhere else already. In closing though, there is nothing to be worried and you will have the time of your life!
1. Pace yourself, this may be my most important piece of advice. Its 4 days and numerous hours long. Don't be the person who gets too wasted and sunburned on the first day. By Sunday last year I was a broken man! Its hot, really hot, there is little to no shade, you will get about 5 hours sleep a night if you're lucky, you will be on your feet a lot. So just try and stay hydrated and pace yourself.
5 hours sleep a night? I'll be lucky to get 5 hours sleep all weekend.
Post by pondo ROCKS on Feb 13, 2010 14:21:03 GMT -5
My best advice...keep an open mind and a flexible schedule. There will be so much going on that you can literally stress your self out trying to do everything all at once. Just relax and enjoy it because the 4 days on the farm goes by WAY WAY too FAST!!!!
Congrats on going to ur first Bonnaroo!!!!
P.S. If you see a weird guy with horns and a clock and looks similar to the below picture, say hi.
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