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I'll be talking about traffic day to day here. Let me say up front I bought my VIP ticket from Bunny who awesomely offered to let me use her VIP parking pass to day park, I just had to meet her Thursday at the VIP pre-party. See what happened was I showed up Thursday and realized I had no idea where the VIP preparty was, or even remembered what time it was or anything. So yup I messed that up.
I'm a day parker, so arriving on Thursday particularly always takes a little patience. Exit 111, the West Tollbooth and traditional entrance for day parking, was closed. Went to exit 114, which was new to me, but I'm sure familiar to everyone else. Basically it took me all the way around the back to the east tollbooth. Pretty quick entrance after all the driving, but none of the volunteers knew anything about day parking. I don't blame them, I know day parkers are a tiny minority of Roo attendees. So they directed me to one of the family guy camps. Once I got there I told a volunteer "this isn't day parking", she said you need to leave and go back around to the east tollbooth yadda yadda, but I knew exit 111 was closed, SO, I hatched a lil' scheme and found a secret back way to the east tollbooth. It was a pleasant drive and they didn't even search my car again once I got there.
OK enough of that, on to the good stuff. Generally I'm trying to get down brief impressions while the weekend is still fresh in my memory, as much to document for myself what all I experienced as well as to hopefully provide some reading enjoyment for others.
Most of these are partial sets except for the comedy:
Real Estate
Caught a partial set. Glad I got to see them but to me the music is dull. Their albums never really appealed to me, but I still wanted to see them just in cased something clicked. It didn't.
Brooks Wheelan / Brad Williams / Sasheer Zamata
Some comedy, I'm an SNL nut so was excited to see what Brooks and Sasheer did in a stand up setting. Brad Williams was hilarious, did a great job as MC. Brooks was funny as well, a little bit of "haha bonnaroo drugs" humor, but all the comedians play to that at Roo because it works. Sasheer's on stage persona was way different than I expected it to be, but I really enjoyed it, she is obviously talented. Unfortunately her material did go over quite as well as Brooks' did, but she got some laughs and the crowd was polite.
Glad I saw this, but regret missing Cloud Nothings for it.
Banks
Wrote about this set elsewhere, really fantastic. Like a dark sexy dream. Good music, fantastic vocals, super fresh and enthusiastic crowd. Just the kind of thing I love on a Thursday, wandering to an artist I know very little about and leaving loving it.
Polica
Lot of this stuff going on, this synthy stuff with the female vocalist. It was 'aight.
White Denim
The dudes can play. Still haven't connected with these guys fully, something about the music is off putting to me. They seem to be the bridge between 2011-era indie and jambands. I probably should dig it more than I do. Maybe in time.
Pusha T
Really really bad. Literally just playing tracks off the album, with the vocal track, and Pusha and some other dude occasionally shouting a line. Really weird, not sure how this is a show. But then again I like seeing guys press play on a laptop and jump around so long as the beat is bangin', so who am I to judge? Still love Pusha's studio stuff.
Drove to the hotel after bouncing back and forth between Pusha and White Denim a bit.
Oh and I saw a tiny bit of Monster Truck in there somewhere as well. They were rocking.
Getting there in time for Umphreys at 3:30pm was a huge priority for me, so I left the hotel in what I thought would be plenty of time to accomplish this. Unfortunately traffic off exit 111 was backed up across the bridge going over the interstate, and it was moving sloooooow, as slow as I've seen traffic move the past two years. When I finally got close enough to get to the winery, I decided I could walk in quicker then I could drive in, so I paid the $5 and parked there, which I've never done before.
Its about a 2 mile walk from the winery to the What Stage, and the walk there wasn't that bad at all. The walk back to the car, however, was bad. Not only was I exhausted and it was 3:30am, bushy brand road is really dark, and it isn't always easy to walk on the side of the road. I had to be very careful to step way off the road when a car came by so I wouldn't get hit.
But it was worth it, because I walked through the arch just minutes before:
Umphrey's McGee
Great set for their first time on the What stage. They had a really nice size crowd as well. Some improv, nothing too crazy, a few new tracks which was great.
Master Musicians of Jajouka
Thank you bonnaroo for always providing at least one insane "free jazz" set, even if the tents are never more then a quarter full. This set was either a bunch of musicians playing totally random things completely independent of each other or it was awesome. I say it was awesome. Billy Martin is a hell of a drummer. The small crowd was enthusiastic.
Vampire Weekend
Great songs played accurately. Nothing mind blowing performance-wise but I enjoyed it.
Phoenix
I admit I don't get what the big deal with Phoenix is. I've enjoyed some of the studio stuff but don't lose my mind over it like others do. Seeing them live made me understand the attraction a little more. They approach song writing and performing with an almost child-like attitude, like they are in a constant state of wonder at the sounds coming out of their instruments. Good energy, fun and dancey. I still don't love Phoenix but I like them more then I did before I saw them.
Kanye West
From the opening notes of Black Skinhead I knew this was going to be outstanding. I loved the song selection, and found the rants fascinating and not at all offensive or disrespectful to the crowd. Can't add much more than what has already been written in the Kanye thread. If you love Kanye you probably loved it, if you don't like him you probably weren't converted. So so glad I saw this, it was my #1 priority of the summer. BUT, it wasn't my number one act of the weekend.
Derek Trucks Superjam
I come from a jamband background, I love and respect Derek's ability as a slide guitarist. I think Susan is very talented, and love the sweetness of their relationship together, and the joy they obviously get playing in the same band. But, just a few songs into this set reminded me of what doesn't appeal to me about the Tedeschi/Trucks combo, and even a lot of Derek's solo stuff. I do love blues rock, hell you can't love rock and roll without loving the influence blues has on the music, because, well, all rock and roll is is blues with the volume and distortion cranked up some. What I don't like is what I used to call contemporary blues, but during this set I realized what it really is: happy blues. I don't like happy blues.
As an example, take any older blues song. There is a grittiness and darkness and desperation to it, its thick and dirty blood pumping through the veins of music. Now take a contemporary blues song, like the stuff Tedeschi Trucks does. Its bright, its cheery, its floaty, its sugary and savory. TO ME, JUST MY OPINION, it is also some weak ass shit. It does nothing for me.
So it was. I am therefore a poor judge of this superjam, not only because of what I wrote above, but also I left after just a few songs because I desperately needed a musical punch in the stomach. I couldn't come off the intensity of Kanye into "Bound For Glory". So it was I headed to:
Mastodon
Its a fucking Mastodon show, which means its awesome. And its late night at Bonnaroo, which means its even more awesome. Completely badass. I probably only caught the last half, but I was so glad I did. Tent probably about half full.
Deafheaven
I really enjoyed this record, even though my experience with black metal is somewhat limited. As I mentioned elsewhere the lead singer's stage presence was really awkward, he jerks his hands around like his conducting a symphony. Its the kind of stuff I do in my car when I'm getting into a song I really liked. Doesn't really work on stage. But that aside, the music was intense and well performed. Would buy a ticket to go see again.
Skrillex
Jumped over to catch a little bit of this set. His set in 2012 was a highlight of mine. Not as incredible as 2012, but back then I was waaaaay into Skrillex and also managed to get into the pit, which was insane. Definitely a different set, music was very Skrilly but its obvious he is trying to grow as an artist and at least play some different kinds of Skrilly music. I was only there for maybe a half hour or so, because I had to run over and catch:
Meshuggah
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!! Damn it they are amazing live. I saw them open for Ministry several years ago, and knew almost nothing of their music then. That still stands as one of the most terrifying live music experiences of my life. I thought a nuclear missile would strike the venue at any moment, killing us all. I had a similar sensation at this set, which is a great feeling to have LN at roo. Loved it! I think I could see Meshuggah a hundred times and not get sick of it. The lights, the drums, the sheer talent of this guys just blinds and deafens the crowd. Again, tent about half full. I know booking metal bands probably doesn't sell a bunch of tickets, but it makes me really happy. Having three legit metal bands playing back to back late night was a dream come true of mine. I'm actually really glad the Derek Trucks superjam wasn't doing it for me so I could have this experience.
Took the long walk back to my car, that was a wrap for my Friday. Overall an amazing day of music.
My favorite day of Bonnaroo 2014. Leading up to it I thought Friday would be the day, but Saturday is the winner. Again tons of traffic getting in, but this time instead of parking at the winery I just stayed patient and ended up arriving in plenty of time to catch:
Drive-By Truckers
I've loved DBT since Decoration Day and have seen them perform countless times. I'm never let down, and this was no exception. They always play at least one song I haven't listened to in forever, and it hits me in just the right place. At Wanee 2009 it was a "Tornadoes" opener (in the rain), at Bayfest last year it was "Bulldozers and Dirt", and for this set it was perhaps the most poignant Cooley song ever, "Women Without Whiskey". I loved this song in my years as a sloppy drunk and love it even more since I sobered up. Fucking lyrics that make me tear up every time I hear them, an unforgettable guitar riff, and a huge lyrical and musical payoff at the end. They played some new stuff as well which I haven't heard yet, but really enjoyed. Perfect way to start a very long day.
Craig Robinson and the Nasty Delicious
Comedy tent. The band was tight but I guess I didn't get what was funny about it. Just Craig singing occasional silly things. I think he just loves having a very talented band he can front and conduct.
Chromeo
Caught a chunk of this set. Their studio stuff is almost a little bit too 80s pop for me, even though I love 80s pop. But live it clicked a bit more, they guys have a great stage presence and appearance (dude with the robot vocals looks like a Bisco kid I swear, it was awesome), and they are really up there playing, not just hitting a button and singing. Very cool stuff, would see again.
James Blake
I know very little of James Blake, and initially he was my third choice for acts to see in this timeslot (played against Cut/Copy and Zedd), but I actually felt like chilling out a little bit, and considered taking advantage of this rare opportunity. And he really blew me away. Really over the top excited crowd, I had no idea the kids loved James Blake this much. He sings beautifully, the slow numbers were great as were the big bass numbers. Easily a highlight of Roo for me, and I am really eager to start digging into his catalog. Would see again in a heartbeat.
Jack White
My favorite set of Roo. Plenty will be discussed about the set in the days and weeks to follow, but I'll just say its the chattiest I've ever seen Jack live. I don't know why I'm surprised this was my favorite set of the weekend. I've seen him at two other festivals, Hangout and Voodoo, and he blew me away at both of those (best set of Hangout, but Neil Young and Crazy Horse won best set for Voodoo). It was a super fun and raw and rocking set. Awesome song selection, and his banter was awesome, and sometimes really funny. I had tentatively planned leaving this set early to start the LN, but knew just a couple songs in I wouldn't be doing that. Stayed the whole time.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
I literally stopped in for a single song. The least crowded tent I saw all weekend, seriously maybe like 1/8th full. Didn't make the tiny bit I caught any less awesome. I only left because I just wanted to lay eyes on the crowd for the Skrillex Superjam real quick and then head back. I knew it would be the biggest crowd I've ever seen at a tent. So I headed over there, but once I arrived my plans changed.
Skrillex Superjam
Yes it was the biggest crowd I've ever seen at a tent, completely unmanageable. I'd be interested to know what the crowd size at the Flaming Lips show was like.
BUT, I wandered over to hard stage left, and found I was just tall enough to see over the fence and get a great view of the side stage, and I could hear everything clearly. Audio wise being there lacked the visceral impact you get inside the tent, but I was still perfectly content and able to get into the music, plus I could see a nice slice of what was happening on stage. I couldn't tear myself away to go back to Nick Cave.
Again, much will be written of this superjam, and its outside the intent of these very brief reviews to get into all the details, but needless to say it was a hell of a superjam, definitely on the same level of greatness as the Oates/James Soul Superjam, if not greater. The best part was you could completely hate Skrillex's music and still have been tickled to death with this show, because it was almost all crazy fun songs everyone knows. I don't even like A$AP Ferg, but when he came out and did the first verse to Juicy... well it will be a bonnaroo moment I'll never forget. It was all a dream.
I hung on until right before Lauryn Hill showed up I think. I was completely exhausted, but needed to at least catch a tiny bit of:
Darkside
I wish I would have had the energy to catch all of this. As stands, they were playing Paper Trails when I walked up, I heard that, and was done physically. The tiny bit I caught was amazing, and I really hope I have the chance to see them in the future.
