By: Jason Earle
What a difference a year makes. When the 2024 Bonnaroo lineup was announced, I was elated. Not just because Jason Isbell, S.G. Goodman, Interpol, Gregory Alan Isakov, and so many of my favorite artists were playing, but also life for me is so much different from our first trip last year.
Festivals of this magnitude become touchstones in life and art. For the artists, it’s a huge accomplishment to be included. For me as media covering Bonnaroo, the opportunity is an honor.
Huge names are on the bill this year as always. Chappell Roan. Jason Isbell. Megan Thee Stallion. Post Malone. Red Hot Chili Peppers. Pretty Lights.
Bands that don’t tour as much like Interpol are there as well. I head into Bonnaroo with an open heart and mind, ready to take the lessons I learned last year and capitalize on the personal growth I have gone through in the intervening months.
This year’s Bonnaroo is the climax to my Grounded Summer Tour, so named because I am spending almost three weeks on the road getting back to my roots. Since last year I have lost my job, found another one. Gone through the breakup of a ten year relationship, and fallen in love again. I needed to get out of town and reconnect with aspects of my personality that lay dormant for the better part of a decade.
I am later than expected arriving at the venue. If I have one gripe with Bonnaroo it is that the arrival is difficult. Security is inconsistent, often confused about where to point you, and all too often rude. Once you are inside the venue, it is a first class experience. But, getting there can be a frustrating adventure.
Arriving at the wrong gate is a cardinal sin. This time it is my fault. I did not properly read the email with arrival instructions- a mistake I pledge not to repeat. No one was quite sure where to send me but someone had an address. There wasn’t a good place to pull over and re-read the instructions so I quickly typed in the offered address and headed that way.
Traffic is re-routed by Tennessee cops, who are like an ex with an alcohol problem and the short fuse to accompany it. They set unreasonable and unclear expectations then threaten harm when you inevitably fall short of the set bar.
Pulling into my second stop on the entry tour I am met by a maze of cones, a gauntlet of pigs, and a glaring lack of signage explaining anything. By the time I realize I should be turning left I have a cop screaming and wildly gesturing in my direction. He screams at his abusive buddy who pulls in behind me equally livid, sirens blazing. There’s a confused group at the security checkpoint trying to help narrate the behavior I should be exhibiting but no one seems to know anything.
“You gettin’ pulled over. Oh wait, he gettin’ out of the car. I don’t know what to tell you.”
A red faced constable rushes up to my car window screaming admonitions. Yells, “You do that again you’ll get a ticket!”
“Okay, man” is all I manage, still at a loss as to which statutes were perceived to be violated.
Security checkpoint number two brought even more aggression. An aloof guard shepherds me to a stocky, indignant man about ten years my junior who turns me around without any guidance as to where I should go, then threatens physical violence when I pull over to finally read the email with the care it deserves.
Perhaps all of this could have been avoided if I had just spent some more time reading the directions, and the middle school teacher in me is annoyed I did not. Still, getting to Bonnaroo could be easier.
Navigating Bonnaroo on the other hand is pretty damn sweet once you are on the grounds. This being our second year covering the festival, I knew the lay of the land going into the weekend. My goal was to get there in time to see Medium Build who has been receiving some much due buzz of late. The rest of the day has some fun moments but no one I just can’t miss.
The security debacle has me a little shook. I despise the police. Even seeing an officer sets off my nervous system. Plus, I’m later than normal because of an emotional day.
This Grounded Summer Tour wound through Kentucky, the land of my birth and that of my ancestors. I started Thursday in Bowling Green, where my grandmother lived for much of my childhood. After my parents and I moved to Florida, we would go back and visit Grandmama every summer. She lived in a tiny duplex that contained such wonders my only child imagination could barely comprehend.
There was a stereo with an 8-track player and turntable. I would spend hours sitting in front of the stereo playing the albums and looking at their sleeves. Neil Diamond. Johnny Cash Live at San Quentin. Jerry Lee Lewis. Merle Haggard. We caught fireflies and kept them in jars. She made biscuits and gravy every morning and painted scenes from my favorite books.
Earlier today I stood on the road outside that unchanged dwelling as a young family peeked through the blinds in the living room where I used to sit on the floor and play Duck Hunt on Nintendo.
All good memories to be sure, but by this point an emotional day. It’s nearly 9:00 pm and I do not recognize anyone other than GWAR left on the schedule. Better to spend time setting up camp then wander the festival and see what I can discover.
Bonnaroo’s stages have initially annoying names like “What Tent,” “Which Stage,” and “This,” “That,” and “The Other.” Once you get the hang of things, it all makes sense. “What” and “Which” are the big ones with the huge names.
The only act playing either tonight is Pretty Lights, which is an artist I just do not understand no matter how hard I try. Folks will explain how he mixes sounds and whatnot but it always just sounds like the musical manifestation of a panic attack to my ears. The smaller stages have a similarly EDM leaning bent for the most part.
The Bonnaroovian code
Prepare Thyself
Play as a Team
Radiate Positivity
Respect the Farm
Don't Be That Person
Stay True Roo
I drag myself up to see The Heavy Heavy who sound delightful but my stomach is clamoring for sustenance. I have wanted to see the five piece British rock band and their throwback sound for a while. This is the first example of a rule I have developed for excellent festival attendance after years of experience. No FOMO.
There is no way to see everything at a festival like Bonnaroo. It is bigger than your imagination. There are going to be points in the weekend where you have to miss a set and go rest at camp. Or, you may need to stay for the entire hour at one tent so you do not miss a band that only tours once every ten years. Accept that you are going to miss out on some things. Do not fear it.
I catch a few minutes of an act called BIGXTHAPLUG. Folks are really into it but I can’t quite put my finger on what is happening. My thoughts are starting to sound like that of an old man and it is time to head back to camp. GWAR is not until 1:00 and Roisin Murphy even later. It is only day one and best for me to have a night cap then get some sleep. Which brings me to rule number two for excellent festival attendance experience- pace thyself.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit do not play until the end of the weekend Sunday night. Get some rest. Drink water. Eat enough calories. Pace thyself.
Stay tuned to this website and our social media accounts for more stories from Bonnaroo 2024, including an interview with global pop stars Milky Chance!