Bonnaroo 2008 | Late-Night Sets and Artist Additions
Story by:
Marc Whitman
With the initial Bonnaroo line-up announcement just about a month off the presses, they’ve now announced the late-night sets and made some artists additions. Check it out, if you haven’t already:
Late night sets:
My Morning Jacket
Phil Lesh & Friends
Artist Additions:
Cat Power
The Disco Biscuits
Zappa Plays Zappa
MSTRKRFT
Chromeo
Comedy Addition:
Chris Rock
Man, MMJ coming back for the late-night slot should be good times. The others are decent artist additions, but nothing terribly mind-blowing. Just a nice mix to keep all types of fans interested. It’s great to see the Disco Biscuits finally making it back to Bonnaroo — although, they really should have been included in one of those late-night spots too.
I also find it interesting that this festival continues to flesh out the comedians. They added Chris Rock! That’s just silly for some reason (no pun intended). They’ve really spread beyond the standard festival offerings to give fans a little something from all forms of entertainment.
By the way, is it me, or is the Bonnaroo website so much more ’60’s-era-hippie’ this year? What’s the deal with the pastels and the spewing mushroom fountain? It’s even more noticeable when they’ve got Pearl Jam and Metallica headlining. Seeing Eddie Vedder’s scowling mug below that pastel header just cracks me up for some reason.
So, anyone going? Anyone one the fence and suddenly won-over by Chris Rock? Talk to us.
Many people criticize Bonnaroo’s lineup this year as being a commercialized sell-out, drifting away from its original glory.
Sure, they may have Metallica and Pearl Jam headlining, but there are actual jam bands there too. (And of course, Metallica and Pearl Jam are both incredible bands, so there’s no need to hate on them just because they’ve received commercial success, and their music is of a different genre than that which is typically associated with Bonnaroo. Led Zeppelin was also VERY commercialized, but I doubt that the critics would be bitching if they played.
Also playing are THE ALLMAN BROTHERS, who are absolutely f***ing incredible. Sure, Duane’s dead, but Greg ain’t, and Duane’s replacement guitarists, Warren Haynes, and Derek Trucks are also legends in their own right. BB KING is playing. He’s the king of the blues, dammit!!! PHIL LESH, a founding member of the Grateful Dead is playing. LEVON HELM, the drummer and vocalist of The Band is playing (You know, the band that plays the song, “The Weight: Take a Load Off”.
DEREK TRUCKS, one of THE best slide guitarists in the entire world is playing, as is his wife, Susan Tedeschi. She’s a younger version of Bonnie Raitt. She’s awesome! ROBERT PLANT of Led Zeppelin will be playing there with Allison Krauss. Sure, it ain’t like the good ol’ days when he was with Zeppelin, BUT STILL, ITS ROBERT F***ING PLANT! Bob Marley’s son, Stephen Marley will be playing. Frank Zappa’s son, Dweezil Zappa will be playing.
There’s at least 5 of the all-time greatest guitarists of rock and blues that will be playing. Give me a f***ing break…There’s tons of talent. Look a little further down Bonnaroo’s lineup and you’ll come across up-and-coming bands like Back Door Slam. Some of them are damn good.
So, yes, the atmosphere has changed. There surely be more undercover cops this year, but the talent is still there.
Many people criticize Bonnaroo’s lineup this year as being a commercialized sell-out, drifting away from its original glory.
Sure, they may have Metallica and Pearl Jam headlining, but there are actual jam bands there too. (And of course, Metallica and Pearl Jam are both incredible bands, so there’s no need to hate on them just because they’ve received commercial success, and their music is of a different genre than that which is typically associated with Bonnaroo. Led Zeppelin was also VERY commercialized, but I doubt that the critics would be bitching if they played.
Also playing are THE ALLMAN BROTHERS, who are absolutely f***ing incredible. Sure, Duane’s dead, but Greg ain’t, and Duane’s replacement guitarists, Warren Haynes, and Derek Trucks are also legends in their own right. BB KING is playing. He’s the king of the blues, dammit!!! PHIL LESH, a founding member of the Grateful Dead is playing. LEVON HELM, the drummer and vocalist of The Band is playing (You know, the band that plays the song, “The Weight: Take a Load Off”.
DEREK TRUCKS, one of THE best slide guitarists in the entire world is playing, as is his wife, Susan Tedeschi. She’s a younger version of Bonnie Raitt. She’s awesome! ROBERT PLANT of Led Zeppelin will be playing there with Allison Krauss. Sure, it ain’t like the good ol’ days when he was with Zeppelin, BUT STILL, ITS ROBERT F***ING PLANT! Bob Marley’s son, Stephen Marley will be playing. Frank Zappa’s son, Dweezil Zappa will be playing.
There’s at least 5 of the all-time greatest guitarists of rock and blues that will be playing. Give me a f***ing break…There’s tons of talent. Look a little further down Bonnaroo’s lineup and you’ll come across up-and-coming bands like Back Door Slam. Some of them are damn good.
So, yes, the atmosphere has changed. There surely be more undercover cops this year, but the talent is still there.
Bonnaroo’s music has changed thats for sure but being there the last three years the vibe has also changed. I got searched rediculously going into the concert area EVERY TIME and they even opened my ciggarette pack and took a J out and took it. BONNAROO IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE. The undercovers are all over the place it just doesnt have the same feel. stick to the smaller festies if your looking to find what bonnaroo once was
Bonnaroo’s music has changed thats for sure but being there the last three years the vibe has also changed. I got searched rediculously going into the concert area EVERY TIME and they even opened my ciggarette pack and took a J out and took it. BONNAROO IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE. The undercovers are all over the place it just doesnt have the same feel. stick to the smaller festies if your looking to find what bonnaroo once was
Hippies pride themselves as being the most tolerant, accepting, and diverse group of people around. Their reaction towards the lineup at Bonnaroo this year proves this to be untrue. And since when does non-conformist mean conforming to everything? Seriously. Hippies are the most conformist group of people out there. They listen to the same music. They have the same beliefs. They dress the same. They talk the same. If there was ever a closed minded, conformist group of people, it’s modern day (pseudo) hippies. There is more out there than Phil, The Dead, String Cheese, and Moe. I for one look forward to the musical variety that will be present at Bonnaroo this year.
Hippies pride themselves as being the most tolerant, accepting, and diverse group of people around. Their reaction towards the lineup at Bonnaroo this year proves this to be untrue. And since when does non-conformist mean conforming to everything? Seriously. Hippies are the most conformist group of people out there. They listen to the same music. They have the same beliefs. They dress the same. They talk the same. If there was ever a closed minded, conformist group of people, it’s modern day (pseudo) hippies. There is more out there than Phil, The Dead, String Cheese, and Moe. I for one look forward to the musical variety that will be present at Bonnaroo this year.
I agree with Brett for the most part. I’m not convinced that ‘selling out’ means not just having jambands headlining. The lineup this year is amazing and I’m going for my 6th year straight. I’m also excited for Metallica eventhough I’ve never been a huge fan. I know they wouldn’t be headlining if the people behind Bonnaroo didn’t believe that they would put on an amazing show. I loved Tool last year (way more than the Police). I wonder if Vedder is going to sit in with anybody.
I agree with Brett for the most part. I’m not convinced that ‘selling out’ means not just having jambands headlining. The lineup this year is amazing and I’m going for my 6th year straight. I’m also excited for Metallica eventhough I’ve never been a huge fan. I know they wouldn’t be headlining if the people behind Bonnaroo didn’t believe that they would put on an amazing show. I loved Tool last year (way more than the Police). I wonder if Vedder is going to sit in with anybody.
For weeks now I have got to take in the up and down comments from previous Roo’ers about this years lineup and it is pretty funny actually. I have been for the last 2 years and I will 100% be making the trip to Manchester this year. Let me just though out a few responses to some of the postings above. Pearl Jam playing at Bonnaroo with be epic because, well, its Bonnaroo. What Bonnaroo has become today is a probably the most diverse entertainment Mecca in the world. Glastonbury is it’s European counterpart. I will also 100% agree that the face of the festival has drastically changed in the last 2-3 years but by no means is this a faggy MTV festival. I mean when is the last time you even saw Radiohead, Dave, Metallica, Pearl Jam, etc. even on MTV. At least this is not a festival with Creed and Daughtry headlining. Now that would be s***e. And I can promise you that as long as Bonnaroo is in existence, it will have a hippy resemblance to it. I can promise you that there is many, many more people who are rejoicing over this years artist announcement than those who are bitching and moaning. Also for the one speaking of a “real” festival, it does not get any more “real” than this. Bonnaroo is so much more than the music. The music is the pulse that drives that machine at Bonnaroo, if you will. Thats whats makes that weekend so special. They could play nothing but country and I would still go. For me really I guess its just as much about the people as anything else. See you in Manchester!!!!
For weeks now I have got to take in the up and down comments from previous Roo’ers about this years lineup and it is pretty funny actually. I have been for the last 2 years and I will 100% be making the trip to Manchester this year. Let me just though out a few responses to some of the postings above. Pearl Jam playing at Bonnaroo with be epic because, well, its Bonnaroo. What Bonnaroo has become today is a probably the most diverse entertainment Mecca in the world. Glastonbury is it’s European counterpart. I will also 100% agree that the face of the festival has drastically changed in the last 2-3 years but by no means is this a faggy MTV festival. I mean when is the last time you even saw Radiohead, Dave, Metallica, Pearl Jam, etc. even on MTV. At least this is not a festival with Creed and Daughtry headlining. Now that would be s***e. And I can promise you that as long as Bonnaroo is in existence, it will have a hippy resemblance to it. I can promise you that there is many, many more people who are rejoicing over this years artist announcement than those who are bitching and moaning. Also for the one speaking of a “real” festival, it does not get any more “real” than this. Bonnaroo is so much more than the music. The music is the pulse that drives that machine at Bonnaroo, if you will. Thats whats makes that weekend so special. They could play nothing but country and I would still go. For me really I guess its just as much about the people as anything else. See you in Manchester!!!!
if by sellout you mean that bonnaroo has now become a festival with truly diverse musical offerings that span an unprecedented array of genres, then sure. I can’t figure out when anything not “hippie” became a sellout.
if by sellout you mean that bonnaroo has now become a festival with truly diverse musical offerings that span an unprecedented array of genres, then sure. I can’t figure out when anything not “hippie” became a sellout.
Are you serious Bonnaroo was a classic hippie festival trying to emulate Woodstock. Go look at the first 2 years lineups and see the difference. Kayne? Metallica? Dave Matthews? Bright Eyes. It has deffinetly turned the corner and reached the sell out status in the past few years. Having headliners like Tool, and Metallica are a littler different then the festival it used to be. Headliners should be amazingly huge jam bands for example THE DEAD, WIDESPREAD PANIC, NEIL YOUNG, BOB DYLAN, ALLMAN BROS. MOE., TREY. If you think this festival hasnt drastically changed for the worse your insane. Go to a real festival like ALL GOOD, or 10k, or Summer Camp.
Are you serious Bonnaroo was a classic hippie festival trying to emulate Woodstock. Go look at the first 2 years lineups and see the difference. Kayne? Metallica? Dave Matthews? Bright Eyes. It has deffinetly turned the corner and reached the sell out status in the past few years. Having headliners like Tool, and Metallica are a littler different then the festival it used to be. Headliners should be amazingly huge jam bands for example THE DEAD, WIDESPREAD PANIC, NEIL YOUNG, BOB DYLAN, ALLMAN BROS. MOE., TREY. If you think this festival hasnt drastically changed for the worse your insane. Go to a real festival like ALL GOOD, or 10k, or Summer Camp.
Re: lukef1984
What are you talking about! Pearl Jam has not been on MTV since “Jeremy”…. they stopped making videos bacause they wanted it to be about the music not a catchy video that went along with a song.
Re: lukef1984
What are you talking about! Pearl Jam has not been on MTV since “Jeremy”…. they stopped making videos bacause they wanted it to be about the music not a catchy video that went along with a song.
I went to the first two Bonnaroos when it still was Bonnaroo. Headliners were bands such as The Dead, Widespread Panic, Neil Young, Trey Anastasio. Those were the good old days. Bands like moe., bela fleck, ben harper, jack johnson, umphreys were staples of the festival. Once Dave, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Metallica started coming it becamse MTVroo not Bonnaroo. This lineup sucks and is a joke you should be ashamed to go to such a sell out festival
I went to the first two Bonnaroos when it still was Bonnaroo. Headliners were bands such as The Dead, Widespread Panic, Neil Young, Trey Anastasio. Those were the good old days. Bands like moe., bela fleck, ben harper, jack johnson, umphreys were staples of the festival. Once Dave, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Metallica started coming it becamse MTVroo not Bonnaroo. This lineup sucks and is a joke you should be ashamed to go to such a sell out festival
Actually it won’t be historic cause they played Lollapalooza last year. Nice try though.
Actually it won’t be historic cause they played Lollapalooza last year. Nice try though.
Okay, the fact that Pearl Jam is headlining Bonnaroo this year is amazing. I have been every year and have been waiting for them to add a band like Pearl Jam. This will be historic. I LOVE THIS FESTIVAL AND NOW THAT THEY HAVE ADDED THE GREATEST BAND IN THE WORLD TODAY MAKES THIS THE GREATEST FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD TODAY, HANDS DOWN! Eddie Vedder and Co. will rock like no other every has!
Okay, the fact that Pearl Jam is headlining Bonnaroo this year is amazing. I have been every year and have been waiting for them to add a band like Pearl Jam. This will be historic. I LOVE THIS FESTIVAL AND NOW THAT THEY HAVE ADDED THE GREATEST BAND IN THE WORLD TODAY MAKES THIS THE GREATEST FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD TODAY, HANDS DOWN! Eddie Vedder and Co. will rock like no other every has!
I’m headin back to the roo this year for the first time since radiohead a couple of years ago. Main reasons… a f’ing good time. Oh… that and MMJ and Pearl Jam are playing. How do you pass up MMJ late night at the Which Stage?
I’m headin back to the roo this year for the first time since radiohead a couple of years ago. Main reasons… a f’ing good time. Oh… that and MMJ and Pearl Jam are playing. How do you pass up MMJ late night at the Which Stage?