Our last day at the 'Roo came with a sense of accomplishment. Most festivals don't last four whole days. Most festivals aren't sprawled out over 700 breathtaking acres (in all manners of speaking) of farmland, transforming each day into a series of impromptu treks. Most festivals don't require you to survive on port-a-potties and "alternative shower solutions" for the better part of a week. But Bonnaroo was all those things and much more, and by the time we were preparing to leave Manchester, it felt a little like heading for the barracks after a battle: bittersweet. (editor's note: I've never been in a battle.)
I do give the Bonnaroo folks credit. The hip-hop at the festival wasn't anything close to wall-to-wall, let's be real, but there was no shortage of major headliners and indie up-and-comers in attendance, and none of their sets ever overlapped, allowing heads to navigate the festivities with ease. Erykah Badu and Snoop Dogg were scheduled for the main stage back to back Sunday afternoon, and neither dissappointed. Erykah strutted on-stage wearing about 3 layers too many, including a Public Enemy hoodie and a bowler cap. She was a little too laid back/ cool for school for my tastes, but there were a number of dreadlocked fans around me who seemed to be getting just what they came for.
Snoop was another story. The Dogg bounded out (six and a half feet plus a shower cap) and quickly ran through heavy hitters like "Gin and Juice" and "Bitch Please." By the time "Sensual Seduction" came around, the whole sea of "bonnaroonians" stretched in front of a stage where Bruce Springsteen had played the night before, were gleefully shaking their asses. Hip-hop was alive and well in Manchester.
All in all, we wouldn't trade the experience for anything. The sense of discovery, the diversity of music, the late-night mayhem, the painted-on bikinis. We need more. We won't stop. Lolla anyone? Coachella? Leave a light on for us. We'll be there.
Snoop was another story. The Dogg bounded out (six and a half feet plus a shower cap) and quickly ran through heavy hitters like "Gin and Juice" and "Bitch Please." By the time "Sensual Seduction" came around, the whole sea of "bonnaroonians" stretched in front of a stage where Bruce Springsteen had played the night before, were gleefully shaking their asses. Hip-hop was alive and well in Manchester.
All in all, we wouldn't trade the experience for anything. The sense of discovery, the diversity of music, the late-night mayhem, the painted-on bikinis. We need more. We won't stop. Lolla anyone? Coachella? Leave a light on for us. We'll be there.
Subscribe to the 1000G feed
Leave a comment