Reviews & Photos | Bonnaroo 2015 | Manchester
By L. Paul Mann Jun 20, 2015 • 2:57 pm PDT
Words & Images by: L. Paul Mann
Bonnaroo 2015 :: 6.11 -14.15 :: Manchester, TN
Follow these links to see L. Paul’s full photo galleries from Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4.
Bonnaroo, the most prestigious and sophisticated music festival in the United States, came to a close Sunday night, June 14, completing a historic 14 year run. The festival, known for its impromptu jams and all night sets, saw many new first time events and changes to the revered format. The biggest change came this year when Bonnaroo’s co-founders, AC Entertainment and Superfly, sold a controlling share of their beloved operation to Live Nation, the concert promotion giant that also owns more than 60 festivals, including Austin City Limits and Lollapalooza. Live Nation is currently engaged in a corporate takeover war against AEG Live to grab up the last remaining independent festivals. But Bonnaroo’s longtime organizers have said they would retain control of day-to-day operations, insisting the sale will only enhance the scope and quality of the Manchester experience. Local officials are also getting ready for a total of four large music events each year. Bonnaroo already brings some 50 million dollars annually into the tiny Manchester community coffers, so local officials will no doubt be delighted with expanded operations at the concert site.
The most physical changes to the festival include bigger and better facilities, from more bathrooms and water areas, to larger shade and gathering areas. Everything seemed better organized with plenty of staff on hand to process lines, keep the grounds clean and make sure nearly every set ran on time, like clockwork. Even the weather cooperated with relatively mild temperatures, compared to the normally swampy and sizzling June heat up in Eastern Tennessee. There was also no rain to speak of, keeping the fields from becoming mass mud pits like some of the past years.
The changes to the music have actually been morphing to a more modern, younger fanbase, but as usual keeping in a good mix of almost every pop music genre including, classic rock, country, bluegrass, EDM, hip-hop, and a little world beat music. Jam band fans may be a little disappointed that the other genres have infiltrated their territory. For instance, this years legendary Superjam, included hip-hop, and EDM artists, as well as jam band stalwarts. For hard core jam band fans, probably nothing could top last year’s three hour set anchored by Tedeschi Trucks Band and featuring a small army of jam band legends, moving in and to of the extended set. But, as the big Superjam the following night showed, their were plenty of eager young fans, for the crossover jam led by EDM star Skrillex, that featured musicians as diverse as the Doors Robbie Krieger, to the Fugees’ Ms. Lauryn Hill. Young music fans are now embracing the jam band experience as a truly versatile mix of musical genres. About the only downside to this years’ Bonnaroo festival was that many of the headliners had their sets shortened to be more in line with other music festivals, leaving only the biggest closing acts with the coveted two hours plus time slots. This, of course didn’t apply to this year Superjam, which lasted nearly three hours. This year saw the first main stage headline show by an EDM star deadmau5 and a Superjam, that by any account, was a unique one off of musical genius. Whether the new changes at Bonnaroo will make for a better or worse festival will ultimately be decided by the music fans who chose whether or not to face the grueling festival ordeal to witness history being made.
Opening day of Bonnaroo 2015 was a downright pleasant one, with temperatures peaking in the lower 80s and puffy white clouds partially blocking the blazing summer sun. The mood in Centeroo was a pleasant one as well, with perhaps one of the most polite crowds ever at the festival, at least this first day. “Pardon me” and “excuse me” may have been the most used expressions throughout the grounds as eager fans daintily made their way through the masses. Bonnaroo often emphasizes the “we are all in this together” and “exude positive vibes” approaches to dealing with the massive crowds in their literature, and the message seems to have been received. Everywhere eager concertgoers offered up high fives and chanted “ROO” incessantly.
This years festival offered new and bigger facilities all throughout Centeroo. New in the campground this year was The Grove, a shady tree area within the campgrounds complete with fancy lighting, hammocks and art installations. Performance artists planned entertainment throughout the festival at the new site. In Centeroo, the infamous mushroom fountain was the center of attraction long before the music began. With a huge waft of fresh white water the fountain proved irresistible for sweaty music fans looking to indulge in a showery euphoria. As the festival progresses the fountain tends to take on a brown tinge from the recycled water and the water pressure slowly wanes. So this first day is the optimum one to take a dip in the watery wonder. This years fountain artwork was designed by Queen Andrea (Andrea von Bujdoss), a New York graffiti and paint artist.
With the two main stages yet to open on Friday, the three tent stages became the main stages. First to play was the young hard rock trio Unlocking The Truth from Brooklyn, New York. First formed in 2010, the trio consists of guitarist and vocalist Malcolm Brickhouse, bassist and vocalist Alec Atkins and drummer and vocalist Jarad Dawkins. Beginning as a child novelty act they have greatly matured over the last two years on the festival circuit both musically and physically. Lead singer Brickhouse has a much deeper voice than just a year ago, lending itself better to the traditional metal music that the band has perfected.
Sydney based Australian band DMA, followed soon after with their own Indie style rock music sounding a bit inspired by Faith No More. Strand Of Oaks, a music project by Indiana singer Timothy Showalter also was another crowd favorite, firing up the audience with folksy southern inspired rock. Sultry San Diego singer Ryn Weaver turned in an early smoking performance with her kick ass band.
Copenhagen based Iceage brought a retro feel to their music with animated lead singer Elias Bender Rønnenfelt seeing to channel Jim Morrison and the band playing music which sounded like a cross between the Doors and a modern jam band. Meanwhile across the way another European band Temples, from Kettering England, played some fierce Euro-style psychedelic rock, led by another charismatic singer guitarist, James Bagshaw. Southern Americana rockers from Indiana, Houndmouth played an impressive set, thanking fans who helped propel them from the smaller stages that they had played in years past at Bonnaroo.
On a more jam band vein festival circuit veterans, The Growlers from Southern California offered up some intricate rock music, led by the larger than life persona of lead singer Brooks Nielsen, who tends to channel an early Bob Dylan, although Brooks can sing and dance a lot better than the legenda. The band likes to call their music “beach goth,” and their concert jams are stuff of legend in Southern California.
Dopapod may have turned in the most impressive true jam band set of the evening, offering up the kind of music that the legend of Bonnaroo was built on. This band could have played until dawn and virtually no one would have walked away. The last impressive set of the evening was turned in by EDM masters Gramatik, joined by EDM rappers Cherub for a funky all out dance party finish for the main stage’s first night.
Day two of Bonnaroo saw the whole Centeroo come alive with both mainstays up and running as well as some 10 other venues across the grounds. With so many music fans trying to move about it was time for them to pick their battles. The day was much more humid that the previous one, but the large fluffy white clouds acted as an insulation from the searing summer sun most of the day. All possibilities of rain were erased from the forecast, meaning there would be no repeats of the mudfests from some of the years past. Everyone seemed to be getting into the spirit of Bonnaroo, with creative outfits, face painting and all manner of totems being displayed. The giant waterslide and mushroom fountain were of course big hits again, with some adventurous fans shedding their clothes completely to take a bath.
Brown Sabbath got things rocking on the second largest Which stage early in the afternoon. This Austin based band rocks covers of Black Sabbath songs, adding their own funky rock take on the heavy metal legends, including a stellar horn section, creating an incredible cacophony of sound. The young psychedelic rock band from Australia, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard packed the tent early on. Often compared to Tame Impala, their sound is retro and fresh at the same time and band members perform with the rebellious energy of young rockers.
Back over on the Which stage, English rock duo Royal Blood took over the crowd sweltering in the blazing afternoon heat. “Is everyone sufficiently sweaty?,” lead singer and guitarist Mike Kerr asked the crowd, as they erupted into a huge water bottle spraying fight. The band takes from other power rock duos like The Black Keys and The White Stripes, but with an edgier English garage rock sound. Jam music veterans Guster returned to Bonnaroo for the first time in 11 years, which is hard to believe since their campy indie sound is tailor made for the traditional Bonnaroo fan base. The band did a clever cover of “Come On Eileen” to mark their return to the festival.
Nashville resident Ben Folds, who may have been at every Bonnaroo festival so far, brought his new project YMusic to one of the tents, featuring a mini orchestra and offering up one of the most interesting sets of the day. One of the other most standout sets of the day was by Tanya Tagaq. The native Inuk Canadian comes from remote Nunavut on the South coast of Victoria Island. She joked with the crowd that she had to fly back the next day because it was too hot for her so far south. The young singer displayed a modern take on the guttural vocal style of traditional throat singing usually done between two women, but modified by Tagaq with the help of two incredible musicians playing avant grade instruments like a tiny horn that emulated the sound of whales. The trance like music produced truly original music.
SOJA turned in one of the only reggae inspired sets at the years Bonnaroo, but what a set it was. Playing to a mid-afternoon main stage crowd of at least 30,000, the band pulled out all the stops in their genre-bending take on reggae music. Speaking of genre-bending music, local Nashville indie favorites, Moon Taxi played a rock set that was infused by influences as diverse as Radiohead and hip-hop music. The resulting musical cocktail was magnificent.
The newly remodeled Who stage, formerly the Sonic stage, showcases lesser known musical acts, and some of the real gem sets of Bonnaroo can be heard here without the massive crowds of the bigger stages. Playing some southern California desert tinged rock, Mini Mansions, the side project of bassist Michael Shuman from Queens of The Stone Age, was one of the Friday treasures found on the little noticed stage. As night fell on the main stage, Alabama Shakes brought their rocking roots inspired sound to a massive euphoric audience. Led by gutsy gospel and blues singer Brittany Howard, the band brings back memories of an early Janis Joplin with Big Brother and The Holding Company. These veterans of the festival circuit have reached a new crescendo of sound with their latest tour and album.
Meanwhile back in the tent area, classic English rockers Tears For Fears were wowing the crowd with their timeless Beatles-esque sound that made them so famous in the 1980s. The founding duo, Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, may have aged physically but their immense musical talent has stood the test of time and they are still a great live band. Ben Harper, the blues drenched singer and phenomenal guitarist, played a smoking set backed by his band of veteran musicians The Innocent Criminals.
As the night wore on a massive crowd made their way to the main stage for what may have been the best set of the night. Kendrick Lamar, the Los Angeles hip-hop artist has had a meteoric rise in his career over the last two years, headlining a dizzying array of music festivals. Lamar came to perform at Bonnaroo and the crowd went wild for his fresh rap sound. The inevitable comparison between his set and last year’s set by superstar Kanye West had to be made. Unlike the whining, meandering set of probably the biggest rap star on the planet, Lamar endeared himself to the crowd and played off of a terrific backing band. His incredible group of musicians gave a whole new dimension to Lamar’s’ popular rap songs.
Meanwhile a much smaller crowd was swaying to the super “Avant Groove” sound of Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood. Any one of these jazz rock greats could turn in a formidable set of live music, but together they created some of the most sophisticated and intricate music of the festival.
Late night on the Which stage a large crowd gathered to see and hear the offerings of 1970s disco legends Earth, Wind & Fire. The band has actually been producing a variety of different music sounds over the decades, but it is their timeless classic dance hits that always get the crowd gyrating. The surviving members of the classic band played on singing, dancing and joking like teen spirits. While Kendrick Lamar’s set may have been the biggest surprise of the night. It was the last main stage set on Friday that made history.
Canadian EDM star deadmau5 was the first EDM act to headline Bonnaroo. The mouse-eared electronic music guru seems to take his cues from the legendary French electronic wizard, Jean Michel Jarre. Jarre was well known for his spectacular on-off performances of EDM music, with incredible synched visuals like fireworks and huge light shows. He was the precursor to today’s modern EDM show, heavy on visual emphasis. To this end deadmau5 has taken the visual performance to a whole new level with a spectacular light show. Whatever you may think of EDM music as an art form, deadmau5 creates a unique symphony of sound for each set, more like a classical orchestra than your typical EDM DJ. The huge crowd at Bonnaroo loved his closing set, creating a sea of glow sticks and all manner of costumes. Deadmau5, Kendrick Lamar, Alabama Shakes, and SOJA all warmly received on the same stage. Could that happen anywhere else but Bonnaroo?
The third day of Bonnaroo began early with temperatures warming to nearly 90 and the beloved clouds beginning to fade. Saturday is always the longest day at Bonnaroo with music starting before noon and going until first light, which comes early in Eastern Tennessee a few weeks from the summer solstice. Many festival campers were beginning to sag under the searing summer sun. Lines were long to get into the air conditioned venues like the comedy tent where Mad Men star Jon Hamm could be observed feeding gummy bears to comedian Zach Galifianakis down on all or fours. There were long lines into the cinema tent where a pale, dark hooded Corey Feldman answered questions about his film career and played with his band dressed in white lingerie complete with angel wings. But many just passed out in any shady spot they could find.
For those who still had the energy to crowd into the different venues there were also more music choices than any other day. The first band up on the main stage was the Duluth, Minnesota bluegrass troupe Trampled By Turtles. This veteran group of the festival circuit is simply one of the best bluegrass bands in the country, with tinges of all manner of Americana music including rock, folk and country. Over on the Which stage Rhiannon Giddens was playing banjo and singing like an angel. The former Carolina Chocolate Drops singer has gone solo with her exquisite voice.
In the tent area a large crowd gathered for the quirky geeky music of Jack Antonoff and his band Bleachers. The musical savant has written numerous hit songs for other performers like Taylor Swift and for his own projects including the band fun. Like fun., Bleachers are all-out feel-good rock, but more guitar driven. The War On Drugs took the stage in the afternoon to play their popular brand of retro inspired neo psychedelia. Sturgill Simpson played one of the purest alternative country sets of the festival. Simpson’s life read like an episode of Justified, growing up in a small Kentucky town, with a father in law enforcement and relatives in the coal mining industry. Maybe that is why his lyrics seem to ring so true.
Gary Clark Jr. played a guitar drenched sunset set on the Which stage in front of a large crowd coming to life with the fading searing sun. Clark, a prodigy since the age of 12, channels Austin blues perfectly into his sets. While a huge crowd gathered for a well-received set by Bonnaroo veteran band My Morning Jacket, a much smaller crowd watched one of the gem sets at this years festival. In a salute to deceased African musician William Onyeabor, a small army of legendary jazz, soul and funk players came together under the moniker, “Atomic Bomb.” The phenomenal players included English soul singer Jamie Lidell, Luke Jenner, Money Mark, Pat Mahoney, Sinkane, Mike Floss and the incredible jazz trumpet legend Charles Lloyd. The jam was astonishingly good.
A little later a sizable crowd gathered around the tiny Who stage for a set by NewYork alternative rockers X Ambassadors. The high energy foursome wowed the crowd with spunky set. Every year Bonnaroo tries to include at least one big Metal band in the lineup and this year it was one of the “Big Four” thrash metal bands, Slayer. The band delivered the hard driving headbanging set the they are so well known for.
The Saturday headline set was by Mumford & Sons. It was a triumphant return for the band who had to cancel their planned 2013 headlining set due to bass player Ted Dwayne’s emergency brain surgery. It was great to see Dwayne seemingly fully recovered as the band played flawlessly though one of the longest sets on the main stage, before inviting out nearly everyone who had played on the main stage throughout the day. That included My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and Patrick Hallahan, Dawes Taylor Goldsmith, Hozier, photographer and harmonica player Danny Clinch, The War On Drugs saxophonist Jon Natchez and others. Appropriately they all played a cover of The Beatles’ “With A Little Help From My Friends.”
For many though the biggest thrills of the night came during the three-hour late night jam session dubbed “Throwback SuperJam Block Party.” Like last year an EDM star led the festivities acting as a sort of maestro to the funky orchestra of pop stars. Pretty Lights took the honor this year and Skrillex held the coveted spot last year. The event was kicked off by an exuberant introduction by Zach Galifianakis and Jon Hamm. What followed was an extraordinary three-hour jam anchored by a phenomenal band, and a seemingly endless array of guest singers. The band featured one of the best dual bass matchups ever with the former The Allman Brothers Band bassist Oteil Burbridge and Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo. Robert “Sput” Searight played killer drums. A horn section led by Karl Denson smoked the entire night. Eric Krasno wailed through the evening. John Medeski and Brian Coogan played an array of keyboards. Guest singers included, Cherub, Rhiannon Giddens, SZA, Jack Antonoff, Reggie Watts, Chance The Rapper, Jamie Lidell, and legendary rapper DMC, who may have stole the show toward the end. The singers picked covers from the 1980s and the live video would be interspersed with clips of the original performers making for a great visual for the legions of music fans trying to cram into the tent for the marathon jam. On an interesting side note, both Antonoff and Watts appeared on the Late Late Show the following Monday and did not realize that they were both guest performers in the Superjam.
While the phenomenal Superjam was going on one of the biggest Bassnectar was living up to his moniker playing thumping beats across on the Which stage, with a fantastical light show. It is hard to believe that this same DJ was the lounge act on Jam Cruise 10 years ago. But as the early morning light began to appear on the horizon and the Superjam and Bassnectar sets came to a close, young dance enthusiast weren’t done yet, crowding around the giant Calliope machine that spit out gas flames high into the air and dancing literally until the sun came up.
The final day is always the shortest at Bonnaroo, with almost all the music coming to a close before the final 9 p.m. headlining act comes out. Traditionally, many younger EDM fans pack up and leave this last day, but this year it seemed that many more than usual stuck around with such a strong final day line up to choose from. Temperatures in the low 90s made it the hottest day of the festival and again early on many were seeking the sanctuary of shady areas.
But by the time Southern California rockers AWOLNATION hit the Which stage in the afternoon, legions of music lovers began crowding around the stage. Animated lead singer Aaron Bruno had the crowd fist pumping early on. Austin rockers, Spoon followed on the massive main stage, also with a well received set. Brandi Carlile, a Washington state folk rocker took over the Which stage and played a fiery brand of southern rock influenced Americana music.
Florence + The Machine played the main stage in late afternoon to an absolutely massive crowd. Lead singer Florence Welch pranced around the stage like one of the whirling dervishes, belying the fact that she had broken her ankle at the first week of the Coachella festival back in April. She actually had to be carried on stage for her second weekend performance at Coachella and the U.K. band played a very unusual set in deference to her handicap. But Florence hit the stage at Bonnaroo with all guns firing and it may have been the best mainstage set of the final day.
The huge crowd then stood up en masse and moved all the way over to the Which stage, in a testament to the draw of the legendary Robert Plant. Together with his band the Sensational Space Shifters, he too played an energetic set, no doubt spurned on by the huge crowd. With their relentless touring schedule over the last few years, the band has become a real powerhouse of jam rock music, meshing perfectly with the vocals of the legendary front man of Led Zeppelin.
The coveted closing set was taken up this year by classic American rocker, Billy Joel and by the time the singer piano man took the stage, most of the massive crowd had made it back from the other side of the festival. The personable Joel played some of his massive catalog of classic hits and joked with the audience throughout the show. Early on he said, “This must be what Woodstock looked like. I was there at Woodstock, not to play but in the audience.” Later he looked up in the sky feigned ducking and said “What the hell is that?,” as several candle lanterns drifted up into the balmy night sky. Then he pretended to shoot them down with an invisible gun. Joel featured a talented band of veteran musicians including a phenomenal saxophone player. Later he came out from behind his revolving piano and played guitar on several tunes, including a cover of “Highway To Hell” by AC/DC. He had one of his roadies come out and sing lead for the song. Finally he admonished the crowd not to drink and drive. “Do what I do,” he said. “Take a limousine.”
Then as quickly as it started Bonnaroo 2015 was over. Joel, while playing a respectable hour and 45 minutes, actually left 45 minutes earlier than his allowed set time, leaving the crowd chanting for more to no avail. The final performers are always given an extended set time and most choose to use it to full advantage or even go beyond the times in marathon jam sessions. But this anticlimactic moment was probably one of the only sour notes in what was otherwise a very successful Bonnaroo 2015.
Follow these links to see L. Paul’s full photo galleries from Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4.
Bonnaroo, the most prestigious and sophisticated music festival in the United States, came to a close Sunday night, June 14, completing a historic 14 year run. The festival, known for its impromptu jams and all night sets, saw many new first time events and changes to the revered format. The biggest change came this year when Bonnaroo’s co-founders, AC Entertainment and Superfly, sold a controlling share of their beloved operation to Live Nation, the concert promotion giant that also owns more than 60 festivals, including Austin City Limits and Lollapalooza. Live Nation is currently engaged in a corporate takeover war against AEG Live to grab up the last remaining independent festivals. But Bonnaroo’s longtime organizers have said they would retain control of day-to-day operations, insisting the sale will only enhance the scope and quality of the Manchester experience. Local officials are also getting ready for a total of four large music events each year. Bonnaroo already brings some 50 million dollars annually into the tiny Manchester community coffers, so local officials will no doubt be delighted with expanded operations at the concert site.
The most physical changes to the festival include bigger and better facilities, from more bathrooms and water areas, to larger shade and gathering areas. Everything seemed better organized with plenty of staff on hand to process lines, keep the grounds clean and make sure nearly every set ran on time, like clockwork. Even the weather cooperated with relatively mild temperatures, compared to the normally swampy and sizzling June heat up in Eastern Tennessee. There was also no rain to speak of, keeping the fields from becoming mass mud pits like some of the past years.
The changes to the music have actually been morphing to a more modern, younger fanbase, but as usual keeping in a good mix of almost every pop music genre including, classic rock, country, bluegrass, EDM, hip-hop, and a little world beat music. Jam band fans may be a little disappointed that the other genres have infiltrated their territory. For instance, this years legendary Superjam, included hip-hop, and EDM artists, as well as jam band stalwarts. For hard core jam band fans, probably nothing could top last year’s three hour set anchored by Tedeschi Trucks Band and featuring a small army of jam band legends, moving in and to of the extended set. But, as the big Superjam the following night showed, their were plenty of eager young fans, for the crossover jam led by EDM star Skrillex, that featured musicians as diverse as the Doors Robbie Krieger, to the Fugees’ Ms. Lauryn Hill. Young music fans are now embracing the jam band experience as a truly versatile mix of musical genres. About the only downside to this years’ Bonnaroo festival was that many of the headliners had their sets shortened to be more in line with other music festivals, leaving only the biggest closing acts with the coveted two hours plus time slots. This, of course didn’t apply to this year Superjam, which lasted nearly three hours. This year saw the first main stage headline show by an EDM star deadmau5 and a Superjam, that by any account, was a unique one off of musical genius. Whether the new changes at Bonnaroo will make for a better or worse festival will ultimately be decided by the music fans who chose whether or not to face the grueling festival ordeal to witness history being made.
Opening day of Bonnaroo 2015 was a downright pleasant one, with temperatures peaking in the lower 80s and puffy white clouds partially blocking the blazing summer sun. The mood in Centeroo was a pleasant one as well, with perhaps one of the most polite crowds ever at the festival, at least this first day. “Pardon me” and “excuse me” may have been the most used expressions throughout the grounds as eager fans daintily made their way through the masses. Bonnaroo often emphasizes the “we are all in this together” and “exude positive vibes” approaches to dealing with the massive crowds in their literature, and the message seems to have been received. Everywhere eager concertgoers offered up high fives and chanted “ROO” incessantly.
This years festival offered new and bigger facilities all throughout Centeroo. New in the campground this year was The Grove, a shady tree area within the campgrounds complete with fancy lighting, hammocks and art installations. Performance artists planned entertainment throughout the festival at the new site. In Centeroo, the infamous mushroom fountain was the center of attraction long before the music began. With a huge waft of fresh white water the fountain proved irresistible for sweaty music fans looking to indulge in a showery euphoria. As the festival progresses the fountain tends to take on a brown tinge from the recycled water and the water pressure slowly wanes. So this first day is the optimum one to take a dip in the watery wonder. This years fountain artwork was designed by Queen Andrea (Andrea von Bujdoss), a New York graffiti and paint artist.
With the two main stages yet to open on Friday, the three tent stages became the main stages. First to play was the young hard rock trio Unlocking The Truth from Brooklyn, New York. First formed in 2010, the trio consists of guitarist and vocalist Malcolm Brickhouse, bassist and vocalist Alec Atkins and drummer and vocalist Jarad Dawkins. Beginning as a child novelty act they have greatly matured over the last two years on the festival circuit both musically and physically. Lead singer Brickhouse has a much deeper voice than just a year ago, lending itself better to the traditional metal music that the band has perfected.
Sydney based Australian band DMA, followed soon after with their own Indie style rock music sounding a bit inspired by Faith No More. Strand Of Oaks, a music project by Indiana singer Timothy Showalter also was another crowd favorite, firing up the audience with folksy southern inspired rock. Sultry San Diego singer Ryn Weaver turned in an early smoking performance with her kick ass band.
Copenhagen based Iceage brought a retro feel to their music with animated lead singer Elias Bender Rønnenfelt seeing to channel Jim Morrison and the band playing music which sounded like a cross between the Doors and a modern jam band. Meanwhile across the way another European band Temples, from Kettering England, played some fierce Euro-style psychedelic rock, led by another charismatic singer guitarist, James Bagshaw. Southern Americana rockers from Indiana, Houndmouth played an impressive set, thanking fans who helped propel them from the smaller stages that they had played in years past at Bonnaroo.
On a more jam band vein festival circuit veterans, The Growlers from Southern California offered up some intricate rock music, led by the larger than life persona of lead singer Brooks Nielsen, who tends to channel an early Bob Dylan, although Brooks can sing and dance a lot better than the legenda. The band likes to call their music “beach goth,” and their concert jams are stuff of legend in Southern California.
Dopapod may have turned in the most impressive true jam band set of the evening, offering up the kind of music that the legend of Bonnaroo was built on. This band could have played until dawn and virtually no one would have walked away. The last impressive set of the evening was turned in by EDM masters Gramatik, joined by EDM rappers Cherub for a funky all out dance party finish for the main stage’s first night.
Day two of Bonnaroo saw the whole Centeroo come alive with both mainstays up and running as well as some 10 other venues across the grounds. With so many music fans trying to move about it was time for them to pick their battles. The day was much more humid that the previous one, but the large fluffy white clouds acted as an insulation from the searing summer sun most of the day. All possibilities of rain were erased from the forecast, meaning there would be no repeats of the mudfests from some of the years past. Everyone seemed to be getting into the spirit of Bonnaroo, with creative outfits, face painting and all manner of totems being displayed. The giant waterslide and mushroom fountain were of course big hits again, with some adventurous fans shedding their clothes completely to take a bath.
Brown Sabbath got things rocking on the second largest Which stage early in the afternoon. This Austin based band rocks covers of Black Sabbath songs, adding their own funky rock take on the heavy metal legends, including a stellar horn section, creating an incredible cacophony of sound. The young psychedelic rock band from Australia, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard packed the tent early on. Often compared to Tame Impala, their sound is retro and fresh at the same time and band members perform with the rebellious energy of young rockers.
Back over on the Which stage, English rock duo Royal Blood took over the crowd sweltering in the blazing afternoon heat. “Is everyone sufficiently sweaty?,” lead singer and guitarist Mike Kerr asked the crowd, as they erupted into a huge water bottle spraying fight. The band takes from other power rock duos like The Black Keys and The White Stripes, but with an edgier English garage rock sound. Jam music veterans Guster returned to Bonnaroo for the first time in 11 years, which is hard to believe since their campy indie sound is tailor made for the traditional Bonnaroo fan base. The band did a clever cover of “Come On Eileen” to mark their return to the festival.
Nashville resident Ben Folds, who may have been at every Bonnaroo festival so far, brought his new project YMusic to one of the tents, featuring a mini orchestra and offering up one of the most interesting sets of the day. One of the other most standout sets of the day was by Tanya Tagaq. The native Inuk Canadian comes from remote Nunavut on the South coast of Victoria Island. She joked with the crowd that she had to fly back the next day because it was too hot for her so far south. The young singer displayed a modern take on the guttural vocal style of traditional throat singing usually done between two women, but modified by Tagaq with the help of two incredible musicians playing avant grade instruments like a tiny horn that emulated the sound of whales. The trance like music produced truly original music.
SOJA turned in one of the only reggae inspired sets at the years Bonnaroo, but what a set it was. Playing to a mid-afternoon main stage crowd of at least 30,000, the band pulled out all the stops in their genre-bending take on reggae music. Speaking of genre-bending music, local Nashville indie favorites, Moon Taxi played a rock set that was infused by influences as diverse as Radiohead and hip-hop music. The resulting musical cocktail was magnificent.
The newly remodeled Who stage, formerly the Sonic stage, showcases lesser known musical acts, and some of the real gem sets of Bonnaroo can be heard here without the massive crowds of the bigger stages. Playing some southern California desert tinged rock, Mini Mansions, the side project of bassist Michael Shuman from Queens of The Stone Age, was one of the Friday treasures found on the little noticed stage. As night fell on the main stage, Alabama Shakes brought their rocking roots inspired sound to a massive euphoric audience. Led by gutsy gospel and blues singer Brittany Howard, the band brings back memories of an early Janis Joplin with Big Brother and The Holding Company. These veterans of the festival circuit have reached a new crescendo of sound with their latest tour and album.
Meanwhile back in the tent area, classic English rockers Tears For Fears were wowing the crowd with their timeless Beatles-esque sound that made them so famous in the 1980s. The founding duo, Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, may have aged physically but their immense musical talent has stood the test of time and they are still a great live band. Ben Harper, the blues drenched singer and phenomenal guitarist, played a smoking set backed by his band of veteran musicians The Innocent Criminals.
As the night wore on a massive crowd made their way to the main stage for what may have been the best set of the night. Kendrick Lamar, the Los Angeles hip-hop artist has had a meteoric rise in his career over the last two years, headlining a dizzying array of music festivals. Lamar came to perform at Bonnaroo and the crowd went wild for his fresh rap sound. The inevitable comparison between his set and last year’s set by superstar Kanye West had to be made. Unlike the whining, meandering set of probably the biggest rap star on the planet, Lamar endeared himself to the crowd and played off of a terrific backing band. His incredible group of musicians gave a whole new dimension to Lamar’s’ popular rap songs.
Meanwhile a much smaller crowd was swaying to the super “Avant Groove” sound of Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood. Any one of these jazz rock greats could turn in a formidable set of live music, but together they created some of the most sophisticated and intricate music of the festival.
Late night on the Which stage a large crowd gathered to see and hear the offerings of 1970s disco legends Earth, Wind & Fire. The band has actually been producing a variety of different music sounds over the decades, but it is their timeless classic dance hits that always get the crowd gyrating. The surviving members of the classic band played on singing, dancing and joking like teen spirits. While Kendrick Lamar’s set may have been the biggest surprise of the night. It was the last main stage set on Friday that made history.
Canadian EDM star deadmau5 was the first EDM act to headline Bonnaroo. The mouse-eared electronic music guru seems to take his cues from the legendary French electronic wizard, Jean Michel Jarre. Jarre was well known for his spectacular on-off performances of EDM music, with incredible synched visuals like fireworks and huge light shows. He was the precursor to today’s modern EDM show, heavy on visual emphasis. To this end deadmau5 has taken the visual performance to a whole new level with a spectacular light show. Whatever you may think of EDM music as an art form, deadmau5 creates a unique symphony of sound for each set, more like a classical orchestra than your typical EDM DJ. The huge crowd at Bonnaroo loved his closing set, creating a sea of glow sticks and all manner of costumes. Deadmau5, Kendrick Lamar, Alabama Shakes, and SOJA all warmly received on the same stage. Could that happen anywhere else but Bonnaroo?
The third day of Bonnaroo began early with temperatures warming to nearly 90 and the beloved clouds beginning to fade. Saturday is always the longest day at Bonnaroo with music starting before noon and going until first light, which comes early in Eastern Tennessee a few weeks from the summer solstice. Many festival campers were beginning to sag under the searing summer sun. Lines were long to get into the air conditioned venues like the comedy tent where Mad Men star Jon Hamm could be observed feeding gummy bears to comedian Zach Galifianakis down on all or fours. There were long lines into the cinema tent where a pale, dark hooded Corey Feldman answered questions about his film career and played with his band dressed in white lingerie complete with angel wings. But many just passed out in any shady spot they could find.
For those who still had the energy to crowd into the different venues there were also more music choices than any other day. The first band up on the main stage was the Duluth, Minnesota bluegrass troupe Trampled By Turtles. This veteran group of the festival circuit is simply one of the best bluegrass bands in the country, with tinges of all manner of Americana music including rock, folk and country. Over on the Which stage Rhiannon Giddens was playing banjo and singing like an angel. The former Carolina Chocolate Drops singer has gone solo with her exquisite voice.
In the tent area a large crowd gathered for the quirky geeky music of Jack Antonoff and his band Bleachers. The musical savant has written numerous hit songs for other performers like Taylor Swift and for his own projects including the band fun. Like fun., Bleachers are all-out feel-good rock, but more guitar driven. The War On Drugs took the stage in the afternoon to play their popular brand of retro inspired neo psychedelia. Sturgill Simpson played one of the purest alternative country sets of the festival. Simpson’s life read like an episode of Justified, growing up in a small Kentucky town, with a father in law enforcement and relatives in the coal mining industry. Maybe that is why his lyrics seem to ring so true.
Gary Clark Jr. played a guitar drenched sunset set on the Which stage in front of a large crowd coming to life with the fading searing sun. Clark, a prodigy since the age of 12, channels Austin blues perfectly into his sets. While a huge crowd gathered for a well-received set by Bonnaroo veteran band My Morning Jacket, a much smaller crowd watched one of the gem sets at this years festival. In a salute to deceased African musician William Onyeabor, a small army of legendary jazz, soul and funk players came together under the moniker, “Atomic Bomb.” The phenomenal players included English soul singer Jamie Lidell, Luke Jenner, Money Mark, Pat Mahoney, Sinkane, Mike Floss and the incredible jazz trumpet legend Charles Lloyd. The jam was astonishingly good.
A little later a sizable crowd gathered around the tiny Who stage for a set by NewYork alternative rockers X Ambassadors. The high energy foursome wowed the crowd with spunky set. Every year Bonnaroo tries to include at least one big Metal band in the lineup and this year it was one of the “Big Four” thrash metal bands, Slayer. The band delivered the hard driving headbanging set the they are so well known for.
The Saturday headline set was by Mumford & Sons. It was a triumphant return for the band who had to cancel their planned 2013 headlining set due to bass player Ted Dwayne’s emergency brain surgery. It was great to see Dwayne seemingly fully recovered as the band played flawlessly though one of the longest sets on the main stage, before inviting out nearly everyone who had played on the main stage throughout the day. That included My Morning Jacket’s Jim James and Patrick Hallahan, Dawes Taylor Goldsmith, Hozier, photographer and harmonica player Danny Clinch, The War On Drugs saxophonist Jon Natchez and others. Appropriately they all played a cover of The Beatles’ “With A Little Help From My Friends.”
For many though the biggest thrills of the night came during the three-hour late night jam session dubbed “Throwback SuperJam Block Party.” Like last year an EDM star led the festivities acting as a sort of maestro to the funky orchestra of pop stars. Pretty Lights took the honor this year and Skrillex held the coveted spot last year. The event was kicked off by an exuberant introduction by Zach Galifianakis and Jon Hamm. What followed was an extraordinary three-hour jam anchored by a phenomenal band, and a seemingly endless array of guest singers. The band featured one of the best dual bass matchups ever with the former The Allman Brothers Band bassist Oteil Burbridge and Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo. Robert “Sput” Searight played killer drums. A horn section led by Karl Denson smoked the entire night. Eric Krasno wailed through the evening. John Medeski and Brian Coogan played an array of keyboards. Guest singers included, Cherub, Rhiannon Giddens, SZA, Jack Antonoff, Reggie Watts, Chance The Rapper, Jamie Lidell, and legendary rapper DMC, who may have stole the show toward the end. The singers picked covers from the 1980s and the live video would be interspersed with clips of the original performers making for a great visual for the legions of music fans trying to cram into the tent for the marathon jam. On an interesting side note, both Antonoff and Watts appeared on the Late Late Show the following Monday and did not realize that they were both guest performers in the Superjam.
While the phenomenal Superjam was going on one of the biggest Bassnectar was living up to his moniker playing thumping beats across on the Which stage, with a fantastical light show. It is hard to believe that this same DJ was the lounge act on Jam Cruise 10 years ago. But as the early morning light began to appear on the horizon and the Superjam and Bassnectar sets came to a close, young dance enthusiast weren’t done yet, crowding around the giant Calliope machine that spit out gas flames high into the air and dancing literally until the sun came up.
The final day is always the shortest at Bonnaroo, with almost all the music coming to a close before the final 9 p.m. headlining act comes out. Traditionally, many younger EDM fans pack up and leave this last day, but this year it seemed that many more than usual stuck around with such a strong final day line up to choose from. Temperatures in the low 90s made it the hottest day of the festival and again early on many were seeking the sanctuary of shady areas.
But by the time Southern California rockers AWOLNATION hit the Which stage in the afternoon, legions of music lovers began crowding around the stage. Animated lead singer Aaron Bruno had the crowd fist pumping early on. Austin rockers, Spoon followed on the massive main stage, also with a well received set. Brandi Carlile, a Washington state folk rocker took over the Which stage and played a fiery brand of southern rock influenced Americana music.
Florence + The Machine played the main stage in late afternoon to an absolutely massive crowd. Lead singer Florence Welch pranced around the stage like one of the whirling dervishes, belying the fact that she had broken her ankle at the first week of the Coachella festival back in April. She actually had to be carried on stage for her second weekend performance at Coachella and the U.K. band played a very unusual set in deference to her handicap. But Florence hit the stage at Bonnaroo with all guns firing and it may have been the best mainstage set of the final day.
The huge crowd then stood up en masse and moved all the way over to the Which stage, in a testament to the draw of the legendary Robert Plant. Together with his band the Sensational Space Shifters, he too played an energetic set, no doubt spurned on by the huge crowd. With their relentless touring schedule over the last few years, the band has become a real powerhouse of jam rock music, meshing perfectly with the vocals of the legendary front man of Led Zeppelin.
The coveted closing set was taken up this year by classic American rocker, Billy Joel and by the time the singer piano man took the stage, most of the massive crowd had made it back from the other side of the festival. The personable Joel played some of his massive catalog of classic hits and joked with the audience throughout the show. Early on he said, “This must be what Woodstock looked like. I was there at Woodstock, not to play but in the audience.” Later he looked up in the sky feigned ducking and said “What the hell is that?,” as several candle lanterns drifted up into the balmy night sky. Then he pretended to shoot them down with an invisible gun. Joel featured a talented band of veteran musicians including a phenomenal saxophone player. Later he came out from behind his revolving piano and played guitar on several tunes, including a cover of “Highway To Hell” by AC/DC. He had one of his roadies come out and sing lead for the song. Finally he admonished the crowd not to drink and drive. “Do what I do,” he said. “Take a limousine.”
Then as quickly as it started Bonnaroo 2015 was over. Joel, while playing a respectable hour and 45 minutes, actually left 45 minutes earlier than his allowed set time, leaving the crowd chanting for more to no avail. The final performers are always given an extended set time and most choose to use it to full advantage or even go beyond the times in marathon jam sessions. But this anticlimactic moment was probably one of the only sour notes in what was otherwise a very successful Bonnaroo 2015.
