Post by Zenrider on Jul 5, 2023 3:42:52 GMT
Arrived later than planned, as I was trying to fit too many projects in before doing the most important things. And that's getting my newish truck prepared to carry my old camper. Anyway, arrived Thursday evening, the official day it starts, so didn't miss too much. Amazingly, given the lay of the land, the space I was directed to happened to put my camper nearly perfectly level. The man next to me was having a hard time getting his power to work on his camper. Mine hooked up and worked fine on both outlets. I went to Inneroo, caught the end of Celisse, so that made me happy. Would have seen more, but didn't catch that her set time had changed. Wandered around and listened to some other bands, and get a feel for the place. It's at least twice as big as WOMAD's main area. I had a GA+ ticket, which got me into their Oasis with AC toilets and it's own bar area and a couple of food options. Not as fancy, but a bit like having Ladida Loos. Only negative is it was on the furthest side from the main stages, but closest to the best food options. Much of it was generic fair food, but there was some better food too. All at festival prices, but that's life. If I paid attention I found a decent local brewery's honey ale at some of the, but not all of the bars. It was already getting late, and I didn't get much, if any real sleep Wednesday night, so wandered around Outeroo on my way to my camper. Largely, because I took a wrong turn. Ended up at the Galactic Giddyup, one of the Outeroo stages, thankfully near the RV section. They were doing comedy and karaoke. Started to leave to hunt for my camper, but someone was going to do Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer, so I felt obligated to stay for a little longer. 
He was no Peter Gabriel, but did a fair job with the song. Anyway, got to my camper and got some much needed sleep. The man that was having electrical problems was gone. Next morning they parked a woman and her friends in a nice rental camper next to me. They had no problem hooking up the electric. I think the previous occupant just wanted to move somewhere else, or hadn't learned how to use his new little camper yet. Anyway, from there I wasted too much time waiting for the water tank guys to get to my area to fill my camper's water tank. They'd get close, then go the other way. Even had one drive right by me. It was starting to piss me, and some others around me off. I don't like driving that far with a full tank, but for what they charge, and playing the waiting game, I might fill up at home should I do this again. Any loss in fuel economy will be made up not paying their fees and not having to wait. The companies phone number was useless. Good thing I was up fairly early. Anyway, finally camper tank watered up, and off to Inneroo to get something more to eat and drink and music. They allow water bottles, but they have to be empty when you enter. Chugged down most of the water in the bottle. There are plenty of places to fill them for free, and the GA+ area has filtered and cooled. Did fill at one of the other places, and it's fine too. They have plenty of misting stations, and even a small water park kind of thing, and a big water slide. Which is why a lot of people just wear bathing suits. OK, there were some people barely wearing anything. Pretty much anything goes.
Anyway, the rest of the time was more normal, and me just bouncing around everywhere. Really, wish I had gotten there a day early to explore Outeroo more, but really enjoyed all the gigs I managed to sit through, and some that I just paused at in between. Met some really nice people I will likely never see again, but was glad to meet them.
Can't name everyone I listened too. Really should make notes, as I go. Did get in the pit for Portugal the Man, who were fantastic. Saw the Fleet Foxes. Which kept me from catching Noah Kahan. Caught some of Kendrick Lamar. Was still kind of tired, so headed in. Saturday was a little better, no waiting for a water truck. Started with The Beths! Got a good spot for Sheryl Crow. She looks like she's still having fun, and put on a great show. Next on that stage was supposed to be Rainbow Kitten Surprise, but they've cancelled their future shows, as one of the members is having a hard time figuring out who they are. Instead it was Griz. Think DJ that has a jazz band. They were actually quite good. It was weird, because he looks so much like my Dad when he was younger, it was kinda freaking me out a bit. Had a good spot right behind the pit for Lil Nas, who puts on a really good, somewhat strange show. He's certainly having fun. Thought about staying for Odesza, but had been there so long I needed to move around. Which got me a good spot for My Morning Jacket, who even did a cover of Kate Bush's Running up the Hill. 
Finally had to move away, as there were about 6 chain smokers that finally had me feeling sick. That would be my biggest negative about Bonnaroo is allowing people to smoke anywhere, and everywhere. Turned out, for that stage, being up the hill a bit was probably actually better anyway. Sunday got a late start and decided to take the shuttle around the Outeroo and camping. Something, I would have done if I had arrived on Wednesday, like I should have. Checked out a bit here and there. Realized I missed a few gigs I had planned to, but it was kind of nice to just relax out of schedule a bit. So, just wandered and listened to a little here and there. Lots of stages. Put down my WOMat laid down in the shade and listened to Amber Mark. She's good. Some songs were reflective of old jazz, some blues, and at least one a bit of Hip Hop thrown in. She was great. Managed a decent spot for the Revivalists. Went back to wandering, listened to Girl in Red for a bit. Got a good spot for the Pixies, who were great. Of course, in doing that, I was far, far away and on top of the hill for Foo Fighters, but could see the giant screen, and it was so loud, even with my earplugs in, I was kind of glad I was on top of the hill. The Foo Fighters were on top of their game. Towards the end of their set, that went past their designated end time. It's good to be last with no other acts coming on, David gave a shout out to all of us that saw the Pixies before them, and of course the Pixies themselves. After all, he knows none of us had a good spot for his bands performance, except maybe the people that spend a fortune for the Platinum experience. Not in my budget. And then it was over, and a sea of people headed for the now only exit that was open.
There are two entrances from the campgrounds. One has a tower by it, and the other their iconic arch. I had wanted to check out the 'rave' at the House of Yes, as it seemed that might be interesting, but storms came through and they sent everyone to their campsites or cars. There was talk the rest of the night was cancelled, but a couple of hours later I heard music. By then I was too settled in my camper to head out again.
Anyway, had fun, wish you could all have been there with me. Might do it again some year, but probably not next year.
Camper and newish truck.
East entrance.
West entrance.
He was no Peter Gabriel, but did a fair job with the song. Anyway, got to my camper and got some much needed sleep. The man that was having electrical problems was gone. Next morning they parked a woman and her friends in a nice rental camper next to me. They had no problem hooking up the electric. I think the previous occupant just wanted to move somewhere else, or hadn't learned how to use his new little camper yet. Anyway, from there I wasted too much time waiting for the water tank guys to get to my area to fill my camper's water tank. They'd get close, then go the other way. Even had one drive right by me. It was starting to piss me, and some others around me off. I don't like driving that far with a full tank, but for what they charge, and playing the waiting game, I might fill up at home should I do this again. Any loss in fuel economy will be made up not paying their fees and not having to wait. The companies phone number was useless. Good thing I was up fairly early. Anyway, finally camper tank watered up, and off to Inneroo to get something more to eat and drink and music. They allow water bottles, but they have to be empty when you enter. Chugged down most of the water in the bottle. There are plenty of places to fill them for free, and the GA+ area has filtered and cooled. Did fill at one of the other places, and it's fine too. They have plenty of misting stations, and even a small water park kind of thing, and a big water slide. Which is why a lot of people just wear bathing suits. OK, there were some people barely wearing anything. Pretty much anything goes. Anyway, the rest of the time was more normal, and me just bouncing around everywhere. Really, wish I had gotten there a day early to explore Outeroo more, but really enjoyed all the gigs I managed to sit through, and some that I just paused at in between. Met some really nice people I will likely never see again, but was glad to meet them.
Can't name everyone I listened too. Really should make notes, as I go. Did get in the pit for Portugal the Man, who were fantastic. Saw the Fleet Foxes. Which kept me from catching Noah Kahan. Caught some of Kendrick Lamar. Was still kind of tired, so headed in. Saturday was a little better, no waiting for a water truck. Started with The Beths! Got a good spot for Sheryl Crow. She looks like she's still having fun, and put on a great show. Next on that stage was supposed to be Rainbow Kitten Surprise, but they've cancelled their future shows, as one of the members is having a hard time figuring out who they are. Instead it was Griz. Think DJ that has a jazz band. They were actually quite good. It was weird, because he looks so much like my Dad when he was younger, it was kinda freaking me out a bit. Had a good spot right behind the pit for Lil Nas, who puts on a really good, somewhat strange show. He's certainly having fun. Thought about staying for Odesza, but had been there so long I needed to move around. Which got me a good spot for My Morning Jacket, who even did a cover of Kate Bush's Running up the Hill. 
Finally had to move away, as there were about 6 chain smokers that finally had me feeling sick. That would be my biggest negative about Bonnaroo is allowing people to smoke anywhere, and everywhere. Turned out, for that stage, being up the hill a bit was probably actually better anyway. Sunday got a late start and decided to take the shuttle around the Outeroo and camping. Something, I would have done if I had arrived on Wednesday, like I should have. Checked out a bit here and there. Realized I missed a few gigs I had planned to, but it was kind of nice to just relax out of schedule a bit. So, just wandered and listened to a little here and there. Lots of stages. Put down my WOMat laid down in the shade and listened to Amber Mark. She's good. Some songs were reflective of old jazz, some blues, and at least one a bit of Hip Hop thrown in. She was great. Managed a decent spot for the Revivalists. Went back to wandering, listened to Girl in Red for a bit. Got a good spot for the Pixies, who were great. Of course, in doing that, I was far, far away and on top of the hill for Foo Fighters, but could see the giant screen, and it was so loud, even with my earplugs in, I was kind of glad I was on top of the hill. The Foo Fighters were on top of their game. Towards the end of their set, that went past their designated end time. It's good to be last with no other acts coming on, David gave a shout out to all of us that saw the Pixies before them, and of course the Pixies themselves. After all, he knows none of us had a good spot for his bands performance, except maybe the people that spend a fortune for the Platinum experience. Not in my budget. And then it was over, and a sea of people headed for the now only exit that was open. There are two entrances from the campgrounds. One has a tower by it, and the other their iconic arch. I had wanted to check out the 'rave' at the House of Yes, as it seemed that might be interesting, but storms came through and they sent everyone to their campsites or cars. There was talk the rest of the night was cancelled, but a couple of hours later I heard music. By then I was too settled in my camper to head out again.
Anyway, had fun, wish you could all have been there with me. Might do it again some year, but probably not next year.
Camper and newish truck.
East entrance.
West entrance.
