MUSIC Festival let fans escape to Bonnaroo

More than 80 artists performed during the third annual grass-roots event.
By JOHN PATRICK GATTA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MANCHESTER, Tenn. -- Last weekend the Bonnaroo Music Festival became the sixth largest city in Tennessee, but in reality, it was really a world of its own.
Running Friday through Sunday, more than 90,000 people took up residence on a 700-acre farm south of Nashville to participate in the third annual grass-roots event presented by the independently run SuperFly Productions.
While some lived off the premises, the majority of people stayed at campsites that surrounded the Centeroo area, the hub of every type of entertainment for the child lurking within the adult.
More than 80 artists, encompassing just about every possible musical genre, performed on six stages during this time. Many of the acts such as the Dead, moe., Galactic and Leftover Salmon conveniently fit into the jam band style of improvisational rock, but the real purpose of the festival is to broaden the musical horizons of concertgoers.
Like the underground success of the jam band scene, the good word-of-mouth and open-mindedness of those in attendance led to enthusiastic responses bestowed upon alternative rock favorites such as Wilco, Calexico and Akron's dynamic blues duo, the Black Keys. Those good vibes were also extended to bluegrass legend Doc Watson as well as the hyperactive yet fun Japanese outfit, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra.
Other artists in attendance
Critical favorite Damien Rice endeared himself to a packed venue by ad-libbing some good-natured lyrics about the scene and those in the front rows.
David Byrne arrived at Bonnaroo with a preconceived notion of what was desired of an artist here. He seemed genuinely taken aback when the thousands who caught his stellar Sunday performance cheered positively when he asked if they'd really like to hear his between song banter rather than play music only.
His set, which featured members of string section from Austin, mixed solo material with material from his Talking Heads days.
On the other hand, Bob Dylan did nothing more than what he pleased, which rated highly for some and perplexed others.
Pleasing their respective fanbase, Dave Matthews performed a solo set with friends such as Trey Anastasio of Phish. Anastastio also headlined the final night.
The Dead played a fiery set late Saturday night that offered a positive preview of its new lineup, which includes Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers Band and Gov't Mule. The group took the stage following a 90-minute delay due to several heavy rainstorms. Along with another major shower on Sunday, Bonnaroo became a field of mud throughout much of its grounds.
An upbeat spirit
The muck didn't dampen the spirits of most in attendance. Instead, it became another obstacle that unified these avid music lovers who support artists that do something creatively interesting and not merely commercially trendy.
Besides the concerts, a 24-hour film tent showed cult classics as well as the entire "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. There was also a comedy tent featuring nationally known stand-up comics such as Rich Vos ("Tough Crowd"), a general store and numerous clothing, food and CD vendors. There was even a Mardi Gras parade with "American Idol" contestant William Hung serenading spectators as grand marshal.
Citizens of Bonnaroo also indulged themselves on a playground with swing set or cooled off from the sweltering heat and humidity by stopping by a mist tent and getting doused in the Centeroo Fountain.
With little acknowledgment of the outside world, other than a tribute or two to Ray Charles, who died Thursday, and statements urging fans to vote this November, this year's event provided a successful oasis from life. Its success, in spite of Mother Nature's wrath, should ensure another chance to reside briefly in the metropolis known as Bonnaroo.