BONNAROO IS NOT SCHEDULED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION!

Bonnaroo - June 12 - June 15

Here is an example of what I am talking about:

After 2 days of work in the hot sun, followed by two days of Festivating in the hot sun, with limited sleep (due to the morning sun baking me in my tent every morning, forcing me up and out of the tent by 8:00 or so each day) I was faced with the challenge of Saturday. Bands I wanted to see playing from Noon until 4 am, not only few breaks but many of the bands overlapping. I was determined to pace myself so I could take it all in. By shear effort to conserve energy, I missed the noon performance of the Wood Brothers with John Medeski and Kenny Wolfeson. I just couldn’t get my self organized to make the trek from the camp ground to Centeroo in time. So my day started with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings at 1:30. Already it was too hot, so we (Brandon and I) went into the Fuse Barn, where it was air conditioned, fortunately they were televising her performance. At 2:45, Brandon and I split up so he could see the more relaxed Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quintet (featuring BelaFleck) while I headed to the more upbeat Little Feat (so much for conserving energy and staying cool - I danced my butt off.) As soon as they were done, I hiked over to the “Which” stage to catch the 2^nd half of Gogol Bordello, the “gypsy punk” band. The band is totally high energy, but I was already pretty spent. I crashed out a bit in some shade while listening to the lead singer screams his lungs out and run around stage like a madman.

Brandon and I connected up after that for a little while, but again, our musical tastes differed. After a short break (back to the AC at the Fuse Barn) he went to see Ben Folds while I headed to “That Tent” to see Zappa Plays Zappa I stayed through performances of songs from Them or Us and Joe's Garage, and then went off to discover Ben Folds. I had never seen him, nor have I really listened to him, but he was great. Quite a performer, really connects with the crowd, is a great musician and a little bit silly. A good quality in my book!

Meanwhile, I was totally missing Levon Helm as well as Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, both of whom I had completely enjoyed at Mountain Jam and would have liked to have seen again. I just figured that it was a good idea to make the most of the summer and see new acts as well as old favorites.

As soon as that was over, I went into the main “What” stage field to claim some space for Jack Johnson – who played a nice mellow set which gave me a chance to rest up for the evening events. Pearl Jam played after Jack Johnson, on the same stage. Wholly crap! What a show! The whole band was really tight and Eddie Vedder expressed some strong views, strong emotions and even showed his clever side. On the whole, Pearl Jam was totally impressive. They played an hour longer than they were scheduled for, until 1:00 am or so, which caused me to miss the beginning of Phil’s set – but I figured, “when am I going to have the chance to see Pearl Jam again?”

It was after 1:00 am, but there was still more music to be had. I went back to the Which stage to check out Phil Lesh and Friends. They were in the middle of a mellow Birdsong when I got there and then did a Dark Star that while fairly charged for Dark Star, it was still Dark Star. I started to nod off during his set and Brandon, after nudging me awake, looked at me and simply said, “it’s time” and sent me off to bed. I went willingly. It was about 3:15 am.

I can’t believe was unable to stay up for Phil. “Back in the day” I never had to leave a show because I was too tired. What does this mean? Does this mean my taste in music is more akin to the taste of the “younger set” who can spend 24 hours in the hot sun and still groove all night? I’m sure I was once upon a time able to do this. I just don’t understand, but I blame the Bonnaroo schedulers. It can’t be me! I am NOT old. Really…. I’m not….