With the Rothbury date nearing (2 DAYS!!), you may want to start your packing list. It sounds silly, but seriously, there are some items you do NOT want to be with out. I found a pretty comprehensive list from a guy who is clearly a festival veteran...here's a link to his list:
http://www.detroitcity.com/blogs/viewblog.php?id=1519
The only correction I would make to the list is to make the grill optional... after a long (and hot) day of concerts, activities, events, etc. there was no way you were going to get me to cook on a hot grill. Then there's the trouble of keeping any meat or dairy cold, which is not only annoying, but expensive ($7 per bag of ice at Bonnaroo). Pack sandwiches or splurge on pricier meals from vendors if you're not into the whole grilling thing.
Also, if you like camping but you're not so into the roughin' it stuff...Waterless shampoo is available at most drugstores. We tried it for the first time at Roo and it worked like a charm.
Oh and take the man seriously when he says bring tent stakes. You really don't want to go chase after your flying tent when a big gust of wind comes.
Here's good general information I found on the Rothbury site and on various blogs...its good, useful tidbits about the festival:
With each festival, different rules apply...According to the Muskegon Chronicle, the folks at Rothbury are only allowing one sealed water bottle per person (up to a gallon in size) into the concert area.
You can find that and more info here: http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2008/02/rothbury_will_have_it_all_rule.html
Or you can just find it on the Rothbury website:
http://www.rothburyfestival.com/
There's some other useful tidbits here as well: http://www.ecopop.com/music/columns/340/RothburyFestivalMashesUpMusicArtAction.php
As the cliche says...know before you go!
=)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
7 days....
Finally, some sustainability in Michigan. Is it just me or does it seem like the mitten state has been slow to catch on?
In Syracuse, where I go to school, the city buses all use cleaner fuels, the mall has special parking spots for green vehicles and a lot of local businesses are "going green." It's comforting to see these things happening back home.
Bonnaroo tried really hard to be green...printing information on recycled paper, making vendors use biodegradable plastic ware, using electric golf cars and police horses to cut down on emissions, etc. But it was always a side point...it was like "here's some great music, oh and don't pollute." Its exciting that the folks at Rothbury have made it a main event. Even the majority of their advertisers have started their own green initiatives (including GM-- check out the "Green" section on www.gmnext.com).
Oh and how cool is this...Rothbury has a "Greening Chief" in charge of making sure that the festival really is "green" and a "zero-waste concert." What a title--I want to be the greening chief! Also, I hope I don't come across too nerdy in saying that I'd really like to go to some of the think tank discussions on alternative fuel and climate change.
It seems ironic, however, that there's a parking lot for RVs. While musicians, performers or sponsors (etc.) may actually need the space and technology of an RV, I really think its a bit silly for a regular festival goer to be hauling an RV to Rothbury. I get it, I get it, you want a shower, a real bathroom, plenty of space. But seriously, how about pitching the tent with us common folk? It's four days, no one's asking you to move to Rothbury. Why not save some fuel, turn those engines off and enjoy the great outdoors?
Okay, that's the end of my rant. Whatever your lodging situation at Rothbury, it's time to get pumped... and start the countdown....7 DAYS!!
The one thing missing (for the most part) at Roo...trees and woods!
In Syracuse, where I go to school, the city buses all use cleaner fuels, the mall has special parking spots for green vehicles and a lot of local businesses are "going green." It's comforting to see these things happening back home.
Bonnaroo tried really hard to be green...printing information on recycled paper, making vendors use biodegradable plastic ware, using electric golf cars and police horses to cut down on emissions, etc. But it was always a side point...it was like "here's some great music, oh and don't pollute." Its exciting that the folks at Rothbury have made it a main event. Even the majority of their advertisers have started their own green initiatives (including GM-- check out the "Green" section on www.gmnext.com).
Oh and how cool is this...Rothbury has a "Greening Chief" in charge of making sure that the festival really is "green" and a "zero-waste concert." What a title--I want to be the greening chief! Also, I hope I don't come across too nerdy in saying that I'd really like to go to some of the think tank discussions on alternative fuel and climate change.
It seems ironic, however, that there's a parking lot for RVs. While musicians, performers or sponsors (etc.) may actually need the space and technology of an RV, I really think its a bit silly for a regular festival goer to be hauling an RV to Rothbury. I get it, I get it, you want a shower, a real bathroom, plenty of space. But seriously, how about pitching the tent with us common folk? It's four days, no one's asking you to move to Rothbury. Why not save some fuel, turn those engines off and enjoy the great outdoors?
Okay, that's the end of my rant. Whatever your lodging situation at Rothbury, it's time to get pumped... and start the countdown....7 DAYS!!
The one thing missing (for the most part) at Roo...trees and woods! I can't wait to see Rothbury's "Sherwood Forest"
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Rest of Roo...in pictures
Since Bonnaroo is old news, I'll forgo the day by day blabber and get to the good stuff...photos! (Videos for Rothbury, I promise!)
Some of these photos are from a friend (and photo major) who was also at Roo. His name is Brandon Tobin and you can check him out at BrandonTobin.com :)
Some of these photos are from a friend (and photo major) who was also at Roo. His name is Brandon Tobin and you can check him out at BrandonTobin.com :)
Welcome to Manchester, TN...home of Bonnaroo (and not much else).
Some of the local color, keeping us entertained while sitting in miles of traffic
Signs that we were nearing the end of the traffic...
Thoughts on BB King: BB KING ROCKED THE HOUSEBefore he went on stage to play, the Mayor of Manchester and the Mayor of Coffee County (the county that Manchester is in) presented BB with the key to the city. After thanking them graciously, the 82 year-old musician took a seat in the center of the main stage. He made a comment about how he was too old and tired to stand and play. When some musicians sit to perform a show, they lose the energy and attention of the audience. Not BB King. He had more stage presence and energy while sitting than some bands ever have thrashing around stage.
During the breaks in the songs, he'd introduce a member of his band, making sure that everyone applauded for them. Then he'd tell some sort of story or make a comment about his songs. I don't exactly know how to put it, but BB is just cool. His voice, deep and worn from years of music, was steady and calming. It was like the voice of a grandfather, down to earth, but filled with wisdom. And his face, (though he looked the size of a garden gnome from where I sat) projected on the TV screens on either side of the stage, was filled with wrinkles and lines, like a roadmap or a timeline of his years.
I could go on, but I won't bore you. I'll just say that if you ever have the chance to see BB King in concert, do it, it's worth every penny.
During one of our favorite activities--rejoicing in the cold goodness of the fountain--we discovered a parrot, just chilling in the fountain. There's no dogs allowed, but apparently parrots are okay.
This is my horrible view at LUPE FIASCO. Though they only gave him a 45 minute set (pathetic!) he made every minute count...Most memorably, he began his song "Daydreamin'" with some incredible vocals and then burst into the song (at which point, the crowd went nuts).
I know, all of the show photos look the same, but this is Talib Kweli, another fantastic hip-hop artist that went on after Lupe. It was really disappointing to see the crowd thin out for Talib...Kanye West was supposed to be performing on another stage a few minutes later, so most left to see him instead. I proudly stuck around for Talib, but the show wasn't the same. Talib rushed through his set...He rapped through his songs way too fast and had few positive "pump up" things to say to the crowd. You can't blame the guy--he's Talib Kweli--he deserves an audience. I will say that one of his most popular songs "Get By" was outstanding, and those still in the crowd were clearly hyped about it.
As you may have heard, Kanye West was a let-down. He was set to perform at 2:45 AM on Sunday. I arrived from the Talib show to see an angry crowd and a note across the big screen saying that Kanye's show had been delayed until 3:30. As 3:30 came and went, the crowd grew more and more hostile, expletives were shouted and the crowd began booing. Perhaps to keep the crowd happy, smoke was released, clouding out the starry Tennessee sky and giving the crowd hope that Kanye was soon to come...no such luck. By 4:30, I was thinking of the tent and how I would be awakened by the heat of my tent at 6 AM. I was tired...no I was exhausted...and I figured Kanye was a no show. Our group headed back to the tent. Just as we had exited Centeroo, we heard him. There was no turning back though. "Kanye will be at Lollapalooza" I told myself. Apparently everyone else had the same idea because, from what I heard from others, Kanye's crowd was tiny. I had also heard that he gave a weak performance, not even bothering to apologize or even engage with his fans.By the next day, graffiti phrases had appeared all along the borders of Centeroo. F*$# Kanye, and other hateful phrases had been created by Kanye's former fans. It felt fitting that just the night before, Chris Rock had made a joke about Kanye's enormous ego.
Anyways, that's it for Bonnaroo. Look forward to some pre-Rothbury posts and some day-by-day coverage of the festival (photo, video, etc.). I'm pumped.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Bonnaroo Day 1.5: Wednesday Night/Thursday
Ah, Bonnaroo, Bonnaroo...where to start....
I guess I'll begin by saying that this year's Bonnaroo was my first major music festival. I've been to the Detroit Electronic Music Festival and Warped Tour a few times but that's about it. So this was my "test run" before Rothbury and Lollapalooza. Those of you with more festival experience will have to bear with me here...
I was lucky enough to go with a group of people in a Minivan...and luckier still that one of the guys in our group volunteered to drive for 8 hours through the night.
At sunrise we stopped to stock up the cooler with $300 worth of food and camping supplies (way way too much for the record). We drove another few hours to Manchester, Tenn. As we neared the area, traffic began getting thicker and thicker along the highway. We soon discovered that it was backed up over 17 miles...and I had to go to the bathroom. I'll spare you those details however.
Finally, two or so hours of bumper to bumper traffic later, we were inside the campgrounds. We hit the ground running in the thick of the Tennessee heat and began setting up camp. Oh, a bit of tent advice: make sure your tent works BEFORE arriving. A group of my friends ended up with a makeshift tarp-and-stick style shelter after realizing that all of the tent's poles were broken. Sounds okay? Try it in the rain.
In the refugee-like campsite, space is extremely limited. We ended up having plenty of space, but rumors were spreading about girls literally beating each other up over camp space. I'll chalk it up to the heat.
There weren't many shows to be seen on the first day when we arrived (Thursday) but we headed down to the main festival area, Centeroo, to check it out anyway. The border of Centeroo is made of plywood walls which is basically a graffiti free-for-all. The walls become more and more decorated as the weekend wears on.
We checked out some of the stages (whoever named the stages "Which", "What", "This", "That "and "The Other" is a sadistic, chaos inducing jerk) and watched people at the Silent Disco. The Silent Disco, for those who don't know, is a dance/club style tent where all participants wear noise canceling headphones--including the DJ. Its quite a sight to see--everyone dancing to the same music that no one else can hear. Actually, my biggest Bonnaroo regret is not participating.
We saw the Centeroo market, which is essentially hippie venders selling various hemp-made clothes, tie-dye t-shirts and organic goods.
We then left, hoping to get some sleep in before Bonnaroo kicked into high gear.
I guess I'll begin by saying that this year's Bonnaroo was my first major music festival. I've been to the Detroit Electronic Music Festival and Warped Tour a few times but that's about it. So this was my "test run" before Rothbury and Lollapalooza. Those of you with more festival experience will have to bear with me here...
I was lucky enough to go with a group of people in a Minivan...and luckier still that one of the guys in our group volunteered to drive for 8 hours through the night.
At sunrise we stopped to stock up the cooler with $300 worth of food and camping supplies (way way too much for the record). We drove another few hours to Manchester, Tenn. As we neared the area, traffic began getting thicker and thicker along the highway. We soon discovered that it was backed up over 17 miles...and I had to go to the bathroom. I'll spare you those details however.
Finally, two or so hours of bumper to bumper traffic later, we were inside the campgrounds. We hit the ground running in the thick of the Tennessee heat and began setting up camp. Oh, a bit of tent advice: make sure your tent works BEFORE arriving. A group of my friends ended up with a makeshift tarp-and-stick style shelter after realizing that all of the tent's poles were broken. Sounds okay? Try it in the rain.
In the refugee-like campsite, space is extremely limited. We ended up having plenty of space, but rumors were spreading about girls literally beating each other up over camp space. I'll chalk it up to the heat.
There weren't many shows to be seen on the first day when we arrived (Thursday) but we headed down to the main festival area, Centeroo, to check it out anyway. The border of Centeroo is made of plywood walls which is basically a graffiti free-for-all. The walls become more and more decorated as the weekend wears on.
We checked out some of the stages (whoever named the stages "Which", "What", "This", "That "and "The Other" is a sadistic, chaos inducing jerk) and watched people at the Silent Disco. The Silent Disco, for those who don't know, is a dance/club style tent where all participants wear noise canceling headphones--including the DJ. Its quite a sight to see--everyone dancing to the same music that no one else can hear. Actually, my biggest Bonnaroo regret is not participating.
We saw the Centeroo market, which is essentially hippie venders selling various hemp-made clothes, tie-dye t-shirts and organic goods.
We then left, hoping to get some sleep in before Bonnaroo kicked into high gear.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Welcome!
Hi and welcome to my blog!
Even though I just got back from Bonnaroo and I'm really itching to talk about it, I'll hold off and deal with the formalities first.
My name is Lauren Migaki, I'm a twenty year-old Detroit native. I'm about to be a junior at Syracuse University and I'm proud to say that I haven't exactly figured out my major yet, but it'll have something to do with communications.
This summer, GM's hooking me up with festival tickets to Rothbury (Michigan) and Lollapalooza (Chicago) as a part of GMNext's PlugIn (you can link to them here: http://www.gmnext.com/PlugIn/Default.aspx). In exchange for the tickets, I'm blogging about the festivals and the music.
As I said in my bio, I'm no music elitist. I don't know the most indie-underground, super exclusive alternative bands. But I do know music...
I grew up with Motown, got sucked into a little bit of the boy band (Hanson/Backstreet Boys/etc) craze (and luckily grew out of it). In middle school I ventured off of the pop music path and fell in love with punk rock/rock/pop punk and some metal. I eventually tired of only listening to rock so in high school I began incorporating more indie, folk, classic rock and hip-hop onto my playlists. Since then I guess you could also say I've dabbled in electronica, blues, jazz music but I've really only skimmed the surface.
Basically, I like a lot of different kinds of music, but I'm easily distracted and never fully immerse myself in one genre. I like it better that way...I like the whole spectrum of music. Lucky for you, that means that I'll be writing about as many different bands from different genres as I can manage to see while at Rothbury and Lollapalooza.
As I also said, I just got back from Bonnaroo...even though GM didn't "sponsor" the festival, a lot of the same artists will be at Rothbury and Lollapalooza. It's a good platform for comparison, so I'll be writing about that as well.
Anyways, that's more than enough about me for now....I'll be updating with Bonnaroo stories and photos later :)
-Lauren
Even though I just got back from Bonnaroo and I'm really itching to talk about it, I'll hold off and deal with the formalities first.
My name is Lauren Migaki, I'm a twenty year-old Detroit native. I'm about to be a junior at Syracuse University and I'm proud to say that I haven't exactly figured out my major yet, but it'll have something to do with communications.
This summer, GM's hooking me up with festival tickets to Rothbury (Michigan) and Lollapalooza (Chicago) as a part of GMNext's PlugIn (you can link to them here: http://www.gmnext.com/PlugIn/Default.aspx). In exchange for the tickets, I'm blogging about the festivals and the music.
As I said in my bio, I'm no music elitist. I don't know the most indie-underground, super exclusive alternative bands. But I do know music...
I grew up with Motown, got sucked into a little bit of the boy band (Hanson/Backstreet Boys/etc) craze (and luckily grew out of it). In middle school I ventured off of the pop music path and fell in love with punk rock/rock/pop punk and some metal. I eventually tired of only listening to rock so in high school I began incorporating more indie, folk, classic rock and hip-hop onto my playlists. Since then I guess you could also say I've dabbled in electronica, blues, jazz music but I've really only skimmed the surface.
Basically, I like a lot of different kinds of music, but I'm easily distracted and never fully immerse myself in one genre. I like it better that way...I like the whole spectrum of music. Lucky for you, that means that I'll be writing about as many different bands from different genres as I can manage to see while at Rothbury and Lollapalooza.
As I also said, I just got back from Bonnaroo...even though GM didn't "sponsor" the festival, a lot of the same artists will be at Rothbury and Lollapalooza. It's a good platform for comparison, so I'll be writing about that as well.
Anyways, that's more than enough about me for now....I'll be updating with Bonnaroo stories and photos later :)
-Lauren
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