The Roo

Bonnaroo 2011

Growing up in Middle Tennessee I've always been a fan and a follower of the Bonnaroo Muisc and Arts Festival. Surprisingly, despite it taking place just 30 minutes from my hometown, last year was my first time going and I had an AMAZING time. I certainly plan on attending the festival regularly in the future. Overall this is a great lineup, but it doesn't knock me off my feet. That could also be because I'm not a huge fan of the two biggest headliners in Arcade Fire or Eminem, as opposed to last year when it was DMB, Jay-Z, and Kings of Leon. However, the festival does offer something for everyone from legendary jam bands like Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident, and STS9, to Grammy stars The Black Keys, Mumford & Sons, and a reunited Buffalo Springfield. There's a good share of dance music too between Pretty Lights, Ratatat, Girl Talk, Florence + the Machine, and Bassnectar. My Morning Jacket also makes an appearance, along with rap stars Lil Wayne, Big Boi, and Wiz Khalifa.

In my opinion the rappers are some of the most intriguing acts, especially Lil Wayne. Sure, he's a headliner and a major star, but how often do you get to see him in a festival setting? With a crowd that size and a sound system of that magnitude at his disposal (not to mention an exceptionally mellow  crowd), Lil Wayne could turn in a transcendent performance... or it could be a disaster like Kanye West in 2008. Any way you look at it though, if you love music and don't mind the festival setting and atmosphere, this year's Bonnaroo lineup is as good as any. If you go you will not be disappointed. There is no other festival that brings together this many quality acts across all genres of music.