The Tracks’ Thursday at Bonnaroo

Yo!  After some serious internet issues, we’re back up and running!  Thursday and Friday…  Bonnaroo mania is running wild on the farm.  People came to the fest with guns blazin’ and have been going balls to the wall since many had arrived on Wednesday night.  The party started at the Manchester Walmart, then spilled out to the traffic line (yeah, a ton of people party in their cars), then continues through setting up their and throughout the weekend.

The first night at Roo seemed fairly tame in comparison to years in the past.  The early Thursday lineup seemed weak, until Neon Indian at 8:30.  The crowds seemed very excited to be at any set on Thursday night, as their Bonnaroo dreams finally have been realized.

We checked out The Dodos at 9, and they had a great vibe going.  They give off a sense of being European, but they’re a “domestic product” of the good ol’ US of A.  The crowd was packed, and the side stage area was mobbed.  (I think the press and musicians had a bit of Bonnaroo Fever as well!)

The Dodos made us thirsty.  No, it wasn’t the steamy weather of Tennessee, but it made us want to pour some heavy libations.  So we did.  Quite a few.  As Excelsior chilled at our front row spot (again!) in front of the Bonnaroo Arch, we met and hung out with our neighbors and locals of Manchester.  Apparently, they have been camping next to us for the past few years, and one of the fine gentlemen offered us a few drinks of this fine “shine.”  We had a great conversation about the different types of “shine,” and how much it still paralleled the early days of prohibition.   From what I hear, we’ll be having another sampling this weekend!

So quite a few Moe-jitos later, we head off to The xx’s set.  MTT was slated to interview The xx, but unfortunately they had to cancel.  If you haven’t heard their album yet, I highly suggest that you get it immediately.  It’s a bit more chill than the tunes I usually listen to, but the album is top notch.  It’s a very stripped down and simplified sound, but the intimacy of the set was astounding.  They have replicated the sound of their album perfectly, and in the live setting, the sentiment of their music is magnified tenfold.  They are a must see if they swing through your area.

B and I finished up the night with Wale’s hip hop fiesta.  I just got into his music, and that guy can seriously throw down.  Great crowd command and high energy ran through his crew onstage.  His set was proof that you don’t necessarily need to be familiar with someone’s music to thoroughly enjoy their set.  I’ll definitely be adding Wale to my playlist when I get home.

By the end of the night’s music and mayhem, it was time to crash back at our tent.  The vodka induced slumber was poor, but at least we were getting a bit of rest.  If there’s one thing for certain, Bonnaroo is not for the weary or faint of heart.

Bonnaroo is a true test of will and strength.  Plain and simple, if you’re not a fan of the heat, roughing it, or mud, you shouldn’t be here.  It’s been steamy hot since we arrived, and mud is everywhere.  On Wednesday night, a monsoon hit Manchester, so we’re dealing with pretty harsh conditions.  I’m not complaining, but since there are a ton of first timer here this year, I’m just informing people to make the appropriate decisions when choosing festivals.