Mark Talks Bonaroo
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have an exciting development here at CriticalAsshole.com: We have a new member of the team who will be traveling to Bonaroo in a couple of days and he has done us all the service of breaking down the good, the bad, and the ugly of that sweaty-ass musical festival in Manchester, TN.
But first, I shall let his own words serve as an introduction:
Dear Assholes,
As a new writer for Critical Asshole, I would like to tell you a little bit about myself and why I want to write for you. My name is Mark, I have no cool nicknames, I am somewhere between the ages of 22 and 29, I own my own car but not my own house. I have an impressive classic rock vinyl collection that I never listen to. I write drunk and edit sober. If I could pick any artists to collaborate on an album together, it would be Jack White and Trent Reznor. My purpose here at Critical Asshole (and planet earth) is to spread good music to good people, which is you. Music is a celebration so I will be celebrating it. Music is an experience and I want you to experience the best of it.
See you in the internets.
Without further ado…MARK TALKS BONAROO
Bonnaroo’s in two days and I’m sure if you’re going you’re looking over the schedule to figure out what bands you’re going to have to miss because of conflicts. While you’re sure to face tough choices (especially on friday) don’t forget about the baby bands. After all, Bonnaroo isn’t just about tripping balls to The Flaming Lips, it’s about discovering new music. Critical Asshole would like to suggest some lesser known bands that you might want to consider seeing. And if you’re not making the trip to Tennessee, give these bands a listen anyway. The Bonnaroo setlist if full of great talent that can keep you entertained for the summer.
Thursday
4:15 - Other Tent - Fanfarlo is a fun Indie popfolk band from the UK. The music if full of instruments including a saw, horns, ukulele and various strings. Pretty happy stuff that will put you in a good mood. Fanfarlo will be a great first band to see. Especially if you’re itching to hear some music. Download Reservoir.
6:00 - This Tent - Here We Go Magic is a dreamy, sometimes hazy, a little psychedelic, art school indie rock.
7:00 - Troo Music Lounge- Sarah Jarosz is a bluegrass singer/songwriter with a great voice along with great melodies. Her darker, sadder songs will probably be some of the best bluegrass songs at the festival. Download her album Song Up In Her Head.
9:00 - This Tent - The Dodos are a fun American Indie rock band. Nothing too heavy, just some good time tunes.
10:00 - That Tent - The Temper Trap is an atmospheric, catchy, indie pop band. I suspect the music will sound good live, especially in the ‘roo atmosphere. Definitely recommended. Download their album Conditions.
11:30 - Troo Music Lounge - Constellations plays “Music about what happens in Atlanta between midnight and 4 A.M.” They sounds like The Heavy + True Blood + Southern Goth (also the name of the album, but not as in the Hot Topic goth,). It’s sexy and your body will be forced to move to when you hear them. Download Southern Gothic when it comes out June 22nd.
12:00am - This Tent - Wale (pronounced: wah-lay) is some pretty awesome alternative hip-hop, which Bonnaroo doesn’t have enough of. If you’re going to see one hip hip act, besides Jay-Z, make it Wale. You’ll have to miss some of the set of the above band to catch the set, but Wale is the only thing going on after midnight anyway. Wale will be a great ending the first day, which is only going to get you more excited than you already are for the next. Download Attention Deficit.
Friday
1:00 - Cafe Where? - Jill Andrews is a mellow Americana folk singer/songwriter. The perfect music to sooth you after however many hours of driving, tent building, and being overwhelmed by the ‘roo crowd. Sit and relax before the what’s sure to be busiest day. Download her self-titled EP
1:45 & 4:00 - That Tent & Sonic Stage - Carolina Chocolate Drops play 20s and 30s old time jig band from North Carolina. Unique and authentic sounding. Lots of fiddle and harmonica. Definitely worth stopping by to see if you’re not already planning on seeing Gaslight Anthem or Jay Electronoca, both of which would be a good alternative if African American old time jig music isn’t your thing. But it should be for at least a half hour while you’re there. Download Genuine Negro Jig.
3:00 - Cafe Where? - Boy Crisis is “the absolute worst band in the world right now. Seriously.” - Pitchfork Media. Boy Crisis sounds like MGM + Ratatat + Phoenix, except not as catchy. Worst band ever? No. If indie electronic is your thing you might want to catch them. A good start your day if you slept through Jill Andrews and need warmed up before Damian Marley & Nas.
4:00 - Troo Music Lounge - Nneka. Bonnaroo’s second biggest scheduling blunder was scheduling Nneka as the same time as Damian Marley & Nas. Nneka is a hip hop R&B soul singer/songwriter. Already low on hip hop, Bonnaroo shouldn’t have schedule two at the same time. To make up for Bonnaroo’s mistake, make sure to download No Longer at Ease. Or you could even go see her if Damian & Nas doesn’t do it for you.
6:40 - Troo Music Lounge - The Moondoggies are folky, harmony-driven, alternative country—music the sun will look good setting to. Download Don’t Be A Stranger.
Saturday
Not too much to discover on Saturday. If you’re looking for some good folk/Americana you can go see Dawes (12:00 Sonic Stage), The Avett Brothers (4:45 Which State), Dave Rawlings Machine (3:15 That Tent), or Angus & Julia Stone (7:30 Cafe Where?).
If you want something more indie or rockish you can see Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights (12:00 Troo Music Lounge), Bomba Estereo, which is tropical electro (12:00 The Other Tent), or indie rockers Red Coretz (5:20 Troo Music Lounge).
Definitely try to catch:
12:15 - Cafe Where? - Imelda May is an interesting sounding soul, rockabilly, jazzy singer from Ireland.
2:00 & 7:00 - This Tent & Sonic Stage - I don’t know if Circa Survive qualifies as “lesser known”, but if you’re not planning on seeing them you should be. I suspect that their 7:00 set at the Sonic Stage the same day is going to be acoustic which, if this is the case, will be worth missing half of Weezer’s set. Download Blue Sky Noise (Delux Version) which has the Safe Camp Acoustic Sessions.
5:00 - That Tent - Mumford & Sons also probably don’t qualify as a lesser known band but if you don’t know about them they, in my opinion, are the best folk rock band playing at Bonnaroo and one of the best bands over all. Download Sigh No More. You’ll listen to it over and over.
6:40 - Troo Music Lounge - The Middle East is a Mumford and Sons type band but way more mellow. They’re playing at the same time as the Dead Weather, Weezer, and Circa Survive so they got the scheduling shaft. If you just want to chill before Stevie Wonder followed by Jay-Z, The Middle East would be a good band to catch. Download The Recordings of the Middle East.
Sunday
12:00 - Which Stage - Tinariwen are “Legendary poet guitarists & soul rebels from the Sahara Desert.” They will be interesting to see as they look like they just walked out of the Sahara Desert.
12:00 - Troo Music Lounge - The Devil Makes Three is a little hard to describe, instead of just throwing ten different genres at them, it’s easier to just listen to them—which you should. Download their very good self-titled album.
2:00 - This Tent - Lucero is defined as “cowpunk” on Wikipedia. Think Drive-by Truckers + early Hold Steady and maybe some Dropkick Murphys thrown in there. They will remind you that you’re in Tennessee.
2:40 - Troo Music Lounge - Tamarama is a laid back, beachy, surf rock band rom Australia. It will be good music to unwind to after the weekend.
Be safe. Have a blast. Bring water.
