Updated Lineup – New Artists Announced

According to Bonnaroo’s official Web site, there have been a few changes to the 2009 lineup. The Ting Tings – one of the bands that I had previously featured – have dropped out due to schedule conflicts, along with the band Down. Though I am dissapointed about this, Bonnaroo also annouced a new group of artists set to set the stage:

Public Enemy
Ani DiFranco
Amadou & Mariam
Shadows Fall
Heartless Bastards
Tony Rice Unit
High On Fire
Passion Pit
Dillinger Escape Plan
Wailing Souls
The Itals
MURS
White Rabbits
Janelle Monáe
Hockey
Pretty Lights

For me, the most notable names added to the lineup are Public Enemy and Ani DiFranco, for obviously different reasons. Classic rap group Public Enemy (hopefully, along with front man and reality TV sensation Flavor Flav) add to Bonnaroo promoter’s want to branch out past being a jam-band only festival. Artists like P.E., Al Green, Erykah Badu and the Beastie Boys will add a decidedly more urban flavor to very rural Tennessee farm. On the other hand, Ani DiFranco, the epitome of a New York anti-folk artist, will entertain the audience with her sharp wit and rousing lyrical poetry. She is an enormously talented guitarist, and her dirty-hippie-with-a-cause attitude will fit right in at Bonnaroo.

Also, Bonnaroo finally announced the list of comedians for this year’s festival, with some big-name acts set to entertain festival-goers:

Jimmy Fallon
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog Presents Bonnapoo 2009
An Evening (or Afternoon) with the Daily Show featuring John Oliver & Rob Riggle
Michael Ian Black & Michael Showalter
Aziz Ansari
Kristen Schaal
Arj Barker
Todd Barry
Rory Albanese
Wayne Federman
Nick Thune
Nick Kroll
Kurt Braunohler
Amy Schumer
Kumail Nanjiani
Pete Homes

Though I am not a Jimmy Fallon fan – and even less so now that he has his terrible late-night show – I will probably check out his act, only to see if he can get through it without laughing at the camera. Triumph the Insult Comic Dog is always incredibly funny, and I have a feeling he will not go easy on the less-than-clean crowd. Michael Ian Black, of Vh1’s Best Week Ever and I Love the (fill in the decade) fame, should be interesting, as well as Scrubs’ Aziz Ansari. I’m just looking forward to the comedian tent because I hear that it’s air-conditioned, and after days in the heat, that might be necessary.

Erykah Badu

Neo-soul goddess Erykah Badu has been in the music business for over a decade, but don’t think that because she hasn’t had a hit single in a few years that her songs have an expired shelf life. Badu has released five (including 1997’s “Live”) full-length albums, with a new one – the continuation of 2008’s “New AmErykah, Pt. 1: 4th World War” – due out in 2009. (-Photo/volume12)

Erykah Badu raises her hand in defiance at a performance at the Gent Jazz Festival in Belgium in 2008.

This year at Bonnaroo, Badu will make her first appearance, and it could not be timelier. Her previous two albums have been laced with funk and groove, and contain songs with long, sometimes scattered, jams. “New AmErykah” sounds like a Parliament Funkadelic album, with Badu’s inspiring vocals taking place for George Clinton.

Admittedly, I viewed Badu as a sort-of guilty pleasure in the past. The sheer hilarity of songs like “Bag Lady” (in which she condemns women for walking around with too many bags) and “Tyrone” (when she orders a failing lover to call his friend to move out) kept my knowledge of her at a single-only level. “On & On” is a classic, while “Love of My Life” was one of my favorite songs years ago, in the 8th grade.

But as I’ve dived head-first into Badu’s discography, I’ve realized just how immensely talented she really is. Her lyrics weave a careful story of love, life and religion, while her hip-hop influenced music pulses energy through her gospel. Badu has a lot to say, and I’ve never heard another artist be as bluntly honest about how she is feeling.

I’m always interested in artists that are capable of and look to constantly reinvent themselves. Though Badu has, for the most part, stayed within the realm of R&B and soul, she is constantly reworking songs and performing new versions live.

Badu is unafraid of how the public will view her work because she’s a true artist. She’s unapologetic about her affairs with men, marijuana and God, and her life goes on, like in “On & On” – the cipher keeps moving like a rolling stone.

I expect Badu to be an enormous amount of fun at Bonnaroo because I believe she can hold her own against jam-rock bands. Sure, the sound coming out of her speakers may be much funkier than her peers at the festival, but I think that will only make her performance stand out more.

Hopefully, she will sort out whatever problems she is having releasing “New AmErykah, Pt 2: Return of the Ankh” before June so that her fans can get used to the new material. Even if she doesn’t, I expect her to perform a handful of new tracks, along with some of the classics that have sold her millions of albums worldwide and won her four Grammy Awards. (-Photo/Dan..)

Erykah Badu performs in June 2008.

Top Five Bonnaroo Videos

In honor of Spring Break 2009, which for right now means hours scanning the Internet for music and Bonnaroo news, I’m going to be a little bit lazy for this post. Sometimes, I think the music speaks for itself, and thanks to youtube.com, there are a number of impressive performances videotaped from the festivals over the years.  Here are five of the coolest and best quality videos I could find.

1. Neil Young performs “Cinnamon Girl” in 2003.

2. The Mars Volta perform “L’via L’Viaquez” in 2005.

3. Radiohead performs “Videotape” in 2006.

4. Regina Spektor performs a John Lennon cover, “Real Love” in 2007.

5. Metallica performs “Fade to Black” in 2008.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

When the Bonnaroo lineup came out in early February, one band’s name stuck out more than any others: the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I have been following Karen O and company’s careers since 2003, when they released their now cult-classic, art-punk debut “Fever to Tell.” (-Photo/Amauri Aguiar)

Karen O and Nick Zinner, of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, perform at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City in 2006.

I was always attracted to the YYY’s because they were equal parts musicians and showmen. Their songs were short and catchy, their lyrics were poignant but simple and their on-stage presence was nothing short of electrifying.

This lends itself greatly to their front woman, Karen O; she’s often touted as a modern-day Chrissie Hynde. Her vocals are sharp, penetrating and often resemble an orgasmic shriek – not to mention she’s sexy as hell. On stage, Karen O is a dancing pixie, often a little drunk but always pitch-perfect and energetic.

Another alluring feature of the YYY’s is their ability to reinvent their sound.  Their debut EP, “Yeah Yeah Yeahs,” was a garage-band punk album full of lyrics about sex and ruling the world. Then, they released their calling card in 2003, “Fever to Tell.” Riding high on the popularity of their single “Maps,” the Yeah Yeah Yeahs hit top ten on the U.S. Rock Charts, catapulting the trio into the mainstream eye.

After a small hiatus, the band did a musical 180 turn with their sophomore release “Show Your Bones.” It was full of power ballads, showed real lyrical maturity and allowed guitarist Nick Zinner and drummer Brian Chase to truly shine. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs were growing before our ears, but unfortunately, tension between the band mates led to break-up rumors.

In 2007, the YYY’s quickly quieted those rumors, releasing the “Is Is” EP; this was a short collection of five often-performed but never-recorded tracks. They kept fans watering, as blogs on their MySpace page hinted that a new album was to be released soon. 

“It’s Blitz!” was made available for digital download just this past Tuesday, after leaking in February on various Web sites.  Fans of the punk side of the YYY’s may be slightly disappointed, as the band’s newest endeavor leads them into the world of 80s pop and the use of new-age synthesizers.

But I think that this is their boldest and most artistically interesting album to date.  True, it does not sound anything like the past YYY’s albums, but “Show Your Bones” proved they were ready to be a mature group dedicated to writing songs that will make you both dance and weep.  Fortunately, on “It’s Blitz!” it’s mostly dancing that will follow. Karen O’s vocals are as sensually pleasing as always, Chase’s drums have never been more absorbing and Zinner shines as the album’s backbone.

Buy “It’s Blitz!” right now – the iTunes deluxe version if possible (the acoustic versions of “Hysteric” and “Little Shadow” are utterly mystifying). I cannot wait to hear how this new material sounds at their Bonnaroo debut, especially “Dull Life.” (-Photo/Charlyn W)

Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, shines in the lights at a show in the Berkeley Church in Toronto in 2007.

Headliners Slideshow

Over the years, Bonnaroo has seen some big names, particularly in the jam-band community, as headliners. From Widespread Panic to Metallica, a number of bands from different genres have claimed the top spot on the billing in the past eight years. 

Also, there seems to be no ego at the festival, as nearly all the headliners have shared their spotlight with another band.  This year is no exception, with New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band co-headlining with Phish, freshly reunited and playing two shows over the weekend.

This slideshow highlights the headliners of Bonnaroo past and present.

Survival List

Since this is my first trip to Bonnaroo, I’ve been doing some research on how to survive the four days in the hot Tennessee summer sun.  I’m a city boy, and my experience with camping has gone about as far as the New Jersey State Parks.  Naturally, I was a bit apprehensive about being dropped off in the middle of a Manchester farm to live in a tent with no air conditioning and no bathroom.

While Bonnaroo may be primarily about the music and atmosphere, it is impossible to enjoy it all without being properly equipped to live there. Think about how frustrating it would to drive thousands of miles away from home to realize you don’t have enough pairs of underwear or socks. Or when a summer thunderstorm hits, how deflating would it be to realize you left your poncho home?

The following is a still-developing list of the most-crucial survival elements for Bonnaroo 2009, compiled from a number of blogs, Web sites and first-hand accounts.

The Essentials:

– Water: Lots of it; the sun can suck the energy right out of you if you’re dehydrated.
– Food: While your space may be limited, it’s better than spending $5 on a slice of pizza.
– Money/Tickets/Directions: Duh.
– Extra clothes: This includes more underwear, socks, t-shirts and shorts than you think you need.
– Shelter: A tent (or two) with enough space to fit you and your friends.
– Sleeping bag/Blankets/Pillows: Anything to make you comfortable sleeping on the floor.
– Sun screen: The last thing you want to worry about is an uncomfortable sun burn.
– Sun glasses: How else would you be able to see your favorite acts through the glaring sun?
– Jacket/Poncho: For when late-night jam sessions get chilly, or when the rain comes.
– Camera: You’re going to want to capture these memories to show your kids – or maybe not.

Helpful Additions:

– Kettle grill: To cook food and, again, to save some money.
– First aid kit: Because you never know when a mini-disaster may strike – include aspirin.
– Bug spray/Citronella candles: Apparently the bugs are a major problem in Manchester.
– Cooking utensils: Pots, pans, bowls, plates, can openers, aluminum foil, among others.
– Wet wipes: You’d be surprised how multi-useful these really are.
– Wine/Beer/Booze: Come on now, it’s Bonnaroo.
– Cooler/Ice: To make sure you keep all those beverages and food nice and chilly.
– Extra, old shoes: The farm is known to get rather muddy in the rain.
– Can opener: Imagine trying to get into a can of baked beans with a survival knife.
– An open mind: Things have been known to get freaky, so be prepared.

Who’s Missing – Round 2

With just over three months left until Bonnaroo, the line-up has yet to have any major changes or additions.  All of these artists have played the festival in the past, so if these suggestions fall on deaf ears, there’s always Bonnaroo 2010.

Les Claypool

Les Claypool performs with Primus at the Ottawa Bluesfest in 2008.

One of, if not the, most talented bassists to ever play music, Les Claypool has a love affair with Bonnaroo that dates back to the inaugural festival in 2002. He’s also made appearances in 2005 – when he played with protégé Gabby La La – 2006 and 2008. 

In recent years, Claypool has dabbled in a number of different entertainment outlets.  He wrote, edited, directed and starred in the mock-umentary “Electric Apricot,” made an appearance as a hillbilly the movie “Pig Hunt,” and scored the soundtrack to a video game, “Mushroom Men.” 

Claypool is on tour all March promoting his new full-length album, “Of Fungi and Foe,” a collection of music taken both directly and indirectly from his most recent projects. If you can play in March, Les, you can surely play in June. (Photo courtesy of bcymet on Flickr)

Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor performs at the Truck Festival in Oxfordshire, England in 2006.

After breaking out of the anti-folk scene with her 2006 hit-fourth album “Being to Hope,” Regina Spektor has remained relatively quiet for the past two years. She wrote and performed “The Call” for “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” soundtrack, collaborated with Ben Folds on his song “You Don’t Know Me” and played just a few shows, most recently on Jan. 22 in the Bowery Ballroom in New York City.

Rumors on blogs say she is working on a new album that could be due out as early as the end of the year.  The still-untitled LP may contain as many as five new tracks, as well as the rerelease of some of the dozens of unreleased Spektor gems. 

Spektor played Bonnaroo in 2007, just as her star was beginning to shine on the mainstream level.  With the announcement of Spektor’s involvement with the Hultsfred Festival in Sweden in July, at trip to Tennessee shouldn’t be that out of the question. (Photo courtesy of Stuart Leech on Flickr)

Medeski Martin and Wood

Madeski Martin & Wood perfom at the Slow Food Rocks Festival in San Francisco, CA in 2008.

The Brooklyn-based, experimental progressive-jazz trio has released over 15 albums since they formed in 1991. Medeski Martin and Wood were introduced to me by my brother a few years ago, but it’s their recent foray into children’s music, “Let’s Go Everywhere,” that has peaked my – and my 5-month-old nephew’s – interest.

Their most recent project, a trilogy of albums called “The Radiolarian Series,” is being produced in the exact opposite way that music is usually created. Over the course of 2008-09, MMW plans to write the music for one album, tour, record it and then start the process all over again.

Always eclectic and often-improvisational when they perform live, the band hasn’t graced the Bonnaroo stage since 2006.  With a handful of shows scheduled for April and May, a stop in Manchester would be a great way to test out some new material. (Photo courtesy of staxnet on Flickr)