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.

The Ting Tings

Chances are, you have probably heard some of the British duo The Ting Tings and never even realized it.  Whether it was the appearance of their first single “Great DJ” in the trailer for the now Best Picture “Slumdog Millionaire” or their infectiously groovy “Shut Up and Let Me Go” in an April 2008 iPod commercial (now a staple launch point for emerging artists), The Ting Tings have slowly infiltrated the United States pop scene. (Photo courtesy of bunmun on Flickr)

The Ting Tings perform at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas in 2008.

Composed of Julian de Martino and Katie White, The Ting Tings got their start when the pair met each other in Manchester, England and formed a trio called Dear Eskimo. After “creative differences” with their record label at the time, White and Martino were left scratching their heads and wondering how they would get back into the music game.

So, like any struggling band, they began to throw massive house parties. These mini-gigs started off as a way to have a laugh with friends while testing out new material.  But they soon became legendary around England, drawing large crowds and interest in their unique music.

In 2007, The Ting Tings started to branch out past their living room, finding their way onto the Glastonbury stage and on the often career-making talk show “Later with Jools Holland.”  May 2008 saw the release of their debut album “We Started Nothing,” and shortly after, their single “That’s Not My Name” reach #1 on the UK Singles chart.

“We Started Nothing” is a modern-day dance music gem. White’s sexy, straight-forward vocals (think Lily Allen with a splash of Debbie Harry) and simple guitar riffs combined with Martino’s bass background vocals and drums leave the listener tapping their foot and nodding their head.  Add in playful, catchy lyrics and set it to electric synthesizers and you have the perfect cocktail of funk, punk and sugary sweet pop.

The best songs on “We Started Nothing” include the hysterical “That’s Not My Name,” about White’s frustration with being labeled just another pretty, blond pop star. “Shut Up and Let Me Go” pits White against a former lover who has undoubtedly kissed her lips for the last time, while “Fruit Machine” berates a boy (or perhaps an old record company) for shelling out money instead of love.

After The Ting Tings wrap up their first United States tour in May 2009, they will be making their first appearance at Bonnaroo.  I hope Tennessee has their dancing shoes on! (Photo courtesy of remake_remodel on Flickr)

Katie White of The Ting Tings performs at the BBC Introducing Night in 2008.