After a three year absence, I finally returned to Bonnaroo. Four days of hippy love, sunshine, no technology, and amazing music -- it was like a dream!
Driving through the Tennessee valleys to Manchester. So many beautiful farms surrounded by mountains.
After settling into our campsite, my sister and I ventured our for our first day of shows. We were only familiar with one of the bands playing, but we discovered some gems.
After a killer performance by Nikki Bluhm and the Gramblers, we jammed to Milo Green who blew me away.
We also got to see my love, JD McPherson, and even though there wasn't quite enough space for me to swing dance, I made do.
In an attempt to conserve energy for the marathon awaiting us the next day, we made our way back pretty early. The universe rewarded us with an unreal sunset.
Day 2 started with a lovely documentary about the Beatles former secretary, Freda. Her life in the 60s was so amazing.
A new addition to the bonnaroo graffiti walls.
I too want to eat 'a lot o' cheese' before I die.
The 'roo Bobble Heads
The rest of the day was spent in the sweltering sun making lots of new friends and grooving to ridiculous sets by Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Local Natives, Passion Pit, and Wilco.
crowd surfing telletubies are, in my opinion, the best kind of telletubies.
Despite our exhaustion, we planted ourselves firmly by the stage and waited for the holy grail of festival performances--Paul McCartney.
He serenaded us with Beatles classics all night long and my throat was sore from belting out every single lyric alongside him. Also, singing "Hey Jude" with 80,000 people will probably go down as one of the greatest concert experiences I have ever had, and probably one of my happiest life moments. I realize I'm a touch dramatic, but...it was Paul.
After Paul, we managed to catch the end of the XX, but sadly, we couldn't stick around for Pretty Lights. We dragged our aching bodies to our campsite and were asleep before our heads even hit the pillow, with Beatles songs providing the backdrop for our dreams.
Part II to come!