Bonnaroo, Part II

After a brief political interlude, the adventures continues!

The rest of our days at Roosky were amazing--I had an overall tan permanently seared into my skin, but we heard so much incredible music that I don't even care. Plus, overalls are awesome. And now I look like I'm always wearing them.

the masses

the fountain, before it took on its characteristic day-3 brownish tinge

Day Three started slowly--we waited in line at the Comedy Tent for Ed Helms' Comedy Hour and then lounged in the shade of a tree, listening to the Cults.

When we finally got into the Comedy Tent, we were pretty happy with life--air conditioning and shade and Ed Helms--what could go wrong? Sadly, Ed wasn't all that funny. His bluegrass was wonderful, but we were expecting stand-up and definitely didn't get it. We ended up dipping out early, but Andy from the Office will always have a place in our heart, Ed! (*break me off a piece of that fancy feast*)

In an attempt to salvage the rest of the morning, we rode in the Ferris Wheel which is a bonnaroo-must. Its amazing to see the whole scene from up high!

Mumford & Sons, one of the bands we were most excited about seeing, ended up canceling their show due to some medical problems. We were crushed, but Jack Johnson filled in for them, and he's pretty sensational. We also got to see Tallest Man On Earth, Cat Power, and The Lumineers, so all was not lost.

We ended the night with a dance party in the Silent Disco. Clearly, I came to get down--my whole body was aching from my dance moves when we went to bed that night! I also made sure to get an energy ball going, although my sister dropped it a few times. Its definitely an official roo dance move and absolute necessity at any dance rave. 

Day Four was possible the greatest concert experience of my life. Even though the Macklemore fans nearly killed us (we literally got caught up in a mob and nearly trampled--if the Tom Petty fans had not lifted us over the barricade into safety, we would have gotten crushed) he was wonderful live. So much energy, so much fun, and I was covered in chill bumps in the 99 degree weather when he sang Same Love.

fur coat he got from an audience member

After Kendrick Lamar did his thing (even though I'm an avid hip hop fan, I just don't get him.) THE NATIONAL were up! And our perseverance paid off--we got to be right smack dab in the front row. 

mere feet from my favorites. 

And then...THIS HAPPENED.

This is possibly the greatest picture I have ever taken at a show, because he was literally on top of me. The freakout that ensued after he left was amazing--every single one of us was screaming from joy. Matt, you have no idea how much you rocked our world with that. 

Also, your show was delicious and wonderful and I had so much fun that I have bought tickets to see you again in both Nashville and Kentucky in the fall. I may have a problem.

After we recovered from our National nirvana, we sat down with our dinner of cheez-its and apples and savored our last cookies and cream pop tart while we listened to the king himself, Tom Petty. He is such a rock star--I loved it.

Even though we had to leave early to get home--I had that whole work thing on Monday--we got to hear Free Fallin' so I wasn't terribly crushed.

Thank you, Bonnaroo for the best weekend ever. Despite the near death experience, some show cancellations, and your never ending lines this year (seriously, we gotta work on that), I still love you dearly. Can't wait until next year!

see Part I here!

Bonnaroo, Part 1

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!