@shiftywhiteguy Hi Festival Crashers, I’m here to crash your blog.  Since Zack and Shore have inexplicably forgotten their festival hierarchy, I will be providing your coverage of Bonnaroo, along with another one of our crasher pals, Mix-Master Laura.* Now I know what you’re thinking …”Bryn, you seem kind of shifty. We’re used to Zack and Shore’s gentle festival sensibilities.  How do we know you’ll give us the same nurturing, loving touch?” Well, chances are I won’t.

I’m glad Andy and Teibs broke you in nice and gently, but I’m here to skip the festival foreplay and give it to you a little rough. Ok, let’s ditch that metaphor. But, in all seriousness, our coverage will be a little raw this year. Without a press pass, covering a festival like Bonnaroo is a logistical nightmare.

Hell, hygeine is a logistical nightmare at Bonnaroo. So, the only way we’ll be able to get you guys live news from the festival is by doing it in 140-character increments via twitter.  Follow me at @shiftywhiteguy for short updates, and expect a whole slew of stuff to come right after I have a chance to get back to electricity and internet access.

Now, without further ado, a guest Festival Crasher’s guide to Bonnaroo: Read the rest of this entry »

@ZackTeibloom It’s a big day for West coast festivals. SF Outside Lands dropped their much hyped line-up and Bumbershoot let theirs slide in under the radar. It’s a massive “hit or miss” list. Dylan, Decemberists and Hole. I’ve had extreme reactions every time I’ve seen them. On both sides.

Bob Dylan always has the potential to be a show you’ll never forget, but more times than not, it’s painful. The Decemberists had a successful last tour doing their latest album in order as a big production. How will they be on the next tour? Neko Case is best with The New Pornographers, gets pushed out of the lime light with Jakob Dylan. I’ve never been blow away by her solo show. Sunday gives you Weezer, who hasn’t made a great album in over a decade, but their stable of songs is big enough to make them a must see. You also get Hole, who was shockingly good at SXSW (Courtney had her shit together for once) and Rise Against who brings it at fests. Monday gives you an odd trio of Mary J. Blige, a “Special Guest” which I assume is a TBA and J.Cole, whose single is called “Who Dat?” I had the same reaction. Who else will be there? Read the rest of this entry »

@ZackTeibloom UPDATE: The Strokes and Further (feat. Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh & Bob Weir) join Kings of Leon at the top of the line-up. It’s a solid line-up full of festival mainstays like Phoenix and My Morning Jacket. I’m not thrilled. Further is the biggest addition to be excited about. And I’m not even that big into the Dead (comparatively.)

This may be the 18,000th consecutive festival with KoL headlining, The Strokes are hitting the late summer trifecta of Lolla/Outside Lands/ACL and Phoenix never seems to take a break to record.

The video by Electic Method (Remember them? They did the video for the Phish Halloween costume) is solid, but basic. You could say the exact same thing about the line-up. You’ll really notice it when they do the hour by hour schedule. Don’t get me wrong, there will be some strong afternoon sets (Al Green, Wolfmother, Mayer Hawthorne, The Temper Trap, The Soft Pack) and dance parties (Al Green, Chromeo) but if you’re big on the festival circuit, it’s not worth flying out for. It fails to match Bonnaroo, Lolla, ACL, Coachella. etc. Disagree?

UPDATE: LINE-UP IS HERE:

Read the rest of this entry »