Intro to Bonnaroo 2011

Who can say they've witnessed the birth of a movement? Whether you're aware of it or not they're spawning everyday. Right beneath our noses counter-cultures collide and then fuse together forming a new more impressive collective. Often scene kids snatch up the next big thing like so many barriers from a bush, assimilating them into their new wave pie, ripe for us (average Joe/Jane) to eat or spite out.

Sometimes movements are easy to spot. They soar into the main stream without warning until we're all saturated to the point of nausea. Most sparkle and fade in the blink of an eye. Others still simmer; generating steam and momentum until you turn around one day and say 'where the hell did all this come from?' It's easy to hop on board once the boat has raised anchor but watching the genesis is a beautiful thing indeed.

For three years now I've seen strange and wonderful things happen just south of Nashville at the Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival. With crowds of over 80,000 the gathering is larger then some towns. There is a sort of unspoken language between denizens of the temporary city. Arguably the biggest and best fest in all the land has become a staple but I'm more interested in the scene within a scene. Anyone can go to Bonnaroo but who among us can quantify what 'The Roo' really is? It can not be summed up in a single thought, song or blog post. You just have to attend in order to comprehend what I'm hinting at but if you can't (or you choose not to) look no further then it's indigenous people. In them you'll find an answer.

I speak of a new group of the young and dreaming. Large swaths of Generation Y or the Millennial Generation; a demographic without much description, direction or purpose. Lost souls searching for answers in the information age. Flailing for a foothold in a increasingly changing world. They are a hungry group of people eager to cash the bonus checks written by their forefathers. Some of these adrift vagabonds have come together in the pursuit of a common goal. They travel the countryside in search of kicks, good times and crunchy tunes that give this haphazard life meaning. They long for the peace and equality that was advertised by their parents but never delivered.

Armed only with a mission to help and love everyone regardless of race, creed, religion or sexual orientation, they are part of the Bonnaroo Tribe. Just a branch of the Neon Indian army and their numbers are growing. Outsiders choose whether help comes in the form of a drink, a morsel of food, some sound advice or a hit of LSD. No matter your needs, they have you covered. They can be seen wander The Farm in Manchester, Tennessee spreading positive vibes and good cheer. Simply put, they want to make sure everyone and everything is in perfect harmony, if only for a few days every June.

Part Rainbow Family, part fest head with a hint of raver, they are the future and they are already among us whether we like it or not. They aren't hard to spot. At gatherings the men often wear elaborate headdress with beautiful ornate eagle feathers. The women sport a single feather in their headband and both wear intricate Native American beaded jewelry and day-glow war paint. The only conflict any of them ever see are heated drum circles and hula hoop spin offs.

Of course there are the wannabes. Frat boys wearing dyed, dollar store seagull feathers with their un-buttoned button ups, J. Crew khaki shorts mid-thigh in length and boat shoes. Part-time hippie college girls in raw hide skirts and moccasins. Poser imitating the latest trend. Don't be fooled. You'll know the real deal when you see it.

Think of Roo Tribesmen as spiritual guides during the festival experience. If your looking for the best late night show, follow them. If you've been separated from your group and you need fast friends consider the natives a safe bet. If you can't find mushrooms anywhere, odds are they'll have your back. Like children behind the Pied Piper, good times follow everywhere they go. I've seen their tepees in the campgrounds. Sat in on an opium peace pipe session but they are highly secretive and intentionally vague. Much of their ways are still a mystery to me.

Who are these people? How do you join? Who's the spokesperson? Are they affiliated with Bonnaroo brass? What's the hierarchy (if any)? Odds are they're just normal slubs like you and me. College students, bartenders, nurses or cubicle workers who have to return to the 'real world' at some point. Back home to a gig they hate but is necessary none the less. Life happens. There are bills to pay and bar tabs to run up, but part of me still dreams ... imagines them picking up camp after the music is over and heading on down the road to the next fest. A nomadic tribe in constant motion while remaining true to their mission statement. A group of noble, peace loving savages spreading their message and leading by example. Who wouldn't want to run away and join the tribe which happens to be following the circus?

For now I am left with more questions then answers but fear not faithful readers! I'm going to get to the bottom of it all if it's the last thing I do. Along the way I'll document my adventures for your enjoyment, so stick around. Consider this and all my work a declaration ... better yet an invitation; to this movement and all the new ones waiting to be born. I'm on the ball so you don't have to be. In return I ask only that you lend me your ear and keep your mind open. I promise to give both back when I'm finished.


-J.R.