Due to circumstances mostly beyond my control, my trip to Bonnaroo was unexpectedly short-lived. I arrived very late Friday night and left midday Sunday. Despite some personal mishaps and gallons of perspiration exuded, the short trip was wholly soul-affirming and an incredibly good time. I should also note how pleasantly dumbfounded I am that the fine organizers of Bonnaroo manage to pull off an enormous, world-class festival of art, cinema, and music so beautifully, safely, and peaceably. HUGE kudos to the Bonnaroo team! I look forward to some extensive blog posts re-capping my short visit, but in the meantime, here are some quick numbers/statistics/factoids/anecdotes from the show
NOTE: All figures are guesses, estimations, or hearsay; others are taken from my personal experience:
- Number of improvised 2 AM Preservation Hall Jazz Band second line parades through Centeroo complex: 1
- Number of very extended encores at Saturday night Gogol Bordello set: At least 3
- Number of times Loretta Lynn forgot lyrics, messed up songs: At least 3
- Number of people who cared because the set was still stellar: 0
- Number of hours spent, upon arrival, looking for media camping after entering through wrong gate (driving through hordes of barefoot, intoxicated attendees along dust-covered roads): 2
- Number, on scale of 1-10, of my joy at finally finding media camping (at 3 AM): 11
- Approximate attendance of Bonnaroo: 80,000 attendees + 15,000 in staff, vendors, etc.*
- Approximate revenue of festival: $28 to $29 Million*
- Approximate percentage of Bonnombies (passed out attendees scattered around performances) per stage: 4%
- Percentage of frat boys on serious hallucinogens who were unnerving and/or dangerous: 100
- Total number of hours of sleep in my 2 nights at Bonnaroo: apprx. 3
- Number of sweat-drenched shirts futilely replaced on Saturday alone: 3
- Approximate number of gallons of water personally consumed per day: 3-4 gallons
- Number of times gag reflex involuntarily manifested in Porta-Johns: 2
- Percentage effectiveness of closing eyes and thinking of fresh cut lemons on white plate to subdue gag reflex: 100% (thanks for that tip years ago, mom.)
- Number of creepy old dudes I witnessed openly, aggressively leering at young, scantily dressed women: In the dozens
- Amount of power left in the battery of my cohort’s van upon attempt to exit: 0%
- Percentage of gratitude towards kind camping neighbors who gave us ride to replace battery: 100 (THANK YOU, Jeremy & Jamie of Asheville, NC!)
* Figures regarding attendance and revenue told to me by a Bonnaroo attendee who, apparently, helped consult with logistical concerns. These facts have not been independently confirmed.
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Dustin Ogdin is a freelance writer and journalist based in Nashville, TN. His work has been featured by MTV News, the Associated Press, and various other stops in the vast environs of the world wide web. His personal blog and home base is Ear•Tyme Music. Click below to read more and network with Dustin.Ear•Tyme blog…
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