After spending quite some time looking for Dustin (you’d think a 6’10 shirtless guy would be easy to find–not at Bonnaroo), we settled into our near-perfect spot. For the next eight hours, we made our camp about two feet from the front of the “What” stage.

Meeting new people was great (like Jade from upstate NY or the guy who had the “Don’t Worry, Be Jewish” tshirt) but again, culture and diversity pale in comparison to the music.

Elvis Costello and the Imposters featuring Allen Toussaint
If anything hampered my enjoyment of Elvis’ show, it was that I wasn’t that familiar with his body of work. After he opened with “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?” I thought to myself “great, now I have to wait until he plays ‘Allison.’”

But Costello was amazing, almost as much as his backing band and partner Allen Toussaint. I don’t really know how integral a horn section and keyboard have been to his music in the past, but I can’t really imagine his show going any other way. Not only did they add some much-needed “oomph” to his performance, but they carried quite a few songs, allowing Elvis to go all Southern Preacher on us.

Their set was heavily comprised of songs from Elvis and Allen’s new album, The River In Reverse, and older works from each of the duo’s respective catalogue. I was particularly struck by a cover they did of Dave Bartholomew’s “That’s How You Got Killed Before.” It was appropriate and spectacular.

After Elvis came more waiting, but at least we had things to do. We got to see them set up the puppet stage for Beck, Radiohead’s disjointed video screens, and some girl go topless. It’s going to be a glorious day.