When asked who I was most excited for at Bonnaroo, I often included Lil Wayne and Eminem in my answers. Why? Because when else am I going to see these two guys? I enjoy both of them — though I wouldn’t really call myself a fan — but a place like Bonnaroo is pretty much [...]

[Read more →]

After Arcade Fire’s Bonnaroo performance, I was quick to claim that it was way better than their Lollapalooza show from last year. The problem is, I can’t really put my finger on what it was that was so different about it. I suppose it’s likely that the Suburbs material has grown on me a bit. [...]

[Read more →]

I enjoy Primus albums on the occasions that I come into contact with them. Hell, I have no problem saying I’m slightly above a singles-level fan of theirs. But for whatever reason, their live show just doesn’t click with me. Their Bonnaroo set was a little less jammy than the concert footage I’d seen before, [...]

[Read more →]

In my experience, there’s no such thing as a bad My Morning Jacket show. However, when their last three Bonnaroo sets have the kind of concerts that convert attendees into lifelong fans and this time they get two hours before the headliner… it feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. Their 2008 show was [...]

[Read more →]

I think that Bonnaroo made a few minor mistakes this year with band placement. Florence and the Machine were probably too big to be playing a tent in the late afternoon, but I wasn’t going to complain. I got the chance to see a rising act from about 5 feet away. Unfortunately I only knew [...]

[Read more →]

Every time I see Matt and Kim live, I wish I was 15 again. They’re just so excited and energetic that I feel like I’d have died a blissful death if I was high school age. The other thing that could make me feel the same way is if they were ever to sing one [...]

[Read more →]

I didn’t expect Justin Townes Earl to dress like a 1926 traveling salesman, but once I got past the initial shock of his fashion nerdiness, I realized he’s a great performer. Even without counting the charm of his country witticisms (“I’ve always been considered a hard dog to keep under the porch”), JTE is a [...]

[Read more →]

I arrived close to the end of the Givers’ set, but wish I’d been able to catch it all. They played to a small crowd, but I can’t imagine any of them left unsatisfied. Their live show is even peppier than their fantastic new album.

[Read more →]

Years ago I booked Phosphorescent to play in Lexington, but their van broke down in Louisville on their way to the show. That would have been my first time seeing them. So it’s been a few years in the making, but now I can say it: Oh man Phosphorescent is great! They opened with “It’s [...]

[Read more →]