Saturday Atmosphere
Live in This Tent
Bonnaroo – 06/13/15
Singing ‘We Are the World’
Throwback Dance Party 2015
Photos by: Matthew McGuire
Written by: Matthew McGuire & John McGuire
Saturday presented a collection of artists that provided different avenues of entertainment in the middle of Tennessee. The festival evokes the energy of New Orleans during Jazz Fest, the rush of Las Vegas at night, inspiring jazz from New York, the edge from the northwest, a sense of musical history from Music Row in Nashville, as well as the heat from Beale Street in Memphis.
Bonnaroo is the melting pot of national and international culture.
Priory, electro/dance beat makers from Portland opened up music under This Tent Saturday afternoon.
Scan an interview with Priory here.
Ralphie May, Jeff Ross and Mark Normand hosted two hot sets in the Comedy Tent. This year marked my fifth year at Bonnaroo, but first year covering it for media, and it was the first time I was able to camp with my dad.
When I was busy running back and forth, he took the time to interview Taylor Shomaker, a director of operations at Bonnaroo. They discussed the community and green elements that go into putting the festival together.
On Saturday, the first show I saw was a special preview screening and Q&A with Denis Leary, along with cast from Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll that will be premiering on FX Networks July 16.
The Cinema Tent had a fresh popcorn smell running through the venue that gave it a distinct touch. Leary presented the audience with a vote to view one of the first three episodes of Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll. After a lame duck first run, Leary got the crowd into it for a roaring second round of voting. It was comical having Leary on site at Bonnaroo.
The crowd selected the third episode of Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, which made no sense to me. I was looking to watch the show in order, but enjoyed when Leary made fun of the voters from the first episode. It was a great way to present a new show to a younger audience.
After cooling off in the Cinema Tent, I made my way to the heat of Bleachers in This Tent from 5:15-6:30. Scope out Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll playlist on YouTube.
Denis Leary
Executive Producer: Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll
“Vote if you want to watch the first, second or third episode for Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll.” – Denis Leary
As I strolled through the festive surrounds of Bonnaroo 2015 I noticed a young woman holding a sign that read, “meet the producers.” After moving around a tent, I introduced myself to a worker from the festival. He introduced himself as Taylor Shomaker, and informed me that he had been with Bonnaroo for eight years. Currently he is working with AC Entertainment in event operations.
Why did you get involved?
“I got involved because I met some people in Knoxville that work for the AC Entertainment company, which is a company that I now work for. They told me a little bit about what they do, and it seemed like an exciting opportunity. And being able to work for a company that produces such great events, not just Bonnaroo, but so many throughout the southeast.”
I have noticed there has been a family and community approach. How does that work?
“It is a city at this point. So, being able to have 80,000 people that are on the site, and being able to interact on a higher level with them. Create new relationships and new friendships, and just get to know everybody. We like to promote that community atmosphere.”
Bleachers
“This is my ten year anniversary playing this festival, and I want to say it is an honor to play for you.” – Jack Antonoff (Bleachers)
Like a River Runs
Shadow
Wild Heart
Wake Me
Reckless Love
Take Me Away
Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac cover)
Rollercoaster
You’re Still a Mystery
Who I Want You to Love
I Wanna Get Better
Setlist source at: http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bleachers/2015/great-stage-park-manchester-tn-73c93ebd.html
Gary Clark Jr. put up a solid fight for best set of the weekend with his passion to push the creative boundaries of his instrument. Clark wailed away on the electric guitar with tenacity. His guitar solos are historic.
It was my second time catching his live set, and I found it to be similar overall. Which is also how I felt about the Bassnectar set. When I talked with diehard fans, they help teach me the differences and techniques that the musicians are using to make each song unique. If an artist uses a computer, guitar, drum, or their vocal cords, I look at how the producer is creating something new.
The crowd surrounded the Which Stage for Childish Gambino, Donald Glover. My dad nicknamed him ‘Pissed Off Gambino’ because he felt that Glover was distraught with his set. It was my first time seeing his live performance in person, but have seen him in concert online before. The set was similar to what I had seen in the past, and after his set I made my way over to the What Stage for my first live set with My Morning Jacket. After hearing about the band recently collaborating with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, I had high expectations for a guest spot. MMJ performed a solid set, but I was looking for more risk taking on stage.
My older brother, sister-in-law and myself all celebrated Saturday night in a sea of people. I would catch some of the Mumford & Sons set, but missed the large jam session they held during their end of the set.
Gary Clark Jr.
Superjam! group featuring: Jack Antonoff
Mumford & Sons
“I think this is the greatest festival in America, if not the world.” – Marcus Oliver Johnstone Mumford
Lovers’ Eyes
I Will Wait
Snake Eyes
Lover of the Light
Thistle & Weeds
Ghosts That We Knew
Awake My Soul (with Ed Helms)
Believe
Tompkins Square Park
The Cave
Ditmas
Broad-Shouldered Beasts
Below My Feet
Dust Bowl Dance
The Wolf
Encore:
Hot Gates
Only Love
Roll Away Your Stone
Little Lion Man
With a Little Help from My Friends
(The Beatles cover) (with members of The War On Drugs, My Morning Jacket, Dawes, Hozier and Ed Helms)
Source setlist at: http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/mumford-and-sons/2015/great-stage-park-manchester-tn-1bc93db4.html
Featuring: Pretty Lights, DMC (Run DMC), Metallica’s Rob Trujillo, Jack Antonoff (Bleachers), Chance the Rapper, Karl Denson + additional guests.
The Old School Block Party Superjam! started just after 1:30 a.m. in The Other Tent. The house music blended into Chali 2NA warming the crowd up a bit before Zach Galifianakis and Jon Hamm surprised guests with ‘We Are the World’ early Sunday morning.
It was strange, but that is what makes Bonnaroo unique.
After they wrapped, Chance the Rapper hit the stage, and the crowd went nuts. I watched Slayer earlier in the evening and thought it was an intense form of crazy. During the Superjam! it felt like a level of controlled madness coordinated by Pretty Lights and company. Last year Skrillex was the house DJ for the Superjam!, and Pretty Lights kept that tradition going in 2015.
Chali 2NA was my favorite part by far. I didn’t see it coming, and after being front row for Jurassic 5 at Bonnaroo 2002, I had been looking for a J5 experience at Bonnaroo ever since.
After the dance party, I rested up for the final day of the festival.
Raury, Rubblebucket, Tove Lo, Houndmouth, Gramatik & Jungle host hot sets on Thursday.
Kendrick Lamar, Ben Harper, Odesza, Earth Wind & Fire raise the bar on Friday.
Mumford & Sons, Slayer, Bassnectar, My Morning Jacket + the Superjam! on Saturday.
Billy Joel, Robert Plant, Ed Helms with the Bluegrass Superjam + Pokey LaFarge on Sunday.