I am originally from Tennessee and I have always loved concerts. I grew older and realized that I wanted to go to bigger concerts and rock out like the bohemians and hippies did it in the 70′s. Ok, not to that extreme but close as possible to a really good time, which defines the term Bonnaroo. I didn’t see that happening anytime soon in the Bible belt cities that I was surrounded by, so I moved to Brooklyn. And although I’ve seen some awesome showcases here from Talib Kweli at the Apple Store in Soho to Jill Scott in Wingate Park and any reggae spot, there’s nothing like Manchester, Tennessee’s Bonnaroo Music Festival.

It’s like every great concert I’ve seen all in one place simultaneously. It started in 2002, but hip-hop heads would not have been interested. Nowadays the line up includes artist such as The Roots, Matisyahu, Dave Matthews Band, Raphael Saadiq and Citizen Cope to name a few. No concert has seen this energy since Woodstock. The concerts are continuous for 4 days with 4 stages and all vendors are required not to charge, just an entrance fee+ tips. It takes place in the middle of summer but don’t fret, mud and cooling tents are everywhere! It’s on an open 500 acres of land, no parking issues, no security issues. Your only worry is the police, for all you Rasta’s. 2009 Bonnaroo headlines are Bruce Springsteen, The E Street Band, Phish, The Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, David Byrne, Al Green, Snoop Dogg and Elvis Costello and will be held June 11-14 in Manchester, Tenn.
If you are a concert fanatic, be there, it is worth the drive to the Middle of Tennessee, even for New Yorkers.