MTV Newsroom › Bonnaroo

Bonnaroo's Clean Vibes Crew Talks Trash With MTV

Posted 6/13/11 11:32 am EST by in Behind The Scenes, Music


MANCHESTER, Tennessee — As you can probably imagine, it's not exactly easy cleaning up after 80,000 people, especially when they've just spent four very long days (and nights) drinking bottled everything and eating more arepas than anyone can count. And don't even get us started on the cigarette butts.

Still, for 10 years now, the Clean Vibes Crew has been doing exactly that at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, picking up, sorting, recycling and composting every single bit of trash the tens of thousands in attendance drop throughout the event. And with the 2011 'Roo now officially in the books, the real work is only just beginning. Starting today, the crew will walk arm-in-arm across the 800-acre farmland that the festival has called home since the very beginning. The goal, according to Clean Vibes owner Anna Borofsky, is simple.

"Every inch of land here we walk, arm to arm, and pick up every last cigarette butt or bottle cap," she says, "so it's a farm [again] when we leave."

It's a pretty daunting task, yet Borofsky and her crew — which includes more than 1,000 volunteers, who, in exchange for work, get free admission to the fest — have never once shrunk from the challenge. And though you probably don't notice their efforts during event, you definitely come to appreciate them. For the sheer size of the thing, Bonnaroo is a remarkably green event, the kind that prides itself on leaving as small an impact as possible ... even if that means stationing so-called "Trash Talk" volunteers at each and every trash receptacle, to make sure fans know which bits of trash go in what bin (and, for the record, they actually did this).

It's a pretty sizable undertaking, and after coming to Bonnaroo for several years, we've come to appreciate it more and more. So, this year, we decided to ride shotgun with Borofsky and the Clean Vibes Crew, to give you an idea of just how they take out (and sort) the trash.

Tags

Miss Bonnaroo? Check Out These Five Summer Venues Instead!

Posted 6/10/11 1:53 pm EST by in Music


By Morgan Schwartz

Last night, the Black Eyed Peas were supposed to give those of us stuck in New York City a free concert in Central Park, but thunderstorms caused the show to be canceled.

But even if you're not down in Tennessee for a fun-filled Bonnaroo weekend, don't sweat it (although that might be impossible in this summer heat!). There are plenty of other opportunities to see bands take advantage of the beautiful weather and play outdoors throughout the summer. All over the country, there are great summer concert series and festivals going on. So get ready to get out (literally) and hear some great music.

Central Park SummerStage, New York
With performances by Florence and the Machine, Ratatat, Wiz Khalifa, Lykke Li, Sara Bareilles and Nas and Damian Marley — and tickets at $30-$50 — the Central Park SummerStage concert series is something you don't want to miss. Most of the shows are on weeknights at around 5 p.m., but if you can head out of work a little early and make it to any one of these concerts, it will be worth it.

Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles
Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine is taking a break from his gig as celebrity judge on "The Voice" to team up with Train and give anyone in the Los Angeles area a great outdoor concert in the iconic amphitheater. Other concerts the venue is offering this summer include Dolly Parton, Sarah McLachlan and Phish. The experience is truly something special: Whether you're sitting in the box seats enjoying a picnic-basket dinner or up on the hill looking down onto the stage, the Hollywood Bowl is one of my favorite summer concert venues.

Lollapalooza, Chicago
If you're not at Bonnaroo and didn't make it to Coachella (or if you went to both and are just extremely lucky), Lollapalooza is another great opportunity to head to a three-day festival filled with great music. Headlined by Eminem, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Muse, My Morning Jacket and deadmau5, and featuring other great acts like Cee Lo, Marley and Nas, Arctic Monkeys and Black Lips, Lollapalooza has something for everyone. The beauty of the festival is the sheer amount of music you can expose yourself to when you're there. Fest creator Perry Farrell told us a few years back about his desire to expose even more people to what Lollapalooza has to offer: "I'd love to see Lollapalooza travel around the world. ... Before I die, I would love to see it make its way around the world. ... Europe has never seen Lollapalooza or experienced it and people around the country often ask me if it will ever come back and so, for their sake, I'd love to see those wheels start to turn again and travel." So would we!

Red Rocks Amphitheater, Denver
This natural amphitheater rocks (no pun intended). The beautiful stage is set into the mountains of Colorado. But the scenery is not the only reason to head there to see a concert this summer. The 2011 lineup includes shows by Peter Gabriel, Bassnectar, the Avett Brothers, Pretty Lights, Incubus, Death Cab for Cutie and Kings of Leon.

Electric Daisy Carnival, Las Vegas
The Electric Daisy Carnival is making the big move from L.A. to Vegas this summer. The lineup, which should be released in the next few days, has in the past included some of the most famous techno DJs in the world such as Armin Van Buuren, deadmau5 and Kaskade. Last year, the festival had more than 185,000 attendees. 2010's headliner, Steven Angello of Swedish House Mafia, said to the massive crowd: "EDC, I've never seen anything like this in my entire life, and I've DJ'ed everywhere in the world." This year is the 15th anniversary of the festival and the first year it will take place in Sin City. With so many people heading to the desert for electric music, one thing is for sure — what happens in Vegas will certainly not be staying in Vegas.

What concerts and artists are you most excited to see this summer? Let us know in the comments below!

Tags , ,

Bonnaroo 2011: Five Overlooked Acts To Catch

Posted 6/9/11 11:39 am EST by in Music


By Jett Wells

We've heard the complaints from Bonnaroo vets about this year's lineup, but that doesn't mean there's not plenty of worthwhile acts: Eminem, Arcade Fire, Lil Wayne and The Strokes make up some of the upper-bill heavyweights, but its on the undercard where Bonnaroo truly shines. Here are five overlooked acts that you can't miss at this year's fest.

Sleigh Bells, Thursday, 10:15 p.m., The Other Tent
You know who they are, and you know what they bring. Over the past year, Sleigh Bells have earned a reputation as one of the loudest bands around, hitting the stage with fury. Although their sets can be short and don’t really sound their best without a roof over their heads, Sleigh Bells will be sure to pack 'em in at the 'Roo.

Ratatat, Friday, 12:30 a.m., The Other Tent
Electro stalwarts Ratatat have aged well, and their growling, prowling guitar-lectro concoctions can still electrify a crowd. Ratatat is as sure a good time as they come at this year’s festival.

Chiddy Bang, Saturday, 3:30 p.m., This Tent
Don't let their up-and-coming status fool you, the dynamic duo known as Chiddy Bang are already a top hip-hop talent. Known for their cleverly-crafted mixes, Chiddy Bang combines nerd-hop with indie pop. You can do a lot worse for an appetizer early in the festival, and the duo’s frat-boy energy should make for a really fun time.

Girl Talk, Saturday, 2:30 a.m., This Tent
Gregg Gillis has solidified himself as one of best party DJs around, and he'll host the biggest dance party in Tennessee this weekend, for sure. The mixes will be more fresh than usual especially after releasing his latest album All Day n November, and history tells us Gillis saves a little extra for the bigger stages.

Explosions in the Sky, Sunday, 6:45 p.m., This Tent
Known for beautiful, anthemic instrumental rock — and for being on the "Friday Night Lights" soundtrack — Explosions in the Sky blowing you away every time. Their latest, Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, continues in that grand tradition. Sure to be an epic capper to your already epic weekend.

Tags

Is Bonnaroo, Coachella Or Lollapalooza The Biggest Festival Of 2011?

Posted 2/16/11 11:33 am EST by in Music


The weather is starting to warm up a touch across the country, which means that pretty soon it will be time to spend the summer months seeing bands outside. A little over a decade ago, there weren't any major event festivals in the United States, but now it seems as though there are dozens. But there are three tentpole events against which all other festivals are measured in this country, and they are Coachella, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo. Coachella announced its full lineup a few weeks ago, and on Tuesday (February 15), Bonnaroo revealed the eclectic batch of acts that will be descending on Manchester, Tennessee in June. Meanwhile, the full lineup for Lollapalooza has yet to be revealed, though we do know that the headliners include Eminem, Foo Fighters and Muse.

So now that the top-line talent has been announced for each of the major festivals, which one are you most looking forward to? Which one is most likely to get your admission and travel money? Let's take a look at the vital stats for each.

Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Location: Empire Polo Field, Indio, California
Dates: April 15-17
Headliners: Kanye West, Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire
Bottom Line: Coachella remains steadfastly committed to widescreen versions of indie rock (as well as theatrical hip-hop). There aren't any big-time reunions this year (the London Suede doesn't cut it), but if you're a fan of sharp, fuzzy guitar songs, Coachella is your summer oasis.

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Location: Great Stage Park, Manchester, Tennessee
Dates: June 9-12, 2011
Headliners: Eminem, Arcade Fire, Widespread Panic
Bottom Line: Though purists may bristle at the idea of two of the world's biggest rappers ruling a traditionally jam-friendly festival (Lil Wayne will also play a high-profile set in Manchester), this year's Bonnaroo is actually one of the most refreshingly eclectic in the festival's history. Other highlights include My Morning Jacket, the Black Keys, String Cheese Incident and the only festival appearance of Buffalo Springfield (if you're into that sort of thing).

(Click here for photos of the 2011 Bonnaroo lineup, including Eminem, Lil Wayne and Arcade Fire!)

Lollapalooza
Location: Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois
Dates: August 5-7
Headliners: Eminem, Muse, Foo Fighters
Bottom Line: The full lineup won't be announced until April, but the first three acts have set the tone for the summer. Lollapalooza arguably has the biggest combination of headliners of anybody, and it's likely that more surprises are in store when the full list of acts is announced.

So which one gets you the most excited? Which one has that perfect combination of musical strength and travel and experience opportunities? Vote in the poll below and sound off in the comments!

Tags , , , ,

The Bonnaroo 2011 Lineup: Five Acts You Must See

Posted 2/15/11 5:00 pm EST by in Music


With Coachella already set to go and a handful of Lollapalooza acts already leaking out, the summer festival season is already shaping up to be one of the biggest and best of all time. But what of Bonnaroo, the rural Tennessee camping adventure that began as a gathering of jam band obsessives but has evolved into one of the best music events in the world? On Tuesday morning (February 15), the Bonnaroo lineup was unveiled, with Eminem, Lil Wayne and Arcade Fire serving as the big headliners at this year's model (which will run June 9-12 in Manchester, Tennessee). The top line is rounded out by the likes of the Strokes, the Black Keys, My Morning Jacket, Florence and the Machine and a reuniting Buffalo Springfield (making their only festival appearance).

That's an eclectic lineup, for sure (there's more hip-hop on the bill than ever before, especially in the headlining spots), but there's still plenty for the Bonnaroo purists. No matter who you are, you'll be able to find something.

But what if you don't even know what you're looking for? Here are five acts on the Bonnaroo bill who should be circled, highlighted and checked off on your agenda as you make your way into the wilderness.

Lil Wayne
Sure, he's a headliner and a major star, but how often do you get to see him in a festival setting? With a crowd that size and a sound system of that magnitude at his disposal (not to mention an exceptionally mellow crowd), Lil Wayne could turn in one of those transcendent performances you always end up hearing about later. Except this time, you're actually there.

The Sword
For the uninitiated, the Sword play the sort of zonked-out, sludgy, chugging hard rock sometimes referred to as "stoner metal," but they're far more dynamic than that reductive moniker suggests. Their live show is legendarily sharp, and they should provide some much-needed evil amidst all the good vibes in Manchester (because you need balance, you see).

The Black Keys
Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are secretly one of the best festival bands working, able to stretch their tunes into sweaty, fuzzy orgies of sound that dart, groove and explode. Their set at Lollapalooza 2008 was a revelation, and they've only gotten better since then.

Girl Talk
For a group that consists of little more than a guy and a laptop, Girl Talk is always shockingly dynamic. At festivals, Greg Gillis turns his anything-goes approach into the red, and his set at Bonnaroo is likely to end in mass hysteria and free hugs. So, you know, greatness.

Wiz Khalifa
If nothing else, this show should be an excellent test for one of the most buzz-worthy new MCs on the scene. Can Wiz handle the big crowds? Can his claustrophobic tracks work outdoors? Whether Wiz succeeds or fails (and the former is far more likely), it should be a heck of a party.

Tags , , , , , , , ,

Ben & Jerry's And Bonnaroo Announce New Ice Cream Flavor That Needs A Better Name

Posted 4/20/10 12:35 pm EST by in Music


At precisely 12:01 a.m. Tuesday (April 20) — a somewhat fitting date — Bonnaroo sent out a press release announcing that they had teamed up with Ben & Jerry's to create a brand new flavor of ice cream. It seemed like a perfect idea on about a million levels, given the rather herb-centric target demographic both seem to attract.

And while we're totally excited to try the new flavor — a blend of "light coffee and malt ice creams with whiskey caramel swirls and English toffee pieces," according to the press release — we have to take issue with the name they chose for the thing: "Bonnaroo Buzz," which sort of sounds like the daily newspaper they'd circulate during the festival and not a delicious, slightly stony flavor of ice cream.

Ben & Jerry's have a long and storied tradition of naming their flavors really clever things ("Cherry Garcia," "Imagine Whirled Peace," "Neapolitan Dynamite" and "Stephen Colbert's Americone Dream," just to name a few) and "Bonnaroo Buzz" just doesn't cut it. So we figured we'd help out by offering up a batch of new names, each keeping the spirit of both the festival and the Vermont-based ice cream giant. So here are our our humble suggestions. And remember, just because we don't like the name doesn't mean we'd be adverse to receiving a case of "Bonnaroo Buzz" here in the MTV Newsroom. We're fickle, but we're not too proud to beg (especially for delicious frozen treats).

"Bonnarootbeer"

"Bonnarhubarb"

"Banana-roo Split"

"Phish Food"

"Let's All Forget About That One Year Metallica Headlined"

"Bonna-rum Ripple

"Bonna-you know what would be good with this, man? Some sour cream and onion chips with some dip, man. Some beef jerky, some peanut butter. Some popcorn — red popcorn — graham crackers — graham crackers with marshmallows, the little marshmallows. And little chocolate bars and we can make s'mores, man. Also, celery, grape jelly, Cap'n Crunch with the little Crunch Berries, pizzas. We need two big pizzas, man, everything on 'em, with water, whole lotta water, and Funyons." 

What would you call the Bonnaroo flavor of Ben & Jerry's ice cream? Let us know in the comments!

Tags ,

Jay-Z, Kings Of Leon And The Rest Of The Bonnaroo Winners And Losers

Posted 2/10/10 11:05 am EST by in Music


On Tuesday (February 9), the crown jewel of the festival season announced its full lineup. Over a period of nine hours, the Bonnaroo MySpace page slowly rolled out the complete list of bands appearing at this year's festival, which will be held in the usual space in Manchester, Tennessee on June 10-13.

Dave Matthews Band, Jay-Z, Kings of Leon, the Flaming Lips, Stevie Wonder and Weezer are among the headliners at the 2010 version of the festival, and like any lineup, the reaction is going to be a mix of jubilation, surprise, rage and head-scratching. So we decided to break down the complete list of acts (over 100 in all) and decide who gets the thumbs up and who gets the thumbs down.

Thumbs Up

Dave Matthews Band
It feels like the end of a great victory lap for the Dave Matthews Band, who came from the primordial ooze of the spirit of the early Bonnaroos, which focused on the jammier side of rock. Having released a chart-topping album (Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King) that was subsequently nominated for an Album of the Year Grammy, the DMB performance should have a phenomenally feel-good vibe.

Stevie Wonder
Stevie is a legend, and he still manages to crank out incredible live shows. His brand of funk doesn't necessarily sound like anything else at this year's Bonnaroo, so while you get one of the all-time greats, you also get a nice change of pace.
Read More...

Tags , , , , , , , ,

In 'Tonight Show' Debut, Triumph Takes Down Beastie Boys At Bonnaroo

Posted 6/22/09 10:53 am EST by in Television


When Conan O'Brien moved from the 12:30 slot to the more high-profile "Tonight Show," there was concern in the media (and in the MTV newsroom) that O'Brien wouldn't be able to be as aggressively weird as he was allowed to be on his old show. But on Friday, a familiar face returned to the fray: Former Eminem rival Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, who took his microphone to Bonnaroo to poke fun at dirty hippies and take down a handful of bands, including TV on the Radio and the Beastie Boys. Triumph's Beasties interview was probably the finest bit, which saw Robert Smigel's puppet note, "It used to be 'Check Your Head' and now it's 'Check Your Prostate.'" Check out the entire clip below.

Tags , , ,

Beastie Boys, Phish And The Rest Of The Bands I'll Be Missing At Bonnaroo

Posted 6/11/09 4:04 pm EST by in Festivals, Music


I envy you ... the unwashed masses, the blissfully unemployed, the bearded and bedraggled. You get to go to Bonnaroo, to revel in four days of unadulterated muck and music and mind-altering substances. I don't, because I am stuck in meetings all week.

And this is most certainly a bummer. See, I love Bonnaroo. I think it's the best fest in America, an experience every music fan must have at least once in their lives (and I'm not just saying this because, back in 2007, I got to fly a helicopter there).

But this year, because of the time constraints due to back-to-back-to-back business meetings (read: impending adulthood), I'm not going to make it down to Manchester, Tennessee. I will probably regret this for the rest of my life, because Bonnaroo 2009 looks like it's going to be a blast.

And, yeah, I know that the weather forecast for Manchester could charitably be described as "cataclysmic" — the phrase "strong storms" is bandied about, which should make camping in an open field with 80,000 other revelers a rather messy affair — but that doesn't change the fact that there are tons of can't-miss moments spread out over the fest's four days. Which means that if you're brave enough to, uh, brave the weather, you're gonna be in for a treat.

So even though I won't be down in Tennessee with you, I figured I could still lend a hand. I've thrown together a Bonnaroo Cheat Sheet, highlighting some of the fest's best acts. These are the bands you probably can't afford to miss, even if you have to trudge through six feet of water to check them out.

» Thursday: A bit of a light schedule, as most of the 80k will still be setting up their tents, but you'd be doing yourself a favor if you checked out Passion Pit, a much-buzzed electro-pop outfit from Massachusetts who just released their debut disc, a dazzler called Manners. If you can get past frontman Michael Angelakos' pinched squeal, there's plenty of goodness.
Read More...

Tags , , ,

Bonnaroo Vs. Coachella: Which Festival Is Hotter?

Posted 2/3/09 3:14 pm EST by in Bonnaroo, Coachella


Bruce SpringsteenBy Alex Shapiro

It's only February, but music lovers across the country can already start planning their summers: After months of speculation surrounding Coachella and Bonnaroo, the initial lineups for both have been announced, and they are amazing!

The Coachella lineup is made up of some heavy hitters: Former Beatle Paul McCartney will kick off the fest, followed by '80s goth-rockers the Cure, with synth-rock group the Killers closing it out on the last day. The other 116 announced acts make up a smorgasbord of techno, rock and rap acts that will prevent anyone from saying, "There isn't one band there I'd pay to see." If I was anywhere near Indio, California, I wouldn't miss this one. Read More...

Tags , ,

Page 1 of 212
SPONSORS
AD:
©2012 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. MTV and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.