Críticas

Thu 11 Jun – Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival 2009

Can be found here......

http://danbird.wordpress.com/

Here's our exclusive interview with Phoenix at Bonnaroo -
http://www.last.fm/event/822328/videos/29953059

The two brothers Laurent Brancowitz and Christian Mazzalai (not sure why they have different last names) did all the talking, while Deck D'Arcy was chillin' on the right there. There was a bit of a language barrier, but their outgoing and passionate personalities made up for it. After all, they are the band from the Lost In Translation soundtrack.

Laurent, Christain, Deck and that's me holding the camera

New York was representing hard at this year's Bonnaroo music festival. Even Ad Rock of the Beastie Boys paused in between songs during his set to give a big shout out to fellow Brooklynites--Santigold, TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeah's, and St. Vincent to name a few--all of whom performed solid sets on Friday.

After I caught the first five songs of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's--who were performing at the same time as Santi (damn you Bonnaroo!)--I ran over to That Tent and caught the end of Santigold's set--and let me just tell you, it wasn't an easy task getting through the massive crowds and puddles of mud!



At one point during Santi's set, she said "It's hot out here Bonnaroo!" But that didn't stop her from giving fans what they wanted to see and hear! Performing hits like "L.E.S. Artistes," to the recent Jay-Z produced track “brooklyn we go hard” and the Africanized “Get it Up” (possibly the best song off last year’s booty-shakin' mixtape with Diplo called, “Top Ranking”), Santi wraps up her set and sends fans into a frenzy by sharing the stage with fiancee Trouble Andrew--singing "Im A Lady."

Recently I asked Trouble Andrew during our interview (Watch the interview here!)at the Warfield in SF about a possible wedding date and he said they haven't set one and can't wait until it happens. *Awe!*

I have had a borderline freakish obsession with Nine Inch Nails since I was twelve years old—and have defined myself by this industrial/goth obsession for the better part of my adolescence. And since proclaiming that you love Trent Reznor these days is kind of like saying you think candy is quite tasty, let it be known that even back in the late 80s, when Jem and the Holograms dominated my lunchbox-sized TV set and Pretty Hate Machine never left the tape deck, I was one crazy wild and intense twelve year old dancing spastically after school to "Terrible Lie" and "Head Like A Hole" despite much parental protest.

So, you can only imagine how i felt when i heard Trent Reznor announced he was going to retire. In fact, I was in denial until he reminded us during his performance at Bonnaroo saying:

“This is our last show in the United States...Don’t be sad, we’ll keep on going."



And, it's true, however, he'll continue to record new music, but once his tour with Janes Addiction reaches its final stop, those raging, industrial days are fin!




Performing more than two hours of dark, anger-induced electronic sounds comprising of the set list below, I was willing to accept his departure!

Home
Terrible Lie
Discipline
March Of The Pigs
Metal
Reptile
The Becoming
i'm afraid of american
Burn
Gave Up
La Mer
The Fragile
Banged And Blown Through
Non-Entity
Gone Still..(I think)
The Way Out Is Through
Mr. Self Destruct
Survivalism
The Hand That Feeds
Head Like A Hole Play Video
Wish
Echoplex
The Good Soldier
Dead Souls
The Day The World Went Away
Hurt<-------such as great song to end the evening @







After i was kicked out of the photo pit, I couldn't help but notice how entranced people were to the sounds of NIN. Fans were going ape S*it. I think I saw maybe 4-5 people being transported by the safety staff for either a) dehydration or b) overdose. Likely, overdose, duh! But, c'mon people at a NIN show? Let's put the drugs on hold and treasure the last NIN show ever because once you sober up from your bad trip, chances are you probably forgot the entire thing. Well, i guess you can Youtube it...

Friday afternoon my colleague Peter and I did an interview with 3 of the 4 guys of the French rock band, Phoenix. Guess who was missing? Yep, the lead singer! Apparently he was in route--um, from L.A. (I wonder who he was visiting?) and were expected to play "That Tent" later in the evening hour. With bad weather declaring the mid-western area and delayed flights from every avenue, the band kept it real cool throughout the interview and were optimistic Thomas Mars would make it on time before their 11:30PM show that evening. The result? Everything I expected them to be; astounding, superb, incredible, euphoric sounding, luminous, inspiring, brilliant and dreamy. For anyone who hasn't heard them nor given them a chance, give "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" a spin--i promise it won't disappoint.

Since Peter bragged about his photo snap with Jenny Lewis @ Bonnaroo, I might as well share the pic with me and Phoenix! =)




And, to tie you over until we get our interview produced as well as some amazing video footage i captured during their epic set, here's a really cool video a fan made using various segments of '80s movies.

Humidity and scorching hot weather can make any festival a tumultuous experience. But bad weather usually never stops anyone from having a "good time" especially when you're @ every festival-goers wet dream that is Bonnaroo 2009.





Going into the hot weekend, Sunday seemed the day that was the least exciting (for me that is) of the 4 days of Bonnaroo-ing. I mean, sure, we get to see Phish perform twice, but really people! A second day??? Moving on...








Friday was probably (if not the most) my favorite Bonnaroo night featuring a dizzying set from one of the most acclaimed indie bands on the planet known as Animal Collective. These guys were truly amazing performing what sounded like a never ending mix of abstract noise including personal faves like "My Girls" and "Summertime Clothes." But for anyone who's seen AC before, you know the magical moment isn't near until Avey Tare begins to sing. Okay, and also when Panda Bear bangs on the drums! In short, the boys were otherworldly and was ready to tag the day's best until...




...the Yeah Yeah Yeah'sdid their rock thang at the Which Stage. Vocalist Karen O looked absolutely amazing--wearing yellow-tiger print tights underneath a patterned kimono you'd likely see Siouxsie Sioux wearing. Highlights included watching a teenage girl tear to the sounds of "Soft Shock," Karen O whipping out her silver-studded leather jacket before singing "Zero" followed by an explosion of silver confetti which I'm sure most of you remember from the music video.



Later that evening, I caught me some Al Green, but unfortunately i was one of the hundred or so unlucky ladies standing in the front row who didn't snatch one of those beautiful long stem roses he was throwing oh so very gracefully at fans. Eh, whatever, just being there to witness his smooth ways and sweet-talk through verses like "Let's, let's stay together...Loving you whether, whether..." was enough! Good times to say the least.



Next, I tuned in to the Beastie Boys at the main stage dubbed "What!" And, it was exactly what I said to myself when Nas walked on stage to perform a new song he did with the B Boys called "Too many rappers." But, just one guest rapper? No offense to Nas, but I was expecting a few more rappers! Like Chuck D?

I don't mean to brag, but um, I did get a few sweet shots with artists backstage at Bonnaroo. Now, I didn't exactly "hang out" with ALL of them--I just I went up to them and said, "Hey you're awesome, can I get a photo with you?" I caught up with Jenny Lewis in the media area (easy find) just before her set. She was in hurry and said she's was "getting pulled in so many directions." My best friend has boy-size crush on her, so hopefully this makes him jealous.

Jenny Lewis


After sweating it out at the Silent Disco (the headphone-only DJ tent), it was time to cool off for some laughs at the comedy tent. With my photo pass I easily got backstage and met John Oliver, Rob Riggle, and Executive Producer Rory Albanese. They were all super nice and surprisingly modest by saving their sarcasm for the stage.

John Oliver from The Daily Show



Truimph (a.k.a. Robert Smigel) was all over the media area doing bits for Conan O'Brien, including his signature roast style interviews with TV on the Radio and Chuck D.

Triumph the Insult Comic Dog with TV on the Radio



I tracked down Aziz Ansari (from Parks and Recreation and a bunch of new movies) backstage at the comedy tent, fittingly. He was in the zone getting ready for his standup act, but took a quick moment to snap pic with me. Notice the way I have my arm around him...um...I don't know, it just felt right.

Aziz Ansari



Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black were there promoting their new show Michael & Michael Have Issues. Here's one I like to call "Behind the laughter with Michael Ian Black." Below is Showalter in his cool stunna shades.




Later that night, I didn't meet them, but Bruce Springsteen sat in with Phish on three songs including "Mustang Sally" and "Glory Days." Trey said that The Boss was his boyhood hero, so this was his brush with fame.

Live from the front row at Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band tonight June 13th, 2009 at Bonnaroo in Tennessee.


Look ma, no cavities


One day Max Weinberg is on Conan, the next at Bonnaroo - whada life


What's between D and F Street?


Don't fall over, Bruce


The Boss of 80,000