It's the most beautiful time of year..... BONNAROO LINEUP TIME.
That's right my fellow hippies, bass-heads, late night Kaliopers, chill fellows, and Bonnaroo lovers: the lineup dropped this week. You know we were sitting on Reddit all week, looking for leaks and drops on Twitter, but finally we are allowed to know who we are seeing this June.
Looking at the lineup, lets all just stop for a second and take a huge breath and scream out in pure joy... Holy. Crap. It has so much happiness--a little bit of everything for everyone! Positive vibes are radiating through my computer right now looking at this purple screen of pure bliss and excitement that is the Bonnaroo 2017 lineup. Can you tell I'm like a tiny human on Christmas looking at this thing?
Bonnaroo for me is a weekend away in another world, filled with bliss and pure euphoria. I am a music fiend, much like many Roo-goers. We live for music. I live for it. It is me. I am one with the music. I'd just like to take a minute to share with you some of the artists you really should take the time out of your 4 days of happiness to watch. I'm not going to go through the entire lineup, I'll just touch base on the underdogs you may not have heard of or really want to see, but trust me on this--you want to see them.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Calling 80's and 90's babies! Get your crap together because we're taking a stand for this one. I heard RHCP could be a headliner about a month before the lineup dropped. I searched high and low to see if this unicorn could be true. I even called my bestie forestie twin from Manchester to get an insight and he couldn't tell me. I fangirled so hard when they were #2 on the lineup this year! I grew up on RHCP, they define a little piece of me and every other grunge 80's/90's out there. They will bring back that "old Bonnaroo" feel that the Roo vets have been longing for after the last two years. Bring a little darkness, rock and roll, underground rock, garage band feel that I long for at about 9 pm on the third day.
Chance the Rapper
Trust me when I say these words, even if you don't like Chance, never heard of him, have no attraction for rap whatsoever, GO. Chance has been making surprise appearances in other artist's sets for the last two years and he has finally gotten his own slot time! We're expecting some surprises during his set, like big surprises. Just do yourself a favor here--unless of course your favorite artist/ band is playing during his time.
Flume
Just do this. I can't really say anything much or tell you to look up his songs on Spotify because he changes so much. He's a DJ. Every set is different. But, I will tell you this, he threw so much bass in 2015 that my chest physically hurt after his set.
Milky Chance
Here's one that you probably have no idea who they are. You're sitting here reading and thinking "who in the world?" Really, it's okay--I did it too. They're little hippie-like dudes, very chill music. However, you'd be surprised at the songs that you didn't think you knew. They're kinda known for playing commercials or movies, I guess. Pretty chill set to just sit and listen to for a bit while eating some Spicy Pie.
The Strumbellas
Relatively new to the big-music scene, they are more Americana and Indie. They'll be a during the afternoon set, which are the best times to get a beer, take a nap, get some chill time in and try to relax before you go all night. My favorite song of theirs is "We Don't Know". They bring some cool hippie vibes if you're into that.
Alright, let's get to late night stuff... MY FAVORITE
I feel like I should just group talk about this because they are all similar in style, but so, so different. Marshmello is super dance house EDM, he is so lit, and he wears a freaking marshmellow helmet when he DJs, like how cool. Big Gigantic, Ganja White Night, Flatbush Zombies, Getter, G Jones, Herobust, Illenium will all be relatively later night shows, who you should totally plan on attending. They are some super bass-head DJs who throw hard. I've seen the majority of the above at some point and holyyyyyy moly. I damn near cried when I saw them on the lineup.
A lot of Bonnaroo vets are complaining that the majority of the lineup is EDM or something of that genre that they aren't used to. That's the beauty of Roo--t evolves. It has something for everyone. Roo is about meeting people or bonding with your "Roo Crew" and enjoying the music! All music is art and people should realize that. "Music is the drug" in the words of the great Lorin, who created Bassnectar. Radiate positivity and enjoy your time there. It's seriously one of the most amazing experiences if you allow it to enter your mind, body, and soul. It'll cleanse you and who knows, you might just leave a hippie. Can't wait to get jiggy on the farm with y'all!