| . |
 |
| photos - video - guitar chords/tabs - message board - links - misc |
 |
|
| Josh Ritter Fansite > Features > June 2005 Shows > Bonnaroo > Page 2 |
 |
 |
|
 |
| photo by Doug Rice |
 |
| "Bonnaroo feels like an amusement park for open-minded lovers of rock and roll." |
| - Reid Davis, Paste Magazine |
| Bonnaroo really is that: an amusement park, a playground, a heaven for the hip music lover. And while the first three years of Bonnaroo have been known mostly for their "jam band" emphasis, 2005 found the organizers adding doses of indie rock (Iron & Wine, M. Ward, Josh Ritter) and even hip-hop (Jurassic 5, De La Soul). This made for a REAL eclectic mix, but a live music fan's dream come true. The only thing is, you can't possibly catch every artist you'd like to - sometimes because two are on at the same time, at other times you just have enough energy to make it to a show that, for instance, isn't scheduled to start until 2:30 a.m. (!). |
| So... Josh and the band ended their last song at Bonnaroo, "Kathleen," with a thunderous crash, Dave Hingerty launced his drumstick across the stage, and the boys took a bow in front of the howling, appreciative fans. The guys - especially Josh - practically floated off the stage, Josh's grin about a mile wide. Also stoked, I floated backstage to high-five, give a fired up push, or jump onto the shoulders of Josh and the guys; I don't even remember. We were all just on such a high. As seen on the previous Bonnaroo page, Zack and Sam hugged the air conditioner, I paused for a self-portrait in the mirror. Josh, as always, went back out to the audience area to greet some fans. There weren't many waiting - but not because no one wanted to meet Josh; I sincerely believe that this audience (again, mostly new to Josh Ritter) didn't realize that Josh would come out into the audience area; some of them seemed downright shocked. And I can say this: I didn't see any other artist at Bonnaroo do this. So it was another Bonnaroo rarity, and one of the great things about Josh Ritter that sets him apart from others. |
| The Rest of Day 1 |
| We had all planned to go see Alison Krauss at the main stage, but everybody pretty much split up for a bit. We made phone calls to friends and family to tell them about the set, had a celebratory beer, and - of course - helped load the band's equipment back onto the truck. A unique artist, Joanna Newsom, followed Josh's set on "The Other Tent" and we had listened to her cd in the tour van the day before. This is a woman with a very high, different voice and plays the harp. And I don't mean harmonica. I mean a HARP, as in huge, standing, instrument of the angels. She is definitely an acquired taste, but the packed audience went nuts for her. So we stayed and watched some of her set before moving on. |
| We looked at our schedules that we all scribbled on days before to see who we wanted to see - and where. We saw a lot of amazing artists and had a great time together. I'm only posting a few pics of some of the artists we saw, some of my favorites. Get to know these artists if you don't already! |
| All Photos by Doug Rice |
| . |
 |
| The legendary John Prine |
| . |
 |
| Old Crow Medicine Show does a private little show in the VIP area - unplugged. Literally. |
|
| . |
 |
| One of the most talked about artists of the year, Ray LaMontagne. |
| . |
 |
| Me, Josh, and Sam relax in the Bonnaroo VIP bar that night. |
| Day 2 (Saturday) |
| We returned the next day to the festival to kick back, relax, and enjoy another day of music. We had to hit the road back toward Boston at nightfall. So we couldn't take in Widespread Panic or Trey Anastasio or any of the nighttime acts - and we couldn't return the third day when bands like My Morning Jacket, Old 97's, and Modest Mouse would peform. But we'd see and hear enough awesome live music to last a long time.... |
| My copy of the day's schedule. Again: some tough decisions to be made, but The Frames? M. Ward? Rilo Kiley? EASY decisions here... |
| . |
 |
| The Frames rock Bonnaroo... |
| . |
 |
| ...and rock it even harder. |
| . |
 |
| One of the most amazing and most underrated artists in music today, M. Ward. This is who I was most excited about seeing at Bonnaroo after Josh's set. |
| . |
 |
| There is just no one else in music today like M. Ward. |
| . |
 |
| Later in the day, The Frames get together for a photo opp. And I just had to click one. If you're not yet a fan of this band, you're MISSING THE BOAT. |
| . |
 |
| Jack Johnson's growing popularity has been insane. But he's still bringing a great brand of hip, laid back acoustic rock to pop music. God bless him... |
| . |
 |
| Iron & Wine chill the audience with their hushed, peaceful tunes. |
| . |
 |
| Sam Beam of Iron & Wine. |
| All Photos by Doug Rice |
|
| . |
 |
| The amount of music fans at Bonnaroo is staggering. This is a view I took while trekking up the main stage's back stairs to a special viewing platform on the stage. This is just one glimpse - at one stage - during just one show. They were there to see The Black Crowes. |
| . |
 |
| Without a doubt, the coolest shot I managed to snap at Bonnaroo: Chris Robinson and The Black Crowes totally rocking the main stage at Bonnaroo in front of tens of thousands of fans. |
|
| Bonnaroo 2005: Josh Ritter photos, concert pics of Sam Beam and Iron and Wine, Black Crowes, Jack Johnson, John Prine, The Frames, M. Ward, Ray LaMontagne, and Old Crow Medicine Show. On Doug Rice's Josh Ritter Fansite. |
| For more about Bonnaroo, visit the official website, here: www.bonnaroo.com |