As you’ve probably seen in your Facebook feeds, Bonnaroo released the lineup for its 2013 festival yesterday. Some folks are happy with it and others have raised eyebrows, but everyone has something to say. We got the Diversions staff together to share their thoughts. What are yours?
The Good
I want to high five whoever booked R. Kelly. His performances have become the stuff of lore after Aziz Ansari’s standup specials and it really only makes good sense after last year’s Trapped in the Closet sing-along. Also looking forward to watching Araabmuzik beat a drum machine to death. — Jay Prevatt
This is one of the most well-rounded Bonnaroo lists I have seen, from old pioneers like Paul McCartney to the rough and rebellious Earl Sweatshirt. It is going to be interesting to see how great musicians/bands like The Tallest Man on Earth and The National use their soft intimacy to bring in big crowds at a festival this size. Also hoping for a raucous rap fiasco between Nas and and Kendrick Lamar, with Wu-Tang as special guest (Hosted by the whitest guy there: Daniel Tosh).
Most Anticipated: Ed Helms’ Bluegrass Situation Superjam with Special Guests: Who knows what this will entail but I am picturing a mix between Here Comes Treble and the Soggy Bottom Boys. — Charlie Shelton
Bonnaroo announced the 2013 lineup by live-stream instead of the usual press release tactic. That’s awesome! Hosted by Weird Al Yankovic, the Bonnaroo Lineup Announcement Megathon, better tweeted as #BLAM, served as the perfect excuse to ditch all school-related responsibilities. Most excited to see Kendrick Lamar, Passion Pit, Django Django, Nas and Chapel Hill native Porter Robinson. — Freddie Montgomery
The Bad
Folk pop. It needs to stop and it needs to stop now. Wearing suspenders and playing acoustic does not automatically make you a troubador — if you’re playing pop songs, you’re playing pop songs. Stop trying to trick me. I’m looking at you, Mumford & Sons. Also, you, Of Monsters and Men. Also, you, The Lumineers. — Jay Prevatt
Ugh, something’s missing… Not saying that the lineup isn’t good but the safe selection is seriously missing out on some great talent. Newcomers such as Azealia Banks or Skylar Grey, or the comeback kids of 2013 like Tegan & Sara, Missy Elliot, Phoenix, to name a few, would’ve been great additions to the lineup. — Freddie Montgomery
Is anybody really stoked to see ZZ Top? I could be wrong, but I generally see Bonnaroo as a younger crowd looking for newer artists. Legends like Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen in the past have been exceptions, because their music is timeless. But ZZ Top over inviting The Strokes back? Who wants to hear “Legs” that badly? — Charlie Shelton
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