Megan Caldwell Chandler

This is Part 2 of my adventures at Bonnaroo!  If you want to read Part 1 (you know you do) click here!

Saturday at Bonnaroo was a tired sort of day.  My first show was Cat Power.  I went with Kris, and we painted our faces as kitty cats for the show.  We also paid homage to our dearly departed kitties with heart tattoos on our biceps (Kris’s cat, Sam E. once sent her to the emergency room.  I didn’t get to hear the whole story, but I’m thoroughly intrigued.)  I was really looking forward to Cat Power’s show, but I have to admit it was a very strange and stilted performance.  I’m afraid Cat Power’s past demons of drugs and alcohol had a lot to do with it.  Cat Power’s voice is still amazing, however, and Kris and I will continue to support her. 

Jaime spent the day camped up front at the main stage to see Bjork up close and personal.  I regret not joining her, for it would have been an amazing show!  I did at least get to catch the last half of Bjork’s show from the back of the lawn, and what I saw was pretty incredible.  She was joined by an all woman choir/dance troupe/ art collective.  Jaime and I want to be one of these women!

Mumford & Sons was supposed to headline Saturday night, but an emergency surgery for their bassist kept them from performing.  Jack Johnson replaced Mumford for the headlining slot.  (When news broke that Mumford would not be playing, we heard a rumor that Jack White was going to play instead.  We were in heaven for about five minutes until we learned it was the other Jack who was going to play.)  It was a good show.  I’m not a huge fan, but I did get to sing along to my favorite Jack song, “Banana Pancakes.”  That was cool. 

Now here is a part in the weekend where our group was torn into two competing groups.  We all had to make a serious and dire choice:  Weird Al or R. Kelly.  Naturally, my group (Tina, Jaime, and I) made the right choice with R. Kelly.  The show began with R. Kelly ABOVE the stage in a crane, while singing “Ignition (Remix)”.  The crowd went wild and sang every word.  Although R. Kelly did not sing “Bump n Grind” (grr), he did fill the show with lots of inappropriate words, sounds, and gestures, and for that I am forever grateful.  The show ended with “I Believe I Can Fly,” and hundreds of balloon doves floating up from the stage into the night sky. 

Sunday was a long day with lots of waiting and sleeping in the grass.  I began the day with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, but they actually put on a great show.  Macklemore sang “Thrift Shop” while wearing a fur coat he bummed from some dude in the audience.  This is insane because it was 90 degrees, and I was barely surviving in a t-shirt, shorts, and Camelbak.  The show was good enough to make me come home and immediately buy his album. 

Next, the whole group (minus Robert) waited in line for Bob Saget’s comedy show.  The waiting was worth it, because Bob was hilarious.  I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I’d heard his shows were raunchy, and I was not let down!  I now know how to hand sign “diarrhea,” “masturbate,” and “g-spot.”  I always expand my knowledge at Bonnaroo!  At the end of the show, Bob brought out John Stamos (aka Uncle Jesse, and if you don’t know who Uncle Jesse is, then I’m ashamed of you). 

Finally, we ended the festival with Tom Petty.  By this time on Sunday night I’m always beat, but I was able to muster up enough energy to sing and dance along with “Last Dance With Mary Jane.”  (Side note:  I love any song that pays homage to my home state of Indiana!)

It was a great weekend spent with 8 great people.  Despite our close quarters in the RV, we all got along and I think our bonds were strengthened.  Bonnaroo always fills me with positivity, energy, and happiness.  I can usually make this feeling last for months.  I’m hoping to bring these optimistic feelings into my studio and my work. 

You are all welcome to join us on our adventures next year.  Seriously.  If you want to go, get a hold of me and we’ll set it up! 

So long, Bonnaroo!  Until next year…