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 began as an interesting day in the RT. We figured out the generator burned up/leaked all its oil, so Travis and I scoured the campgrounds for an hour looking for an oil handout. We came back to the RT empty handed, but luckily for us, Robert found a neighbor who was willing to give us as much oil as we needed. With the generator running again, we thought we were back on good terms with the RT.   But alas, the RT quickly put us back in our place when the used shower water tank began to overflow back into the shower stall. This was a surprise to us all, considering the water gauge indicated it was only half full. After we fixed that problem, we all headed into Centeroo to start the third, and longest day of the festival.

My first show of the evening was Sturgill Simpson. Travis and Drew also went to this show, and we all thought it was incredible. Sturgill’s music is pure country. But don’t get it confused, his music is not the mind numbing pop country you hear on the radio. This guy is the real deal. If Bonnaroo is Breaking Bad, Sturgill’s music is the blue meth. You can’t go wrong with lyrics like, “I don’t have to do a goddamn thing, but sit around and wait to die.” And, “So don’t waste your time on nursery rhymes, or fairy tales of blood and wine, It’s turtles all the way down the line.” And, “They call me King Turd up here on Shit Mountain, if you want it you can have the crown.” And, “I woke up today and decided to kill my ego.” And, “There’s a gateway in our mind that leads somewhere out there beyond this plane where reptile aliens made of light cut you open and pull out all your pain.” And, and, and…I could go on forever. Now go buy this guy’s albums.

Next, Jaime and I checked out Childish Gambino. We saw him two years ago at Bonnaroo, and I liked him even more this year.

After Childish Gambino, our whole crew gathered at the main stage to watch Mumford and Sons. Two years ago they were set to headline Bonnaroo, but a member of the band became very ill, and they had to cancel.   Now we were finally getting to see them in Manchester, and they did not disappoint!

When Mumford and Sons finished, our group split, with Travis, Drew, and Robert going to see Bass Nectar, and Jaime and I going to see the Super Jam. The Super Jam is a show with a guest host. This host brings out several musicians, and you get a potpourri of songs and music styles. Super Jams are known for big surprises and fun shenanigans. Angelic vocalist/singer/song writer and Jaime’s friend, Courtney Jaye, was singing in the Super Jam, so we were pumped. The tent was packed, so we had to settle for a spot on the lawn, and when the music started we couldn’t hear anything. I thought the speakers weren’t working properly. Jaime thought there was too much noise from the other stages. Either way, we were disappointed. (Actually, I was disappointed; Jaime was PISSED.)

Since we couldn’t hear the Super Jam, we decided to head to another tent to check out Flume. Flume’s set started at 2am, and I loved their sound. While I was waiting for the rest of our crew to join us, I received yet another glove show. This glove show was also…interesting. The Flume set ended at 3:15am, and Jaime and I were beat, so we headed back to the RT. The rest of our crew somehow had the energy to spend several more hours in Centeroo (they’re warlocks, I’m sure of it).

Sunday was a very lazy and tired sort of day. We spent the majority of the daytime inside the air conditioned RT. Our first show of the evening wasn’t until 7pm, but it was worth the wait. On the main stage, we were all completely captivated by the beautiful, enchanting, glorious Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine. I’m pretty sure 4 out of 5 people in our crew shed tears during her set. I know I did. Her show was only an hour long, but it was a magnificent hour. We celebrated with Florence by dancing, singing, and drinking wine out of sunscreen bottles. Jaime and I want shirts that say “Official member of Florence’s coven.”

After Florence, Jaime and I bought some posters and caught the tail end of Robert Plant’s set. It’s a very surreal thing to be walking along and hear “Whole Lotta Love,” and realize you are actually hearing it sung by THE MAN HIMSELF.

The final show of the weekend was headliner Billy Joel. It’s amazing how many hit songs he has, and equally amazing how no one in our crew likes his music. But we stayed for the whole show, and this was another Bonnaroo first for me. I’m usually so tired by Sunday night, that I head back early to catch some sleep before the drive home. This year I left the main stage with 80,000 of my closest friends.

Instead of heading back to the RT, our group walked around the tent camping areas. Earlier in the week, Robert discovered a wooded area near one of the campgrounds that was set up with LED lights and dozens of hammocks. It was such a beautiful and peaceful area, and I wish I had checked it out earlier in the week. After a bit more exploring, we packed up the RT and left Manchester around 2am.

This year was my best Bonnaroo experience yet! My feet and legs felt incredible even after all the hours of walking, dancing, and standing. (Drew had a walking app on his phone, and it said he walked 38 miles over the duration of the festival!) I had several new experiences, and the music was so, so good. My mind is filled with happiness and positivity that will carry me through until next year’s Bonnaroo. I can’t wait!

BONNAROO!!!!!