The first annual Bonnaroo Music Festival is scheduled to take place outside of Manchester, TN, June 21 through the 23. This three-day music event has been compared to Woodstock with some of the biggest bands in the business. Widespread Panic, The String Cheese Incident, Trey Anastasio, Ben Harper and many more are scheduled to perform on a private 500-acre Tennessee farm.
“The major difference between Woodstock and Bonnaroo is the size, music and state,” said Ken Weinstein, director of publicity for Bonnaroo.
Bonnaroo will offer several stages to accommodate over 35 bands. There will also be late night tents with smaller bands performing and a festival village. The village will feature a wide range of foods and beverages, vendors and a number of dancing events.
Tickets to the event went on sale at the beginning of May and could be purchased on the official Bonnaroo website.
“We sold 70,000 tickets in 20 days,” said Weinstein.
Due to the rapid sale of tickets, Bonnaroo had to regulate the amount of tickets that were released. The website posted the remaining $140 single tickets on May 18 and sold out that same day. Tickets are no longer available through the official website, but can be found at significantly higher prices on EBAY and web links to the Bonnaroo website.
“I bought my ticket when they first went on sale. It was expensive, but it will be worth it. It’s the Woodstock of the decade,” said junior psychology and business major Stephen Collier.
To ensure safety at Bonnaroo, the main sponsors: Superfly Productions and A.C. Entertainment contracted Alpha and Omega Services. Alpha and Omega Services, which is the largest and the oldest supplier of mounted security patrols, will be assembling the biggest private security staff ever organized. The staff will help with crowd management and assist the fans with their personal needs.
“With over 75,000 people there I just hope I don’t get lost and there is not a riot like there was at the last Woodstock,” Collier said.
The campsite will officially open at noon on Thursday June 20 and close at noon on Monday June 24. According to the Bonnaroo website, no one will be allowed entry before the opening date and they must be gone by the closing time. Bonnaroo officials also provide suggestions and a list of what to bring and what not to bring for camping.
“Be kind to others, bring galoshes and a poncho in case it rains,” Weinstein said.
Several SMU students have already begun to develop their camping lists.
“I’m going to bring coolers full of beer. Lots of beer,” said senior advertising major Chris Thompson.
With a website that has attracted well over 75,000 people in less than 20 days and being one of the most highly sought after music festivals for bands. Bonnaroo has attracted people’s attention.
“I think it will be the most unbelievable concert of my life because of the number of people attending and the number of amazing bands,” Thompson said.
Bonnaroo officials encourage fans to continue to visit the website because they are expecting numerous major additions to the band list. There has also been rumors of a surprise performance by a top-level band not listed on the website.
