Bonnaroo

The latest musical trend is annoying the Senate into climate action

The Black Eyed Peas don’t want the Senate’s foot-dragging to bring about the E.N.D. of the world as we know it.Photo: chandecde via Flickr When I say, “Senate political deadlock,” what’s the first thing you think of? If it’s a nap, then maybe your iPod isn’t turned up loud enough. The latest musical trend, outside […]

An interview with cellist Ben Sollee, who will bike to Bonnaroo

Nestled into a lush farm in Manchester, Tennessee, the blockbuster Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will roll out an impressive set of sustainability green goals as a backdrop for its amazing slate of shows next weekend, June 11-14. The great lineup notwithstanding—from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band to Wilco—acclaimed cellist and crooner Ben […]

Music festivals across the country aim to lessen their footprint

Bonnaroo 2006. Photo: Sarah van Schagen. I’m sitting in the middle of a field in rural Tennessee, and it feels like it’s got to be 110 degrees out. Somehow I’ve forgotten about my sweat-lined brow and muddy shoes; instead, I’m focused on listening to Bonnaroo’s head press guy, Ken Weinstein of Big Hassle Media, talk […]

I’m baaaack …

I’m writing this post while sitting at the Grist booth at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn. If you’re here, come say hi — and explain why you’re reading Gristmill instead of listening to some of the amazing music out here. It seems like it was just a year ago that I was […]

Or, how I survived my first camping trip

Find out more about how Bonnaroo is going green.

It was early afternoon on a Friday when I got the call. I had been wrangling commas and scanning The Superficial the news all morning when Grist kahuna maxima Chip Giller asked me if I would go to the Bonnaroo Arts & Music Festival in Tennessee to cover its efforts to eco-ize.

This was exactly the kind of break I'd been waiting for. Giller wanted me -- me! -- to travel across the country and file a real story.

My ego started to swell. Oh yeah, I said to myself. Giller knows that when he needs a real reporter who'll get the job done right, he comes straight to me the staff writer I share an office with. But when that guy can't go, whom does Giller turn to? Ya damn right.

The boss interrupted my mental cheerleading with a serious question. "Are you sure you're up to the challenge?" he asked. Hellz yeah, I told him.

After hanging up, I did a quick skills check. Talking to hot, sweaty musician-types about their eco-interests? Check. Hanging out in the beer tent eating funnel cake? I'll take seconds, thanks. Proudly flashing my all-access media pass in front of all the slobbering plebes? As long as it matched my outfit. Navigating airport security and surviving the middle seat on a transcontinental flight? Bring on the li'l bags of peanuts. Camping for four nights in the middle of summer in Tennessee?

Um, what?

Legendary music fest Bonnaroo urges fans to go green

Two’s company, 80,000’s a crowd. Photos: Sarah van Schagen.  For most of the year, this 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenn., provides open, grassy pasture for a herd of cows. But for a short time each summer, the idyllic setting is taken over by a different kind of herd: the tens of thousands of fans who […]