Spring Break
Bonnaroo no longer simply for jam bands
Festival features diverse lineup
ASHLEY SANDERS
Issue date: 6/11/09 Section: Variety
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Images of tie-dye, braided hair and tents stocked with mass quantities of munchies also come fluttering through.
Fast-forward seven years and the picture is unrecognizable. In this summer's lineup, artists like Andrew Bird can be seen alongside the mash up sampler Girl Talk, and even comedians like the up and coming Aziz Ansari.
Jam bands? Not so much.
The evolving diversity of lineups at Bonnaroo has caused some negative commentary among festival-goers, pegging the event with two of the worst evils in musical commentary - "corporate" and "sellout."
But that sentiment hasn't inhibited artists such as the multi-instrumentalist and professional whistler, Andrew Bird, from jumping on the Bonnaroo bandwagon.
"Bonnaroo is just - they kind of - they got it right and they have been the model for other festivals," said Bird.
"I think it is partially that it is such a destination. It's in the middle of nowhere, and therefore is a commitment for everybody. And yes I think it has got that Southern hospitality. It doesn't feel like a big corporate business enterprise when you're there."
Alhtough Bird just completed a theatre tour earlier this year, he cherishes the festival scene.
"There's something about singing for that many people makes you push," Bird said. "And the adrenaline, trying to project to that many people, it draws something more kind of primal out of you I guess."
The rush of performing to a sea of people is not just exclusive to musicians, as the presence of comedians has solidified since 2002 when a measly three comedians showed up on the roster.
This year there are fifteen comedians that will appear at Bonnaroo, and among big names like Jimmy Fallon and Michael Ian Black is Aziz Ansari.
The name might not ring a bell, but his resume includes filmography such as "I Love You, Man," "Flight of the Concords" and "Scrubs."
It will be Ansari's second time performing at Bonnaroo this summer, and with a bigger following on screen, the wide range of festival-goers will give him the chance to broaden his audience.
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