The Complete 2009 Bonnaroo Guide

May 26th, 2009    Posted in Bonnaroo 2009

The Bands

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

Saturday, What Stage, 9:00-12:30 am

There’s nothing I can really say, that you don’t already know about Springsteen. Everyone knows him, or at least “of” him, and if you don’t, then, well, how can you not knowing anything about him? Once said to be “the next Dylan”, he’s been at it for well over thirty years, and has sold over 120 million albums worldwide. With a catalogue as immense as his, there’s no telling what he’ll bring out for his debut performance on the Bonnaroo farm. Expect a handful of hits including “Born to Run” and “Born in the USA”, as well as some new material from Working On A Dream.

There’s been some press recently, regarding the Boss and the E Street Band’s thoughts on their current live show setup.

Here are the words of guitarist, Little Steven Van Zandt…

“We can’t really change things all that much in terms of what we do by now,” Van Zandt said. “But one thing that is different night to night concerns the ratio of covers to originals, and the types of things that we cover. There have been some nights here recently where we’ve done Clash covers, Ramones, Tommy James, even the Troggs’ ‘Wild Things’ and that’s fun. We do a lot of songs from the new disc, then it’s kind of a toss up as to where we go in the shows.”"One thing that we’ve discovered over the years is that the audience really tends to love and request a lot of our more obscure songs, and it’s always kind of fun to see where playing those will take the show,” Van Zandt concluded. “The people really seem to love both our doing some different songs and those unusual covers, and they really add something to the shows.”

Phish

Friday, What Stage, 11:00-2:00 am

Sunday, What Stage, 8:30-12:00 am

What started out at the University of Vermont in the early ’80s, Phish would go on to become one of the most successful touring bands of all-time, only next to the Grateful Dead. After twenty years together, they took a break in 2004, with each of the member’s concentrating on various solo projects. 2009 marks the end of the five-year hiatus, and a new beginning or second coming, for those that may have been too young to experience Phish the first time around. They’ve proved that they can still sell tickets like hotcakes, with everyone of their shows this year selling out in a matter of minutes. They’ll be performing on two separate days at this year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival, which is probably the best way for this band to mark their return.

Watch Phish perform “David Bowie” on the first night of their reunion tour

Beastie Boys

Friday, What Stage, 8:30-10:00 pm

Mike D, MCA and Ad-Rock formed the Beasties in New York in 1979, with Mix Master Mike joining in the late ’90s. Although they started out strictly as a hardcore punk act, they later switched to hip-hop, but still incorporate elements of punk in their sound. Recent inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Beastie Boys are one of the longest-live hip-hop acts. 2009 celebrates the release of their eighth studio album, entitled Tadlock’s Glasses. Though they’ve only put out seven albums previously, the Beastie Boys are one of the major pioneer’s of rap-rock.

Watch the Beastie Boys at Langerado 2008

Nine Inch Nails

Saturday, Which Stage, 1:00-3:00 am

Here’s something that may come as a bit of a shock – Trent Reznor was actually inspired by Prince. Yep, it’s true. Before Reznor set out on his own to create Nine Inch Nails, he played keys in a band called the Exotic Birds, managed by John Malm, Jr. When Trent left the band, he took Malm with him. At the time Reznor was working as an assistant engineer and janitor at Right Track Studios, where he was able to score some free time on his own material in the studio. However, he was unable to assemble a band that could translate these songs in the live setting, leaving Reznor as the only official and constant member of NIN. Known for spectacular visual elements in their live set up, Nine Inch Nails are sure to provide some amazing eye candy during their latenight performance at this year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival.

David Byrne

Friday, Which Stage, 8:45-10:45 pm

You probably know of David Byrne through his work with one of the most important new wave acts of all-time, the Talking Heads. What you may not know about him, is the work he’s done outside of the Talking Heads. Byrne has also lent his talents to film, photography and opera, as an actor, director and producer. Aside from all of this, he’s also well known through various collaborations, most notably Brian Eno, as well as bands like Dinosaur, Robert Fripp, the Staple Singers, the Tom Tom Club, Bernie Worrell, Selena, Cafe Tacuba, 10,000 Maniacs, Thievery Corporation, Paul Van Dyk and the Brazilian Girls. Byrne’s latest release sees him again joining Brian Eno on Everything That Happens Will Happen Today. Aside from performing his own set at this year’s festival, opposite the Beastie Boys, David Byrne will host the first ever artist curated stage, playing host to bands like Ani DiFranco, Santigold, St. Vincent, the Dirty Projectors and Katzenjammer. Keep your eyes open on Bonnaroo Friday, as Byrne could pop up anywhere at anytime.

Watch a newer track from Byrne at ACL 2008

Wilco

Saturday, What Stage, 6:00-8:00 pm

Rising up from the ashes of what was Uncle Tupelo, Jeff Tweedy and several others including bassist John Stirratt went on to form Wilco, while Jay Farrar went on to form Son Volt. The Wilco lineup has changed over the years, but the current lineup is perhaps the closest knit unit in the group’s history. The last time they played Bonnaroo, in 2007, they were touring in support of the critically acclaimed Sky Blue Sky, a collection of healing songs for Tweedy, to say the least. The follow-up, Wilco the Album, will be released at the end of June this summer.

Al Green

Friday, What Stage, 6:00-7:30 pm

The legendary Reverend Al Green’s rise to fame came in the ’70s, with hit singles like “Let’s Stay Together”, “I’m Still in Love With You” and “Take Me to the River.” One of the best-selling musician’s of all-time, Green has put out twenty-seven studio albums, the most recent being 2008’s Lay It Down, which reached #9 on the U.S. charts and #3 on the U.S. R&B charts. He’s had fourteen hit singles, was named #65 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artist of All Time list, was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame in 2004, and honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 BET Awards.

Watch Al Green on Jools Holland in 2008

Snoop Dogg

Sunday, What Stage, 6:00-7:30 pm

One of Dr. Dre’s most notable proteges, Calvin Broadus, Jr., got the name “Snoop” from his mother, who had nicknamed him “Snoopy” because of his love of the cartoon, Peanuts. At an early age, Snoop began singing in Golgotha Trinity Baptist Church and playing piano, and in sixth grade, started rapping. As a member of the Crips in high school, Snoop was busted for cocaine and served six months at the Wayside County Jail. Over the first three years he was out of high school, Snoop would be in and out of prisons. Dre discovered him, when he heard a solo freestyle on En Vogue’s “Hold On.” Dre taught him how to structure his lyrics and separate the thematics into verses, hooks and chorus. Snoop was with Death Row Records from 1992-1998, appearing on Dre’s The Chronic and his own, Doggystyle. Since 2004, Snoop has been a part of Geffen, which saw his first single go #1, “Drop It Like It’s Hot” from R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta).

Watch a Snoop Dogg classic

Elvis Costello & the Sugarcanes

Saturday, That Tent, 6:45-8:15 pm

Elvis Costello is returning to Bonnaroo this year, but he’s bringing something quite different than what made him popular decades ago. The last time he performed at the festival (2006), he was touring in support of his collaboration with R&B/Jazz sensation, Allen Toussaint. What you won’t see from Elvis this year, is a return to the new wave, punk sounds of his past like My Aim Is True, This Year’s Model and Armed Forces. What you will see and hear is Costello’s newest endeavor – bluegrass, folk and country music. For his latest album, Secret, Profane And Sugarcane (Amazon MP3 Exclusive Version), Elvis has basically assembled a cast of “who’s who” in the music industry, calling them The Sugarcanes. Produced in Nashville by the master, T-Bone Burnett, the band features Jerry Douglas (dobro), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Mike Compton (mandolin), Jeff Taylor (accordion) and Dennis Crouch (double bass). The album does see a couple of songs from his past (and written for Johnny Cash) re-worked in string style, as well as guest appearances by Loretta Lynn and Emmylou Harris. Though what we’ll be hearing this year may be new to our ears, I have to remind you that Costello is a well-seasoned writer and no matter what style he plays in, it will more than likely still blow your mind. Definitely a show not-to-be-missed.

 

Erykah Badu 

Sunday, What Stage, 3:30-5:00 pm

Known as the “First Lady of Neo-Soul”, Erykah Badu is a multiple Grammy Award winner, encompassing elements of R&B, hip-hop and jazz. Her first taste of show business came at just four years old, when she sang and dance with her mother at the Dallas Theatre Centre. By 14, she was free-styling for a local radio station alongside Roy Hargrove. She changed the spelling of her name to Erykah because she believed it to be her “slave” name. The term “kah” signifies the inner self, while “Badu” means “truth and light” in Arabic. Leaving Grambling State University upon graduation, Erykah worked several minimum wage jobs and taught drama and dance to children at the South Dallas Cultural Center. In early 1997, she released her first album, Baduizm, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts. Known for introspective lyrics and jazzy, bass-heavy sound, her sophisticated style drew many comparisons to Billie Holiday. She was at one time involved in a relationship with Andre 3000 of OutKast, with whom she had a child, Seven. She has collaborated with both the Roots and Common, whom which she also had a relationship with. She has also appeared in several movies, and even joined My Morning Jacket on stage in Dallas, for her song, “Tyrone.”

Watch My Morning Jacket perform with Erykah Badu

Paul Oakenfold

Friday, This Tent, 2:15-4:00 am

Beginning his music career in the late ’70s, Paul Oakenfold actually first set out to be professional chef. As a DJ, he started out spinning soul music and bands like Earth, Wind and Fire, later moving to hip-hop while in Harlem. At 21 years old, he used to sneak into the famed Studio 54 club, pretending to be a journalist for NME and Melody Maker, thus getting interviews with stars like Bob Marley, Brooke Shields, Cher, Donald Trump, Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali. His break into the mainstream came when he was working as an A&R man for Champion Records, where he signed DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, as well as Salt-n-Pepa. He later went on to become the promoter for both the Beastie Boys and Run DMC. He was also the first DJ to play the mainstage at Glastonbury, where he performed in front of 90,000 people. He’s worked with and alongside a tremendous list of artists and celebrities, and mixing them too, including Perry Farrell, Hunter S. Thompson, Ice Cube, Nelly Furtado, Depeche Mode, Paul Van Dyk, U2 and Fatboy Slim. He’s also lent his musical skills to a number of movie soundtracks including Swordfish, the Matrix Series and The Bourne Identity. It’s a wonder that it’s been so long to get DJ Oakenfold to the Bonnaroo farm, and his late-night dance party this year is sure to be one for the books.

Watch a performance from the Ultra Music Festival

Ben Harper and Relentless7

Saturday, Other Tent, 1:00-2:30 pm

Learning guitar in his grandparents music shop as a child, Harper was lead to the Weissenborn guitar, where his signature blues-slide sound was born. Through his various musical endeavors over his career, Harper has found friends touring with the likes of Dave Matthews, Pearl Jam and Jack Johnson. His newest project, Relentless7, was born out of the sound (not the band) that he would create in the Bonnaroo 2007 SuperJam with Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones and ?uestlove of the Roots. Harper had been searching to create an edgier, harder rock sound. That sound took him back about ten years, where he was given a demo by a band that was driving him to and from gigs in Texas. Harper took these guys under his wing, and headed out for a tour, playing both original and cover tunes, including some Zeppelin and what would become a big hit in their live show, David Bowie’s “Under Pressure.” As respected as the well-grounded Ben Harper may be, he has made a countless number of fans and friends, both inside the music industry and outside of it, there’s just no telling who may show up during his latenight gig this year at Bonnaroo or what songs they may cover. The Relentless7’s debut album recently came out entitled, White Lies for Dark Times.

The Mars Volta

Saturday, Which Stage, 7:15-8:45 pm

TV on the Radio

Friday, Which Stage, 6:45-8:00 pm

TVotR began as an electronic/hip-hop group from Brooklyn in 2001, with founding members Tunde Adebimpe (vocals/loops) and David Andrew Sitek (guitars/keyboards/loops). Just the two of them put out their debut album, OK Calculator, a reference to Radiohead’s OK Computer. Later joining the group, was Kyp Malone (vocals/guitars/loops), Jaleel Bunton (drums) and Gerard Smith (bass/keyboards). The three members joined just in time, leading the band to great success. They’ve since put out three albums, all of which have received mass critical acclaim. Those albums also feature a number of guest appearances including David Bowie, Katrina Ford of Celebration, Kazu Makino of Blonde Redhead, Martin Perna of Antibalas and Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. They have also performed live Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. They’ll be marking their debut at this year’s Bonnaroo, opening for the legendary David Byrne of the Talking Heads, and maybe we’ll even see some guest appearances with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs or Nine Inch Nails.

Watch TV on the Radio performing one of their hit

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Friday, Which Stage, 4:45-6:00 pm

After transferring to New York University, Karen O came into contact with Nick Zinner, and the two formed an acoustic duo called Unitard. Before she transferred though, she had met a jazz student at Oberlin College, named Brian Chase. Unitard went electric after being inspired by the avant-punk scene, and Chase later joined, in which the three then created a trashy, punky, grimy art rock band. They began to write songs as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and quickly earned spots touring for bands like The White Stripes and The Strokes. They’ve rather quickly become one of the hottest electronica-indie acts of today, gaining popularity all around the world, especially Europe and Japan. They’re touring the road this year, in support of their greatest effort to date, It’s Blitz!

Watch the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Coachella 2009

MGMT

Saturday, That Tent, 2:15-3:45 am

While at Wesleyan University, Goldwasser and VanWyngarden began experimenting with noise rock and electronica, before discovering their signature psychedelic-pop sound, often compared to the Flaming Lips. In 2006, they signed with Columbia, and a year later they were making an album, produced by the Lips producer. That album, Oracular Spectacular, would draw huge praise from critics everywhere, earning them gigs at festivals around the world. The followup is planned to be released this year, entitled Congratulations.

moe.

Friday, Sonic Stage, 4:00-4:30 pm

Saturday, This Tent, 1:00-4:00 am

Public Enemy

Friday, This Tent, 12:30-1:45 am

Yeah boy!!! The Long Island hip-hop group featuring MCs such as Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, DJ Lord and the S1W, has been one of the most influentially, politically charged of its kind since the early ’80s. Rolling Stone listed them #44 on their list of the Greatest Artists of All Time. Their rise to fame came about through people like Rick Rubin and Dr. Dre, as well as Def Jam Records. They’ve released a number of albums, the latest coming in 2007 with How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul? They’ve been very popular on the festival scene over the past several years, and they’ll be making their Bonnaroo debut this year, with a special late-night spot.

Public Enemy peforming at SXSW 2007

Andrew Bird

Sunday, Which Stage, 4:15-5:45 pm

Band of Horses

Sunday, Which Stage, 6:30-8:00 pm

Gov’t Mule

Saturday, Which Stage, 5:00-6:30 pm

Warren Haynes, Allen Woody and Matt Abts formed the Mule, as a way to keep jamming, during downtimes during the Allman Brothers shows on the road. Woody would go on with the band for the first three albums, but tragically his life was cut short in 2000. Not knowing where to go from here, the band added Andy Hess on bass and Danny Louis on keys a few years after the fact. Over the next several years, this new group of friends would tour almost non stop, hitting up town’s, countries and festivals all over the globe. Hess would leave in 2008, soon after being replaced by Jorgen Carlsson, who brings a touch of Woody back into the sound

Merle Haggard

Sunday, This Tent, 5:00-6:15 pm

The Decemberists

Saturday, This Tent, 7:00-8:30 pm

Ani DiFranco

Friday, That Tent, 6:30-8:00 pm

At the age of nine, Ani began playing Beatles covers in bars around Buffalo with her guitar teacher Michael Meldrum. At just nineteen years old, she started her own record company, Righteous Records, now known as Righteous Babe Records. She’s recorded over twenty albums and is a Grammy Award winner. She is also a well-known female activist, and has won the Woman of Courage Award in 2006, one of the first musicians to win the award. She has a distinct guitar style, known as staccato, which is rapid and rhythmic fingerpicking based in a number of tunings. In her lyrics, she often includes alliteration and metaphors, covering topics like racism, sexism, sexual abuse, homophobia, poverty and war.

Girl Talk

Friday, That Tent, 2:15-3:45 am

Greg Gillis began making music as a biomedical engineering student while at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, but dropped out in 2007 to focus solely on music, and I can’t say I blame him. His latest album, Feed the Animals, finished the year at #4 on Time Magazine’s Top 10 Albums of 2008, #24 on Rolling Stone’s Top 50, and #2 in Blender Magazine. Though what he creates would appear to be a lawsuit waiting to happen, Gillis cites fair use as a legal backbone for his sampling practices. He produces mashup-style remixes, in which he often uses a dozen or more unauthorized samples from different songs to create a new song. He’s also done remixes for Beck, Peter Bjorn & John, Grizzly Bear, Tokyo Police Club, of Montreal and Simian Mobile Disco.

Bon Iver

Saturday, This Tent, 3:30-4:45 pm

After battling a series of personal struggles and demons, singer/songwriter Justin Vernon moved to his father’s remote cabin in the woods in Wisconsin, where he spent three months completely alone. When he left, he walked away with a group of songs that weren’t even planned to be written. Those nine songs, make up his debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, which received massive critical acclaim around the country, some critics and blogs even saying it was the best release of the year. When it came time to put together a tour, he asked a few friends to set aside their personal lives, learn his songs, and go out on the road with him, not knowing what would happen, whether he would fail or succeed. The trio each adds vocals at different times, Justin being the lead vocalist and guitar player, while Sean plays drums and piano and Mike Noyce on the baritone guitar.

Bela Fleck & Toumani Diabate

Friday, Other Tent, 3:30-4:45 pm

Friday, Sonic Stage, 6:30-7:00 pm

First inspired by the banjo playing in the Beverly Hillbillies theme song, Bela Fleck would later pick up the instrument at fifteen, and eventually go on to become a virtuoso at the instrument, a legend, one of the best in the world at his instrument. In 1981, Fleck was asked by Sam Bush to join New Grass Revival, of whom which he performed with for nine years. After New Grass, he hooked up with Victor and his brother Roy, or Futureman, and Howard Levy to become Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Saxophonist/flutist, Jeff Coffin, would later join the group. A Grammy winner, Bela has been nominated in more categories than any other musician.

Toumani Diabate is perhaps the world’s finest kora player. The Malian is very versatile, at home with traditional music, as well as cross-cultural collaborations in flamenco, blues and jazz. His father, Sidiki Diabate recorded the first ever kora album in 1970.

The pairing of these two fine gentlemen, seems only natural. The two best at their respected instruments, by coming together, they are clearly making history with something remarkable. DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!

Rodrigo y Gabriela

Saturday, What Stage, 3:30-5:00 pm

Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero met in Mexico City while playing in a thrash metal band called “Tierra Acida.” They left for Dublin, Ireland, after growing frustrated with the limitations in the Mexican music scene. They caught their break when Damien Rice approached them and asked them to be a part of the Oxegen Festival. They’ve put out a couple studio albums, as well as a couple live albums, including popular Metallica and Led Zeppelin covers. They also performed Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” at Bonnaroo 2007, with the audience handling all of the vocal duties. It really was a beautiful thing.

Galactic with Trombone Shorty and Corey Henry

Friday, What Stage, 3:45-5:00 pm

Friday, Sonic Stage, 5:45-6:15 pm

Galactic began as an instrumental sextet in New Orleans, after guitarist Jeff Raines and bassist Robert Mercurio moved from D.C. to attend both Tulane and Loyola Universities, respectively. They became enamored in the local funk scene, particularly with legendary acts like The Meters and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. They teamed up with renowned New Orleans drummer Stanton Moore, saxophonist/harmonica player and producer Ben Ellman and organist Rich Vogel. They later added vocalist Theryl DeClouet, who left in 2004 due to health problems. They continued on as an instrumental jamband, fusing together sounds of blues, electronic, funk, jazz, rock and world. They later added elements of hip-hop, when a number of underground MCs joined them on their album, From the Corner to the Block, also adding vocals.

Watch Galactic perform at Bonnaroo 2007

The Del McCoury Band

Saturday, Other Tent, 4:45-6:00 pm

Saturday, Solar Stage, 3:00-3:45 pm

Travelin’ McCourys, Saturday, Sonic Stage, 7:00-7:30 pm

of Montreal

Saturday, This Tent, 5:15-6:30 pm

Allen Toussaint

Saturday, That Tent, 1:45-2:45 pm

Saturday Sonic Stage, 4:00-4:30 pm

Coheed & Cambria

Sunday, That Tent, 6:30-8:00 pm

Booker T & the Drive-By Truckers

Saturday, Which Stage, 3:00-4:15 pm

Patterson Hood & the Screwtopians, Friday, Sonic Stage, 2:15-2:45 pm

David Grisman Quintet

Saturday, Other Tent, 6:30-8:00 pm

Lucinda Williams

Friday, This Tent, 6:45-8:15 pm

Lucinda Williams has been making music since the late ’70s, although she is known for working very slowly, taking her sweet time with her work, generally only releasing one album many years at a time. She began writing at a startling age of only six, and began playing guitar at age twelve. By her early 20s, she had found her country-folk rock sound, and was playing publicly all over Texas. After moving to Mississippi, she put out a couple albums, which garnered little attention, but it may have been the interest that Tom Petty took in her, which really shot up her career. Although she’s only put out nine studio albums over an almost thirty-year career, Lucinda is a multiple Grammy Award winner, and has worked with artists like Bob Dylan, David Crosby, Elvis Costello, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Vic Chesnutt and Ramblin‘ Jack Elliott. Her latest release was 2008’s Little Honey. Don’t expect any new material for a few more years.

A live performance of Lucinda Williams

Animal Collective

Friday, Which Stage, 2:45-4:00 pm

Not one genre can honestly define the sound that this Baltimore group of friends create. Highly experimental and often times psychedelic, the members known as Avey Tare, Panda Bear, Geologist and Deakin, have released nine albums since 2000. With Animal Collective, you’ll find everything from the acoustic guitar and piano, as well as loops and samples, to whatever instruments or objects that were lying around, and everything in between. They’re on the road this year, in support of Merriweather Post Pavilion, which was named after the popular Maryland music venue.

Animal Collective performing in Amsterdam

Gomez

Friday, Which Stage, 12:30-1:45 pm

Friday, Sonic Stage, 3:15-3:45 pm

These indie rockers come from Southport, England, where they formed in 1996. Two years later, they won the Mercury Music Prize for their debut album, Bring It On, although it’s their only effort which did not recieve critical acclaim in the United States. For the most part, the band was put together while the members attended college together, however, vocalist/guitarist Ian Ball and drummer Olly Peacock had known each other since a young age, as well as having played in a number of bands before forming Gomez. First signed to Virgin Records, they were later dropped, only to be picked up by Dave Matthews’ ATO Records in 2005. The band has toured extensively in the U.S. over the years in hopes of building their name, playing festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza, as well as sharing tours with John Mayer and Cake. They’ve played Bonnaroo a couple times, the last being in 2006. They’ll be adding some new material to this year’s Bonnaroo performance, as they’re currently on the road in support of their newest disc, A New Tide, seen as their most experimental work to date.

Watch some video of Gomez

Neko Case

Sunday, This Tent, 6:45-8:15 pm

Jenny Lewis

Saturday, That Tent, 5:00-6:15 pm

Amadou & Mariam

Friday, Other Tent, 7:00-8:30 pm

Santigold

Friday, That Tent, 4:45-6:00 pm

A former A&R rep for Epic Records, Santigold broke out on her own when she was offered a solo contract by Martin Heath of Lizard King Records, while she was performing with Philly punk/ska band, Stiffed. Her debut album, 2008’s Santogold (also the former spelling of her name), finished at #6 on Rolling Stone’s Albums of the Year list, and also producing two hit singles in “Creator” and “L.E.S. Artistes”, with the latter landing at #2, only behind Beyonce. She’s had a ton of commercial success, having appeared along with her music in ads for Bud Light Lime, VO5 hair products, Ford Flex, and video games like FIFA 08, NHL 08 and NBA 08. She’s toured with Coldplay, M.I.A., Bjork and Architecture in Helsinki, and has collaborated with GZA, Mark Ronson, N.E.R.D. and The Strokes. She’s written hit songs for both Lily Allen and Ashlee Simpson. In the near future she’ll be working with two bands also playing Bonnaroo this year – the Beastie Boys and David Byrne.

Robert Earl Keen

Sunday, This Tent, 3:30-4:30 pm

Shadows Fall

Sunday, That Tent, 4:45-6:00 pm

Heartless Bastards

Saturday, Which Stage, 1:30-2:30 pm

Saturday, Sonic Stage, 3:15-3:45 pm

Tony Rice Unit

Saturday, Other Tent, 3:00-4:15 pm

Saturday, Sonic Stage, 6:15-6:45 pm

Citizen Cope

Sunday, Which Stage, 2:15-3:30 pm

Femi Kuti and the Positive Force

Friday, Other Tent, 12:00-1:15 am

High On Fire

Sunday, That Tent, 3:15-4:15 pm

Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3

Saturday, This Tent, 2:00-3:00 pm

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Friday, This Tent, 3:15-4:30 pm

Saturday, Sonic Stage, 1:30-2:00 pm

Sunday, Solar Stage, 3:00-3:45 pm

Was she named after Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane? I’m not sure, but she certainly is much like a Grace Slick of the 21st Century, or maybe a Janis Joplin. Potter and her band the Nocturnals, blend funky blues, soul and rock, reminiscent to that of the ’60s and ’70s. If you’ve heard them, than you can certainly understand why I come to that comparison. They’ve had a couple songs hit the pop side of things, appearing on shows like One Tree Hill, Brothers & Sisters and Grey’s Anatomy, but for the most part, they seem to be earning their success through festivals like Bonnaroo and Jam Cruise, and as well as tours with bands like Gov’t Mule, the Black Crowes and the Dave Matthews Band. They’ve also won a Jammy Award and have been nominated at the Boston Music Awards, where Grace was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year.

Watch their hit single, “Apologies”

Kaki King

Friday, This Tent, 1:45-2:45 pm

Friday, Sonic Stage, 5:00-5:30 pm

She’s the first female to ever be named a “Guitar God” by Rolling Stone Magazine. Her father encouraged her interest in music since an early age, starting her with the guitar, but the drums were actually her first serious instrument. She would later go back to the guitar while at New York University, where she occasionally played gigs in the subway. The drumming may have had some influence on her, as her signature style would come to include fret-tapping with a slap bass technique. She has released several albums, as well as having worked with artists like the Foo Fighters and Tegan & Sara. Dave Grohl had this to say about her…”There are some guitar players that are good and there are some guitar players that are really fucking good. And then there’s Kaki King.” But her hopes are to be known more for her music, not just that she’s good for a girl. She is currently on the road in support of her latest, the Mexican Teenagers EP.

See a bit of what Kaki does live at Tower Records

Grizzly Bear

Friday, Thist Tent, 5:00-6:15 pm

Call it freak folk, call it anti-folk, call it whatever you want. Grizzly Bear’s sound is mostly dominant of acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies, however, they create hypnotizing, atmospheric landscapes of sounds, using electronic instruments and laptop’s. Their debut, Horn of Plenty, was largely a solo effort of songwriter Ed Droste, where the material actually predates the band itself. Their first release as a quartet, Yellow House, received mass critical acclaim from both the New York Times and Pitchfork Media. They joined Radiohead on tour last summer, with Radiohead guitarist citing Grizzly Bear as his favorite band. They’ve also collaborated with the Dirty Projectors and Beirut, and have even performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. They’ll be out on the road in support of their third studio album, Veckatimest, which comes out at the end of May on Warp Records.

Check out Grizzly Bear here

King Sunny Ade & the African Beats

Friday, Other Tent, 5:15-6:30 pm

Okkervil River

Sunday, Other Tent, 4:30-5:45 pm

St. Vincent

Friday, That Tent, 3:00-4:15 pm

Having previously worked with bands like the Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens, the artist also known as Annie Clark, released her debut in 2007, but didn’t see wide recognition until 2008, when she won Female Artist of the Year at the PLUG Independent Music Awards. She’s been touring this year in support of her latest, Actor, and performed a buzzing set at South by Southwest.

Zac Brown Band

Thursday, That Tent, 11:30-1:00 am

Passion Pit

Thursday, This Tent, 11:15-12:15 am

Raphael Saadiq

Saturday, That Tent, 3:15-4:30 pm

Saturday, Sonic Stage, 5:30-6:00 pm

The Dillinger Escape Plan

Sunday, That Tent, 1:45-2:45 pm

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists

Sunday, Other Tent, 1:30-2:30 pm

Sunday, Sonic Stage, 4:30-5:00 pm

Crystal Castles

Friday, That Tent, 12:45-1:45 am

The Canadian electronic duo started first with Ethan Kath in late 2003, and would later add vocalist Alice Glass, who added vocals to five tracks in 2005. They are known for both their chaotic live shows as well as the video game-like sounds they create. They recorded their first single, “Alice Practice”, accidentally, as it was just a microphone test, but they were soon offered record deals after record companies had heard the song on MySpace. They’ve played some of the biggest festivals already in the world, including Reading, Leeds and Glastonbury, and have toured with Friendly Fires, Team Waterpolo and White Lies. Their current live drummer is Christopher Robin.

Tift Merritt

Friday, This Tent, 12:15-1:15 pm

Although she began her music career as a teen in Chapel Hill (which was about twenty years ago), country-pop artist Tift Merritt has recorded just three albums in that time span. Having released six singles from those albums, only one hit the charts, “Good Hearted Man”, reaching #60 on the U.S. country singles charts. At the same time, however, she has accomplished some amazing feats, winning a Grammy Award for her 2005 album, Tambourine, which featured guest appearance’s from members of Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers and Emmylou Harris’s band.

Watch the video for Tift Merritt’s ”Broken”

Brett Dennen

Saturday, Sonic Stage, 2:30-3:00 pm

Sunday, Other Tent, 3:00-4:00 pm

Sunday, Solar Stage, 5:00-5:45 pm

Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue

Sunday, Which Stage, 12:30-1:30 pm

Sunday, Sonic Stage, 6:00-6:30 pm

Toubab Krewe

Friday, Other Tent, 12:30-1:30 pm

Friday, Sonic Stage, 7:15-7:45 pm

Although they are an American band, the instrumental Asheville group was influenced by the sounds of world music, particularly Mali, the seventh largest country in Africa. Using the instruments standard in rock and roll, what us Americans would come to know as guitar, drums and bass, Toubab Krewe also adds Malian instruments, completing and rounding out their West African influenced sound. These Malian instruments include the kora (a 21-string harp-lute), the kamelengoni (a 12-string harp-lute), the soku (a Malian horsehair fiddle), as well as African percussion.

Wailing Souls

Saturday, What Stage, 1:15-2:30 pm

Dating back to the late ’60s, the Wailing Souls were the first group to record for Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong label. They’ve performed under several names aside from the Wailing Souls, including the Renegades, the Classics and Pipe and the Pipes. They’ve seen various lineup changes throughout the years, members coming and going. They’ve released over twenty albums and have recorded cover songs like the Who’s “My Generation”, the Beatles “Tomorrow Never Knows” and Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone.”

Ilo and the Coral Reefer Allstars

Saturday, Which Stage, 12:00-1:00 pm

The Dirty Projectors

Friday, That Tent, 1:30-2:30 pm

Known for their distinctive sound of electronic experimentation, Brooklyn’s Dirty Projectors are lead by singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dave Longstreth. Their recordings range from one-man recordings to arranged orchestrations to basic voice-over nylon string guitars. At one time the band featured musicians such as Ezra Koenig (Vampire Weekend) and Adam Forkner (White Rainbow). They collobrated with Bjork during a concert benefiting Housing Works, and more recently they collaborated with David Byrne on the track “Knotty Pine” from Dark Was the Night.

People Under the Stairs

Thursday, Other Tent, 10:15-11:15 pm

Alejandro Escovedo

Saturday, That Tent, 12:15-1:15 pm

The Itals

Friday, What Stage, 1:30-2:45 pm

Keith Porter, Ronnie Davis and Lloyd Ricketts worked together in the late ’60s as The Westmorelites and formed The Itals in 1976. Davis and Ricketts had previously worked together as The Tennors. The Itals recorded several albums through the ’70s and ’80s, with their debut single, “In A Disya Time” topping the Jamaican charts. They were nominated for Best Reggae album at the Grammy’s, for 1987’s Rasta Philosohpy. Over the years The Itals lineup has changed, with David Isaacs joining in 1987 after Ricketts was sentenced to a prison term. Ronnie Davis left the group in 1994, being replaced by his daughter Kada. They’re touring in 2009 in support of a newly released compilation of early works, as well as a brand new album, Let Them Talk, coming later this year.

Watch the Itals at the 2008 Richmond Folk Festival

Vieux Farka Toure

Friday, Other Tent, 2:00-3:00 pm

The son of one of Africa’s most renowned musicians, Ali Farka Toure, Vieux Farka Toure was deeply inspired by the music of his father. From a young age, he proved to live up to the Toure name, however, his father insisted he become a soldier, rather than be a musician and face similar hardships his father had experienced. Eventually Vieux decided to place his destiny into his own hands, and enrolled in the National Arts Institute in Bamako. There, he discovered the guitar and began to compose his own music. By the time he left the institute, he was sought as a guitar virtuoso. From there, African kora master, Toumani Diabate, took him under his wing. When the time came for Vieux to record his debut album, his father, who was growing ill with cancer, would join in on what would become his final recordings.

Elvis Perkins in Dearland

Saturday, This Tent, 12:30-1:30 pm

Sunday, Sonic Stage, 2:15-2:45 pm

Kraak & Smaak

Thursday, Arcade Discotheque, 2:00-4:00 am

Friday, Silent Disco, 2:00-5:00 am

Saturday, Arcade Discotheque, 12:00-2:00 am

Cherryholmes

Saturday, Other Tent, 1:30-2:30 pm

Saturday, Sonic Stage, 4:45-5:15 pm

Yeasayer

Saturday, That Tent, 1:00-1:45 am

Todd Snider

Sunday, This Tent, 2:00-3:00 pm

MURS

Thursday, Other Tent, 7:15-8:15 pm

Chairlift

Thursday, This Tent, 9:45-10:45 pm

Saturday, Sonic Stage, 12:00-12:30 pm

Portugal. the Man

Thursday, That Tent, 8:30-9:30 pm

Friday, Sonic Stage, 12:00-12:30 pm

The SteelDrivers

Saturday, Other Tent, 12:00-1:00 pm

Midnite

Thursday, Other Tent, 11:45-1:15 am

The Knux

Thursday, Other Tent, 8:45-9:45 pm

The Low Anthem

Thursday, That Tent, 10:00-11:00 pm

Friday, Sonic Stage, 1:30-2:00 pm

Cage the Elephant

Sunday, That Tent, 12:15-1:15 pm

Delta Spirit

Thursday, That Tent, 7:00-8:00 pm

A.A. Bondy

Sunday, Other Tent, 12:00-1:00 pm

Sunday, Sonic Stage, 5:15-5:45 pm

White Rabbits

Thursday, This Tent, 6:45-7:45 pm

The Lovell Sisters

Sunday, This Tent, 12:30-1:30 pm

Sunday, Sonic Stage, 3:45-4:15 pm

Alberta Cross

Thursday, That Tent, 5:30-6:30 pm

Friday, Sonic Stage, 12:45-1:15 pm

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Janelle Monae
Thursday, Other Tent, 5:45-6:45 pm

Hockey
Thursday, This Tent, 8:15-9:15 pm

Erick Baker
Thursday, This Tent, 5:15-6:15 pm

Charlie Allen
Thursday, That Tent, 4:50-5:10 pm

Pretty Lights
Friday, Other Tent, 1:45-4:00 am

Katzenjammer
Friday, That Tent, 12:00-1:00 pm
Saturday, Sonic Stage, 12:45-1:15 pm

The all-female group from Norway formed in 2005, and later appeared on NRK’s Urort project and Kjempesjansen – basically talent shows for up-and-coming bands to gain national exposure. The multi-instrumentalist women cover a variety of musical styles, using a number of instruments such as the accordion, mandolin, guitar, piano, balalaika bass, glockenspiel, trumpet, kazoo, melodica, drums and banjo. In 2007 they scored a hit with the song “A Bar in Amsterdam”, also making it to the finals as Artist of the Year on Urort.

Aaron LaCrate
Thursday, Silent Disco, 9:00-11:00 pm
Friday, Arcade Discotheque, 2:00-4:00 am
Saturday, Arcade Discotheque, 2:00-4:00 am

Motion Potion
Thursday, Silent Disco, 1:00-4:00 am
Friday, Silent Disco, 4:00-7:30 pm
Sunday, Silent Disco, 3:00-5:00 pm

Gypsyphonic Disko (DJ set by Ben Ellman of Galactic)
Thursday, Arcade Discotheque, 12:00-2:00 am
Friday, Silent Disco, 12:00-2:00 am

DJ Quickie Mart
Thursday, Arcade Discotheque, 10:30-12:00 am
Saturday, Silent Disco, 4:00-7:30 pm
Sunday, Silent Disco, 5:00-7:00 pm

J. Boogie
Thursday, Silent Disco, 5:00-9:00 pm
Friday, Silent Disco, 7:30-8:30 pm
Saturday, Silent Disco, 2:00-5:00 am

The Hood Internet
Thursday, Silent Disco, 11:00-1:00 am
Friday, Arcade Discotheque, 12:00-2:00 am
Saturday, Silent Disco, 12:00-2:00 am

American Princes
Thursday, Troo Music Lounge, 11:30-12:30 am
Sunday, Sonic Stage, 12:45-1:15 pm

You may like American Princes if you like: the Broken West, Catfish Haven or the 1900s

Belleville Outfit
Friday, Cafe Where, 2:45-3:45 pm

Ben Sollee
Friday, Cafe Where, 5:00-6:00 pm
Saturday, Solar Stage, 4:00-4:45 pm
Sunday, Sonic Stage, 12:00-12:30 pm

You may like Ben Sollee if you like: Andrew Bird, Ray Lamontagne or Tyler Ramsey

The Black Lillies
Thursday, Troo Music Lounge, 5:30-6:30 pm
Saturday, Solar Stage, 8:00-9:00 pm

BrakesBrakesBrakes
Saturday, Troo Music Lounge, 5:20-6:30 pm

You may like BBB if you like: Joseph Arthur, Deerhunter or Fleet Foxes

Cotton Jones
Friday, Solar Stage, 8:00-9:00 pm
Saturday, Cafe Where, 8:00-9:00 pm

You may like Cotton Jones if you like: Elvis Perkins, A.C. Newman or Harlem Shakes

Dan Dyer
Saturday, Troo Music Lounge, 4:00-4:50 pm

You may like Dan Dyer if you like: Bob Schneider, Marc Broussard or Martin Sexton

Dear and the Headlights
Sunday, Troo Music Lounge, 5:20-6:10 pm

You may like Dear and the Headlights if you like: Manchester Orchestra, Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s or Colour Revolt

Dirty Guv’nahs
Sunday, Troo Music Lounge, 6:40-7:30 pm

Dirty Sweet
Friday, Troo Music Lounge, 4:00-4:50 pm

You may like the Dirty Sweet if you like: the Black Crowes, Year Long Disaster or Rose Hill Drive

Erin McCarley
Thursday, Troo Music Lounge, 7:00-8:00 pm
Sunday, Sonic Stage, 1:30-2:00 pm

You may like Erin McCarley if you like: Ingrid Michaelson, Meiko or Rachael Yamagata

Evan Watson
Friday, Troo Music Lounge, 2:40-3:30 pm

Everest
Friday, Troo Music Lounge, 1:20-2:10 pm

Fiction Family
Saturday, Troo Music Lounge, 1:20-2:10 pm

You may like Fiction Family if you like: Switchfoot, Nickel Creek, Jars of Clay or Relient K

Heypenny
Friday, Troo Music Lounge, 5:20-6:10 pm

You may like Heypenny if you like: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Annuals or Say Hi

Jedd Hughes
Thursday, Troo Music Lounge, 1:00-2:00 pm

You may like Jedd Hughes if you like: Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley or Emerson Drive

Jerry Hannan
Saturday, Troo Music Lounge, 6:40-7:30 pm

Jessica Lea Mayfield
Sunday, Cafe Where, 2:30-3:30 pm

You may like Jessica Lea Mayfield if you like: Jenny Lewis, Neko Case or Sera Cahoone

Jets Overhead
Friday, Troo Music Lounge, 8:30-9:30 pm

You may like Jets Overhead if you like: Sam Roberts, The Dears or the Tragically Hip

Joe Pug
Saturday, Troo Music Lounge, 2:40-3:30 pm

You may like Joe Pug if you like: Josh Ritter, A.A. Bondy or Justin Townes Earle

Julia Nunes
Thursday, Troo Music Lounge, 4:00-5:00 pm
Saturday, Solar Stage, 6:30-7:30 pm
Sunday, Sonic Stage, 3:00-3:30 pm

You may like Julia Nunes if you like: Ingrid Michaelson, Jenny Owen Youngs or Tristan Prettyman

Singer/songwriter Julia Nunes career has progressed thanks to YouTube. She started writing song at 14 and plays a number of instruments including the guitar, piano, ukulele and melodica. Here’s an interesting fact: her music has inspired actress Molly Ringwald to take up the ukulele.

Justin Townes Earle
Friday, Troo Music Lounge, 10:00-11:00 pm
Friday, Solar Stage, 6:30-7:30 pm

The son of Steve Earle, the godson of Townes Van Zandt, Justin has the writing skills to live up to both of these iconic musicians. At one time he was playing in his father’s band, before being kicked out because of substance abuse problems, but has since cleaned himself up, which stereotypically makes for great material for an album.

Ki: Theory
Friday, Troo Music Lounge, 1:00-2:00 am

You may like Ki: Theory if you like: Joseph Arthur, +/- or the Dark Romantics

Kuroma
Saturday, Troo Music Lounge, 1:30-2:20 am

You may like Kuroma if you like: Wooden Shjips, Dead Confederate or Flosstradamus

Madi Diaz
Sunday, Troo Music Lounge, 4:00-4:50 pm

You may like Madi Diaz if you like: Jonathan Tyler & the Norhtern Lights, Ten Out of Tenn or Daniel Martin Moore

Moonalice
Friday, Troo Music Lounge, 12:00-12:50 pm

Although Moonalice didn’t start touring until 2007, it is a band made up of many veteran musicians. Those members include G.E. Smith (formerly with Hall & Oates and Saturday Night Live), Barry Sless (David Nelson & Friends), Pete Sears (Rod Stewart), Roger McNamee (Flying Other Brothers) and Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane), among others.

You may like Moonalice if you like: Robert Walter’s 20th Congress, the Jerry Garcia Band or Family Groove Company

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
Friday, Cafe Where, 7:30-8:30 pm

You may like MSHVB if you like: Handsome Furs, A.C. Newman or Matt & Kim

MyNameIsJohnMichael
Sunday, Troo Music Lounge, 1:20-2:10 pm

The Nikhil Korula Band
Sunday, Troo Music Lounge, 2:40-3:30 pm
Sunday, Sonic Stage, 6:45-7:15 pm

Outernational
Sunday, Cafe Where, 5:00-6:00 pm

You may like Outernational if you like: Bad Brains, State Radio or Michael Franti & Spearhead

Phoenix
Friday, That Tent, 11:30-12:15 am

Phoenix is a French alternative rock band, who started as the backing band for a remix of Air’s “Kelly Watch the Stars.” Their sound is described as a mix of rock, soul, funk and electronica. They’ll be perfect for a latenight show at Bonnaroo, as fans of Daft Punk and Air will come to understand, however, they were screwed by only getting a forty-five minute slot.

You may like Phoenix if you like: Peter, Bjorn & John, Cut Copy or Friendly Fires

Roger Alan Wade
Thursday, Troo Music Lounge, 2:30-3:30 pm

This country, singer/songwriter has written songs for country legends like Cash, Waylon and Hank, and is the cousin of Jackass’ Johnny Knoxville. His songs generally cover themes of the redneck and honky tonk culture.

You may like Roger Alan Wade if you like: Hank Williams III, David Allan Coe or Shooter Jennings

Russian Circles
Saturday, Troo Music Lounge, 8:30-9:20 pm

Russian Circles are a trio from Chicago, who play sprawling instrumental, metal and rock music. Similar to bands like Pelican and Minus the Bear, they create epic symphonies of noise, and can go from soft to hard in the blink of an eye.

You might like Russian Circles if you like: Explosions in the Sky, Pelican or Minus the Bear

Sons of Bill
Sunday, Troo Music Lounge, 12:00-12:50 pm

You might like Sons of Bill if you like: Greg Allman, Steve Gaines or Rich Robinson

Tangiers Blues Band
Thursday, Troo Music Lounge, 10:00-11:00 pm

The Features
Friday, Troo Music Lounge, 6:40-7:30 pm

This indie, pop-rock band won the first spot in the Bonnaroo Battle of the Bands contest, entitled The Road to Bonnaroo. Voted the local band most likely to succeed, The Features were at one time signed with Universal Records and have shared the stage with Kings of Leon.

You might like the Features if you like: Spoon, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists or White Rabbits

The Giraffes
Saturday, Troo Music Lounge, 12:00-12:50 am

You might like the Giraffes if you like: The Presidents of the United States of America, Local H or Toadies

The Heavy Pets
Sunday, Cafe Where, 7:30-8:30 pm

You might like the Heavy Pets if you like: Umphrey’s McGee, Tea Leaf Green or Perpetual Groove

Those Darlins
Thursday, Troo Music Lounge, 8:30-9:30 pm

You might like Those Darlins if you like: Backyard Tire Fire, Amy LaVere or Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

The Protomen
Friday, Troo Music Lounge, 11:30-12:30 am

Winning the third and final spot in the Bonnaroo Battle of the Bands contest entitled The Road to Bonnaroo, this Tennessee rock bands influence was heavily based on the Nintendo video game, Mega Man.

Tobacco
Thursday, Arcade Discotheque, 10:00-10:30 pm
Thursday, Troo Music Lounge, 1:00-2:00 am

Tobacco is an electronic musician, more commonly known as the frontman for Black Moth Super Rainbow. His signature sound involves analog equipment, powererd by synths, hip-hop beats and vocoder instead of guitars.

Turbine
Saturday, Troo Music Lounge, 12:00-12:50 pm

Vertigo
Sunday, Troo Music Lounge, 7:50-8:40 pm

William Elliott Whitmore
Saturday, Cafe Where, 2:30-3:30 pm

William Elliott Whitmore is a banjo and guitar player with deep, bluesy vocals. Active in the music industry for the past ten years, Whitmore is often associated with the folk, blues, alt-country and punk communities.

You might like William Elliott Whitmore if you like: Lucero, Townes Van Zandt or Bonnie “Prince” Billy

Zee Avi
Saturday, Cafe Where, 5:00-6:00 pm

Zee Avi is a Malaysian singer/songwriter, guitarist and ukulele player. She has become a YouTube sensation, which is where Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records label discovered her.

You might like Zee Avi if you like: Rachael Yamagata, Brandi Carlile or Ingrid Michaelson

The Comedy

Jimmy Fallon with Wayne Federman
Saturday, Comedy Sweet, 4:30-5:45 pm, 6:15-7:30 pm

Bonnapoo 2009: Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Todd Barry, Amy Schumer, Kumail Nanjiani & Valley Lodge
Thursday, Comedy Sweet, 12:00-1:15 am
Friday, Comedy Sweet, 3:45-5:00 pm, 5:30-6:45 pm
Saturday, Comedy Sweet, 1:00-2:15 pm

Triumph the Insult Comic Dog is the hand puppet operated by Robert Smigel, first appearing on Late Night with Conan O’ Brien. Offensive, crude, rude, absurd, obnoxious, vulgar and annoying…whatever you want to call it, this dog puppet is just that, often mocking celebrities and humping other dogs at dog shows.

Todd Barry is a comedian, actor and voice-actor, known for his “laid-back” stage manner. His television credits include Comedy Central’s Presents, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Saddle Rash and Flight of the Conchords.

Amy Schumer is a comedian best known for her appearances on Comedy Central’s Reality Bites Back and NBC’s Last Comic Standing.

Kumail Nanjiani is a Pakistani comedian who has been featured on Fox News and HBO’s Aspen Comedy Festival.

Valley Lodge is a pop-rock band with notable grooves, sharp lyrics and raw guitars. The band features John Kimbrough (formerly of Walt Mik), Dave Hill (Uptown Sinclair, Cobra Verde, Sons of Elvis), Rob Pfeiffer and Phil Costello. It’s been said that their music will get you laid. Now who doesn’t want that?

Daily Show Stars John Oliver and Rory Albanese, Wyatt Cenac, Kristen Schaal & Kurt Braunohler
Saturday, Comedy Sweet, 2:45-4:00 pm, 12:30-1:45 am
Sunday, Comedy Sweet, 2:00-3:15 pm, 3:45-5:00 pm

Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, is a fake news program centered around politics and the national media. It has been claimed as a primary source of news for many young people, as well as having a liberal bias. The show features several correspondents, formerly Stephen Colbert and currently John Oliver and Rob Riggle, who adopt absurd and humorously exaggerated takes on current events. There’s no telling what they’ll be doing at Bonnaroo this year, but Oliver and Riggle will also be joined by executive producer, Rory Albanese, comedians and Daily Show contributors Wyatt Cenac, Kristeen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler.

Michael Ian Black & Michael Showalter with special guests Aziz Ansari and Nick Kroll
Sunday, Comedy Sweet, 5:30-6:45 pm, 7:00-8:15 pm

Michael Ian Black is a comedian, actor and writer. His television credits include The State, Viva Variety and Stella, although he is best known for his involvement in VH1’s I Love the… series.

Michael Showalter is a comedian, actor, writer and director. He has also starred in The State and Stella, as well as Wet Hot American Summer and The Baxter.

Working together for over twenty years, Black and Showalter finally have their own television show on VH1: Michael and Michael Have Issues. A show-within-a-show, it’s a sketch comedy where the two confront their own issues of insecurity and jealousy as they try to undermine each other.

Comedy Carnivale featuring Christian Finnegan, Arj Barker, Janeane Garofalo, Nick Thune & Pete Holmes
Thursday, Comedy Sweet, 6:30-7:45 pm, 8:15-9:30 pm, 10:00-11:15 pm
Friday, Comedy Sweet, 2:00-3:15 pm

Christian Finnegan’s television credits include VH1’s Best Week Ever, his own half-hour special on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and regular appearances on The Today Show and Countdown with Keith Olbermann. He is also known as “Chad”, the only white roomate in the sketch, “Mad Real World” on Comedy Central’s Chappelle’s Show.

For the most part, Arj Barker has appeared on late-night shows like Late Night with Conan O’ Brien and The Glass House, however, he has also appeared on Comedy Central Presents and Premium Blend. Barker also co-wrote The Marijuana-Logues, an off-Broadway parody of The Vagina Monologues.

Janeane Garofalo is a comedian, actress, political activist, writer and former c0-host on Air America Radio’s The Majority Report. Despite her celebrity status, she continues to work closely with the New York comedy and performance art scenes. Her acting credits include Reality Bites, The Truth About Cats & Dogs, Bye Bye Love, Dogma, The Cable Guy, Half-Baked, Mystery Men, The Ben Stiller Show, The Larry Sanders Show, Saturday Night Live, Newsradio, The West Wing, Ratatouille and 24.

Nick Thune is an actor, writer, guitarist and comedian. His television crdits include The Tonight Show and Comedy Central Presents, while he has landed small roles in Knocked Up and Unaccompanied Minors.

Pete Holmes is a comedian, improviser and cartoonist. His television credits include Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, VH1’s Best Week Ever and VH1’s All Access. His cartoons have appeared in The New Yorker.

Bonnaroo Cinema

Open every hour of the day, the Bonnaroo Cinema Tent is one of the best places to go to escape the heat. Come on in and take a load off, grab a comfortable seat and watch some of your favorite classics, comedies, documentaries, shorts, animated films and the biggest sports events of the weekend like the NBA Finals.

Some bonuses happening in the Cinema Tent this year include a Q&A with animated film master, Don Hertzfeldt (I Am So Proud of You), Lebowski Fest, a sneak preview of Cold Souls starring Paul Giamatti (coming to theater’s in August) and a number of eco-conscious flicks like Flow: For Love of Water, Mountain Top Removal and Grand Canyon Adventure: River At Risk.

The complete schedule for the Bonnaroo Cinema Tent can be found on the schedule page here.

Scratch DJ Academy

New to Bonnaroo this year is New York’s Scratch DJ Academy. Located in Centeroo, they’ll be offering a “DJ 101″ workshop, followed by a Q&A with the audience. Beginning at noon and happening every two hours, the Scratch DJ Academy will teach you the skills needed to be a DJ.

Bonnaroo Baseball

Stay close to America’s past time while at Bonnaroo, by taking a crack at some fastballs and curveballs in the batting cages. Also on hand will be the latest selections in MLB video gaming.

Whole Foods Market

Also new to Bonnaroo this year is the Whole Foods Market, located in Planet Roo. You won’t have to worry about what to bring to eat, as they’ll offer up samples as well as bulk items available for purchase. You can even eat healthy while at Bonnaroo, as they’ll have healthy and organic food items on hand including fresh produce, frozen fruit bars, nuts & dried fruits, snacks and granola.

Planet Roo

Planet Roo is here to help heighten your awareness of a number of issues affecting the world including global warming, water protection and human rights. Several non-profit organizations will be on hand offering information on what they do and how you can help, such as HeadCount, Rock the Earth, Jansport, STANLEY nineteen13 and many more. Bring in your old cell phones to recycle.

Silent Auction

Various types of music memorabilia, including guitars from Fender, have been donated for this year’s Silent Auction. With all proceeds going to a number of charities, you can bid on items from your favorite Bonnaroo artists and established music photographers like Danny Clinch and Jeff Kravitz. Over the years, the Bonnaroo Silent Acution has raised over $150,000.

Broo’ers Festival

One of the most popular areas of Bonnaroo, the Broo’ers Festival features bocks, pilsners and ales from over twenty breweries around the country. They’ve redesigned the layout, putting in authentic wooden bars, Oktoberfest-like picnic tables, hop vines and whiskey barrels, giving a sense like you’re stuck in the heart of Germany.

Art of Such N Such

Bonnaroo has assembled the biggest and hottest interactive art show for this year. With artists from around the country, the Art of Such N Such will feature theseakye works including giant sculptures and some freaky pyrotechnic fire shows at night.

Sonic Village

The audio village of Bonnaroo, you’ll find a number of music-related companies on hand like OurStage.com (hosting the Sonic Stage), Rolling Stone, Gibson Guitars, Relix and Paste Magazines, and Lala.com will be back to assemble a mini-record store, complete with artist interviews and signings.

Bonnaroo Ambassadors/Pods

A number of artists have teamed up with the Knoxville Museum of Art to create unique, interactive art, strategically placed throughout the campgrounds. Some of the things you’ll find include Banneroo with the Birdhouse (contribute by donating old cloth to create a large banner), Dis_Assembly Line (turn your trash into art), the Disco Shelter (a 20-ft high tent composed of a number of materials, featuring space to experiment at night with light and sound) and the Message Board (8-ft high network of fence, offering you a space of communication with other Bonnaroo attendees).

Bonnaroo Poster Art Exhibit

In the ’60s, the rock ‘n roll poster was revolutionized by artists like Peter Max, Griffin and Mouse. That tradition is continued today with some of the most innovative and creative artists in the business. Hand-screenprinted posters and limited edition prints commemorating your favorite shows and acts.

Conscious Alliance Food Drive

The 6th annual Bonnaroo Food Drive will benefit the Good Samaritan Food Pantry of Manchester, TN. Last year, the drive brought in 7,000 pounds of food donations and this year the goal is 10,000. The first 2,000 patrons that donate 10 items will receive a free, limited edition Bonnaroo 2009 poster created by Michael Everett. The donation areas will be located right outside the main entrances of the concert area.

Bonnaroo Buskers

The Bonnaroo experience extends much further than the music, and that’s why the Bonnaroo Buskers are here. Street performing artists and actors, the Buskers host parades, skits and acts throughout the grounds, blurring the edge of reality, for some of the most bizarre and zany acts you’ll ever witness. 

Kidz Jam

For the smallest and youngest of Bonnaroo fans, the Kidz Jam offers a safe haven for the little ones and their parents. Free water, sunblock, earplugs and safety tips, along with instruments, games, sports and activities such as recycling art projects.

Bonnaroo Fountain & Market

Located in the heart of Centeroo, the Bonnaroo mushroom fountain will offer you a place to keep cool during the hot days and some crazy visuals and lights at night. The market offers some of the best shopping this side of the Mississippi, with vendors having everything from artist merchandise, clothing, tie-dyes, sunglasses and much, much more.

Bonnaroo Beacon and Relix Magazine

Relix Magazine and Jambands.com are returning to once again work with Bonnaroo on the daily newspaper, the Bonnaroo Beacon. Written up everyday, the Beacon will offer highlights from the previous day, including pictures, show reviews and artist interviews. One of the best ways to stay in tune with everything happening on the farm. But for those of you not attending Bonnaroo, my music blog will of course be the #1 way to keep in touch with what’s going down on the farm.

Clean Vibes’ Trading Post

The Clean Vibes volunteers are perhaps the hardest working people at Bonnaroo. The largest company handling the removal and recycling of waste products at outdoor festivals and events, Clean Vibes has diverted over 850 tons of recyclable products from Bonnaroo alone. This year they’ll be introducing the Trading Post, an annual recycling raffle accepting bottles and cans, with immediate rewards for your donations.

The Academy

Located in Planet Roo, the Academy offers a number of classes and workshops on art, theatre and dancing, as well as environmental topics.