Riddle me this. Riddle me that. It’s just about that time of year. The annual Bonnaroo Clues are said to be starting up tomorrow – Tuesday, January 11th – thanks to a tip from a tweet posted by Katie Cauthen, radio DJ for Knoxville’s WDVX and music director at WUTK The Rock. You can follow her on Twitter here. No one knows just how these clues will be dispersed (or at what time) but we’d imagine that they’ll first break on Radio Bonnaroo and will also be posted on Twitter.
What we do know – if past years are any indication – is that the clues will be anything but easy to decipher. 2008 was a simpler time, with clues ranging from “Memphis Isn’t Albany” (M.I.A.), “Hard substance, soft substance” (Iron & Wine) and “Clouds taste this way” (referring to the Flaming Lips album Clouds Taste Metallic, though the actual answer was Metallica). But the past two years the clues have become seemingly impossible to figure out, ranging from ”The one monkey that was the warmest and his offspring” (Ingrid Michaelson), “A perfect finish to a misspelled mill” (Tinariwen), “I will be cheering for my fellow bulldog, hey” (Weezer) and “Before the star hatched is what is two times before I was” (GWAR).
So put your thinking caps on, tune into Radio Bonnaroo (link listed above), follow DJ Katie on Twitter (also listed above) or follow her on Inforoo here. Bookmark this article too, because once the clues start coming, you’ll find them all right here, as I’ll be updating this post until all the clues have been announced and solved. Also, check out this Inforoo thread that will be updated by Melanie Markham, otherwise known on the boards as “plasticpepper”. She runs this site and has always done a great job in the past at keeping people informed on the clues. The official Bonnaroo Twitter account will also be posting the clues, which you can follow here.
Clue #1
“A trip to space thwarted by a speckled lad’s demise. A watershed moment otherwise.”
What could it mean?
Personally I think the clue is referring to a trip to space that was prevented (thwarted) due to the death of a freckled (speckled) boy. A watershed moment is simply a turning point or pivotal moment.
What does that mean?
Before John F. Kennedy’s passing, he made it known that he wanted to put Americans on the moon by launching the Apollo space program. He also had a freckled face as a boy. Unfortunately he was no longer around by the time we finally got there. But we did indeed get there eventually, thus being a watershed moment in history.
How does this relate to a band?
Well, that’s what we’re trying to figure out. There’s been a ton of guesses on the Inforoo boards, which you’ll find here. I really don’t want to take the time to decipher all of them because of how many guesses there are, but I will list most of the bands being mentioned and quickly go over why some people think it is that band.
Apollo Sunshine. Could deal with the Apollo space program and Kennedy.
Arcade Fire. They have a song called “Laika” which was the first animal (a dog) to go into space.
Atmosphere. When looking at numerous articles about space I found that the word atmosphere was used a lot in each of them.
Bela Fleck & the Flecktones. “Flecked” is a synonym for “speckled” and one of their members goes by the moniker of “Futureman” which sounds kind of spacey.
Cold War Kids. Could relate to the Russian space program and Mikhail Gorbachev, who has that birthmark on his head.
David Bowie. Could be because of things like Ziggy Stardust, the fact that he wears glitter and Major Tom cutting off contact in space in the song “Space Oddity.”
The Dead Kennedys. I believe this states the obvious.
Explosions in the Sky. Could deal with the tragedy of the Challenger exploding shortly after take off.
Foo Fighters. Some people are trying to make a connection between the death of Kurt Cobain, which led to the formation of the Foo Fighters, although the Foo Fighters are currently booked for some shows and festivals in Europe at the time of Bonnaroo.
Gorillaz. This goes back to the dog Laika. They have an album called Laika Come Home.
Muse. They’ve recently made their interest in performing in space known, though currently it appears the finances and technology are preventing this from happening. At the same time, lead singer Matt Bellamy has stated he sees such a thing happening at some point during his lifetime, which could be the whole watershed moment part of the clue.
Neil Young. This pedal steel player named Ben Keith (of the band Great Speckled Bird) collaborated with Neil Young for forty years, before his passing last year. People are saying the answer could be Neil Young, though it seems like a bit of a stretch given the clue.
Phish. The reasoning behind this one deals with Trey Anastasio’s past drug use and his arrest a few years ago, which led to his stint in rehab and the reformation of the band in 2009.
Radiohead. Their album In Rainbows was called a watershed moment because of its “pay whatever you want” release online.
The Rolling Stones. Former member Brian Jones passed away seventeen days before Apollo 11 landed on the moon.
Rush. Their album 2112 was about a rock opera in space and was also called a watershed moment for the band.
Sublime with Rome. Some people are saying it somehow relates to the spotted dalmation and the death of singer Bradley Nowell, though I think it’s a bit of a stretch.
What do I think?
Personally, given these guesses, I’m leaning towards Apollo Sunshine, The Dead Kennedys, Explosions in the Sky or Muse.
Clue #2
“Cecilia’s dress code: sheer”
What could it mean?
Not sure yet. When you think of music and the name “Cecilia” chances are the first band that comes to mind is Simon & Garfunkel because of their song of the same name. So I think it’s safe to say that we can rule that possibility out because it’s just too simple.
Some things to think about
St. Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians and Church music because as she was dying she sang to God. “Sheer” could mean a number of things from “transparently thin” to “unmixed with anything else” to “unqualified” to “extending down or up very steeply” to “bright” to “clear” to “vertically” or “to deviate from a course” if used as a verb. “Sheer” can also be described when talking about clothing and makeup.
Possibilities
Some of the first guesses thrown around were Cut Copy and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but were quickly ruled out. It wasn’t until I noticed a post made on Inforoo by “king” that led me to my answer which I’m feeling pretty sure about. “King” mentioned that the name Cecilia means “blind.” The dress code for the blind would be glasses. One of the many meanings of the word ”sheer” is ”bright.” Glasses and being blind relate to the eyes. Stick with the “bright” meaning for sheer and you have Bright Eyes.
Answer
Nothing has been officially confirmed, but this Clue #2 appears to be the Scissor Sisters.
Clue #3
“Still up. A month now, maybe two. Don’t call the priest, just find my guru.”
What could it mean?
Um………..
Inforoo guesses
I don’t understand anyone’s reasoning on Inforoo as to why they guessed these bands, but here is what people are saying: Pretty Lights, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Dr. Dre, Rolling Stones, Bright Eyes, The Decemberists, Dave Attel and Judas Priest.
Clue #4
“A veteran and magistrate, or a character of sorts. A throne one cannot abdicate, of which a crab can make a fort.”
What do I think?
These clues are so impossible that it’s almost not worth putting in the effort to solve them, especially when we’re not getting any feedback on our guesses, like in past years. I’ll continue to post all the clues, but I’m not so sure I’ll pour another ounce of thought into trying to solve them.
Clue #5
“Red, White and Blue are all a part of this young palette. A farm heathen disguised among giants, the only Ten I see.”
This clue was discovered at Lucky Lou’s in Denton, Texas. Here’s the photo. It’s apparently from “Gary Chardonnay” although no one seems to know who this guy is. He appeared on the lineup for last year’s festival as an artist, though he was actually not listed on the schedule. Could it be the alter ego of Bonnaroo organizer Ashley Capps of AC Entertainment? I doubt it, but it’s clearly someone working from the inside.
Clue #6
“From one BoRe to another, a war rages amongst champions. We’re calling for divine intervention”
Clue #7
“Sun shines on these former nannies; a persistence of sound persists.”
Clue #8
“A maudlin pioneer living on the fringe; not one to plateau.”
Clue #9
“Stop short of a march with this ruffian. It’s a heavier endeavor.”
Clue #10
“A cardinal combines fire and ice with friends in high places.”
What do you think?
What band do you think these clues refer to? Did we miss any? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to post away in the comment section or send an email to nate@brokenmic.com.
2 comments
5 pings
FawnMart
January 15, 2011 at 6:17 pm (UTC -4)
alternative paths for clue’s: #1. The space program at the time of JFK’s death was Mercury. Nominations for the ‘Mercury Music award’ is considered a major change event for bands. Last years winner was The XX and Mumford and Sons were nominated. #2 searching for Cecilia and Sheer consistently brings up a fashion – the Double V Jersey t-shirt. Double V – Otis Taylor?. So many paths the clues can take.
AllNiteDrugstore
January 21, 2011 at 7:32 am (UTC -4)
For what it’s worth… here goes:
I think clue #1 might be referring to ‘THE WHO’ I’m pretty sure they have just begun the early dates of their tour. The reference to “space” and a “lad’s demise” could both be referring to the genius KEITH MOON and his untimely death. BUT…. this could also be a hint at ‘Roger Waters,’ who has also been touring — “WATERShed moment….” & “Dark Side of the MOON”
Now for my favorite, wishful, guess. I think #3 is telling us that RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE is finally coming to Bonnaroo. Here’s why: “Still Up” is referring to their song, “Wake Up.”"A month now, maybe two…” That’s how long it’s been since they made their official announcement of their reunion and their cd that will be released this summer. And the “guru” stuff is related to their debut album cover. The cover was a picture of the Buddhist Monk who set himself on fire in protest. And we all know protest is Rage’s message and attempt to educate the uneducated masses about the dangers of never questioning our government and the control we allow it to have over us… hence… “WAKE UP” ???? Right??
And #4 has to be referring to PRINCE!!!! Come on… he’s on tour and “A THRONE”" One Cannot Abdicate.. A “Character” of Sorts… A Magistrate…. I hope so anyway!!
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