Here's my top picks for Bonnaroo:
1.Mumford & Sons
I never heard of these guys before last year's Bonnaroo. My little sister managed to pull me away from the Avett Brothers because she had to see Mumford. I thought I would see a song or two before sneaking back to the Avetts in time to hear "I and Love and You." Mumford's show was well underway by the time I got there, but it had me hooked from the outset. I managed to hear "The Cave," "Little Lion Man" and "Dustbowl Dance" before they invited Dave Rawlings onstage for a cover of Old Crow Medicine Show's "Rock Me Mama."
This year, Old Crow is playing the same stage on the same day as Mumford and Sons. I will lay down money they they will be invited onstage for an encore...
2. Neil Young (w/ Buffalo Springfield)
It's like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, minus Crosby. It will be great to hear classics like "For What It's Worth," but I am really hoping they repeat on of their earlier tour closers by ending with a cover of Neil Young's "Keep On Rocking in the Free World." Is it wrong that I am looking forward to this more for seeing Neil Young than anything else?
3. Robert Plant & Band of Joy
Duh. Seeing Robert Plant live with any backing group is watching rock royalty, even if I wasn't exactly the greatest fan of his sans-Allison Krauss latest album. What I am really hoping for are some solo versions of classic Led Zeppelin songs like the "Rock & Roll" clip above. I just wish Jimmy And John Paul were there as well. Still waiting on that Led Zeppelin reunion tour...
I am also hoping that either a) Allision Krauss will join him onstage or b) he will join her (w/ Union Station) for her Bonnaroo appearance.
4. Justin Townes Earle
Harlem River Blues was my favorite record last year. It's the perfect mix of vintage country, folk, blues and rockabilly. At Hangout Fest this year, Earle took the stage with a very stripped-down instrumentation - just his percussive acoustic guitar strumming and an upright bass to fill out his distinctive vocals. He didn't draw a huge crowd, but I felt like his set was the best-kept secret of the festival. I am hoping that means I can get up close again for his Bonnaroo appearance.
5. JEFF the Brotherhood
I don't know very much about these guys, other than the sparkling buzz they've been fostering for a while in the Nashville music scene. They recently boosted their street cred last year when they recorded a live album for Jack White's Third Man Records - the ultimate in hipster label/concert venue/record store/Nashville enigma - and they made quite the splash at SXSW this year.
Their sound reminds of a late-60's psychedelic rock, while their two-piece guitar/drum lineup gives me a less-delta bluesy Black Keys vibe. From the rave reviews I've been hearing from friends, their live show is sure to be an experience.I am hopeful they will be one of my better take-aways from this year's Bonnaroo.
Other shows I won't be missing (almost too many to list):
Lil Wayne
My Morning Jacket
Deer tick
The Decembrists
The Strokes
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
Arcade Fire
Best Coast
Florence & the Machine
Sleigh Bells
(everything?)
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