Ok I know I'm a terrible Blogger. I've neglected the bloggosphere for weeks. My poor mother is on her death bed because the world is so horrible and without my witty repartee she has nothing to live for. Actually she just has the flu. See? Now I'm lying. Oh where will my horribleness end?!
How about right now dearest readers! That's right, I'm back with a vengeance and a burning desire to recap and over share. How does that sound? Fantastic!
I'm writing to you, once again, from sunny LA. But how on earth did I get myself back here? I here you ask. Well here's how. Cue Flashback music and wavy screen transition....
Our story begins in Nashville. Actually it began in San Francisco where I flew out of. It was here that I realised that my pants had a massive hole in the crotch. How long was this hole there? It certainly wasn't there when I got dressed to leave. And of course by the time this discovery was made my luggage, including all other pants, had already been checked onto the plane. Never fear, resourceful as anyone who attend CSU's Design for T&T, I used the pin from my "Happy Birthday Sascha" Disneyland badge to save me from further embarrassment. Lucky I wore undies that day.
So Nashville, where the lovely Linda collected me and off we went to Manchester. As Bonnaroo Volunteers (because we are cheap), we had to check in two days early and hang about until the happenings of the festival began a-happening. All I can say about those two days was that it was very hot and we set up a lovely campsite complete with Australian patriotism and battle cats.
Battle Cats Not Included
When the Roo officially began, I was introduced to my Volunteer Assignment. There was no trash (that means rubbish here) picking up for this little black duck, oh no, I was assigned to the Golf Cart Pool. I spent my two shifts being a golf buggy valet and at one point got to go on a buggy safari, on the hunt for stolen carts. Add to this amazingly enjoyable occupation the fact that neither of my shifts were scheduled at the same time as any of the bands I wanted to see, I felt like the luckiest Roo-ster in Manchester.
And what of the Bands? I hear you ask. Stellar. Never in Australia have I seen a festival line up of this magnitude. Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Ani Difranco, MGMT (always thought this song was called Electric FIELD. Huh.), Bruce (The Boss) Springsteen (who treated everyone to a rendition of Santa Claus is coming to town), The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and my man, Snoop Dogg all on the one line up.
Erika Badu, a favourite of mine since high school, was phenomenal. Although the lady is not rocking the turban these days, her set had so much bass in it that I could feel my oesophagus vibrate. Girl Talk, had his own party up on stage with half the audience. Actually, no where close to half. That set was packed out. Kaki King (I do love me some Kaki) was shirtless! Although I did find the Yeah Yeah Yeahs playing one stage over some what distracting during Kaki's set. Karen O was going off.
I have nothing to say about Rodrigo y Gabriela except that they were amazing and my stand out favourite of the festival. Also, you should all listen to a Norwegian four piece called Katzenjammer. That's an order. They are not only adorable but their vocal harmonies are beautiful and they swapped instruments for every song. Those girls know how to put on a show.
I feel I should also mention Andrew Bird. Linda loves this man. She would possibly consider having his babies. He used to be the fiddler for a little group called The Squirrel Nut Zippers (whom I have just discovered have a FREE gig here in LA this month - Jealous, brother?) and also had a little something called Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire. Both were/are incredible. His new solo stuff, which he was playing at the Roo, is not as incredible as the aforementioned. But Linda did get the man to sign her Violin and that made her very happy.
Now I may have mentioned my fondness for Snoop Dogg before. While I do still love the man for his general snoop-ness, I suspect he may only have three songs. Also the crowd watching his set felt something a kin to spring break Cancun. To be expected really.
The Roo was indeed all the magic a festival should be. It was hot and dirty and muddy and rainy and smelly and heaps fun. I did not shower for a week - in true festival spirit and because, despite free showers being offered to Volunteers I did not feel it important enough to wait in line for an hour to get one. Speaking of facilities, the USA, land of opportunity, does not have porter loos that flush. Nor do they have sinks. Come on guys, is this 1996? I can't remember the last Australian festival I attended where the facilities were so primitive. Oh well at least I know well enough not to fall in one.
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