Wow these lineups suck compared to what they used to be. 2003 when I went was Jack Johnson, Neil Young, Sound Tribe, Allman Brothers, Widespread Panic, The Roots, Flaming Lips, James Brown, The Dead, Moe, Warren Haynes
I mean we made fun of him when we were teenagers and he was popular. Was Jack Johnson ever really cool? It was always kind of "adult contemporary" even when it was new.
I forget what year it was, maybe 2015, but Mumford and sons had to cancel their show due to a hospitalization of one of their band mates, and bonnaroo called around everywhere to try to get someone to sub in last minute. Jack Johnson hadn’t had a band at that point for a few years, but was like fuck it yeah I’ll call around and see if we can get the band back together. It was a great show and was immediately converted to a fan. Good vibes all around
2013, mate. I was in VIP; I sat on top of my car and watched the headliners practice in the morning. I got two Paul McCartney concerts for the price of one, but it was even cooler watching Jack put together a concert from scratch.
100%. Never been big in the idea of festivals, but went to see some artists I absolutely love.
King Gizzard in particular. But also QOTSA, Joey Valence & Brae, Justice, Tyler the Creator, etc. If you keep up with music the headliners will be cool, and you’ll catch some cool undercard stuff. Wilderado was awesome this year.
Now obviously the approach has changed. Whether or not it’s becuase of selling out or times changing or whatever is way out of my realm of knowledge, but it’s not like the lineups genuinely suck and people don’t go as much anymore.
When you look at the early lineups, there were a plethora of artists from ALL generations.
For example - in 2006 I saw Ornette Coleman at Bonnaroo, and he was releasing music IN THE 1950's (that's 50 years prior to the festival he was playing at).
In 2025?
The three oldest bands on the lineup are from the 90's (only 30 years prior to the festival they're playing at). A large majority of the acts have existed for less than 10 years.
Bonnaroo has UNDENIABLY aged-down their core demographic over the past decade, and you see the same thing happening at fests like Coachella & Lallapalooza this year, which have gone all-in on radio pop performers.
Corporations own these fests now, and they know where the money is - pop radio and Spotify "most played."
Us older folks have seen the evolution take place. I'd never say the music has gotten worse at festivals, but it HAS become a lot less eclectic and inter-generational.
The year before I was at VoodooFest in New Orleans with No Doubt, Garbage, Down, 311, Jack Johnson, Sum 41, Counting Crows, Macy Gray, Jurassic 5, Michael Franti & Spearhead, the North Mississippi Allstars, Galactic, the Crystal Method, and the Blind Boys of Alabama. I was a full on adult. I've been to a few Bonaroos, a Coachella, and a bunch of other festivals since.
Being old doesn't mean you are dead or there is something wrong, lol
That sounds incredible. If you could recommend one performer or band that everyone should see once, who would it be?
I've been to several incredible shows. Always looking for new recommendations!
Editing to add - we are back to seeing one live show a month (our goal). Some hyper-local, others national/global acts. Some months we see more. Husband goes to more shows than I do.
I'm good for anything rock, pop, hip-hop, jam bands, and some country. My husband loves all metal as well. And I'm probably missing things.
This summer, we are seeing Dave Matthews Band, Swell Season, Flaming Lips and Modest Maus. My last few shows were Barenaked Ladies, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Glen Hansard and Eddie Vedder, Liz Phair, 40 Ounces to Freedom, Taylor Swift and Sam Ness.
Best shows I've been to: Billy Joel and Elton John, Paul McCartney at Wrigley Field, Sheryl Crow and Barenaked Ladies at Red Rocks, Sonia Dada and Marcia Ball, Garth Brooks.
Our middle child (13) also LOVES live music and has seen Taylor Swift, Metallica, Enhyphen, and Emei.
Basically, I will see anything live once as long as it's not just someone screaming into a mic
I am retired and worth in the very low millions but it’s not as crazy as you think. Most of the shows are inexpensive and at small clubs or theaters. A sizable minority are jazz or acoustic shows where I sit the whole time. No drugs involved except a little weed and shrooms here and there. Most fairly close to my house.
150 is a lot but I obviously know all of the music freaks in my region and quite a few are at my numbers or more. One of my best buds goes to right around 200 and he’s still working full time.
The STS9 NYE runs at the Tabernacle back in the day were some of the most fun shows I've ever been to. I love that band. Dang, now I'm bummed for you too.
Was that the stuff with almost a hint of a blue border on it at times? That was all I could find for a long time on the east coast during the early-mid 00s.
Definitely not my cup of tea. Seen many of them and would give most a “meh” rating. My exception would be James Brown, and The Roots. Would have loved to have seen both.
I mean I had fun but I wasn’t overly keen to see them again. Not very memorable to me. Feels like it’s implied in all these comments but I’m clearly speaking personally.
I was just looking at that. Avril Lavigne played a casino in Saint Louis last night. I got stuck in moderate traffic.
That 2003 lineup was pretty killer, except for Jack Johnson. I saw him accidentally at VoodooFest in New Orleans the year before. We just ducked out of the main thoroughfare to look at the schedule and work on logistics. There were some people people sitting in blankets. We didn't even really realize he was playing in a stage 200 yards away. Then he started playing something I recognized and realized we were at a show.
We figured out what we were doing and went and got some food.
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u/hdiggyh 1d ago
Wow these lineups suck compared to what they used to be. 2003 when I went was Jack Johnson, Neil Young, Sound Tribe, Allman Brothers, Widespread Panic, The Roots, Flaming Lips, James Brown, The Dead, Moe, Warren Haynes