Here’s a quick update from the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.
So far Saturday belongs to Bon Iver, the project of indie folk singer Justin Vernon, who just wrapped a rousing set of beautiful, soulful melodies mostly off the band’s standout debut album For Emma, Forever Ago, much of which was recorded in a remote cabin in Wisconsin.
I would haven’t necessarily used the term “rock” to describe the tortured singer/songwriter I if hadn’t just seen it with my own eyes. The 4-piece band took the stage with 2 drum kits and a standing snare drum.
Jamaican reggae pioneers Wailing Souls were the first to grace the main stage today, playing a mix of roots and dancehall-style tracks from throughout their considerable career – more than 20 albums released since the 70s – but the highlight was a funky cover of The Doors’ “Love Her Madly.”
And late-Bonnaroo addition - singer, author, and restaurant-chain mogul Jimmy Buffett - played a set of fan favorites with Ilo and the Coral Reefer Allstars. In case you’re wondering, Bonnaroo has plenty of “parrotheads,” and “landsharks” too. Buffett fans came out in force early Saturday afternoon, spilling well beyond the Which Stage field.
A great start for sure, but the night is just getting underway. Still to come – Of Montreal, Decemberists, Wilco, and headliner Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band before giving way to a late-night lineup including Nine Inch Nails, Ben Harper, and MGMT.
Stay tuned to the Marquee Blog for more updates, and you can also follow my exploits on Twitter.