Woo boy! We made it home from Bonnaroo 2009 in one piece, though I really could use a few more showers to fully feel clean again.

While not the most enjoyable ‘Roo I’ve been to (this will have been our 5^th), there were certainly highpoints that I’ll remember for some time.

Chief among them were, of course, Springsteen and Phish. But let’s take a moment to review the some of the other high points of the festival (emptor caveat #1: I did not see or do everything—I didn’t even see or do a quarter of everthing—it’s impossible—I did what my brain, body, and my wife allowed. emptor caveat #2: I am not a great photographer, and my camera is a cheapo--the photographs are raw--I did the best I could).

FRIDAY. I was completely blown away by Kaki King’s Friday afternoon performance (she’s so small, yet so fierce). She almost brought tears to my eyes with the delicate power and virtuosity of her guitar playing. Seek her out!

Gomez played a lively set at the Which Stage at lunchtime. This is a band who’s come a long way since I first saw them at ‘Roo in 06.

On the main stage, Jamaica’s The Itals played sweet reggae for those of us dancing under the hot Tennessee sun.

                                            The Itals sun-kissed reggae

I can’t believe I skipped Bela Fleck—but I really wanted to see Galactic—and I’m glad I did! They really swung. Backed by Trombone Shorty and trumpeter Cory Henry, Galactic brought some funky Nawlins groove to the scene.

Fortunately we were camped next to the main stage, so we were able to eat our dinner while serenaded by the great Al Green.

After dinner we caught half of David Byrne’s show. Wow. He is amazing—he and his band were smokin’!

                                                    David Byrne: "I Zimba" 

I know what you’re thinking: why only half of Byrne’s show? What could possibly make you leave that?!

Phish, man, Phish. And let me tell you: They are back, in a big way. Gone are the meandering lackadaisical jams of the 2003-2004 era. The band was tight and focused—the Friday night late night show was three hours of fan favorite nuggets played with dexterity and skill (they even brought out the trampolines for YEM). Sunday’s performance…well more about that in a bit…

                                  Phish--Friday late night "Chalkdust Torture"

                                           Phish--Friday Night "Divided Sky"

SATURDAY. Late start on Saturday—after Phish party and dancing to techno-samplers Pretty Lights and a bit of Girl Talk until 4 am Friday night/Saturday morning (if you are into techno check out Pretty Lights).

We did hear Jimmy Buffett slog through his tired catalogue of yuppie adventures and woe while we sipped our coffee though—yawn. I was ready for some good music after that!

First it was a bit of Booker T and the DBT (Drive by Truckers)—very cool, but we had to leave early to scope out prime grounds for one of my wife’s favorite acts: Rodrigo y Gabriela. If you don’t know their music, check them out here. Fantastic.

                                                       Rodrigo y Gabriela 

Then it was off to Gov’t Mule—hells yeah! Southern jamband rock! Warren Haynes is a fucking god.

Then there was a big problem. Do we see the prog-metal awesomeness of The Mars Volta or the legendary Elvis Costello? And what’s this over here? The David Grisman Quartet? I looked at my wife: “Grisman, all the way.” I want to write more about Grisman, so I’ll just say that his hybrid bluegrass/jazz stylings were perfect for my state of mind. What a good time!

                                          David "Dawg" Grisman

And then came Springsteen. He rocked. He preached. He “built a house of love and peace and rock.” And then he burned that mutherfucker down! For three straight hours everyone stopped what they were doing to acknowledge the sheer force of The Boss. He jumped and yelled. He went into the crowd. He stood on the piano, and rocked to the farthest person at the festival. Sure. Rock has its royalty. You’ve got your Princes and you’ve got your Kings—but the boss is the one who gets things done—he’s really the one running shit anyway.

                                                         The Boss

After Springsteen we rocked out to moe., one of my favorite jambands (think the Allmans mixed with Phish), in a hazy tent—classic line from my wife about 40 minutes into the show: “I feel weird.” –nuf said.

           moe. late night. They did not have a smoke machine in that tent!

MGMT later that night/morning was insane--hard to get close—got to bed about 4:30 AM

SUNDAY. It’s starting to become a blurry swirl of diffident musical styles— the Stooges like punk-metal of Cage the Elephant and the sweet country of the impossibly lovely and young Lovell Sisters (I predict they will be big country music stars. If you like country—check them out).

                                 The Lovell Sisters

Then there was the psychedelic folk of the totally underappreciated Todd Snider backed on bass by Don Was (Snider is another of my favorite artists—if you don’t know him and you like folk music—you should check him out—he’s funny, smart, and a great lyricist), followed by the neo-classic soul of Erika Badu.

                                       The great Todd Snyder

                                     Todd Snyder and Don Was

We grinded our musical gears back to country music to catch part of Merle Haggard only to end up eating our dinner listening to Snoop Dogg lay down some dope rhymes on the crowd before asking “are you ready for some muther fuckin’ Phish, people?”

We were. Now, I’ve written enough about Phish, and the 2 hour plus first set was amazing, but when Trey introduced Springsteen onto the stage, I literally swooned. Swooned. Bruce fucking Springsteen and muther fucking Phish commenced to jam out on a 13 minute rendition of “Mustang Sally” complete with Trey and The Boss trading guitar licks. Springsteen stayed with Phish to jam out on “Bobby Jean” and “Glory Days” to close out the first set.

                    Springsteen and Phish rocking "Mustang Sally"

             Springsteen and Phish from the jumbotron--"Mustang Sally"

Phish played another 2 hours—but I had seen enough—my body and mind were tired. By the time Phish got around to the encore, “Suzie Greenberg,” I had hit the proverbial wall. Hell, I had already hit and trucked on through about 12 walls.

As we walked back to camp that night/morning and fireworks blazed in the distance, I remember thinking about that scene at the end of “The Truman Show” where he comes upon the sky façade. Reality was on the other side of the wall. The illusion of Bonnaroo was great, but I was ready to head back to the other side; to reality.

So, to all the cool people I met at Bonnaroo this past weekend, “in case I don't see ya: Good afternoon, good evening, and good night!”

             I'm with the band, and I'm kiiiind of a big deal around here

                                       Bret Dennon 

                                             Hulahoops

                            Giant Bobblehead and crowd 

                 View of the main stage from our campsite