Since a few of you have asked, here are the five bands I saw for the first time at this year’s Bonnaroo, who really opened my eyes and ears (all photos by me…)

Futurebirds – My Thursday band for 2011

MiniBoone – I missed their Thursday set but they came out blasting the next day on the Sonic Stage

Loretta Lynn – I had heard her on Fresh Air earlier this year and was so psyched to finally see her perform

Florence and The Machine – truth be told, I ended up here by accident in one of those serendipitous Bonnaroo moments

The Del McCoury Band and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band – my favorite set of the weekend (and that’s including all of the performances by bands I had already seen before and did not make this list)