After years as the countrys premier indie-rock festival, Bonnaroo has embraced the eclectic for year six. In addition to marquee indie-rock names like Franz Ferdinand, the White Stripes, and the Decemberists, the multi-day gathering has booked several representatives of the emerging jamband scene including Widespread Panic, the String Cheese Incident, and Keller Williams. This style of music has taken us pretty far, but we dont want to be known as just an indie-rock festival Superflys Jonathan Mayers says. While some other festivals have dipped their toes into the jamband scene, those were just regional gatherings. We are going to be the countrys definitive jamband destination.
In other news, veteran photographer Danny Clinchs work will be featured in a new book documenting the festival’s history, the Complete Bonnaroo 2004-2007. The coffee table book starts with the Los Lonely Boys, who opened the festival in 2004, and includes many of those bands often aligned with the signature Bonnaroo sound, including Radiohead, Modest Mouse, and Tool. Relix Contributing editor Tim Donnelly will supply the books introduction, Emanating Goodness, an essay on his surfing experiences with 2004 Bonnaroo performer Eddie Vedder.