Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

Manchester, Tenn.

June 13, 2010

Well, I returned to Charlotte late yesterday afternoon, but was working on a total of about 15 hours of sleep in the last four nights, so I apologize for the delay.

My day got started at noon with Ingrid Michaelson — a folk/rock singer that's been on my radar for quite some time, but my schedule never seems to line up to be able to see her. Her music showcased solid vocals — and I was surprised to recognize Bess Rogers on guitar who recently performed at the Evening Muse — and a great sense of humor that I wasn't expecting. She compared the audience's effort to sing the chorus of a song to a date that ended with an awkward hug instead of a hot makeout.

I caught Japandroids next — going in having no idea what to expect. The duo brings forth a lot of energy to its brand of indie rock, but I just couldn't get into it. Maybe I need more time and perhaps I'll give them another chance.

Calexico hit the smaller of the main stages with its brand of latin-infused folk — a nice way to get the Sunday going after an earlier set by Tinariwen. With some members hailing from Arizona, the band made no hesitation about commenting on the current immigrant laws, leaving a shirt over one of the speakers to help the message along.

John Butler Trio was the first on the larger main stage for the day and was easily one of the highlights of my weekend. Whenever I get a chance, I refer guitar enthusiasts to check out Butler's song "Ocean." After taking photos, I made my way back out into the crowd and sweltering heat to watch the show.

"You're all superheroes for being out in this heat," Butler told the crowd. "No matter what else happens in your lives, you'll always be a superhero for today." Butler's set started with "Used to Get High." He spent a good bit of the set turning his 12-string (actually 11 since he doesn't use the high G) into an electric-sounding weapon that shredded through the heat. A quick banjo solo led into "Better Than." Halfway through his set, Butler sat down and offered his song "Ocean" as a prayer to what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico with the oil spill. The next 10 minutes were pure sonic wonderment as he plucked, hammered and strummed his way through the chill-bump inspiring song. He also played most of the songs from his most recent album, April Uprising.

Next on the Which Stage was Regina Spektor. A couple of years ago, she played on the same stage with just a keyboard, but this time she had her keyboard, a grand piano and two backup string players. She was full of smiles for the duration of her set.

John Fogerty hit the What Stage next and he hasn't lost a bit of excitement, energy or his vocal ability over the years. He's a thrill to watch and listen to as he rolled through Creedence hit after Creedence hit.

I headed out to catch Kris Kristofferson next. The country legend rolled through tune after tune of his mellow brand and performed two songs with Jamey Johnson.

Dropkick Murphys brought their Celtic rock to This Tent and were as explosive as they were in the air conditioned Fillmore. The heat had no impact as the crowd surfed and the band loved every minute, nothing they weren't there to play for hippies.

Miranda Lambert, and her shotgun-shaped microphone stand, were after Kristofferson as she continued that stage's country theme for the day.

Phoenix entertained a large crowd with its indie rock to close out the Which Stage.

Dave Matthews Band closed the weekend out with a two-and-a-half-hour set that started with "Don't Drink the Water." If fans were expecting something special, I can't say they really got it. Aside from an appearance from banjo player Danny Barnes for three songs and a nice acoustic solo version of "Needle and the Damage Done" for the start of the encore, there wasn't much here outside of the average DMB show.

Not to say it was bad — it was a roller coaster of upbeat and slower songs. I just hoped for some more friends to come out, perhaps even John Popper to play the harmonica. One lighter moment included the end of "Jimi Thing" which first featured the horn groove of George Clinton's "Get Up for the Down Stroke" before Matthews started a chant of "Sexy Motherfucker, shakin' that ass, shakin' that ass."

As the set

DMB Setlist

Don't Drink The Water

You Might Die Trying

Seven (with Lamont Caldwell and Matt Cappy)

Lying In the Hands of God

Shake Me Like a Monkey (with Lamont Caldwell and Matt Cappy)

Can't Stop

Tripping Billies

Spaceman (Danny Barnes)

Cornbread (with Danny Barnes, Lamont Caldwell and Matt Cappy)

Too Much (with Danny Barnes, Lamont Caldwell and Matt Cappy)

So Damn Lucky

Why I Am

Jimi Thing ("Sexy MF" outro; with Lamont Caldwell and Matt Cappy)

Time Bomb (with Lamont Caldwell and Matt Cappy)

Two Step

Encore

The Needle and The Damage Done (Dave solo)

All Along The Watchtower