Why we get up early: The Pinklets
With AC Entertainment being based in Knoxville, a local band or two gets the call to play Bonnaroo each year. If you play music in Knoxville, it’s most likely one of your goals. But for The Pinklets, it’s hard to imagine that the thought of playing on the farm had even crossed the members of the band’s minds. Instead, Eliza Abernathy ( age 11) Lucy Abernathy (13), Roxie Abernathy (15) are probably more likely to wonder about what to wear to school or how to spend their summer off.
But this wasn’t a novelty booking for Ashley Capps, President of AC Entertainment and co-creator of Bonnaroo. These girls are good. In fact, they’re really good. With a setlist comprised of original material, The Pinklets won over passers-by and those just looking to lounge in the shade at 1:00PM on the last day of the festival.
Lucy Abernathy has the natural charisma and vocal range of a seasoned frontwoman. Roxie leads by example on the keys and bass and Eliza holds down the remainder of the backline with timely drumming and vocal duties.
Seeing the support that the people of Knoxville showed this band at our homestate festival made me beam with pride, and I couldn’t imagine what it meant to The Pinklets parents, Christine and Kevin Abernathy, an incredible musician in his own right.
Who knows what the future holds for this band, but if The Pinklets never play another note, they’ve done something they will remember for a lifetime. These are the moments that make Bonnaroo the best festival of it’s kind. -RO
The Heat: Cymande
The Which Stage in Centeroo is known for excruciating heat during the day. There is no pass you can obtain that guarantees even a branch of shade on this stage. But occasionally, I have to remind myself that there will be a day in February when I just wish I was at Bonnaroo, and that’s exactly what got me moving at Cymande. Well, that and the sounds of the British psych funk that was coming from the stage. This was the band’s first US performance since 1973 and everyone in attendance had a blast. For those in the audience who dared, which included one gentleman in the pit bounced around with two of the band’s records, this was one of the most dancable sets of the weekend. -RO
Midday Highlight: Kurt Vile and The Violators
At what may have been the hottest performance of the entire weekend at the shade-limited Which Stage, Kurt Vile and The Violators, stormed through a set of their best songs. While lyrics may not exactly be Vile’s forte, the infectious mid-tempo grooves had the sweat-drenched crowd intrigued with songs such as “Pretty Pimpin” and “Jesus Fever”. Other highlights of the set included the jangly, laid-back set opener, “Dust Bunnies”, and “I’m an Outlaw”, where Vile showed off his banjo skills. Kurt Vile and The Violators are a perfect Sunday Bonnaroo performer and we are glad we didn’t let the heat scare us off. -MM
Main Stage: Jason Isbell
While most artists avoided discussing the horrific events in Orlando that occurred the night before, Isbell mentioned that “it just didn’t seem right” not to talk about it. Isbell reminded us that music, and how it connects us, is important to remember during difficult times, and that good always has, and will, win over evil. This may be the perfect summary of one of the more intimate Isbell sets we’ve ever seen. During his Bonnaroo main stage debut, songs such as “Never Gonna Change” and “Children of Children” show Isbell’s maturation as a guitarist, as he and the impressive Sadler Vaden traded off ferocious solos. “Cover Me Up”, a song written for his wife (the band’s violinist, Amanda Shires), was a genuinely touching moment, as the two locked eyes in this beautifully chilling performance. Isbell’s songs are deeply personal and this was more evident than ever in this performance. He brought more than just music to the farm. He brought the feelings of love, compassion, and most importantly, hope. -MM
The Padre: Father John Misty
The pit line almost wrapped around the oddly placed Silent Disco in near 100 degree sun as Father John Misty prepared to take the stage on Sunday. Armed with 50 stories, 100 jokes and a brilliant catalogue of music, Josh Tillman greeted the crowd on the second largest stage of the festival with the same sarcastic angst that he has become know for over the last few years. Some see his act a a shtick, and I’m sure he would admit that he has created a persona in the public eye, but the music elevates high above all that. I Love You, Honeybear was our second ranked album of 2015 and together with his debut, Fear Fun, he and his superb band have created one of the best live sets in the game today. “The Ideal Husband” is as good of a closing number as you’ll see. -RO
The Closer: Dead & Co.
John Mayer is just fine as a member of The Grateful Dead. It’s hard to imagine, but it’s true.
He’s always had the chops on guitar as a solo man, but I didn’t know until this weekend that he had never been a member of a band before Dead & Co. Not a bad first band, ey?
The show was at times a slow burn and at others a wild-eyed train, but in the end, it was a great Dead show. The only complaint was the abrupt (and early) ending after a speech about a couple of politicians’ words on the Orlando shooting. It was not exactly the ideal sound you want to hear to close the weekend, but I suppose Bob Weir felt like it needed to be said.
The great thing about The Dead is that you never know who is a fan, and you’ll often find yourself surprised at a person’s level of fandom. You don’t really need to see what’s going on to enjoy The Dead, and in fact, you’re sometimes better off with your eyes closed. The crowd ranged from jumping twirling dreadies to farmers laying on blankets. And in typical Bonnaroo fashion, everyone got along. That was one of my favorite things about this year. It had that old school vibe back, where people just did their thing without the hesitance that normal society creates. It doesn’t matter what you look like or what you believe, this weekend started as a melting pot of those who enjoy music. And in 2016, that sentiment was back. -RO
Other Great Sets on Sunday: Ween, Charles Bradley, The Wood Brothers, Lettuce, Givers
More Images – Friday – Saturday – Home
