The annual, sun-drenched music-marathon that is the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival kicked off its fifth year yesterday (June 16) with more than 14 hours of music that began with the resurrected folk-rock of World Party and finally lurched to a halt early this morning with the conclusion to a jam band face-off featuring Umphrey’s McGee and the Disco Biscuits.
Indeed, if in its first fours years, the festival (sold-out this year at 80,000 people) has been known primarily as a jam-band event, last night’s bill should do well to help redefine the event, as Bonnaroo’s behemoth main stage featured not only one, but two classic rock icons: Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks.
Bonnaroo favorites My Morning Jacket ushered in the midnight hour with squalls of Crazy Horse-worthy fury. The quintet delivered a more than three-hour set that sported a guest turn from friend and singer Andrew Bird for an epic take on another classic rock moment, “It Makes No Difference” by the Band. MMJ recently recorded the track for an upcoming Band tribute album at singer/drummer Levon Helm’s barn studio in Woodstock, N.Y.
For an extensive day 1 recap, see: jadedinsider.com and Billboard.com
