The 2012 Bonnaroo lineup was announced this week, at 12 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. There were hundreds of rumors, mock lineup posters, guesses out of left field, and innumerable hopes for this year’s list of performers. I myself was looking for Jack White in particular, but I didn’t have any real expectations.

Some of the rumors and clues from the ‘Roo spokesperson Gary Chardonnay proved to be true. These tantalizing hints have been dubbed ‘Roo Clues, and are announced through Bonnaroo radio and Twitter the month before the lineup release. Headliners include Radiohead, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phish, and the Beach Boys.  The full lineup can be found here, on the Bonnaroo website.

A lot of criticism always bounces around, but whenever I hear negativity I just remind myself that the festival is so much more than just music. The people that cop attitudes for what is supposedly a ‘bad lineup’ are the ones that would bring down the mood on the affectionately titled ‘Farm’, where Bonnaroo is held every year.

Let’s be honest, out of the hundreds of performers, the odds of not liking and/or enjoying the performance of at least 25 or 30 artists are very slim. Add up the cost of going to 30 shows with tickets at about $20, and you would be spending $600 on tickets alone- and that’s not counting big names whose ticket prices could skyrocket above $20.

My point is not to encourage people to attend or not attend, but just to offer another perspective. Bonnaroo is made by the people that populate the Farm for those four days just as much as it is made by the performers themselves. 

This isn’t way of thinking that is exclusive to Bonnaroo- if you want to go, don’t let the naysayers bring you down. Something as huge as a music festival with tens of thousands of people will give a different experience to each person, so there is no reason to let someone else’s word discourage you. Go in wanting to have fun, and you will. If you’re interested, tickets go on sale this Saturday, Februay 18th.

And just for the record, I like the lineup. My favorite part of the release is listening to all of the artists that I have never heard, so that I know which performances to go to. (Have a listen to the Bonnaroo playlist on Spotify.)

One last thing: Bonnaroo always adds to the lineup as June gets closer, along with announcing Cinema Tent, Comedy Tent, and Superjam performances and events. So I could still get Jack White like I’ve been hoping! My fingers are crossed.

(Bonus shot of me enjoying myself at Girl Talk’s set last year. Yes, that is Gumby.)

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