Well, folks — it’s that time of year again. The preliminary 2011 Bonnaroo line up has officially been released, and Addam and I are putting all of our ducks in a row in the hopes that we’re going to be able to attend. It would be our fourth trip to the festival, and despite all obstacles, we’ve come too far to ever look back. We may not have a car, we may be planning a wedding and we may have more expenses than we know what to do with, but come hell or high water we’re going to figure out a way to make it to Tennessee in June. After three years, we know exactly what we’d be missing, and not Rooing  is not an option.

That being said, I wanted to do something different with this post. Rather than reminisce on past shows, I wanted to offer a glimpse into the artists that I’m most excited to see this year. Some I’ve loved for a long time, and others are new to my playlist — but all should make for some exciting performances. My list is as follows:

10. Old Crow Medicine Show

Fan since: 2004
Shows attended: 0
Song I most want to hear: Wagon Wheel
Why they rock: As Nashville natives, I’m sure these guys are going to have an amazing time playing the Roo, and I’m sure I’m going to have an even better time seeing them live. I’ve never seen them before, but growing up in Virginia, it was hard to escape their sound. Their good ol’ boy vibes take me back to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and I can’t wait to finally see them perform. Everything is better live, and for some reason I feel like they’re going to be the rule more than the exception. Bluegrass always is.

9. Bassnectar

Fan since: 2008
Shows attended: 4
Song I most want to hear: Blow
Why he rocks: Ok, ok.  So — truth be told, Bassnectar should really be higher up in my list. And he would be — if I haven’t seen him so many times already. He’s kind of a festi stronghold, and I saw him three times last summer alone. That being said — familiarity does not detract from the fact that this guy fucking rocks. (And no, it’s not just his hair.) His eclectic electronic mixes combine mainstream tunes with a dubstep style, giving his music that perfect womp, womp, womp that keeps me coming back for more. His shows are always fun, and — truth be told — dude is not too bad to look at. I used to have a photo of him as the background of my computer and was asked on countless occasions if it was Addam.

8. Arcade Fire

Fan since: 2009
Shows attended: 0
Song I most want to hear: Wake Up
Why they rock: I got into this band when Where The Wild Things came out on DVD. They did a couple of songs for the soundtrack, and I was impressed by how soulful they sounded. A few months later Addam came across one of their CDs at the Chicago Public Library and burnt us a copy. We’ve since become pretty big fans, but truth be told, we haven’t heard that much of their stuff. I look forward to learning more of their material, and while I’m not sure when they’ll be playing, I’d love to see what they could do with a late night light show.

7. Neil Young

Fan since: 1994
Shows attended: 0
Song I most want to hear: Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Why he rocks: Do I even need to explain this? I mean, is any sort of explanation even warranted? At this point, I feel like it would be an insult to sit here and list off all the reasons why Neil Young is amazing, because he’s more than proven it on his own. I’ve always been a fan of Mr. Young, but listening to his music takes me back to the days when Addam and I would sit in his room and listen to the CDs he had recorded from his dad’s old record collection. Real rock music that really made you feel something. I was born in the wrong generation, I swear to God.

6. The Black Keys

Fan since: 2007
Shows attended: 0
Song I most want to hear: Psychotic Girl
Why they rock: How do you even begin to describe The Black Keys in a way that would do them any justice? Their hard rock sounds and bluesy undertones are vaguely reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy Page — making them seem as if they were plucked from the past and placed in the present for my listening enjoyment. Their music is from another time. In true White Stripes fashion, we have a duo consisting of a drummer (Patrick Carney) and a guitarist (Dan Auerback) — and it’s really because of Jack White that I came to love them as much as I do. I’ve liked the band for awhile now, but it wasn’t until I kept hearing their songs on my various Pandora stations that I came to appreciate them as much as I do now. I’m anticipating a late night set.

5. Girl Talk

Fan since: 2009
Shows attended: 3
Song I most want to hear: Still Here
Why he rocks: Giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirl Talk. Giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirl Talk. Giiiiiiiiiirl Talk, Giiiiiiirl Talk, Giiiirl Talk, Giiirl Talk, Girl Talk, GIRL TALK, GIRL TALK, GIRL TALK, GIGIGIGIGIGIRLLLLLLLLLL. Two summers ago Girl Talk completely changed my life, and not a day goes by that my mind does not go back to one of his shows. He’s not a DJ, but he a mixing mastermind. He doesn’t create songs as much as he creates experiences, and I cannot wait to experience more Greg Gillis. Combine confetti with a couple of toilet paper throwers, and you’re guaranteed to have a pretty awesome time. Not to mention — I don’t know anyone else who can combine Elton John with Biggie and make it work. If you don’t know him, take my advice and check him out. He’ll change your life. (At least, he changed mine.)

4. Mumford & Sons

Fan since: 2010
Shows attended: 0
Song I most want to hear: The Cave
Why they rock: Words can’t even describe how excited I am that Mumford & Sons are going to be at Bonnaroo this year! I’m a long time festival goer but a relatively new fan of the band, so I’ve never had the opportunity to see them live. Still, in the short time I’ve known them I’ve really come to appreciate their melodic sound and strong subject matter. More than anything, I love how their songs  sound so upbeat despite having depressing lyrics. Countless times I have tried to pick through their songs for Facebook statuses, only to find that it’s all too sad to post. Regardless, they always manage to pump me up — something that should come in very handy at the Roo.

3. Lil Wayne and 2. Eminem

Lil Wayne
Fan since: 2oo7
Shows attended: 0
Song I most want to hear: Drop the World (With Eminem)
Why he rocks: I totally called this one. Lil Wayne is one of the biggest names in the rap game, and Bonnaroo always manages to bring in the year’s top performers. Since he just got out of jail and has been making quite the comeback, it didn’t surprise me to hear that he’d be heading to Tennessee in June.  I’m including him with Eminem, because I’m hoping that they collaborate for a song or two. I have no idea when either one is scheduled to play, but I’ve found that at Bonnaroo artists usually have a few tricks up their sleeves.

Eminem
Fan since: 1999
Shows attended: 0
Song I most want to hear: Drug Ballad
Why he rocks: Um, have you met my man? As if there is any room for me to not love Eminem? But, truth be told, I was a fan long before I met Addam. He’s a lyricist and a hell of a performer, and there for awhile it was beginning to seem like I would never have the opportunity to see him live. But, alas! Shady’s back and better than ever. Just as he reinvented the rap game, he reinvented himself, and I can’t wait to see what he brings to Roo. (Something tells me Addam and I will spend a good deal of time camped out near the What Stage, as we’re definitely going to want a good spot for the show, and it’s sure to be packed.)

1. Primus

Fan since: 2008
Shows attended: 0 (Although, I’ve seen Les Claypool in various forms 4 times)
Song I most want to hear: My Name is Mud
Why they rock: PRIMUS SUCKS, and I cannot wait to finally see them, in full form, this summer. Addam and I discovered frontman Les Claypool at our first Roo in 2008 and immediately fell in love. We have seen him at festivals every summer since and even got to check him when out when he was playing at The Riviera in Chicago — a show that I wish I remembered a little better. Still, we’ve never seen him as part of Primus, which is where he really got his start. Claypool is an energetic and interesting performer — often wearing masks or other costumes and always inventing his own instruments. And, he’s a pretty funny guy. I can’t wait to watch him get back to his roots.

While that concludes my top ten, I want to hear your input! The best thing about Bonnaroo is that there’s something for everyone, so feel free to comment on who you’re most looking forward to seeing this year. I’m always open to checking out new artists.

“Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.” — Angela Monet, poet.