Bonnaroo Roundup - part II

Saturday saw us take it a bit more easily. Widespread Panic was playing Saturday night, and since we had no interest in hearing them (aside from "Doreatha", which we heard while walking around Centeroo), so that meant a few hours off to relax, unwind and regroup.

The first act we saw was M. Ward. We enjoyed his set very much. His albums are sleepy, JJ Cale/Nick Drake-ish, but his live set was a little more, well, lively. I got some great pictures here, here, and here. The highlight of the set was when Jim James of My Morning Jacket came out and did a song with M. Ward. Pictures of that here, here, here, here, and here. Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley also played a couple of songs with M. Ward. Pictures of that here and here.

Some pictures of the grounds on Saturday here and here.

After M. Ward, we chilled out, relaxed and listened to the bluegrass/jamgrass sounds of the Yonder Mountain String Band. As usual, they delivered a fun set, including a cover of the Beatles "Dear Prudence." As we were chillin', no pictures were taken.

Following that, we played some in the arcade, ate a bit, then staked out a spot for Iron & Wine. We were in front of the soundboard (my favorite spot, as you can tell), so the picture did not turn out very well, but the show was spectacular, the surprise (for me) of Bonnaroo. They mixed it up and really kept the set moving, mixing in ballads, groovy numbers, and rockers. We were quite impressed. The encore, the quiet, 9 minute long "The Trapeze Swinger" was sensational. Chill bump city. The crowd was appropriately quiet during the softer numbers and the experience was just fantastic. I cannot recommend Iron & Wine enough.

Following a little rest at the RV and some food, we headed out for the late night. We tried to find Jim Lauderdale, but, due to a misprint in the Bonnaroo Beacon (and my failure to 2x check the venue with my program -- a rookie mistake), we missed his set. I'm sure he put on a great show, but, alas, we missed it.

So, we then caught most of the late-night set by the trippy, Pink Floyd-like Secret Machines. They were good, but (aside from Amos Lee) my least favorite act of the festival. Picture here. They did a fair rendition of Dylan's "Girl From the North Country" (a surprising cover selection given how tripped out and synthesized they sounded).

After that, we called it a night and, mercifully, got to stay in the hotel room where we enjoyed Krystals, clean sheets and a shower the next morning to prepare for the final day.

More to come.....