This past summer I got a chance to cut web videos for Rolling Stone at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee. Featuring some of the biggest names in music, the festival is like a modern-day Woodstock but cleaner, more organized and admirably sustainable. For four crazy days I soaked in the Bonnaroo buzz and stayed up all night editing artist interviews and live performance footage. Unfortunately, it was more work than play but, even so, it was incredible to be there. Overall, I cut more than 10 videos; here are my five faves:
1) Hear what the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have to say about the Bonnaroo vibe, pre-performance jitters and the benefits of drumming on towels. Bonus: Karen O looking awesomely 80s in her tiger striped leggings. The Frenchy lads of Phoenix discuss the difference between American and European festivals, extol the virtues of pure art and wonder if their lead singer is ever going to show up.
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(The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Phoenix roll with the pre-performance punches.)
2) Chairlift waxes poetic about sunsets, trees, and getting high on contact. Bonus: Patrick Wimberly describes what it was like to brush up against his musical hero Mike Gordon from Phish. Get a glimpse of Janelle Monae’s electrifying performance and see why Of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes gives this rising star mad props.
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(Chairlift soaks it all in and Janelle Monae rocks it out.)
3) Best known for his role as Tom Haverford on Parks and Recreation, comedian Aziz Ansari pretends to be Bruce Springsteen’s road manager. His unusual (and hilarious) demands give him away but, whether you buy the act or not, he’s funny as hell.
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(Aziz Ansari punks ‘em all…sort of.)
4) Famous for turning dance floors into free-for-alls and ordinary girls into booty-shakin’ hos, crazy mash-up DJ Girl Talk reflects on earlier days when his party-startin’ talents weren’t so appreciated. Watch the video to see Girl Talk whipping his audience into a total frenzy. True story: My cinematographer buddy Alexis Boling got kicked in the head while capturing this footage and, considering the dance riot that was going on, he and his camera were lucky to escape unscathed.
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(Girl Talk tears it up.)
4) Sure, he’s been around awhile, but Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes isn’t just playing the same old tunes–he’s doing the unexpected. Check out the video to hear some snippets from his version of The Stones‘ “Helter Skelter” and Radiohead’s “Creep”.
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(Warren Haynes keeps it fresh with “strange cover songs.”)
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Credits: DP – Alexis Boling, Editor – Faisal Azam
Tags: Alexis Boling, Aziz Ansari, Bonnaroo, Bonnaroo Music Festival 2009, Brian Chase, Chairlift, Creep, Faisal Azam, Girltalk, Gov't Mule, Helter Skelter, Janelle Monae, Kevin Barnes, Mike Gordon, Of Montreal, Parks and Recreation, Patrick Wimberly, Phish, Phoenix, Radiohead, Rolling Stone, Rolling Stones, Warren Haynes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
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