Trey Anastasio, Widespread Panic, Moe, Ben Harper and Les Claypool are among the artists confirmed to play the first annual Bonnaroo Music Festival, a three-day camping and music event that will take place June 21st through 23rd in Manchester, Tennessee.

New Orleans-based Superfly Productions and Knoxville-based A.C. Entertainment have teamed up to promote the festival, which will feature many of the biggest names in the jam band scene with an ear toward illustrating its musical diversity. The lineup also includes southern rockers Gov't Mule and North Mississippi Allstars, Colorado's the String Cheese Incident, soul-jazz trio Soulive, funk outfits Karl Denson's Tiny Universe and Galactic, gospel artists the Blind Boys of Alabama and pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph and his Family Band, acoustic guitarists Keller Williams and Jack Johnson, New Orleans' Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and the Triple Threat DJs. According to promoters, more bands will be announced in upcoming weeks, including a greater electronica and hip-hop presence and some as-yet undisclosed "major additions."

While Superfly is known for creating one-time power combos during their New Orleans During Jazz Fest series, the company has no immediate collaboration plans in the works for Bonnaroo. "We may set up some SuperJam stuff," says Superfly's Rick Farman. "It's gonna be down the road, though, if we do it. The nature of the entire event is probably going to produce collaborations galore."

"Collaboration has always been a naturally occurring thing with all of these bands," agrees bassist Dave Schools, who plays full-time in Widespread Panic and part-time in Gov't Mule. "Obviously there are a lot of like-minded musicians in all the bands, and I don't see how some jamming could not occur."

Moe guitarist Al Schnier is happy to take the first step in the process. "Anyone is welcome to join Moe," he says. "We always thrive on that spontaneity of having a fresh presence onstage. I've been wanting to hook up with the guys in Panic for awhile. Nice guys, great players. I'd really love to have Trey jam with Moe. I'm constantly floored by him. He's got great tone, great energy, and he's a monster. But then I imagine his dance card will be fairly full that weekend."

According to Farman, the Sunday gospel tent, which will highlight the Blind Boys of Alabama and possibly a choir, is the place to go for intense improvisations. "We're gonna set it up as an atmosphere where people will feel comfortable getting together," he says.

Taking place on a 500-acre farm sixty miles southeast of Nashville, Bonnaroo will build upon the experiences of smaller, regional, multi-stage summer festivals like the Gathering of the Vibes and Berkfest, offering music on two stages and in two tents, a variety of food vending, an amusement area, ample facilities and a general store for last-minute needs. Says Superly's Jon Mayers, "We are literally going to create a small city to accommodate the crowd," which they are estimating to be between 50,000 and 60,000 attendees.

"We're trying to build an annual event and a great reputation," adds Farman. "We're trying to make it as enjoyable as possible, and we're thinking long term. We're not in it for one time to make a lot of money. We're here to put on the best event we can because we want people back year in and year out."

"This can potentially take a place in history next to the Last Waltz, the Isle of Wight and Live Aid," speculates Schnier. "I just don't want to be a part of a festival that ends up like the last Woodstock. Granted, I doubt Dave Schools will incite any riots or that Trey will rally the kids to trash the place . . ."

"There may be a small percentage of people that do stupid things, and our approach is certainly to be vigilant," admits Farman. "But the people that will come to this event are almost like professional concert-goers. They know how to prepare for it, and they know how to enjoy it. I think that from the bands to the vibe that we project to the fan base, everybody's goal is to have a great time and a great experience."

Three-day tickets for Bonnaroo will start at $100 on March 23rd, increasing to $125 on March 30th. Ticketmaster's on-sale date is April 6th at $125, increasing to $140 on May 18th. Day-of-show cost has not yet been determined. Tickets, travel packages and lineup/schedule updates are available at www.bonnaroo.com.

ROBIN A. ROTHMAN
(March 21, 2002)