Bonnaroo Friday: Dry Land is not a Myth...
Photos by Steve Cross
Conditions yesterday afternoon had reached a perfect state of homeostasis complete with a sunless overcast, and a sweet, soothing breeze sauntering underneath. Unfortunately, by the time Chris Rock went on, those ominous clouds were starting to pay off with chilly, biting sprinkle.
It was more than a bit awkward joining 75,000 in a cold, rainy field for a comedy show, listening to Rock rant about Barack Obama (who apparently has the "blackest name in the history of the world"), the differences between men and women, and more than a few choir-directed diatribes against our current president.
The sprinkling continued on through Metallica's set to the point where we all just kind of got used to it. Though not comfortable in the least, it was definitely tolerable so long as I kept a can of beer in my hand, and thus many cans of beer were consumed.
Around midnight, I strolled over to catch MSTRKFT to see if they'd perhaps be a little more entertaining than when I saw them at SXSW a few months ago. While in Austin, we got little more than the sight of two guys with their arms at their sides, chatting back and forth playing mp3's on their laptops, the Canadian duo appeared to be having more fun on stage last night than the packed, rambunctious tent they were playing for. Granted, they were still playing mp3s on their laptops, it was just a hell of a lot more entertaining this time, due mostly in part to an all-star dance party that ensued on stage. M.I.A. protegé African Boy and most of the rest of her crew were bumping and grinding to MSTRKRFT's aggressive robotic electro beats, while the band took turns finishing off a fifth of Crown Royal.
Meanwhile, the rain had evolved into a slow and steady drizzle that over the course of an hour got less much less slow and a lot more steady. It wasn't long before everyone in its path was reduced to frigid, sopping wet huddled masses crowded underneath anything with a roof.
As for Saturday, the forecast doesn't look good. Gray skies and cool breezes have returned this morning, but all signs point to even more downpour this afternoon and later into the evening.
