Just like last year and the year before, we’re making it our mission to help you get acquainted with every single band on Bonnaroo‘s impressive 2014 lineup. We started from the bottom and have been working our way up, paying special attention to the smaller and lesser known acts on this year’s bill with daily, dedicated Bonnaroo Band of the Day and Bonnaroo Club Stage Band of the Day posts. Now that ‘Roo is fast approaching, and we’ve made our way through the fest’s entire undercard, we’ll be spending our last couple of weeks making sure you’re up to date on the festival’s headliners, this time in the form of group posts. Keep reading for your Bonnaroo Band of the Day: Main Stage Roundup…
GROUPLOVE
Saturday | That Tent | 5pm
A platinum single, a top 40 album, a number one spot on the Alt Rock and Modern Rock charts, global acclaim, ten television appearances, countless commercial placements (including the crème de la crème, Apple), numerous festival spots, and tours with the likes of Foster the People, Florence and the Machine, and Two Door Cinema Club. These are a few of the MANY impressive accomplishments LA alt/indie/dance pop act Grouplove have achieved in the span of about three years. Formed organically in 2009 in New York City, Grouplove quickly started gaining traction shortly after independently recording and releasing a self-titled debut EP. Their smash debut full-length, Never Trust a Happy Song, would follow in 2011, and, propelled by infectiously catchy lead single “Tongue Tied,” helped the band become a household name. “Tongue Tied” appeared everywhere, from Apple commercials to GLEE, and, though they haven’t quite managed to match its success, the band have produced several more stadium-ready hits. Though it perhaps hasn’t garnered as much buzz as happy song, Grouplove’s sophomore release, Spreading Rumours, managed to climb higher on the charts, proving that Grouplove are here to stay. [PO]
LISTEN | “Ways to Go”
WATCH | “Tongue Tied” (Official Music Video)
CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify
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JANELLE MONAE
Friday| What Stage | 5:30pm
Saturday | The Other Tent | SuperJam | 12am
The pompadour-esque hairstyle and dapper tuxedo outfits are just some of the many telltale signs that you are in the presence of Janelle Monáe, but it is the voice of this contemporary R&B star that has made her a household name. It’s been 10 years since Monáe came onto the scene, and she began racking up nominations and awards shortly thereafter with her debut Metropolis EP. It was after the similarly android themed neo-soul breakthroughs of The ArchAndroid and The Electric Lady that catapulted the young crooner into collaborations like the fun. track “We Are Young” and “Q.U.E.E.N.” featuring Erykah Badu. Regardless of your thoughts about her impressive solo stuff, she will, without a doubt, be a very interesting addition to this unimaginable Skrillex Superjam that we are frothing over. [MH]
LISTEN | “Electric Lady” ft. Solange
WATCH | “Q.U.E.E.N.” ft. Erykah Badu (Official Music Video)
CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify
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CAKE
Saturday | Which Stage | 4pm
Ah, Cake. Now there’s an act we can all enjoy. Ever since Cake first made a name for themselves with their breakthrough single “The Distance” back in 1996, the group have received near universal recognition for their contributions to the alt rock genre. Utilizing smooth yet driving basslines, unique lyrics, and some pretty phenomenal trumpet lines, the five piece from Sacremento have carved out a niche for themselves that, even today, no other group has approached. One has to remember, too, that when the band came together in the early 90’s, their main competition played grunge rock. Cake’s often sardonic lyrics and fun, upbeat demeanor were originally viewed as a direct contrast to popular grunge movement of the time, but, today, it seems that numerous indie rock acts have followed in their footsteps. Seeing as Cake helped lead this so-called “indie rock revolution,” it’s a bit surprising that they haven’t had a chance to play to Bonnaroo yet. However, that streak is about to be broken, and we couldn’t be more happy to be there to witness it. You can catch Cake on the Which Stage on Saturday at 4 pm! [JS]
LISTEN | “Mustache Man”
WATCH | “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” (Official Music Video)
CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify
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FITZ & THE TANTRUMS
Sunday | Which Stage | 4:15pm
With only two albums under their belt, it’s hard to believe how far LA outfit Fitz & The Tantrums have come in just four years. Their 2010 debut, Pickin’ Up the Pieces, exploded onto the scene in no small part because of the epically catchy single “MoneyGrabber,” which propelled the album to number one on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. A Rolling Stone profile followed, and then it appeared the pressure was really on to break through. Their 2013 followup, More Than Just a Dream, proved they were more than just a one hit wonder. Forget about paying your dues, they now tour arenas and play main stages. This of course comes as no surprise to founder and frontman Michael Fitzpatrick, who was amazed at how quickly his band just clicked. “It was literally like five phone calls, one rehearsal, and we could have played a show that night,” he said. In the realm of neo soul and indie electro pop they are THE band to see this summer at the farm, so don’t miss them! [JR]
LISTEN | “The Walker”
WATCH | ”Out Of My League” (Official Music Video)
CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify
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SLIGHTLY STOOPID
Saturday| That Tent | 6:45pm
We’ve described them as a everything but the kitchen sink influenced jam band and psychedelic rockers, but for the uninformed Slightly Stoopid describe their music as “folk, rock, reggae, blues, hip hop, funk, metal and punk,” or, basically, every type of music we love to cover here at No Country. After childhood friends Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald (who both play guitar, bass and sing) formed the band in Ocean Beach, San Diego around 1995, they were quickly noticed by Sublime frontman Bradley Nowell and signed to his label Skunk Records, while still just in high school. Seven studio and three live albums later, and the group are still touring and building on their reputation as a festival favorite. They’ve previously played Coachella, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and New Orleans Jazz Fest, and even co-headlined with equally weed friendly Snoop Dogg on his 2009 “Blazed and Confused Tour” across North America. Their latest album, Top of the World, is the band’s second release on their very own Stoopid Records label, and a further exploration of their already multi-faceted sound. You definitely need to go see one of the most eclectic bands on the bill, but be warned, their fans tend to burn copious amounts of the Devil’s Spinach, so come, or just leave, high. It’s totally your choice. [JR]
LISTEN | “Top Of The World”
WATCH | “Don’t Stop” (Official Music Video)
CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify
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[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JS] Jack Smith
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain
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