Manchester, TN
June 12 – 15
While you weren't looking, the hippies won the battle of the summer rock festivals. Lollapalooza is a shadow of itself, Lilith a distant stubble-legged memory. But Bonnaroo, which began as a Frisbee-flyin' four-day jam band fest on a Tennessee farm, has diversified into live music's greatest one-stop shop. This year's line-up includes Metallica, Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Kanye West, M.I.A., My Morning Jacket, Vampire Weekend, the Raconteurs, Rilo Kiley, Lupe Fiasco and 100 or so more high quality acts. (A rumor that Led Zeppelin would headline turned out to be untrue; all-female cover band Lez Zeppelin, however, will be in attendance.) If you hate music, try the comedy tent featuring David Cross. If you hate music and comedy, rumor has it there are still a few hippies around selling handcrafted clay water pipes. Do with them what you will.