Friday morning came with excitement as the crowds from Thursday and Friday's newcomers eagerly awaited the opening of Bonnaroo's two main stages, Which and What.
The 700-acre farm in Manchester became Tennessee's seventh-largest city overnight. Hosed down in sunblock, decked out in hippie gear and beers in hand, the mob on the farm was ready for some fun, sun and great music.
Following The Kooks' kickoff of Which Stage, South Carolina's NEEDTOBREATHE continued to keep the music flowing, and let me just say ... a banjo has never looked so good.
Made up of Bear Rinehart, brother Bo Rinehart, Seth Bolt and Joe Stillwell, the group had Which Stage packed with a wild crowd at 2 p.m. NEEDTOBREATHE played "Lost," "Washed By The Water," "Keep Your Eyes Open," a cover of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," and of course "A Girl Named Tennessee."
In between songs, the band received whistles from the crowd. "How you doing, Tennessee?" lead siger Bear hyped up the crowd, which replied with a roar of excitement. "I'm about to lose my mind."
The band did just that on stage, obviously putting their all into every song. Bear (who kind of looks like Thor, and could be Chris Hemsworth in disguise) crooned to the crowd, while brother Bo showed his talents don't just lie in the guitar or his vocals, but also on the banjo. Seth on bass and Joe on drums had the whole crowd swaying along with their energetic performance.
NEEDTOBREATHE has an obvious passion for playing, and the crowd supported that with screaming the lines of every song right along.
Fitz & The Tantrums delivered the same kind of enthusiasm in their 5 p.m. performance at That Tent. Playing a set the same time as The Avett Brothers, Afrocubism and Little Dragon, Fitz & The Tantrums had an impressive crowd waiting for them to take the stage. Screams and horns from the crowd erupted when the six band members from Los Angeles walked onto the stage.
Playing "Don't Gotta Work It Out," the band immediately had Bonnaroovians shoot their hands into the air to clap. "Bonnaroo, make some noise!" vocalist Noelle Scaggs encouraged the crowd, asking their help in singing along.
Those who have listened to recordings of Fitz & The Tantrums know that the group has talent, but seeing them live is a whole other story. Vocalist Michael Fitzpatrick and Noelle absolutely killed it on stage, while the horn section was just out of control live.
"We're only two songs in and you guys are f***in' fantastic!" Noelle bellowed into the crowd.
Throughout their set hands (and other things like rainbow dusters) waved in the air.
Fitz & The Tantrums continued to play "Pickin' Up The Pieces" (with an amazing Ron Burgundy-worthy flute), "Wake Up," and "Breakin' The Chains of Love" among many others.
One song in particular seemed to get a wild reaction from the males in crowd, "Rich Girls." Judging by the ratio of men to women singing this song, I'd say that the men in the crowd really relate to the song.
"You know I got a big smile on my face," Noelle informed the crowd. "If this is your first time seeing us thank you for coming to see us right here, right now."
