Photo by AP Photo / Dave Martin
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band performs during the Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival in Manchester, Tenn., Saturday, June 13, 2009.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bruce Springsteen. James Brown. Tom Petty. B.B. King.
For a festival that many associate with a college-aged crowd, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has welcomed more than its share of performers in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s over the years. This year, R&B legend Stevie Wonder shares the fest’s coveted Saturday night slot with rap superstar Jay-Z. At their best, these sorts of bookings can connect musical veterans with a new audience — and turn young music lovers on to classic sounds while coaxing many middle-aged fans out of suburbia and back onto festival grounds.
Rick Farman of Bonnaroo co-producers Superfly Productions says the festival is “an opportunity to check one of those legends off your list.”
“When we had James Brown (in 2003), there were a lot of people who saw him that year that were like, ‘Wow, I got to see James Brown.’ If he was playing at an arena or amphitheater or club near them, would they necessarily go out and buy a ticket? Maybe not. But because it’s at a festival and they’re coming to see 20 or 30 other bands, they’re really excited to see that act.”
Continue reading at The Tennessean.
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