everything in its right place.

the lineup for the annual hippie convention known as Bonnaroo was announced today, and after four years, it appears as though they finally have a few things figured out.

what was that? i think i heard something. oh, right, it was Coachella suffering a minor heart attack. life as the bastard red-headed stepchild of summer music festivals can take a toll on you. just ask the fine folks of the H.O.R.D.E. fest.

without further ado, feast your eyes on this year's menu...

Radiohead
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Phil Lesh & Friends
Beck
Elvis Costello & the Imposters
Bonnie Raitt
Death Cab for Cutie
moe.
Bright Eyes
The Neville Brothers
Bela Fleck & the Flecktones
Buddy Guy
Damian Marley
Ben Folds
Robert Randolph & the Family Band
Dr. John
Matisyahu
G. Love & Special Sauce
My Morning Jacket
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Steel Pulse
Mike Gordon and Ramble Dove
Cat Power
Medeski Martin & Wood
Nickel Creek
Gomez
Atmosphere
Steve Earle
Blues Traveler
Amadou & Mariam
Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks
Dresden Dolls
Son Volt
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Jerry Douglas
Soulive
Rusted Root
Devendra Banhart Band
Donavon Frankenreiter
Mike Doughty
Sasha
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
The Magic Numbers
Bill Frisell
Seu Jorge
Bettye LaVette
Dungen
Shooter Jennings
Rebirth Brass Band
Robinella
Andrew Bird
Steel Train
Jackie Greene
Devotchka
The Wood Brothers
dios (malos)
Toubab Krewe
The Motet
Marah
I-Nine
Balkan Beat Box
The Cat Empire

i've steered clear of the 'Roo in its first four versions, but when you include the likes of Radiohead, Beck, Bright Eyes, Ben Folds, Robert Randolph, MMJ, Nickel Creek, Rusted Root, and add to that list the expected additions of KOL and the North Mississippi Allstars, well, the decision has all but been made for me. however... one problem. ticket prices. i understand and feel the regular tickets are reasonable at $169, but there is no way in hell i can digest the VIP tickets at $1058 a pair!

this is the part where the women and children should get up and walk away from the computer...

i can think of only two words to describe the VIP ticket price... fucking ridiculous. this is a concert event, folks. not a damn semester of college tuition. at that price, i would expect transportation to and from the event, as well as personal slaves while i'm there. shit, you'd better throw in a team of strippers to bathe me twice a day in the VIP showers. finally, i should be able to pick the set lists for each artist, as well as watch from the stage. no, not the side stage, i'm talking dead center, right beside the lead singer, and in front of the ugly bass player.

no matter the bullshit with the VIP business, i hope to make the journey down this summer. who has an RV they'll loan me? tickets go on sale next Saturday, Feb. 11. hippies, start your grilled cheese production line. you've got a lot of coin to bank and but a little time to bank it. also, stock up on disposable Bic razors. underarm hair is so Lollapalooza circa 1992.