Bonnaroo 2010 Leads To One Death, Over 100 Arrests
By Travis Woods
Despite playing host to what was, by most accounts, a pretty stellar lineup of excellent performers and performances (including from Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, Conan O’Brien, Kings of Leon, Flaming Lips and Weezer) this year’s Bonnaroo Festival was not without its tragedies and legal hiccups. In between sessions of shoving that gremlin Snooki down our collective throats, MTV reports that “a 29-year-old man, North Carolina’s David Sloan, died on Sunday (June 13) after falling ill at the Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, Tennessee.” In addition, reports still coming in place the number of disorderly conduct, alcohol and drug-related (at Bonnaroo? Nooooo…) arrests at well over 100.
“According to the Tullahoma News and Guardian, officials believe that Sloan was overcome by heat, which caused him to collapse early Sunday morning in front of medical personnel after his core body temperature reached 108 degrees. Sloane was rushed to an area hospital, where he later died.”
Temperatures over the weekend hovered around the mid-90s, with the heat index well over 100 degrees—forcing the air-conditioned medical tents to treat 25% more concert-goers that in previous years.
Further, more than 70 people were arrested while on their way to Bonnaroo for charges ranging from underage possession of alcohol to the possession of marijuana, while at least 50 were arrested for similar charges.
What do you think of the number of Bonnaroo arrests?
Monday, June 14, 2010 2:37PM
It was ridiculously hot there, poor guy.
Monday, June 14, 2010 4:04PM
Fuck That Let The Kids Smoke Weed And Do Some Drugs. Let The Under Age Kids Drink. I Mean It Is Bonnaroo.
Monday, June 14, 2010 4:08PM
Let the kids drink! whats wrong with smoking a little weed? The cops went overboard in arresting those kids. I mean it is Bonnaroo! No rules Just FUN.
Monday, June 14, 2010 7:22PM
I was their and it was hot very hot and to the point where shows were missed cause it was too much
Monday, June 14, 2010 8:10PM
i missed a few shows i really wanted to see because of the heat. two of the days i spent under our canopy just trying to cool off.
they should switch it up and maybe do a bonnaroo in the winter time! i think that would be awesome.
less problems with the heat, and people would be able to bundle up. i think it would be fun, because even though it would be cold, people would be so fired up they would still be hot.
overall bonnaroo 2010 was awesome! andddd no one should have been arrested because out of the 100,000 people there 950,000 were on SOME sort of drugs or drinking under age or doing something illegal! they should just give up, there was no point in arresting the 200 they got. i mean, c'mon. i say people walking around with "mollies? doses?" written on there stomach and back. people walking around screaming "100 dollars for an 8-ball!!" lol…there's no point.
Monday, June 14, 2010 8:18PM
This is fucked up
man there was so many places to get cooled off this year. I feel so bad because the last night before packing up and leaving we saw tents deserted, and in a drunk fashion, we joked about some one dying because it was so fucking hot. That's horrible. People need to understand Bonnaroo's staff was constantly trying to soak the audience to cool them off. They did everything from having misting tents to having a mushroom in the middle of center-roo that would spray out water. Every other road had spots to fill up your jugs with filtered and extremely cold waterrrr!!!
Monday, June 14, 2010 8:27PM
I agree. They need to make the water cheaper. You know they are making tons of money. The water should be cheaper, and possibly more places to fill up. I stood in line for an hour to refill my bottle before I decided if I stood there any longer I was going to miss Stevie Wonder so I went without water. Then come to find out the reason the line was going to slow was because the water was barely dribbling out and they had run out so this alarm was going off to say they were out of water. OUT OF WATER?!
Monday, June 14, 2010 8:38PM
ROO was a blast . One night i stayed the night and woke up the next day at a stage and was extremely hot. There was a community fountain for people to cool off in but i was off all morning and did not start on till after noon after everyone has been there for hours . Bonnaroo makes enough money to not sell there water for 4 dollars a bottle and keep the fountain running always . I mean they make millions of dollars , try fucking harder to keep The thousands of people that love to to come and keep money in your pockets hydrated before you kill more people.And fuck the police!
Monday, June 14, 2010 8:38PM
950,000 out of 100,000 people were on some sort of drugs, huh? Were you included in that group? Your statistics would suggest so….
Monday, June 14, 2010 9:40PM
Uh, I'm never doing the Roo again. Only thing I liked were the few bands I saw and time with my friends. Rothbury was WAY better. Temps were perfect, the stages were placed just right that you didn't have to push your way to the front to see the bands play and I did not meet one single person in a bad mood.
Monday, June 14, 2010 10:12PM
this is terrible news……. it really is a shame a young man came to have a good time and then this happened…… its a wonder there are not more deaths than there are. 1/80,000+ in Tennessee heat doing (fill in the blank) is unreal…. but i do feel an alternative Roo would be safer. not in the winter because ppl would freeze to death, but perhaps around October would be brilliant
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 1:58AM
this guy did NOT die from a heat stroke. sunday morning around 1:45 am, me, my girlfriend and my friend had just seen thievery corporation (who were amazing), then walked over to kaskade (who was also insane). we were waiting for deadmau5 to come on, dan deacon was finishing up. we were having a GREAT time. then we hear a lot of commotion behind us. we turn around and see a medical taxi pushing through the crowd. the patient was this poor young man who died, and we was already gone. flat lined. they were pounding on his chest, trying to resesitate him. he was not responding. i dont think he died from the heat because it was cool outside, i guarantee he had drank during the day, which was not smart, it was waaaay freakin too hot. then im guessing he started taking some rolls or molly and overdosed because he was dehydrated. after seeing this, we had to go back to camp. i was terrified. i also witnessed someone overdose friday at kid cudi. he was convulsing and foaming at the mouth. the medical staff was there and took him away. i hope he was ok.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 1:59AM
the reason why they have bonnaroo during the beginning of june is because all the schools are out for summer break. the festival strives to make the most money possible. i understand the need to pay the artists. the line up was amazing this year. but we seriously couldnt go and see the shows during the day. it was way too hot. we actually went into the woods, which was about 20 degrees cooler (so it seemed). we actually left on sunday afternoon because of exhaustion. i didnt even get to see phoenix, who i was sooo pumped for.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 1:59AM
you cant sleep past 7 in the morning. once the sun comes up, your tent is ridiculously hot. so you dont sleep much. if you are going to go to a festival like this, you have to hydrate yourself. this was my third year. i was disappointed in the exhibits this year. last year there were fireflies by the tents, there was a mini circus act around the comedy tent, and there was a huge fire ball that shot up and created a smoke ring that danced in the air. all that stuff was so much fun. but it wasnt there this year. honestly, an rv is the way to go. we talked to someone from ny and he said that 8 of his friends rented an rv. they each paid 230 to rent the rv. he also said that it cost 3 dollars an hour to run the air condition all night. that is the only way to go. you will have the energy to see the shows you want to see, and you will be closer to centeroo. our campsite was like 4 miles away from centeroo. that was just too far. thank god we brough plenty of money for the taxis. otherwise, i dont know that we would have make it to centeroo at all. I love bonnaroo
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 5:39AM
I loved Roo. It was really hot, but there were places to cool down. And the people that got arrested were more than likely doing something stupid to begin with. We never even came close to someone discovering our stash. I can't wait til next year!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 7:12AM
Brooke- while i was not at the festival, I've known Sloane for over 10 years, and, while he may have had a drink or ten that day, he's more likely to have flown over the crowd than to have rolled or mollied. Keep your assessments to yourself.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 7:26AM
his name was Matthew Sloan, not david. R.I.P.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 8:08AM
This was our fifth Roo since 06 and this obviously was the hottest one.. Besides the band lineup!! My disappointment was the same SNAFU when it came too tent camping (no firelanes) and crammed in like sardines… But my biggest upset was the comparison of water facilities and "port o lets" to previous years (guessing 30 to 40% less this year) We were lucky and took a camper and rationed our facility use and water too a mininum and thankfully we did as there was NO rv service as promised by Bonnaroo. A real let down was seeing the security deny umbrellas and chairs being let in, only too see them for sale at "The General Store" inside the gates. Let them all bow down to the All Mighty Dollar!!! Im all about making a profit but $15 for a pack of smokes, and $12 for sunscreen is downright disgusting.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 8:19AM
you are 100% rite, i watched the man drop dead in front of my eyes, i wathced 3 or 4 people try to do CPR on him, the pumping of his stomach went along with the bass,sadess thing ive ever witnessed
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 8:30AM
This was our Fifth Roo since 05, And have too say it was the best line up yet. And Staff did a stellar job with getting everyone into the site quickly. Problem is that noone was prepared overall. Once again Cramped campsites, 30 – 40% less Water Facilities and Port O Lets ( which were filled up by mid afternoon Thursday) And can anyone pronounce Price Gouging!!! Im in favor of making a profit but selling items at 4 to 5 times market value is just wrong… I can understand Beer.
But the all time show stopper was after going threw Security we were told that we couldnt have chairs even if they were low backed, We turned around and got back into another line and were told low backed were ok. Great for us, But going passed the General Store we saw high backed folding chairs for sale INSIDE the Venue along with umbrellas that werent allowed. (Glad we hid ours)
It seems too me that Bonnaroo has followed all the other great festivals and bowed down to profit over keeping something that everyone looks forward to year after year.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 9:24AM
what?! They made you pour out your water when going into centeroo and then to fill your bottle back up with drinking water from one of the TWO mushrooms you had to stand huddled together for sometimes an hour or more becuase it would drip out. it took me honestly 4 mins to fill up a 20 oz botttle after waiting 40 mins in a disorderly line. and it was def not cold.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 10:42AM
i watched that guy die when i was candy flippin it ruined my bonnaroo
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 10:52AM
if you have known him for 10 years, then why was he unidentified for over 24 hours? and you say he may have had a drink or ten???? geeze. arent the words may (in which you use), and guessing (in which i use) both words of assumption? looks like you were doing the same thing mr assessment.. i meant no disrespect. i just wanted people to know exactly what i saw. the story just didnt make much sense to me.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 10:56AM
I was the, BONNAROO was FUCKING AMAZING….. I was ROLLING MY ASS OFFff sunday morning during deadmau5 and before.. and it wasnt that hot at all.. maybe 70-78……… i dont think he died from heat stroke.. poor guy =(….. other than this..EVEryting was perfect!!!! bonnaroo is my HOME!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 10:57AM
I was there, BONNAROO was FUCKING AMAZING….. I was ROLLING MY ASS OFFff sunday morning during deadmau5 and before.. and it wasnt that hot at all.. maybe 70-78……… i dont think he died from heat stroke.. poor guy =(….. other than this..EVEryting was perfect!!!! bonnaroo is my HOME!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 11:49AM
the filtered water was a problem, that's why we just used the tap water. i can't believe all of the idiots who stood in line for that long when there was tap water available. and the centeroo security never made us empty our camelbacks.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 12:07PM
actually sunday was the only day that was unbearably hot, in my opinion. the other days, a good breeze was going. doesn't matter though, if you stay hydrated and find some shade every so often, you'll be fine. problem is people are idiots, think they can chug beers in the blazing hot sun without drinking water and everything's gonna be fine. that being said, bonnaroo really screwed up this year with the filtered water stations. there should have been more tap water stations available in centeroo (only one or two that i know of).
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 1:08PM
Everywhere I went the water was only 2.50. We also brought a 2 liter bottle in everytime we came back from our tent. There were free water spigots in a couple of places too. You must remember that part of the problem is not just drinking too little water, but when you gulp down beer that dehydrates you faster. I am 52 and drank beer allllll day, but I also drank lots of water in between and took my time doing everything. It was hot, but it was manageable. I really don't think the water price ($2.50) was a rip off. Yes they make some money, but people forget that besides paying for all the bands (how much do you think Kings of Leon made or Jay Z or Dave Mathews), they have to pay for all the other little things like portajohns, electricity, security, etc.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 1:39PM
This was my fourth Bonnaroo, and undoubtedly the hottest. I'd like to just address some topics other have brought up.
1. There were plenty of places to fill up water bottles/jugs/camelbacks with clean, cold water. Each day my two friends and I brought in a full gallon of water and filled it up when needed. You could purchase bottles of water, or you could fill up your bottles at one of the free filling stations.
2. It is very sad and tragic that a young man lost his life this weekend at the festival, but that is not a reason to suggest moving the date of Bonnaroo. When you host ANY event of that size you run the risk of someone becoming seriously injured or dying. During the four days of the festival Bonnaroo is like a small town. Some people enter the gates with pre-existing conditions and some make poor decisions which may inhibit their ability to take care of themselves (I am not speculating on the nature of the young man's death). This year, the heat was oppressive, yes, but it was not impossible to act in such a way that you could enjoy yourself and remain healthy.
3. Those who chose to drink alcohol to excess and eschewed drinking hydrating water during the sweltering day kind of deserve "missing out" on nighttime performances. You can not reasonably expect to remain awake or have any energy left at night after a day of binge drinking in over 95 degree heat. That's not the organizers fault, and nor is the heat.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 2:44PM
I saw this as well. Freaked me right out. I was waiting for deadmau5 with my girlfriend when I heard, then saw, the bonnaroo ambulance golfcart(I don't know what to call it) with two medical personnel trying to revive someone in the back. They came through in a fury, it was quite packed in that area at the time and they were moving fast. It didn't appear as though there was movement in the back. Scary stuff. I had to try focus away from it all weekend.
This is what happens when people push it too hard. Kids don't realize how fucked up they are because its so hot in the day and they don't feel as high as normal because they sweat out a lot of the stuff, but it still affects the brain. Be carefull. Bonnaroo is the greatest place in the world and they do a lot of things other festivals don't. And they do it well. Its my third year, and next year will be my forth! Can't wait for the tenth anniversary.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 3:20PM
He dropped dead in front of me. There were no medical personnel near him. When the paramedics came, they performed cpr for 20 minutes and didn’t take his temperature so how could they know what his core temperature was when he died? Not speculation, I’m an emt. A kid came up to me and told me he was with sloan and saw him eat a bunch of mollie.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 3:33PM
Very sad that the kid died. I saw quite a few people pass out or being helped by emergency crews – most likely from a mixture of heat/dehydration/drugs/alcohol. You just had to keep hydrated in all situations. Kids that aren't used to the humidity could easily end up this way. I'm from VA – it was hot, but not unbearable if you had water and slipped under the misting tents a few times during the day. The lineup was great, everyone had a good time. I didn't witness any arrests, the crew did a pretty good job of turning a blind eye in most situations. I do feel for this kid's family though.. but if I were to go, Bonnaroo wouldn't be a bad last moment.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 3:33PM
so you're an EMT, and when this guy 'dropped in front of you', what did you do?
my girlfriend and I ate about 6g of molly only between friday and saturday, in the heat… along with thousands of others who probably used as much OR MORE, while drinking, eating shrooms or acid (if they could find anything real
).. so stop blaming drugs, we were outside the entire time as well, and slept from 4-7am each day. That's all.
It's not drugs that kill people, it's stupid people that kill themselves with drugs. This is a terrible story
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 3:53PM
The thing is people don't drink enough water. plain and simple i brought plenty of water did a massive amount of drugs but kept drinking water and eating well. thats all it takes DRINK DRINK AND DRINK SOME MORE WATER WATER WAATER WATER heals all. there were stations to fill your canteen up i say add 10 more around roo just to be safer. but fact of the matter is that the real killer here is the people lack of drinking water cause they dont want to have to go piss and lose their spot in the crowd or miss a song. but if they would just realize half the water they drink they will sweat out it wouldnt be so bad. RIP for this poor fellow.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 5:41PM
ataylor is correctomundo
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 7:28PM
I didnt drink at all. the sun kicked my ass. i was all the way out in camp griswald and had to walk over a half mile to get water. on top of that i had to wait in a 45 min line while people showered in the sinks. centeroo was about a mile away from my tent. it took 5 hours of waiting in line thursday to get to my camp site. that was pretty f-ing beat. i certainly missed shows because of the heat and not because of abuse of drugs or alcohol. They could have set up some more non-misting tents to provide shade. This was my second time going (the last being when Tool and The Police headlined) and this time seemed to have some piss poor management. simple things that would have made things run much more smooth.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 9:21PM
my friend got a $1400 fine when exiting Bonnaroo for having pot in his car. its pretty messed up to hold this event in your town, and then fine the people (A REALLY LOT OF MONEY) who showed up to support it…and who werent hurting anybody.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 9:37AM
the RV's parked acroos from us got serviced daily. agree that the smokes prices were outrageous. but bring ur own smokes and sunscreen. dont rely on the Roo to provide anything but music and entertainment, the rest, IMO, is the individuals responsibility.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 9:41AM
ya, if you are an EMT and did nothing, than I hope his parents find you and sue you for negligence. I am willing to bet a months pay that you werent even around this kid, and your just trying to stir the pot.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 9:45AM
Tara, then your friend shouldn't have been toking when he passed cops……I didnt even see a cop exiting the event except for right before turning onto main road. They werent searching cars, so something your friend did brought attention to himself.
The people that got arrested were dumb…….you have to be blatantly obvious to be arrested. We were camped right next to the road (marty mcfly) and we smoked, shroomed, and did blow and didnt get caught……it's b/c we werent obnoxious and AVOIDED getting caught.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 11:02AM
Sloan is one my absolute best friends in the whole world…I have been wandering around lost for 3 days now looking for answers. I found this site and have been trying to put the pieces and timeline together. How can you call yourself an EMT, yet you did nothing to try and save my friend?. I hope to God you were at least as fucked up as he was or you should be ashamed to call yourself an EMT.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 11:41AM
90% of your neighbors would happily share sunscreen at bonnaroo.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 12:29PM
wow this is horrible to read all of this. we were there and yes it was very hot, the water stations were almost impossible to get water from due to the lines. this is very sad but this happens to someone every year and it will nto stop me from going again. this was our 5th and mos def not the last year
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 12:32PM
It's true. I was there as well, and saw the madness directly after Thievery Corporation…..The combination of dehydration, alcohol, molly(etc) is probably the culprit. I feel horrible for his friends and family. Both as a human being, NC native, and avid concert goer. My prayers go out to all those hurt by the incident. To everyone reading this…………… BEWARE!!!
Know your limits!!! Listen to your body, and respond in kind!!!!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 12:40PM
too bad there will most likely never be another Rothbury! Not to mention Rothbury never would have happened the two times it did if it weren't for Bonnaroo. Bonnaroo is THE BEST American music festival period. Also, Bonnaroo is the only American festival that incorporates a European ring at the main stage, so that anyone and everyone has the chance to see whatever bands up close. Something your beloved Rothbury never had. Just saying, theres a reason Rothbury only lasted two years, and Bonnaroo is now going on their ten year anniversary next year!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 1:47PM
i watched a couple people get life flighted out wrapped in body sized cold packs — i assume there were several people hospitalised because of the extreme heat. that’s one great reason to NOT allow underage drinking, duh. i don’t drink alcohol and i still had to drink over a gallon of water a day to stay hydrated. they let you take in one gallon of unsealed water to Centeroo — it’s easy to stay hydrated if you’re smart about it!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 4:32PM
This was my 5th roo and possibly my last. Not just the oppresive heat but so many other bad things about it that I had never seen before. I saw a lot of undercover cops busting people in the campgrounds for pot. I had a RV and thank god I could just sit in it all day while the people sweltered in the heat. I made new friends, saw old ones and the event was fun I just am to sick to handle the heat again next year. I think the date should be changed, roo could do it in spring break or fall break so the college and school kids can still come, the weather would be good then. Austin music fest changed thier dates to october, why the HEAT. It sends a message to me that Austin fest. producers actually care about the consumers and bands both. The fact that AC and superfly will not change the dates to a SAFER climatic time says to me all they care about is money. They would not even care if BB King or any other artist falls over dead performing in hot sticky dangerous temperatures. The difference in customer care at smaller festivals like waka, harvest, ecofest in eldridge MO is like night and day. I know they are all in it to make money and to succeed they must make a profit. If they continue to treat thier customer base like shit and shrug at heat strokes then they don't need my money. they are so cheap and thoughtless they won't spend 50 bucks to fill in that mud pit with gravel. I am referring to the dip and narrow walkway between centeroo and what stage. There are 70,000 people trying to pass through a narrow area that turns us into a herd of cattle off to slaughter.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 11:07PM
He went by Matt, not David. A lot of us on a Bonnaroo message board knew him and saw him there this weekend. I didn't know that was him being carted off before Deadmau5. I believe 100% that it was heat exhaustion. Matt was a 'roo veteran who knew to stick to water during the day. If he had anything to drink, it would have been at night. Saturday night set a record for temperature in Tennessee from what I've heard, and the tent this show was at was packed. Matt was a great man, I and my fellow inforoosters will miss him
Thursday, June 17, 2010 5:34AM
bonnaroo, please pay attention to all of these comments!
why does it seem to everyone you care more and more about money and less and less about us?!
1) why do you not clean the port-o-lets?
2) why do you raise prices so much?
3) why do you allow cops to patrol the campground?!?!
4) why did you not include any of the southern bands that helped make Bonnaroo what it is?!?!
5) why do you not take care of little things that have needed to be fixed for the last 9 years like the pathway between the 2 main stages?!
6) why would you allow people to be turned away with their umbrellas, water and chairs when you were selling the exact same items?
7) why are there so few water stations?
Thursday, June 17, 2010 6:40AM
Sunday was insanely hot (hottest in the 6 years I've been going), had it not been for my solar shower full of freezing freezing cooler water I may not have made it either. I have been thinking maybe they can tarp like full sections of the farm, giving the perception of constant night. Those guys at the make your own drum tent had the idea with the aluminum dome…it was cool in there always.
On the way to the Roo it's just smarter to wait and save all your "provisions" until you are safely inside. It is not the real world in there and it's easy to forget that when you are on the way to a four day party that others who are not attending and are on the outside are not so tolerant or understand. Anderson Cty cops said anyone with out of state plates was getting pulled over, which yes is lame but if you are acting out you'll get nabbed, best to put a Jesus Fish on your car, go the speed limit and save the party for once you are inside.
Thursday, June 17, 2010 12:06PM
What happened to the water stations? I appreciate the slip and slide, but they needed more places to fill up a water bottle instead. I almost fell out waiting in line at the one fountain.
Maybe a few ceiling fans to move the air through the tents – it wouldn't cost THAT much,. People were falling out left and right at Blues Traveler from the heat.
An extra couple of Johns down in Centeroo would hurt. An extra row between That Tent and The Other Tent would have made things a TON better. This year was the worst I'd ever seen for maintenance.
Thursday, June 17, 2010 3:37PM
I do believe alcohol or rolls/molly was a big factor in the man's death. But I also agree that there we're many places to get fresh cold water, and the fountain/// i don't blame hiom for skipping out on on sundau because all that water is recycled with the sweat and mud of thousands, althought misting tents were not far from that spot. He should have waited till night to drink or do drugs. Thats how you have a safe roo. thankfully the medical staff was around to assist anyone in need. Bonnaroo is great you just have to be smart about what you do and when you do it.
Friday, June 18, 2010 10:48AM
Brooke, you’re very misinformed.
Matt DID NOT go unidentified for 24 hours, so please educate yourself before you post.
Maybe the police didn’t release his name, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t identified. I guess you don’t know anything about respecting his family’s privacy. His family was notified immediately.
Friday, June 18, 2010 11:45PM
You are a moron.
Sunday, June 20, 2010 5:22PM
fuck yeah it is bonnaroo and fuck yeah it is america.
Monday, June 21, 2010 7:18PM
i was sittin in a circle with my friends in the grass drinkin water tryin 2 stay hydrated right before deadmou5e and a med taxi rushed by. 2 guys jumped off the taxi checked the guys pulse who was unconcious on the ground quickly became frantic grabbed there med duffel bag snatched an iv bag and some other things they pumped on his chest 4 20 min at least another medic taxi made its way through the crowd they had a guy holdin the iv bag up high placed the unconcious guy on the taxi had a medic straddling him pounding his chest the whole way out i was screaming at the top of my lungs 4 people 2 move but most who werent 2 the right of the deadmou5 tent seemed oblivious 2 what was happening he didnt dehydrate at all heard he o.d on molly or something we all need 2 be careful in the things we do and the things we try. watching someone close 2 ur age die 5 feet away from u kinda opens ur eyes and changes ur perspective a lil bit. other than that i had a mufuggin blast at roo ill see ya all next year!!!:)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 1:48PM
it was so hot there i definately missed shows due to the heat.it was hotter than burning man.and i expected the heat.what i didn’t expect were the assholes who came here for their first year with bad attitudes.i’ll never go back.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 3:29PM
Sucks for the guy that died – people should have known about the heat and kept drinking water to stay cool or finding shade/air condintioning.
Speaking of arrests, our tent neighbors got arrested for selling mass quantities of molly – 5 or 6 Sheffif's Deputies came and dragged them out of their SUVs and led them away in handcuffs while they tossed their car. It was surreal.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 7:07PM
Enter text right hThis was my 5th roo and possibly my last. Not just the oppresive heat but so many other bad things about it that I had never seen before. I saw a lot of undercover cops busting people in the campgrounds for pot. I had a RV and thank god I could just sit in it all day while the people sweltered in the heat. I missed many bands I wanted to see but did not think it was worth risking heat stroke to do it. I live in Oklahoma and skip Rocklahoma every year why, its too HOT during the event. I
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 7:08PM
made new friends, saw old ones and the event was fun I just am to sick to handle the heat again next year. I think the date should be changed, roo could do it in spring break or fall break so the college and school kids can still come, the weather would be good then. Austin music fest changed thier dates to october, why the HEAT.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 7:09PM
It sends a message to me that Austin fest. producers actually care about the consumers and bands both. The fact that AC and superfly will not change the dates to a SAFER climatic time says to me all they care about is money. They would not even care if BB King or any other artist falls over dead performing in hot sticky dangerous temperatures. The difference in customer care at smaller festivals like waka, harvest, ecofest in eldridge MO is like night and day. I know they are all in it to make money and to succeed they must make a profit. If they continue to treat thier customer base like shit and shrug at heat strokes then they don't need my money. they are so cheap and thoughtless they won't spend 50 bucks to fill in that mud pit with gravel. I am referring to the dip and narrow walkway between centeroo and what stage. There are 70,000 people trying to pass through a narrow area that turns us into a herd of cattle off to slaughter.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 7:09PM
I plan to set up a site petitioning people to change roo dates to a safer time of year. In addition if the dates were different annually it would allow people a fair chance to get a hotel room at a reasonable rate.
ere!
Saturday, July 3, 2010 6:22AM
I was at Les Claypool when a guy fell out..so I start pouring my water on him and telling his friends GET HIM THE FUCK OUT OF HERE..they were all beginning some kind of journey ;0) so I am sure tht is why they couldnt react quick enough! They were patting him on the face for some reason saying hey wake up I was like yeah OK!?! He is not coming back right now get him out was my reply! So they got him out medic showed up like 20 minutes later lol anyway guy came back to reality enough to walk off! My point is YOU NEED WATER AT ALL TIMES!
Saturday, July 3, 2010 6:22AM
Dont be stupid about wht u do when u feel hot lay something like a ice dunked bandana or even ur water bottle right on your neck take it easy and youll be good to go but if u dont tht heat will kick you in the ass! Glad tht dude was good but sad for the other guy tht wasnt! And with the whole bust thing its going to happen..THEM PIGGYS GOTTA HAVE SOMETHING TO DO! GO VIP THE ONLY THING THEY WANT IS NITRIOUS AND GLASS CONTAINERS LMFAO I coulda rolled through with a fucking whole stash of goodies..jst no tanks of gas! I had the best time and will deff be back yr after yr…MISS YOU BONNAROO!
Monday, July 5, 2010 1:37PM
He was not unidentified for over 24 hours. As his friend, I got the message about his death on Sunday morning! I saw the first online news say he was unidentified AFTER I HAD HEARD. His brothers were already on their way to TN. It takes a while for the media to be allowed to give out a name I assume, thus the delay. Or whatever reason. Don't assume you know it all from reading something online. He was identified early and his friends knew. We have lost our loved friend and it is so sad to read crap like this online. People like you disgust me – I hope you never have to experience such a loss and such an online treatment of your lost friend's death.
Monday, July 19, 2010 9:39AM
ahahahahah 70 arrests… ?? as me and my friends were entering on friday. 2 cops walked by or vehicle and instantly smelled marijuana.. they sat and talked with us for about 5min changing the topics.. then one cop realized we were all from ATX and thats where he was from and let us right on thru.. aha!!
Sunday, August 29, 2010 11:53AM
Last year I had to work in that heat it was aweful, my supervisor fell out due to heat. We were security of the VIP tent….we made the biggest Nitro bust ever in an RV. Anyways I got a ticket for getting caught wth ecstacy. (some security right lol ) It is BONNAROO I know that it is the only time of year that shitty town gets any business but DAAAMN WE CAME TO PARTY NOT GO TO JAIL AND GET REDICULOUSLY ($800) TICKETS FOR DRUGS
Saturday, January 22, 2011 4:00PM
My son, 16, WAS planning on going and I WAS planning on letting him. After I saw the pics and HOW HUGE the area is and HOW FREAKIN' many people there are I do not want him go. And now after all the info regarding , heat, drugs and, alcohol and death, etc . I REALLY will NOT give my permission. We'll see how that works out for us.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 8:44AM
i was at bonnaroo 09 with the swine flu…. That was the most close to death i ever was
Saturday, February 26, 2011 8:47AM
I agree, there were a lot of acts missed last year for me, and I am a very organized rooer ya know? I like to try and squeeze everything that i like into a day, consisively. sometimes it is hard due to walking around all day,.. but i missed alot of shit this year because of the heat, and whiny friends that just couldnt handle the heat.
and as far as that guy dying, if he was on drugs, and everyone else is claiming that there are guys overdosing and what not…. Why take these lame drugs anyways? Mollies and rolls are for complete losers, i don't care what you say.. bonnaroo is defnitely not better with these drugs, I love beer and pot and whiskey… i will probably have next to none of this stuff because I find when your in a state of mind that is clear, you can see and appreciate way more music and you will take care of your personal hygiene better and your overall health… don't be stupid don't dehydrate, and don't take drugs like MDMA and Ecstasy or cocaine, this is all a waste of time at the Roo… i don't care what you say. have fun rolling the weekend away and your 250 bucks.
Friday, May 20, 2011 9:53AM
Many thanks for this contribution, this had been a wonderful read! I can’t wait to read through the rest of your stuff soon.
Thursday, February 9, 2012 4:11PM
Me and my girl were right there and what you said is 100% true! Me and my chick say when he first went down. And were there when the medical team you saw showed up. He was nonresponsive as we saw the ground emt's trying to help him the best they could. Im sorry you had a bad experience at the roo. I am even more sorry about you missing mau. The mouse was in rare form. And you were right about the molly. That shit was everywhere that night. My girl said everyone looked like they were dead walking. Dont let this experience shed a bad light on the festival though. It was hot as a MOFO but,This is one of the last places you can truly let your inhabitions go and be yourself. We just all need to remember….moderation. I hope you return to see us in2012