Road to Bonnaroo Returns for 2011
24 Bands to Compete for 3 Festival Slots
Now in its third year, the Road to Bonnaroo contest, sponsored by BMI, Mercy Lounge, Yuengling, and the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, will feature 24 bands with Nashville ties vying for three slots at Bonnaroo 2011, slated for June 9-12, in Manchester, Tennessee. The Road to Bonnaroo will take place over three designated nights of BMI’s free 8 off 8th showcase, with eight bands performing each night. Venue partner Mercy Lounge will host the live action litmus tests, slated for February 28, March 21, and April 18.
To select each evening’s top contender, an industry panel comprising local music journalists, bloggers, and 8 off 8th hosts will contribute one half of the verdict, while fan-voting through onsite ballots will determine the other half.
The 8 finalists for the first round of the 2011 Road to Bonnaroo competition on Monday, February 28 are: Courtney Jaye, Majestico, Chancellor Warhol, Heartbeater, Evan P. Donohue, Kink Ador, Sleeper Agent, and Tyler Bryant.
The Non-Commissioned Officers, How I Became the Bomb, Caitlin Rose, and Space Capone claimed last year’s slots. Ultimately, in addition to promoting the town’s next crop of fresh faces, The Road to Bonnaroo competition uniquely celebrates the city’s homegrown and transplanted indie sounds—and thrusts the freshest faces, ready for their close-ups, out of the roost.
About Bonnaroo
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a four-day, multi-stage camping festival held on a beautiful 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee every June. Bonnaroo brings together some of the best performers in rock and roll, along with dozens of artists in complementary styles such as jazz, Americana, hip-hop, electronica, and just about any contemporary music you can think of. In addition to dozens of epic performances, the festival’s 100-acre entertainment village buzzes around the clock with attractions and activities including a classic arcade, on-site cinema, silent disco, comedy club, theater performers, a beer festival, and a music technology village. For its peaceful vibe, near-flawless logistics, and unrivaled entertainment options, Rolling Stone magazine named this revolutionary entertainment experience one of the 50 moments that changed the history of rock and roll.
About 8 off 8th
BMI proudly presents “8 off 8th,” the free weekly showcase held 9 p.m. every Monday at Nashville music venue Mercy Lounge (1 Cannery Row, off 8th Avenue South). Hosted by a rotating lineup of music community impresarios, each night features eight local (and sometimes nationally touring) artists and serves as ground zero for Nashville’s bourgeoning indie rock scene. Whether it’s launching fledging acts fresh out of the garage or showcasing the latest buzz bands, 8 off 8th’s rapid-fire three-song sets satisfy audiences chasing the next big thing.
Community
Connect with BMI & Professional Songwriters