TheBlueIndian.com crew took the trek to the Farm this past weekend and though staff from the site had been before, I was making the trip for the very first time! So this experience is through the eyes of a first time Bonnaroovian.

Bonnaroo opened up to Ally and I with open arms, and we had probably the most magical time there listening to new musicians, reliving our childhood with throwbacks, and just enjoying the beautiful days with amazing people, heat and all.

Here’s the top 10 moments I had while on the Farm:

10) Learning the Capital Cities shuffle:

The LA synth-pop group definitely paid homage to their disco ancestors during their afternoon set. The crowd learned how to do the “Capital Cities shuffle” which resembled the hustle, then got a history lesson singing covers of “Stayin’ Alive” and “Holiday.” It was definitely a funky affair.

9) Meeting Jeremy Messersmith and The Bots in person:

I love meeting up and coming artists, and even after having a conversation while he was in London, Jeremy was still very excited to be at Bonnaroo, “It’s my first time here, too! So there’s still so much I want to take in. It’s definitely an exciting experience.” And The Bots, two rock brothers from California said the same, even though they were there for one day. “Our sound has a little something for everyone, and we hope that we can come back next year, too.  We still have so much room to grow and I think Bonnaroo will be a good place to show that off.” Said Mikiah Lei.

8) Reliving my childhood with Elton John:

The closing act of Bonnaroo was none other than Sir Elton John. And Elton John was a staple in my childhood music. So when “Tiny Dancer” came on, started feeling nostalgic. “Someone Save My Life Tonight,” got a little misty-eyed. “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me,” fought back the tears…during, “Your Song” I just lost it. I cried big baby tears, and loved every second of it.

7) Becoming one with myself thanks to Flaming Lips:

Wayne Coyne did a press conference on Saturday and talked about the gimmicks he uses during  his show. However, what I paid attention to was the fact that he was covered in glitter. This was plain indication that he’s very much like he is in his concerts: a lovably strange man with an obsession with glitter. So let your freak flag fly, especially at Bonnaroo.

6) Rolling in my feelings at The Avett Brothers:

The Avett Brothers are one of the best live shows I have seen. They are really true to their sound, and really love what they do. With every song they sang, you could feel their emotions coming through the speakers. Not only that, there wasn’t much to their set, which creates an authenticity to them. They don’t need no stinking stage gimmicks, they are simple men.

5) Fist Pumping to Fitz and the Tantrums:

I didn’t know that much about Fitz and the Tantrums, I only really new “The Walker.” However, they delivered a heavy hitting performance Sunday afternoon. They really lived up to their soulful yet poppy tracks belting out every line with passion. Doesn’t hurt that their music was even better live than on track.

4) Refreshing to Classixx:

This electric duo was on my radar a few days before coming to Manchester when they opened for Cut Copy. And to be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect from them, but they were absolutely amazing. Their sound magnified after their show in Atlanta, and it really showed that they wanted to bring back the classic electronica of the 80s and 90s and give it to the millennial crowd.

3) Carrying Thomas Mars while a closing repeat of “Entertainment” played:

I will never, ever, ever grow tired of Phoenix. They always bring something new to each show that they played. This time, they played a 7 minute epic with a montage of driving through the streets of Paris. Mars and the rest of Phoenix really leave everything on the stage, and they were extremely grateful for their Bonnaroovian fans. Like Mars mentioned, “It was thanks to Bonnaroo, 5 years ago.”

2) Life Lessons with Jack White:

Jack White did take a stab at Rolling Stone during the opening of his set, but he ended the call-out with, “It’s you and me that make music exist,” indicating that he takes the relationship between musician and fan very seriously. During the entire show, while headbanging and dancing, he put down little nuggets of music history, a glimpse into the nomadic life of a musician, and told us in the very end to, “love our mothers and fathers.” Not only did he shredded a 2.5 hour set, but he impacted each and every fan that saw him in some way. Most likely in a positive way.

1) My one way ticket to Church, courtesy of Janelle Monae:

If one only had one show to go to at Bonnaroo, I would recommend hands down to go see Janelle Monae. There is a reason why she is considered the “queen of live music.” Monae kept the black/white theme and the theme of coming alive throughout the entire set. Starting with “Give you what you love,” and going through all ends of the energy spectrum with “Dance Apocalyptic” to “Primetime.” Despite the changes in tempo, there was no sitting person as far as the eye can see. And she belted and jammed as if she was a female James Brown. No other singer could do it like her.