Playing their own instruments on some songs, the B-Boys ripped through a nice selection of material spanning their entire career as a band. The were quick to play remixed versions of songs and entertain the massive crowd that stopped everything they were doing to welcome the B-Boys to Bonnaroo.
Hearing “Shake Your Rump”, “Body Moving”, and “Root Down” had me smiling but what happened next just had my jaw drop to the floor. The band announced that they had a special guest they wanted to invite on stage. The guest who was also a New York native was none other than hip hop artist Nas.
Nas joined the Beastie Boys on stage for what they called a “Bonnaroo Exclusive”, a song off their upcoming album that no one has heard yet. The crowd erupted with approval as Nas and the B-Boys played their new song that, to me, seemed like an "old school meets new school", hip hop song. I had mixed feelings with this song mostly because I am not used to the B-Boys collaborating with other artists.
They continued their set blasting through tracks I have heard thousands of times but still enjoy each and every time I hear them live. “Tough Guy” and “So What’cha Want” were two in particular I was excited to hear again. What appeared to be the end of their show, the B-Boys left the stage to let Mix Master Mike spin and scratch his little heart out to the approving crowd. Soon after the B-Boys took the stage again and belted through a few more selections before finally ending their set with “Sabatoge”. Their set was indeed a highlight of my day.
I tried to check out David Byrne at the Which Stage but found myself more interested in the band playing at the Troo Music Stage nearby. The band was actually Justin Townes Earle, an old-school, stripped-down country band. The lead singer Justin Townes Earle had a resemblance Hank Williams Sr. in his younger years. I got a kick out of their material as well as their manners. I liked Justin Townes Earle so much that I purchased the Midnight At The Movies LP from him after the show. Justin Townes Earl is in fact Steve Earle’s son and has just as much talent if not more than his father. This was the best surprise set of the day for me.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
Sorry to hear the cops hassled you. No doubt their hard work is keeping Bonnaroo drug free. What jackasses.
Good to see you paid some respect to Reverend Al.
PE did the same thing at Coachella.
Looking forward to Day Three.
2 - Jordan Richardson
Check D and Favor Flav announced that they would be playing their 1988 classic It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back in its entirety.
*drools*
3 - Glen Boyd
Don't miss Bruce Brian. The setlists have gotten much better in Europe...he played "fade away" a couple of nights ago for the first time in 26 years. If you get "The Price You Pay" (which I'm assuming from what little I know about you wouldn't be a big deal to you anyway), remind me that I may have to kill you.
Either way, I wish I was there. Just don't miss Bruce dude.
-Glen
4 - Snickers
Big mistake skipping out on Phish chief
5 - oneshowatatime
wow, written by a true rook. not even camping at the roo? please...
6 - El Bicho
Snickers, he can always catch Phish on Sunday
7 - Ilena
Phish sucks. The only thing good about them is their light shows. I would never have missed Phoenix for them!
But that sucks the cops hassled you. I would have been pissed. I mean it's not like 90% of the people were on fucked up on something all weekend.
It was amazing though! I'm sad it's over :(
8 - Sneed
Phish's first show and then Girl Talk starting at 2:30 in the morning was the best part of Bonnaroo, no lie