The Road to Bonnaroo Passes Through 8 off 8th
BMI, the Mercy Lounge, Bud Select and Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival have joined forces to present “The Road to Bonnaroo,” which will offer 24 up-and-coming bands the chance to vie for three slots at the 2009 festival, slated for June 11 through 14 in Manchester, Tennessee. Using three 8 off 8th shows at the Mercy Lounge March 23, April 20 and May 18, and featuring eight bands each night as the live-action litmus test, a combination of industry judges and audience participation will determine a winner each night. To select the 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 victors of all three 8 off 8th showdowns will perform at Bonnaroo.
The rotating hosts of BMI’s 8 off 8th series selected the bands that will compete. The artists tapped, from Pico vs. Island Trees to The Features and Tommy and the Whale, represent the increasingly diverse musical proclivities of the region’s premier new kids.
THE SCHEDULE
Monday, March 23
The Features, The Garland Sisters, Korean Is Asian, Lylas, Tommy and the Whale, Kindercastle, Eureka Gold, and Red White Blue
Monday, April 20
How I Became the Bomb, And the Relatives, Reno Bo, k.s. Rhoads, Pico vs. Island Trees, Mike’s Pawn Shop, Protomen, and AutoVaughn
Monday, May 18
Hotpipes, Shoot the Mountain, Elle Macho, Kindergarten Circus, Heypenny, Space Capone, The Tits, and Jacob Jones
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.
www.bonnaroo.com
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.
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