And so it begins.

Friday started out with a trip to the showers, sponsored by Garnier Fructis. While I had to wait in line for 30 minutes and pay seven dollars for the privilege of getting myself marginally clean, it was worth it. I started out Friday as a new man.

A new man with access to the hospitality area.

And so it begins.If you are a member of the press, your day starts with a trek to the hospitality area that is frequented by other press members (the press area itself is accessible through the hospitality area) as well as concert attendees with an elevated level of access (like guests of the artists). The hospitality area has lots of shade, plenty of room to move around (in contrast with the packed venues in the festival proper) and provides great shelter to get out of the elements. Not to mention it is situated between the Which and the What Stages, meaning you can relax and listen to music without braving the crowds if you need a break.
 
After lunch, we listened to Stephen Marley before undergoing the trek to see the Bluegrass Allstars playing at The Other Tent. On the way back to the hospitality area for some dinner, I saw Les Claypool performing dressed up in a pig mask.

And the night was just beginning.

Let it be known: I fell asleep during the Metallica concert.Next up was Willie Nelson with a live show that brimmed with so much energy that Willie himself couldn't pack it into a bowl. After that, we listened to Chris Rock extol the virtues of particular (and peculiar) sex acts. Oddly enough, that set up the audience just fine for the abortion that was the Metallica concert.

Let it be known: I fell asleep during the Metallica concert. Complete exhaustion, combined with definitive signs of dehydration, combined with the fact that they sounded pretty much the way they did when I listened to them in high school led to a less than riveting experience. All in all, while the music was entertaining, Metallica just felt wrong for Bonnaroo. By the time we decided to head back to the camp, I couldn't have been happier to put an end to the day.

Plus, my feet were hurting in places they'd never hurt before.
[Bonnaroo, Garnier Fructis]