Illustration by Joseph Devens for the DT Weekend

By Austin Powell

It’s a 912-mile drive from the depths of Austin’s east side, that other half of the city known as Riverside, to the 700-acre haven that hosts the annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival this weekend.

Instead of passing the time with an endless rendition of “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” or a game of “I Spy,” we thought it worthwhile to point out why this road trip is worth the gas when the Austin City Limits Music Festival is right around the corner.

Illustrations: Joseph Devens and Jesse Franceschini for the DT Weekend

To begin, Bonnaroo, in true collegiate fashion, gets the party started on Thursday night. Electric Eel Shock will bring their Japanese translation of Black Sabbath-inspired sludge, while Patton Oswalt will split sides at a time when most other festivals are busy making last-minute preparations.

Like any good party, Bonnaroo doesn’t just show you a good time — they let you crash at their place as well. Patrons camp out for no extra charge, creating a sense of community rarely found at neighboring festivals. Considering how performances on some nights are scheduled until 4 in the morning, it’s reassuring to know that we can sleepwalk and stumble back to our own tents.

Aside from an obvious convenience factor and the added health bonus from not having to swallow dirt kicked in your face for three days, Bonnaroo has grown exponentially since its inception five years ago. What began as a hippie gathering — comparable to this past weekend’s Walkarusa Music Festival in Kansas or something happening somewhere in Colorado at sometime — has become one of this nation’s finest and most eclectic musical offerings.

Oysterhead, a supergroup composed of Trey Anastasio from Phish, Les Claypool from Primus and Stewart Copeland from The Police, will jam alongside Umphrey’s McGee, Disco Biscuits and Phil Lesh and Friends.

Many legendary country acts such as the Wood Brothers, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones bring the heat via mandolins and fiddles. New Orleans comes alive through the music of Dr. John, The Neville Brothers and the Rebirth Brass Band, all of whom will probably pack a costume for the traditional Masquerade Ball.

The festival boasts classic performers such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (who will be performing for more than three hours); Buddy Guy; Bonnie Raitt; Steve Earl; Medeski Martin and Wood; Robert Randolph; and Elvis Costello and the Imposters featuring Allen Toussaint (who just collaborated for the phenomenal River in Reverse). But more importantly, Bonnaroo doesn’t sacrifice college students’ interests in an attempt to attract an older audience.

Bonnaroo one-ups ACL Fest with an alternative-rock-god roster that would make even Perry Ferrell cry. Radiohead, Sonic Youth, Beck, and Pavement kingpin Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks take the stage and deny Methaqualone abuse.

Also on the bill are Bright Eyes, Ben Folds, Gomez, Son Volt, the Dresdon Dolls, Cat Power and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

Despite the plethora of talent, many of the bands have multiple-hour sets, and some even perform twice. Jim James, frontman of My Morning Jacket, describes his special needs for the festivities as somewhere between a dance club tab and a cooler at a Linux install-fest.

Bonnaroo’s great because ... they do like weird energy drinks/vodka drinks like invigorating vodka or vitamin water in vodka, which is nice ... because it kind of keeps you going and keeps you light on your feet, and you don’t get bogged down,” James said.

Unlike ACL, Bonnaroo pays some respect to hip-hop. Lyrics Born, Common and Blackalicious will grind through a three-and-a-half-hour slot, while Cypress Hill, The Streets and Atmosphere are sure to keep them heads ringin’.

It’s not just music, though, that makes Bonnaroo worth 16 hours in a two-seater truck. The comedy tent has more big names than a celebrity roast of Tom Arnold, featuring Lewis Black, Jasper Redd and the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre among others. There will also be a beer festival, a silent disco where everyone dances with a pair of headphones and a food drive.

It’s time for a good old-fashioned road trip.