Bonnaroo topples Coachella for "festival of the year so far"

As we were all too keen to point out last week, this year's lineup for California festival Coachella came up a bit short. We are glad to report that Tennessee festival Bonnaroo's lineup is pretty stellar, especially for those slightly less preeningly indie.

Big names: Pearl Jam, Metallica, Jack Johnson, Robert Plant and Allison Krauss, Phil Lesh & Friends, Willie Nelson, Death Cab for Cutie, Bela Fleck, O.A.R., Rilo Kiley



Good names: Kanye West, My Morning Jacket, The Allman Brothers Band, BB King, Sigur Ros, M.I.A., Ben Folds, Iron & Wine, Talib Kweli, Broken Social Scene, Mastodon, Lupe Fiasco, !!!, Jose Gonzalez, Battles, Two Gallants, Vampire Weekend, Black Kids



Plus: David Cross, Brian Posehn, Zach Galifianakis

Coachella does appear to have a better showing for dance music (e.g. Hot Chip and Justice), but Bonnaroo seems to have forgone booty-shaking in favour of the over-40 crowd. Overall a step down, like Coachella, from last year. There seem to be far fewer performers in quantity and the comedy section has declined considerably. They host David Cross again, but lost Demetri Martin and Flight of the Conchords. Possibly a good shot for anyone with an opportunity to go June 12-15.