Bobapalooza 2025: One Nation Under Bob

Posted: July 5, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

I asked, and you delivered! What an amazing Bobapalooza lineup! This year is a truly diverse and wonderful list of artists, ranging across styles and decades, with a host of surprises and firsts befitting Bobapalooza. What do I mean? Well, for the first time ever we have a DJ on the Main Stage, and this year I got Rickrolled in the best possible way. If you don’t see someone you think should be on the list, well, you should have nominated them!

Some of our Main Stage artists could have been on the Stage of Legends in their own right, but there can be only one – um, sorry, there’s only room for five, and here they are!

THE STAGE OF LEGENDS

Willie Nelson, nominated by June Bonsall: If you don’t know the Red Headed Stranger, where have you been? Star of country music for decades, he’s also been in over 30 films, written dozens of songs (including “Crazy”, made famous by Patsy Cline), and is a political activist who founded Farm Aid. There are over 420 reasons to love Willie, and his music is just one of them.1

Tupac Shakur, nominated by John Taylor: Considered one of the greatest rappers and hip-hop artists of all time, and taken far too soon, 2Pac was and is a Legend indeed. Not just a musician, but an actor and an activist, he ranks 49th on the list of artists with the highest certified album equivalent units sold as of July 23rd, 2024, with his double length posthumous greatest hits album being one of only nine hip-hop albums to be certified diamond in the United States.

The Who, nominated by Sue Anne Touart: I feel like I should have put them on first, but these kids are alright. A staple of classic rock radio, The Who are one of those groups that everyone knows and have a list of hits that goes on longer than their rock opera Tommy. Anyone in my generation will agree they belong on this list.

Leonard Cohen, nominated by Patrick Hoolahan: Dark and introspective, soulful and moody, a complicated man who lived a complicated life. His artistry is not easy to approach, but if you do, you’ll find a wealth of beauty and insight. His song “Hallelujah” has been recorded by almost 200 artists in various languages. He’s a poet and a songwriter, and everybody knows he’s a Legend.

Bette Midler, nominated by June Bonsall: Who can say no to the divine Miss M? Star of stage, screen, and song, Bette Midler has a career that spans decades and is a cultural touchstone for generations. Whether you know her from The Rose, the penultimate episode of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Beaches, or Hocus Pocus, Bette Midler has managed to stay not just relevant but truly divine.

And now for the Main Stage! It was a hard-fought year, with a lot of strong contenders to choose from, but these fifteen won out.

Fleetwood Mac, nominated by Marcel Smeester

LL Cool J, nominated by John Taylor

Marc Broussard, nominated by Vicki Sheldon

Ren, nominated by Russ Kirkman

BAD Boy Bill, nominated by John Taylor

5 for Fighting, nominated by Vicki Sheldon

Rick Astley, nominated by Pat Hoolahan

Lexington Lab Band, nominated by Vicki Sheldon

Heart, nominated by Marcel Smeester

Pearl Jam, nominated by John Taylor

Talking Heads , nominated by Jen Taylor

Nat King Cole, nominated by Marcel Smeester

They Might Be Giants , nominated by Mike Sherman

Santana, nominated by Marcel Smeester

Joe Cocker, nominated by Vicki Sheldon

That’s the lineup for this year, folks! Thanks to everybody who participated!

  1. It’s a marijuana joke, mom. ↩︎

Overture, Curtain, Lights!

Posted: June 30, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

This is it, folks! Last chance to get your nominations in for Bobapalooza 2025! The Greatest Show That Never Was is wrapping TONIGHT, and if you want to get in, you have to get your nominations in by 11;59 PM EST tonight. One last time here’s the link with all the details: https://mnsho.com/2025/05/29/bobapalooza-2025-the-rules/

Getting down to the wire…

Posted: June 27, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

There are just a few days left to get your nominations in for The Greatest Show That Never Was! Bobapalooza 2025 is going to wrap up soon, and if you don’t get your nominations in by June 30, you’re going to miss out. Catch your chance for fame and glory here: https://mnsho.com/2025/05/29/bobapalooza-2025-the-rules/.

Just a few days and a few places left for Bobapalooza!

Posted: June 25, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

We’re getting down to the wire! The deadline of June 30th is getting close, and there’s just a few spots left available on the Main Stage. Get your nominations in today. For the full list of rules, see this post: https://mnsho.com/2025/05/29/bobapalooza-2025-the-rules/.

One week left to get your nominations in

Posted: June 23, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Did you know that Bush released a new album? Did you know Bush is still together? I’ll be honest, I didn’t. I didn’t know they have ten albums. I like the first two, maybe I should check out the others. And maybe you should hurry and get your nominations in for Bobapalooza, because the deadline is only a week away!

Bobapalooza alumni in the world

Posted: June 20, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Here’s a great video of a fresh take on Bobapalooza alum Billy Joel’s “Angry Young Man” by Frank Tedesco. If you want to nominate your own favorite artist of any genre, from any year (living or dead!) for Bobapalooza, get ’em in soon, because time is running out! Deadline is June 30. Details and rules for entry are here.

Bonnawho?

Posted: June 18, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bonnaroo might have been cancelled, but Bobapalooza is still going strong! Don’t miss your chance to get in before time runs out. See this post for all the details.

Just two weeks to get your submissions in for Bobapolooza 2025!

Posted: June 16, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The deadline is June 30! Don’t miss your chance to nominate your favorite artist for fame, glory, and the chance to be a part of music history! (OK, maybe I’m exaggerating slightly.) See this post for all the details.

Submit your nominations for Bobapalooza today!

Posted: June 9, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The deadline is June 30th. Beat the rush and get in now before someone else gets the glory. See the last post for the rules. And thank you for your support!

BOBAPALOOZA 2025: The Rules

Posted: May 29, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Bobapalooza, Culture | Tags: , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

In case you missed it or couldn’t be bothered to read the whole thing. Here’s the tl;dr.

MAIN STAGE

1. You have to pick a band you would sit through the entire set. Not “I love this song!” I want “I love this band!”
2. Yes, you can post as many as you like, but really, how many bands are THAT good?
3. If you intend to post more than one, please don’t spam the feed (more than 10 bands a day from one person is a bit much. I do have a life. And see 1 & 2.)
4. If you post it I will listen to it, so please, be gentle.
5. Please note that this is a Main Stage entry.
6. Any band that made it to the show in a previous year (main stage or Stage of Legends) will not be considered for the main stage this year. See the lists below.

STAGE OF LEGENDS

1. All of the rules for Main Stage apply, only even more. I mean, think about 1 & 2 especially. These guys are supposed to be LEGENDS.
2. Testify! Tell me (and the world!) why you think this band deserves to be named a Legend. For an idea of the sort of thing I have in mind look at the write up from Bobapalooza 2011 or Bobapalooza 2012.
3. Any band that made it to the Stage of Legends in a previous year will not be considered this year, however, Main Stage acts may still be nominated.

And remember, just as Master Yoda told us, “Do, or do not; there is no try.” Once a band has been nominated for the Stage of Legends, they are no longer in the running for the main stage. The whole point of the Stage of Legends is to give a fair shot to lesser known bands. If you think your favorite band has what it takes to compete with the big boys, put ‘em in, but don’t hedge your bets. Go big or stay home.

To answer a question I get all the time, YES, you can nominate a Main Stage alum for the Stage of Legends. They just can’t come back to the Main Stage.

Submissions can be made via comment or DM at @bobbonsall.bsky.social. Send me a link to your favorite song by the band you want to nominate as well as letting me know if this is a Main Stage or Stage of Legends submission. If you don’t say I will assume Main Stage to give them the best chance, unless they are not eligible for the Main Stage. (If they aren’t eligible for Bobapalooza at all, I will taunt you a second time.)

Starting July 1 I will decide who the winners are, and I will post my fifteen favorite bands for the main stage and the five act Stage of Legends. I will also give credit to the first person who suggested them, so get in early for your shot at fame!

If you still have questions, please feel free to comment on this blog post or DM me at @bobbonsall.bsky.social. Insightful questions will receive careful, well-thought-out answers. Off-hand questions will get off-hand answers. Questions that prove you didn’t bother to read everything I already wrote will be met with shame and ridicule, not necessarily in that order.

Stage of Legends Alumni:
The Beatles
Rush
Led Zepplin
Iron Maiden
Pink Floyd
Bob Marley
David Bowie
Michael Jackson
The Cure
N.W.A.
Nirvana
The Doors
Sting
Nine Inch Nails
Johnny Cash
Jefferson Airplane
AC/DC
Weezer
Black Sabbath
Simon & Garfunkel
Depeche Mode
Alice in Chains
Madonna
The Grateful Dead
Tori Amos

Main Stage Alumni:
Flogging Molly
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The Decemberists
Mumford and Sons
Owen Pallett
Regina Spektor
Moyseis Marques
R.E.M.
Grinderman
Foo Fighters
Mika
Our Lady Peace
Jessie J
A Sunny Day in Glasgow
The Beastie Boys
Gorillaz
Silversun Pickups
Amadou and Mariam
Rancid
Lindsey Sterling
The Band Perry
The Airborne Toxic Event
Manchester Orchestra
Grimes
Deadmau5
Fun
Glen Hansard
Muse
Foxy Shazam
Adele
Matsiyahu
Awol Nation
Volbeat
Divine Fits
Axis of Awesome
Garbage
KMFDM
The Heavy
Aesop Rock
Animal Collective
Preston Reed
Dream Theater
Death
K’Naan
The Thermals
Boney M
The Cult
George Thorogood
Kae Sun
Metric
Disturbed
Al Green
Sitali
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
The Black Keys
Soundgarden
Petite Noir
James
DJ Kool
Dominique Pruitt
Artic Monkeys
Billy Talent
The Explorers Club
Pop Evil
Orville Peck
Rhianna
Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties
MGMT
Rival Suns
Public Enemy
Moby Grape
P!nk
Eminem
Portugal. The Man

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