Welcome to Roo Clues, where we track, solve, and obsess over the annual clues given for the Bonnaroo lineup!

These are all the clues for the 2011 lineup, the first year with Gary Chardonnay as our cluemaster.

Facts and Tidbits:
Some facts about the 2011 clues that might be worth knowing:

• We had 11 clues this year, and we solved 7 of them (although #1 is a bit of a special case). I think that's pretty good!
• Those 7 clues that we solved were the first 7. So the 4 unsolved ones...I don't think were impossible at all, it's just that we ran out of time and the lineup dropped before we solved them. Gary was great about continually giving us hints when we hadn't solved clues, so I don't think there really are any clues that are too hard - if a clue turns out to be harder than they expected then we just end up needing more hints to solve it.
• Our 7 solved clues were first correctly guessed by karosko, spikejonze, JHOinTN, monkeymonkeyjoyjoy, Conway, brett89, and me - congrats and thank you to our successful clue sleuths!
• Beirut was the highest-billed act we got a clue for, at 26, and Karen Elson was the lowest, at 85 (with only 4 acts below her on the initial lineup). Even up until 2010 we had clues for big acts including headliners, but not this year. We've already been dubious of big-name guesses on the assumption that most clues would be for lower acts, but if this year's clues are any indication we should probably be even more suspicious of big-name guesses in the future.
• All of our clue acts were "big" enough to have Wikipedia entries. We've occasionally found bands through Google research that seemed to fit the clues but were really small bands with just Myspace pages to go by, but it seems like we don't need to worry about the answers being anything that obscure.

And the rest of this is just based off of the 7 clues we managed to solve:

• Almost all of them were either the accepted answers or at least the front-runners for their respective clues by the time the lineup dropped. Clue #1 is a bit of a special case because Gary apparently missed Opeth when he went through the thread, so there was some confusion as to whether or not it was ruled out, but even so it mostly ended up being the front runner. So that means that even though nobody is allowed to confirm answers, we still basically ended up knowing what the correct answers were for each clue. They really do count as solved!
• As far as I know, only one (Kylesa) was already known to be playing at the time they were guessed. The other 6 solved clues all gave us information we wouldn't otherwise have had.
• Only two involved any sort of remotely obscure information - these clues really aren't a Google treasure hunt or anything like that. They're riddles, not tests of your trivia knowledge or your Google skills or anything else. And the answers aren't NEARLY as convoluted as some of our guesses!
• 6 out of the 7 involved some information about the band - album titles, song titles, band member names, locations, stuff like that. BUT not a single clue required any information about the band/artist that you couldn't find on their Wikipedia entry. So they don't require any of us to know anything obscure about the bands/artists themselves, either.
• There were no anagrams whatsoever involved this year. Anagrams are something that we've tried a LOT in our clue-solving, so I thought it might be interesting/helpful to know that none of the clues we solved this year had anything to do with anagrams.

2011 Clues

Click a number to jump directly to that clue.

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#1: A trip to space thwarted by a speckled lad's demise. A watershed moment otherwise.

Info: First heard on Tuesday, 1/11/11, at 12:40pm.

Hints:
Gary Chardonnay: "I'll tell you this, I still haven't seen a correct answer."
Gary Chardonnay: "Re: Clue #1 Page 34. natedogg is on the right track, but takes a wrong turn in part 3." (note that he corrected an error in the tweet so it is definitely referring to page 34)
Gary Chardonnay: "I have thoroughly scoured the 47 (now 49) pages for the correct answer, only to be disappointed. C'mon guys...."
Gary Chardonnay: "Cast your guesses with care, Clue #1 & #3 are similar in element. #moreriddles #thisisfun"
Gary Chardonnay: "There are no stones to throw with this hint. Look for a common cast."
Gary Chardonnay: "riburroo, how quickly you fall off the right path...." (in response to this post from riburroo)
Gary Chardonnay: "Get your heads out the clouds, and look closer to earth. Remember, no stones make up the element shared in #1 & #3."
Gary Chardonnay: "You're FAR more close than any others." (in response to @williamcryan asking about cast iron)
Gary Chardonnay: "As previously stated, close but you didn't quite hit the nail on the head." (in response to @SteveoKnievo guessing Iron Maiden, Iron and Wine, and Iron Horse)
Gary Chardonnay: "Very clever indeed." (in response to @mcbeatzthebopit asking if we're looking for two metal bands)
Gary Chardonnay: "Sorry, nothing for #1 just yet. Keep at it." (this rules out all guesses in the first 53 pages of the thread)
Gary Chardonnay: "By the by, I've seen the correct answer for #1." (so the correct answer was seen by page 59 of the thread!)
Gary Chardonnay: "Re: #Rooclue #1 Please refer to superfurryanimal's list on page 59. You all are killing me..." (that list is here)
Gary Chardonnay: "It is awfully loud. RT @Brucerazor: @garychardonnay clue 1 shouting is going to leave me def... or maybe deth"
Gary Chardonnay: "I've seen the right answer, but I believe it was discarded."

Links: Clue thread is here. Audio of the clue is here. Tweet is here.

Answer: Opeth

Logic: The thwarted trip to space likely refers to Apollo 13. The movie Apollo 13 was directed by Ron Howard. Ron Howard played Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show; Opie is the speckled lad in the clue. The speckled lad's demise might be trying to further the Opie/Opeth connection - speckled lad's demise = Opie death = Opeth. The second half of the clue likely refers to Opeth's album Watershed.

#2: Cecilia's dress code: Sheer

Info: First heard on Friday, 1/14/11, at 4:40pm.

Hints:
Gary Chardonnay: "Sure have. But be aware, I will never confirm your guesses." (in response to coreyday89 asking if he'd seen any correct guesses)
Gary Chardonnay: "That is sound logic." (in response to karosko asking if the clue had anything to do with shears/scissors)

Links: Clue thread is here. Tweet is here.

Answer: Scissor Sisters

Logic: Sheer could lead to shears or scissors, also the Sisters of St. Cecilia shear the lambs' wool used to make the palliums of new metropolitan archbishops.

#3: Still up. A month now, maybe two. Don't call the priest, just find my guru.

Info: First heard on Monday, 1/17/11, at 5:38pm.

Hints:
Gary Chardonnay: "Sorry, we're feeling a bit Grinch-ish." (in response to pmo asking if the clue involved Christmas; this seems to rule out Pretty Lights)
Gary Chardonnay: "Cast your guesses with care, Clue #1 & #3 are similar in element. #moreriddles #thisisfun"
Gary Chardonnay: "There are no stones to throw with this hint. Look for a common cast."
Gary Chardonnay: "Get your heads out the clouds, and look closer to earth. Remember, no stones make up the element shared in #1 & #3."
Gary Chardonnay: "You're FAR more close than any others." (in response to @williamcryan asking about cast iron)
Gary Chardonnay: "As previously stated, close but you didn't quite hit the nail on the head." (in response to @SteveoKnievo guessing Iron Maiden, Iron and Wine, and Iron Horse)
Gary Chardonnay: "Very clever indeed." (in response to @mcbeatzthebopit asking if we're looking for two metal bands)
Gary Chardonnay: "Look back to the clue and keep meditating."
Gary Chardonnay: "Finally, I've seen a correct answer. Congrats, Inforoosters."

Links: Clue thread is here. Tweet is here. Audio of the clue is here.

Answer: Kylesa

Logic: The first half of the clue refers to their song 'Tired Climb,' the second half refers to their name being taken from a Buddhist term.

#4: A veteran and magistrate, or a character of sorts. A throne one cannot abdicate, of which a crab can make a fort.

Info: First heard on Thursday, 1/20/11, at 3:29pm.

Hints:
Gary Chardonnay: "The "of sorts" actually has a meaning. I'm not just the most clever rhymester ever."
Gary Chardonnay: "And yet, still worthless." (ruling out Justice)
Gary Chardonnay: "Ding, ding, ding! Sort of...." (in response to the idea that the veteran, magistrate, and character of sorts are all the same person)
Gary Chardonnay: "The King of Darkness?" (when asked about Ozzy - since Ozzy is the PRINCE of Darkness, he might be hinting that we're looking for a king of some sort)
Gary Chardonnay: "Nope." (when asked if the first part of the clue refers to an object)
Gary Chardonnay: "Focus less on the throne and more on the fort."
Gary Chardonnay: "Frigid, especially this time of year." (when asked if Fort Knox is hot or cold)
Gary Chardonnay: "They would be closer" (when asked if sand castles were better)
Gary Chardonnay: "No link to St. Augustine."
Gary Chardonnay: "Nothing." (no correct answers in the first 16 pages of the thread)
Gary Chardonnay: "Oh sweet jebus. I finally saw the right answer."

Links: Clue thread is here. Tweet is here. Audio of the clue is here.

Answer: Wavves

Logic: Their album is 'King of the Beach' which could connect the throne and crab, the magistrate could refer to band member Stephen Pope.

#5: Red, White, and Blue are all a part of this young palette. A farm heathen disguised among giants, the only Ten I see.

Info: Found at Lucky Lou's in Denton, TX by nathfr at 1pm (noon Texas time!), Monday, 1/24/11.

Hints:
Gary Chardonnay: "Is it an error?" (regarding an early misspelling of "palette" as "palatte" - there may be a play on words involving palette/palate)
Gary Chardonnay: "Everyone wants to make Jack White fit." (rules out JW)
Gary Chardonnay: "Sorry." (clue has nothing to do with Pearl Jam)
Gary Chardonnay: "It's not quite that obvious. Keep at it." (ruling out American Bang)
Gary Chardonnay: "Um, no. Play nice...." (ruling out Neon Indian)
Gary Chardonnay: "This is not a Neon palette."
Gary Chardonnay: "No actual paint."
Gary Chardonnay: "I like this. Run with it." (in response to toastercult pointing out that "palette" can refer to makeup)
Gary Chardonnay: "You're very clever plasticpepper." (referring to the idea that the second sentence is not about Bonnaroo)
Gary Chardonnay: "Why do you think that? The "farm" may not refer to Tennessee, but Ten might..."
Gary Chardonnay: "Ha. Prove it." (seemingly ruling out Fleet Foxes)
Gary Chardonnay: "And yet, you're close...." (in response to this post from flightest)
Gary Chardonnay: "They are all significant in their own way." ("they" meaning the colors)
Gary Chardonnay: "Not old enough for Woodstock."
Gary Chardonnay: "Nope. Just random enough." (Denton, TX is not significant)
Gary Chardonnay: "I'm throwing out a major bone. "Inspired by the full moon, you might find this artist down by the water." Please don't assume it's PJ Harvey, it's not."
Gary Chardonnay: "Oh man, plasticpepper. When you're good, you're good." (regarding the idea that "disguised" is significant)
Gary Chardonnay: "I like this idea..." (the idea that red/white/blue could mean a redhead with fair skin and blue eyes)
Gary Chardonnay: "Still haven't seen a correct answer about my favorite redhead...." (confirms that we want a redhead, presumably a solo act, and rules out everything in the first 23 pages)
Gary Chardonnay: "I see all the right things." (we have a correct answer!)

Links: Clue thread is here. Photo of the original clue is here.

Answer: Karen Elson

Logic: The colors could refer to a redhead with fair skin and blue eyes, or to Elson being in the White Stripes video for 'Blue Orchid.' As a model she could be considered to be disguised among giants and 'the only ten I see.' As for the farm heathen, some of her songs are associated with pagan music, and she and Jack White were married in a canoe by a shaman. Her album cover involves a full moon which could explain Gary's full moon hint.

#6: From one BoRe to another, a war rages amongst champions. We're calling for divine intervention.

Info: First heard on Friday, 1/28/11, at 10:40am.

Hints:
Gary Chardonnay: "Please note that "BoRe" is spelled correctly and with an intentionally capitalized "B" and "R.""
Gary Chardonnay: "No refrence to the Inforoo boards."
Gary Chardonnay: "Incorrect, ma'am." (BoRe does not mean "Bonnaroo Regular")
Gary Chardonnay: "Not from what I can tell." (we weren't heading down the right path as of page 5)
Gary Chardonnay: "Neither. RT @fbmilk: @garychardonnay does BoRe have anything to do with a card game , or the classic bach song?"
Gary Chardonnay: "The BoRe is a thing, commonly heard in urban slang. It'll bore a hole. And possible give you a headache."
Gary Chardonnay: "Pardon me, *possibly* give you a headache. And yes, @BelgianManders, I believe it would be painful."
Gary Chardonnay: "No. And I'd steer clear of the metal for this one. RT @CrockerW: @GaryChardonnay The Sword? Am I right?"
Gary Chardonnay: "It refers to the "bore thingy." RT @suffer4fashion: @garychardonnay Clue #6, are B & R referring to what the bore thingy is or the band."
Gary Chardonnay: "Ha. Great question. No, it is not bigger than a breadbox. RT @PlasticPepper: @garychardonnay This BoRe thing...is it bigger than a breadbox?"
Gary Chardonnay: "Nope, no reggae here. RT @tehjargonz0r: @garychardonnay I have a feeling clue 6 is referring to a Reggae band. Am I close?"
Gary Chardonnay: "Nope, but that's getting creative. RT @stevelnd_cleamr: about this bore, is it often made of a polymer w/ high molecular mass?"
Gary Chardonnay: "Re: #Rooclue #6 Throwing you a major hint: Look to a common arachnid."
Gary Chardonnay: "Not it. But we're getting somewhere. Don't forget "urban slang." RT @suffer4fashion: @garychardonnay B&R Brown Recluse?"
Gary Chardonnay: "I like where you're going with this. RT @dangle420: @garychardonnay Does #6 have to do with a tick"
Gary Chardonnay: "Re: #Rooclue #6: This tick is not a tick, tick, tick nor is it a (chk, chk, chk). Someone on the boards was on the right track."
Gary Chardonnay: "It is. Now you just have to to put the pieces together. RT @tehjargonz0r: @garychardonnay Is the answer to 6 on the boards yet?"
Gary Chardonnay: "No. RT @suffer4fashion: @garychardonnay It seems fishy that we find ourselves on floydrules urban dictionary post... is his username a clue?"

Links: Clue thread is here. Tweet is here.

Answer: Deer Tick

Logic: Based on an Urban Dictionary definition and Gary's tweets, the BoRe refers to a tick. "From one BoRe to another" might mean that if one tick wrote a letter to another, it would begin "Dear Tick" - or Deer Tick. Divine intervention could refer to the band being from Providence, RI. The war in the clue could possibly be a reference to the album War Elephant.

#7: Sun shines on these former [kids/nannies]; a persistence of sound persists.

Info: When read on Radio Bonnaroo the clue said "kids" but when tweeted the word was "nannies." First heard on Tuesday, 2/1/11, at 4:04pm.

Hints:
Gary Chardonnay: "Clever, as per usual." (in response to the idea that kids/nannies must be referring to goats)
Gary Chardonnay: "Here are all the things #7 is not: Explosions in the Sky, Ra Ra Riot, The Mountain Goats, A Perfect Circle, Phish, Fleet Foxes or Sublime."
Gary Chardonnay: "Nope, not a one. RT @tylercarter24: @garychardonnay Has the answer to clue #7 played Bonnaroo before?"
Gary Chardonnay: "Re: #Rooclue #7 is the list on page 1 is updated, then no I haven't seen a correct guess yet."
Gary Chardonnay: "No one's going to bed. RT @Don_Rickles: @garychardonnay #rooclue7 did these "nannies" put us kids to bed on a sunday on the farm previously?"
Gary Chardonnay: "Run with this." (the idea of a band that used to be called something relating to goats)

Links: Clue thread is here. Tweet is here.

Answer: The Drums

Logic: The Drums' members come from the band Elkland which was formerly called Goat Explosion. The Drums have an EP called 'Summertime' which could account for 'sun shines' and reverb plays a major role in their sound which could account for 'persistence of sound persists.'

#8: A maudlin pioneer living on the fringe; not one to plateau.

Info: First heard on Friday, 2/4/11, at 5:37pm.

Hints:
Gary Chardonnay: "Shooting in the dark. RT @kristinalustig: @garychardonnay For #8... Neil Young? Daft Punk? ZZ Top? Reasoning in-thread."
Gary Chardonnay: "I'd love it more if it did. RT @nateruss: @garychardonnay Would it be possible that clue #8 is referring to Mountain Man?"
Gary Chardonnay: "A little less rock 'n roll. RT @kmalone0429: @garychardonnay living on the fringe? like a punk?"
Gary Chardonnay: "Clever. RT @Kevin_J_Hackett: a little more country? RT @garychardonnay A little less rock 'n roll."

Links: Clue thread is here. Tweet is here.

Answer: Wanda Jackson

Logic: Unknown; we didn't manage to solve this one before the answers were given.

#9: Stop short of a march with this ruffian. It's a heavier endeavor.

Info: First heard on Tuesday, 2/8/11, at 12:03pm.

Hints:
Gary Chardonnay: "No. RT @ATLNewSense: Is the answer to clue #9 eminem or lil' wayne?"

Links: Clue thread is here. Tweet is here.

Answer: Beirut

Logic: Unknown; we didn't manage to solve this one before the answers were given.

#10: A cardinal combines fire and ice with friends in high places.

Info: This is a fill in the blank clue with the blank being filled with 15 Across from the Feb. 10th edition of the Knoxville News Sentinel. First heard on Thursday, 2/10/11, at 11:11am.

Hints:
Gary Chardonnay: "Not the right one. RT @stef_bo: @garychardonnay Can you confirm #rooclue#10 for us? "A cardinal combines fire & ice with rare places.""
Gary Chardonnay: "I'm feeling generous though. #Rooclue #10: A cardinal combines fire and ice with friends in high places."

Links: Clue thread is here.

Answer: J Cole

Logic: Unknown; we didn't manage to solve this one before the answers were given.

#11: The libra denotes these "brothers." Look forward to a new snack.

Info: First heard on Monday, 2/14/11, at 7:04pm.

Hints: None.

Links: Clue thread is here. Tweet is here.

Answer: Chiddy Bang

Logic: Unknown; we didn't manage to solve this one before the answers were given.