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Amidst a series of hard-hitting thunderstorms on Thursday, I decided to wander from stage to stage because I wasn't particularly attached to any one band. But Friday was so chock-full of shows I couldn't miss that I didn't take a single break to go back to my campsite all day (good thing I decided to drag all those water bottles around). Highlights of the day included Animal Collective, who attracted quite the crowd. I was surprised to see this band scheduled for daytime, as they normally put on elaborate light shows that wouldn't stand a chance against the Tennessee midday sun. However, despite this disadvantage, Animal Collective's mesmerizing set had the audience transfixed. I stayed put for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, which was my hardest decision of the weekend as Grizzly Bear and Santigold were scheduled at the same time. However, I am happy with my decision as they played a killer set filled with old favorites alongside numbers from their newest album, plus, Karen O looked absolutely thrilled to be there, which was contagious. Later, I went to see the Beastie Boys (just because), where Nas showed up in a surprise guest appearance. Afterward, Phish played the first of two never-ending sets, which even included a cover of The Beatles' "A Day in the Life."

On Saturday, I was most looking forward to Of Montreal, who played a set more creepy and psychedelic than usual, but one that went well with their usual onstage antics involving ninjas and winged guitarists. I was disappointed they didn't play more crowd favorites, but it was still upbeat and loads of fun. The Decemberists came on after that, whose unexpectedly beautiful set had me riveted. They held their own even though The Mars Volta was playing a little bit too loud next door (not surprisingly, the two don't go together very well). During the show, a hot-air balloon took off near the stage which went beautifully with the music, and they closed the show with a face-melting cover of Heart's "Crazy On You." Afterward, there was nowhere to go but to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, where the crowd seemed to go on for miles and the energy was buzzing. MGMT went on late in the night and attracted a crowd too big for their venue and played a set that was far too quiet for fans that were ready to dance. Someone should have turned it up to 11.

By Sunday, I was surprised I still had any energy left at all, but I was determined to get a prime spot at Andrew Bird, whose show was lovely, complete with some gorgeous whistling, and perfect for lying on a blanket in the grass on a sunny afternoon. For a complete change of scene, I went over to see Snoop Dogg. Erykah Badu showed up, he covered Notorious B.I.G, and closed his set by leading the audience in a chant of "Na na na na/na na na na/hey hey hey/Snoop Dogg." I had to prepare myself for Phish's second show afterward, which I knew would go on for hours, but I wasn't expecting Bruce Springsteen himself to make a guest appearance, and that is exactly what happened. And indeed, the show was still going strong even as the sun was coming up in the wee hours of the morning.

The thing about Bonnaroo, though, is that it somehow seems too long and too short at the same time. In just four days, I saw more performances than I normally see in an entire year. And those four days felt like a year until I was home and completely spent, asking myself, "Whoa...what just happened?"