Bonnaroo 2012: DPR's Days Three and Four [The Roots, Alice Cooper, Skrillex, The Beach Boys, Fly Golden Eagle, More]

Not to be a complete wristband diva, but landing artist credentials via a pal really does afford you a lot of Bonnaroo opportunities you wouldn’t have otherwise. Like, for instance, watching The Roots’ What Stage performance at sundown from the stage-right scaffolding. Or watching The Beach Boys the next day from the very same spot. Or standing onstage with Skrillex as his spaceship took off. Which also happened.

Editing our slew of coverage Saturday — and writing a bit of my own — kept me in the press trailer for a few hours longer than I would have liked, but most of my stress dissipated once I reached Battles’ set at This Tent. I hadn’t seen Battles' mathy strain of experimental rock since the departure of founding member Tyondai Braxton, and on Saturday they replaced Braxton’s pitch-shifted vocals on tunes like the undeniable “Atlas” with tracks. Anyway, hula-hoopers, flag-fliers and hipsters alike were bobbing along to Battles' pulsing electronic grooves, and I was invigorated. I was ready — or so I thought, anyway — for any surprises that might come my way. But, again, this was before Skrillex's spaceship had taken off.