Bonnaroo 2011 rumors: What Jam Band will play a Late Night set at Bonnaroo 2011?

Bonnaroo rumor season is almost here.  But until we get some solid rumors to chew on, we can make educated guesses about some acts that may possibly come to Bonnaroo 2011 based on recent trends and touring information.  In earlier parts of this series, we have looked at Legendary Country artists, Progressive Metal artists, What Stage Late Night artists, Grateful Dead members, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, and Reunion Tours that might hit Bonnaroo 2011.  You can also read our two articles featuring ideas about who might headline Bonnaroo 2011 here and here.  Today we will look at Jam Bands who might play Late Night slots at Bonnaroo 2011.

Since the beginning of the festival in 2002, Bonnaroo has always featured a lineup that contained a number of Jam Bands.  Every year, at least 1-2 Jam Bands get one of the coveted Late Night slots.  In 2010, The Disco Biscuits played until dawn in their Late Night set.  In 2009, .moe played a 3 hour Late Night set.  In 2008, The Disco Biscuits, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, and Phil Lesh all played Late Night sets.  Who will be the Late Night Jam Band at Bonnaroo 2011?  Here are the acts we see as the most likely.  Please note that some Jam Bands, such as String Cheese Incident and Furthur have already been covered in previous articles and will not be repeated here.

Yonder Mountain String Band

Yonder Mountain String Band has played a number of Bonnaroos in the past and have always been well received.  Their last Bonnaroo appearance was a What Stage opening act on Sunday in 2008 so it seems like it's past time for a return.  Yonder Mountain String Band could easily hold down the 3+ hour set that is usual from a Late Night Jam Band as they have an extensive catalog and are known for their improvisations stretching songs up to 20 minutes and more.

STS9

Another Bonnaroo veteran, Sound Tribe Sector 9, known by most as simply STS9, are an instrumental electronic Jam act that has taken off in the last few years due to some very high profile shows at festivals including Summer Camp and Rothbury.  STS9 is already scheduled as the #3 artist on the bill at the neighboring Wakarusa Festival the weekend before so it seems logical that they could very easily jump one state over to play Bonnaroo the following weekend.

Umphrey's McGee

With the exception of Les Claypool in various groups, no artist has played Bonnaroo more often than Umphrey's McGee.  Normally, having played Bonnaroo 2010 would make an artist less likely to play Bonnaroo 2011, but Umphrey's McGee's afternoon performances in 2008 and 2010 were highly lauded and many fans wished for a Late Night opportunity for the band to stretch out and play the lengthy shows they are known for.

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe

Lenny Kravitz and Greyboy Allstars saxaphone player Karl Denson has made waves in the Jam community in recent years with his new band Karl Denson's Tiny Universe due to some notable festival appearances and feature spots on the Jam Cruise.  Some in the Bonnaroo fan community have called for the band to come to Bonnaroo 2011 for a Late Night tent slot.

Keller Williams

Keller Williams is a Bonnaroo veteran and an artist who often pops up on fan wishlists for a 2011 Late Night performance.  Williams has been busy during the last year, releasing a covers album as Keller Williams and the Keels and a children's album called Kids.  Williams is also embarking on a tour with Bonnaroo favorites Umphrey's McGee that will make a stop in Nashville in February.

What Jam Bands to you want to see playing a Late Night set at Bonnaroo 2011?  Let me know in the comments section or click subscribe at the top of the page to have Bonnaroo lineup news and rumors delivered right to your inbox.