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A lot of great music went down at Bonnaroo 2011 -- from Eminem to Weezy to Alisson Krauss -- but these 10 sets were every bit as hot as the Manchester, Tenn. weather.
Photos: Bonnaroo 2011 Highlights
Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
10. Big Boi
Early in his Friday night set, Big Boi asked his audience which "hit record" they wanted to hear him perform next. It was a cocky yet well-deserved moment for the Outkast MC, who added to his fantastic back catalogue with last year's solo effort "Sir Lucius Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty." From "Ms. Jackson" and "So Fresh, So Clean" to new favorites like "General Patton" and "Shine Blockas," Big Boi presented a stellar song collection that outshone Lil Wayne's uneven set that was happening at the same time.
9. Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters began their Saturday performance immediately following Eminem's raw, emotional headlining set, and the New York group might as well have kicked off their show by declaring, "And now for something completely different..." The glam-rockers continued the victory lap for their 2010 disc "Night Work" with a deliriously enjoyable Bonnaroo set that included carefree onstage dance moves, eye-popping pyrotechnics and a whole lot of glitter. "Take Your Mama Out" became a syrupy Southern rocker, and "Fire with Fire" featured fireballs bursting out of towering columns onstage. Pure, unadulterated fun.
8. Mavis Staples
Over the course of the festival, no performer had a better time onstage than 71-year-old Mavis Staples, whose gospel-tinged R&B was presented to a small but dedicated crowd early on Sunday. Cuts from her latest gem, "You Are Not Alone," were just as effective as gorgeous hymns like "Wade in the Water." Despite the high humidity, Staples never stopped beaming: "I came here to have a good time, and with the help of you beautiful souls I'm doing it!" she told the crowd.
7. J. Cole
How much can one rapper accomplish without putting out an album? J. Cole seems to be trying to answer that question, as the North Carolina MC took a quick break from supporting Rihanna on tour to collect some new fans and dazzle the old ones at Bonnaroo. Crowd members rapped every word to songs from his "Friday Night Lights" mixtape, and when Cole shouted "Bitch, I'm about to blow up!" on "Blow Up," it seemed like a safe prediction. Cole's debut album is expected to drop later this summer, but he's already a star.
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