I aint mad at Cha [piano

True, that. Nevertheless, even on starting Thursday there have been a number of strong programs to be seen. Listed below are our Top 5:

5. J. COLE ONLY AT THAT TENT
J. Cole, the self-proclaimed “fine child because of the old-man mind, ” had small reason to be simple during their Bonnaroo debut. A hyped throng waved mobile phones, raised lighters, and shouted words when encouraged; but the Fayetteville, NC, native nevertheless paused in early stages to formally introduce himself with a quick striver bio (plus Jay-Z namedrop and Roc-A-Fella huzzah) — maybe to maintain the illusion that he’s hip-hop’s after that plumped for one, a rare, ready-to-blow talent who’ll ascend to superstardom using this year’s much-awaited “official” album debut on Roc country. Needless to say, Cole has recently released three LP-quality mixtapes since 2007, with no shortage of radio-quality singles (“which Dat, ” “Before I’m Gone, ” “Higher, ” “Blow Up, ” etc.), plus the Bonnaroo group was well-versed. Backed by a DJ as well as 2 keyboardists, Cole balanced their ’90s East Coast preference for jaunty or a little mournful piano-based paths with dazzlingly athletic feats of air control and flow. But one constantly had the feeling he ached for mass adulation that his beloved ’90s heroes received (he covered Tupac’s “I Ain’t angry At Cha” and “which Dat” drifted into Biggie’s “Big Poppa”). That desire, while not practical, offers Cole the fiery demeanor of a phenom on a mission. — CHARLES AARON

4. KAREN ELSON IN THE DIFFERENT TENT
Supermodels adding “musician” to their application are often treated with a raised-eyebrow — hey, Kate Moss’ solo job didn’t exactly take off. And perhaps Karen Elson much more so because she’s an Englishwoman married to Mr. Rock’N’Roll Jack White. But as she once again proved together with her mid-afternoon ready, preferred suspicions cannot connect with this 32-year-old: She’s already been onstage longer than she’s already been strutting the catwalk. At 16, before leaving the woman residence in Manchester, she fronted a salsa musical organization, and soon after, in New York City’s East Village, established the political cabaret team the people Band. So that as we’ve formerly mentioned, The Ghost Who Walks, her first solo record made by White, isn't any vanity project. Thursday, she played with the 3rd guy Records Family Band, featuring members whom perform with White in one project or another, including drummer Patrick Keeler (Raconteurs, Greenhornes) and bassist Jack Lawrence (Raconeturs, Greenhornes, lifeless Weather). Another prolonged member of the family, Jackson Smith, son of punk artist Patti Smith and the spouse of Meg White, joined on electric guitar. Elegant and gothic, Elsen’s shadowy country-pop tableau was complemented by her look – flowing Victorian gown, alabaster skin, and scarlet red locks – and sweet pipelines. But she’s just teasing us: On a cover of Donavan’s “Season associated with Witch” that sashayed with jazz bass and flute sounds, Elsen danced with two maracas over her head and opened up the woman sound wider than before, swapping womanly composure for bewitching strength. — WILLIAM GOODMAN