After skimming down the list of the first ever lineup at Bonnaroo from 2002, two words come to mind: jam band.

Images of tie-dye, braided hair and tents stocked with mass quantities of munchies also come fluttering through.

Fast-forward seven years and the picture is unrecognizable. In this summer’s lineup, artists like Andrew Bird can be seen alongside the mash up sampler Girl Talk, and even comedians like the up and coming Aziz Ansari.

Jam bands? Not so much.

The evolving diversity of lineups at Bonnaroo has caused some negative commentary among festival-goers, pegging the event with two of the worst evils in musical commentary – “corporate” and “sellout.”

But that sentiment hasn’t inhibited artists such as the multi-instrumentalist and professional whistler, Andrew Bird, from jumping on the Bonnaroo bandwagon.

“Bonnaroo is just – they kind of – they got it right and they have been the model for other festivals,” said Bird.

“I think it is partially that it is such a destination. It’s in the middle of nowhere, and therefore is a commitment for everybody. And yes I think it has got that Southern hospitality. It doesn’t feel like a big corporate business enterprise when you’re there.”

Alhtough Bird just completed a theatre tour earlier this year, he cherishes the festival scene.

“There’s something about singing for that many people makes you push,” Bird said. “And the adrenaline, trying to project to that many people, it draws something more kind of primal out of you I guess.”

The rush of performing to a sea of people is not just exclusive to musicians, as the presence of comedians has solidified since 2002 when a measly three comedians showed up on the roster.

This year there are fifteen comedians that will appear at Bonnaroo, and among big names like Jimmy Fallon and Michael Ian Black is Aziz Ansari.

The name might not ring a bell, but his resume includes filmography such as “I Love You, Man,” “Flight of the Concords” and “Scrubs.”

It will be Ansari’s second time performing at Bonnaroo this summer, and with a bigger following on screen, the wide range of festival-goers will give him the chance to broaden his audience.

“There is such an overlap of the audiences that I guess it is kind of a cool thing for us to be able to perform for … all these music fans,” said Ansari.

“I am pretty confident in what I do,” he said. “And you know I was talking to Bruce Springsteen about this. I was like you know we’re both headliners, is this a lot of pressure for you? And he was like no. You know, do you feel pressure? I was like no.”

Gregg Gillis (Girl Talk) exudes a similar confidence in his controversial musical style that rests on sampling popular radio songs in a style called “mash up sampling.”

Gillis hasn’t faced any hot criticisms yet, but this year’s performance may rack up comments in the festival reviews as Gillis has sampled songs from artists in the lineup.

“Basically you know the handful of people who have reached out to me about sampling their music have all been cool,” Gillis said. “But I would love to sit down with Snoop Dogg and see what he has to say.”

Gillis views the opportunity in a positive light, however.

“You know being on the same lineup as people who are you know I have potentially (cut up) or put on albums … it is a very surreal experience for me,” said Gillis.

Students entertaining the idea of taking a break from that boring internship will undoubtedly be a part of something big by partaking in Bonnaroo.

“You know I feel like Bonnaroo is one of these festivals that you go around from that point forward. After I played Bonnaroo two years ago [I] always get someone in the front row screaming, “Bonnaroo,” Gillis said. “You know they were like a part of that experience.”