Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is one of the most highly anticipated weekends of the year. For local vendors, it is a chance to show off their crafts and cuisine. For music lovers, it's a weekend full of live performances from any genre imaginable. And, for free spirits, it's a weekend in the countryside with friends new and old. For 23 years, Bonnaroo has been a staple of summer. Thousands descend upon a 700-acre farm for the festivities, and folks travel from all corners of the globe to attend.
Alas, mother nature does not always look favorably upon Middle Tennessee.
This year’s event kicked off on Thursday afternoon with an electric set from Austin-based band Die Spitz. They self-describe as “mayhem-inciting,” and it couldn’t be more true. The mosh pit opened up as the girls on stage rocked hard before getting down on the barricade and further provoking the excitement. Recently signed to Third Man Records (Jack White), the group is on a sure path to alt-rock success.
DJ Python christened the Infinity Stage - Bonnaroo’s newest addition. The experience consists of 3 hemispheres, a nod to the Bonnaroo logo, with the world’s largest 360-spatial audio experience. Throughout the weekend, fans were immersed in the performances with a lineup including: Rebecca Black, Of the Trees, Tape B, Mary Droppinz, Levity, and more. Totems were raised high and beats were felt from every angle… literally. Some fans argued that the Infinity Stage was too small for acts scheduled to perform, such as John Summit, who recently announced a 40,000 capacity headlining show at Folsom Field. All things considered, the Infinity Stage proves that Bonnaroo is earnestly trying to improve the experience year after year.
A highlight of the afternoon was Sofia Isella’s theatrical performance at the THAT Tent. The 20-year-old alt-goth artist found success via TikTok and has opened for acts such as Melanie Martinez and Taylor Swift. Her minimalist stage was set with only 4 instruments - violin, two electric guitars, and an acoustic guitar - all of which were wielded by Isella.
Over at the WHAT Stage, the weekend began with Wilderado. The indie-folk group from Tulsa, Oklahoma is no stranger to Bonnaroo. They’ve performed at the festival before, as well as at Austin City Limits, and have made a name for themselves in the indie scene.
As the sun was setting, the stage lights were rising for the Marcus King Band. Bonnaroovians at the WHAT Stage were in for a rousing delight with the “Wildflowers and Wine” guitar-extraordinaire. Fresh off the release of their latest single “Carolina Honey,” King led the crowd in learning the new song. A tribute to the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson had us holding loved ones close with a touching rendition of “God Only Knows.” The group is revving up for the release of a new album which King accidentally revealed on stage: “Not sure if I’m supposed to say that…”
Luke Combs made history as Bonnaroo’s first ever country headliner. “I’ve been nervous ever since we booked this show that nobody would be out here” he explained. We are happy to share, he was very wrong. The farm was full to the brim with folks ready to embrace the “Hurricane” hit-maker. He kicked us off with “1, 2 Many” before grabbing his guitar for “When It Rains It Pours.” The nearly two-hour set featured multiple surprise guest appearances. Miranda Lambert joined Combs on stage for “Where The Wild Things Are” before taking the stage for herself to sing “Kerosene.” Genre-bending artist Jon Bellion stepped out for two covers, and Marcus King helped close the show during “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma.” It was a star-studded end to the first headline performance of Bonnaroo 2025.
While other festivals may have called it quits for the night, Bonnaroo kept on dancing with a set from 2Hollis over at THAT Tent. Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country took over THIS Tent at 10:45 for a late night jam session. The band is led by 30-year-old guitar hero (and namesake) Daniel Donato - a Nashville native who has developed a distinct sonic brand, blending the honky-tonk sound with rock, psychedelia, and soul. The seemingly odd mix works, especially in a varied festival crowd like Bonnaroo.
Australian DJ Dom Dolla was one of the most highly anticipated acts of the night. His fiery set had Bonnaroovians lined up for what felt like miles at the OTHER stage. Joey Valance & Brae packed THAT Tent for their hip-hop set while Insane Clown Posse drenched the crowd with Faygo.
Thus, Day 1 of Bonnaroo came to a close. Unfortunately for fans, it also ended up being the close of the entire weekend. After a jam-packed first day, Bonnaroo 2025 was cancelled due to overwhelming rain hitting the area, leaving many with broken hearts and bogged down campsites.
"We are beyond gutted, but we must make the safest decision and cancel the remainder of Bonnaroo," the statement said. "We have put our hearts and souls into making this weekend the most special one of the year, and cannot express how crushed we are to have to make this decision. Thank you in advance for your patience, your positivity and your unfailing Bonnaroovian spirit."
Yes, the Bonnaroo spirit triumphed. Attendees made the most of their situation creating tarp-lined water slides in the campgrounds and hosting mud-wrestling competitions. Amateur DJs turned the backs of their cars into clubs to keep the party going, and food trucks turned into makeshift venues. In an effort to indulge fans who came out to see them, many artists scrambled to find last-minute venues in the area.
Perhaps the most anticipated set was Remi Wolf’s SuperJam 70s Pool Party. A few lucky ducks were able to snatch tickets to the relocated show before they sold out. The evening featured covers and jams by Remi Wolf, as well as Mt. Joy, Grace Bowers, Hayley Williams (Paramore), and more. Natasha Bedingfield sold out the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville in a day and Mt. Joy took over the next night. All three crowds were filled with Roo-fugees seeking to salvage a bit of their weekend; Bright clothes, meticulously braided hair, and sprouts clipped onto hat brims lit up Germantown. Meanwhile, over by Broadway, JUSTICE made up their performance at Nashville’s newest venue, The Pinnacle and Royel Otis copped a headline spot at the Basement East.
Whether folks made the most of their time left on the farm or flocked to Nashville for continued fun, the spirit of love through art prevailed. Everywhere we went was flooded with shouts of “happy Roo!” and trinkets were being traded in every honky-tonk you could find. Despite the disappointing turn of events, what truly stands out is the unwavering strength of the Bonnaroo spirit and the joy of its people.
To learn more about Bonnaroo, visit https://www.bonnaroo.com/.
