Bonnaroo is a festival like none other. On a farmland in the middle of Tennessee, hippies, deadheads, EDM kids and people of old and young gather in the center of the United States for four days of sweltering heat, non stop music and lifelong memories.
2016 marks the 15th edition of Bonnaroo and this year’s lineup is as eclectic as it’s ever been. The melting pot of some of the biggest acts mixed with hot up and comers covering all genres of music is what makes Bonnaroo a must experience for everyone. If you aren’t able to get to Tennessee this year, you can stream some of the shows on Bonnaroo’s website through Red Bull TV’s coverage.
Here are 12 acts you can’t miss at this year’s Bonnaroo.
PEARL JAM
Set Time: Saturday, June 11th – 10:15PM
For the first time in eight years, Pearl Jam returns to Manchester, Tennessee. Pearl Jam recently played a show where they played all of Ten from beginning to end. Could they pull something out like this for their headline gig? Anything is possible. What is for sure, is the crowd will be going nuts for their endless catalog of classics and Eddie Vedder will hold Tennessee in the palm of his hand for a night.
NATHANIEL RATELIFF AND THE NIGHT SWEATS
Set Time: Saturday, June 11th – 7:00PM
One of the greatest discoveries of the past year this band from Denver, Colorado is a dark horse for best show of the festival. Their blend of rock, funk and soul is absolutely perfect for Bonnaroo. The crowd will be moving and grooving for sure and ready to explode when they play their massive hit “S.O.B”.
THE CHAINSMOKERS
Set Time: Saturday, June 11th – 12:30AM
These two American DJs from New York City have dominated the dance charts over the past year with their singles “Roses” and “Don’t Let Me Down.” With the absence of a huge EDM headliner the slot is for the taking for best EDM show of Bonnaroo. Their momentum from the past year mixed with a huge new fan-following should make this a crazy show.
PURITY RING
Set Time: Saturday, June 11th – 12:30AM
Music festivals are always a series of impossible decisions. At the same time The Chainsmokers walk out, across the farm the hypnotic, inventive, captivating Purity Ring will take the on the crowds of Bonnaroo. Purity Ring’s shows are always something not to be missed. With their blending of lights, bumping bass and soaring vocals Purity Ring will be a perfect way to roll out your Saturday night into your Sunday morning.
J. COLE
Set Time: Friday, June 10th – 8:45PM
Perhaps the biggest sign that J.Cole has arrived was him being the hip hop headliner of this year’s festival. A spot that has been filled by Jay-Z, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem over the past few years, J. Cole will no doubt be motivated to prove his name fits in with that group.
BIG GRAMS (PHANTOGRAM & BIG BOI)
Set Time: Sunday, June 12th – 1:45AM
There isn’t a more exciting combination of things happening than this set early Sunday Morning. Outkast’s Big Boi will take the stage with electro-rock group Phantogram to blend hits and original tracks. This is a perfect microcosm of Bonnaroo, old and new mixing bringing hip hop, EDM and rock to create one incredible experience on stage.
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
Set Time: Friday, June 10th – 11:00PM
When news broke that LCD Soundsytem would be getting back together, Bonnaroo was an absolute lock as to where they would be showing up. In 2010, LCD played one of their all time best sets in Manchester and set the bar high for what they can bring this year. Moving to the headlining stage will be a huge thing for this band Instead of playing the tent stage in front of 15,000, they will have 80,000 people waiting to see what all the hype is about. There is little doubt they will be outstanding.
FATHER JOHN MISTY
Set Time: Sunday, June 12th – 5:15PM
The former Fleet Foxes drummer surprised many with his foray into his solo career as Father John Misty but has achieved every bit of success on his own. A lot of his lure comes from his stunning live shows thanks to his incredible stage presence and outstanding band. The farm will be an absolutely perfect place for him to shine.
VINCE STAPLES
Set Time: Friday, June 10th – 7:30PM
Summertime ’06 was one of the biggest out of nowhere hip hop records of the 2010’s. At 22, Vince Staples has exploded on the hip hop scene with outstanding lyrics and greatly produced tracks. Bonnaroo might just be his stage to show he is a hip hop force to be reckoned with.
HALSEY
Set Time: Friday, June 10th – 7:45PM
This 21 year old might be the American answer to Lorde. Writing and recording since 17, Halsey has balanced a social media presence with great musical connections to explode on the scene. With her first studio album producing solid singles in “New Americana,” “Colors,” and “Castl3,” Halsey might draw one of the biggest crowds on the outside stages. Halsey is certainly a massive star on the rise.
MISTERWIVES
Set Time: Friday, June 10th – 4:45PM
This Brooklyn alt rock, funk band is a certainty to bring the most energy possible to their show. MisterWives is known for bringing much crowd participation and excitement to their shows. That mixed with the incredible vocals of lead singer Mandy Lee will help kick off an incredible Friday lineup. The unsuspecting crowd that stumbles into this show will have a new favorite band after the set, thats a guarantee.
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Bonnaroo runs from June 9th – June 12th this year on a gorgeous 700-acre farm out in Tennessee. To find out more about the festival this year and its history, visit their website.
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