Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Name	Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Location	Great Stage Park, Manchester, Tennessee, United States
Years active	2002–present
Founders	Superfly Presents, AC Entertainment
Dates	Typically four days in June
Genre	Rock, jam band, hip hop, EDM, pop, country
Website	https://www.bonnaroo.com

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a major multi-genre music festival held annually on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. Founded in 2002 by partners Superfly Presents and AC Entertainment, the event has grown from a jam-band-centric gathering into one of the most prominent and eclectic festivals in North America. Its name, derived from Creole slang for "a really good time," reflects its ethos of communal celebration, featuring extensive art installations, comedy, cinema, and participatory activities alongside its musical programming. The festival is renowned for its immersive, round-the-clock experience and its dedicated fanbase, often referred to as "Bonnaroovians."

History

The inaugural event in 2002 was conceived by Superfly Presents founders Rick Farman, Richard Goodstone, and Jonathan Mayers, along with AC Entertainment's Ashley Capps, drawing inspiration from events like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Headlined by Trey Anastasio and Widespread Panic, it quickly established itself within the jam band scene. In 2007, the festival relocated permanently to the site of the former Riverbend Festival's secondary location, now known as Great Stage Park. A significant corporate shift occurred in 2015 when controlling interest was sold to the media conglomerate Live Nation Entertainment. The festival was canceled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning in 2022 under the continued stewardship of Live Nation and C3 Presents, which had merged with AC Entertainment.

Festival grounds and layout

The festival is held at Great Stage Park, a dedicated entertainment complex in Coffee County, Tennessee. The central hub is **Centeroo**, a permanent village containing the five main stage areas: the **What Stage**, **Which Stage**, **This Tent**, **That Tent**, and **The Other**. Surrounding this core are themed plazas, a permanent water station, the **Comedy Theatre** hosted by TBS, and the **Cinema Tent**. The extensive campgrounds, which include reserved areas like **VIP** and **Guest**, are organized into themed "pods" offering amenities such as showers, food vendors, and the iconic **Bonnaroo Fountain**. The entire site is meticulously planned to manage the flow of tens of thousands of attendees.

Lineups and performances

While initially focused on artists like Phil Lesh and The String Cheese Incident, the festival's booking has expanded dramatically to encompass hip hop, EDM, pop, and country. Legendary headliners have included Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, and Radiohead. The festival is known for unique collaborations and surprise sets, such as the 2023 performance by Foo Fighters under the pseudonym The Dee Gees. Other notable performers across eras include Kendrick Lamar, Stevie Nicks, J. Cole, Phish, Lizzo, and Tool, with late-night electronic sets at **The Other** stage being a major draw.

Culture and community

The festival promotes a ethos of "Radiate Positivity," fostering a sense of communal participation and goodwill. This is embodied in traditions like the high-five line at the entrance and the interactive Bonnaroo Fountain. Attendees, or "Bonnaroovians," actively contribute to the environment through activities like the annual Bonnaroo 5K run and the sustainable **Clean Vibes** program. Beyond music, the festival offers a rich program including performances at the **Comedy Theatre** curated by TBS, independent films in the **Cinema Tent**, and large-scale art installations from groups like The House of Yes. The **Bonnaroo Wedding Chapel** has hosted thousands of commitment ceremonies.

Economic and environmental impact

The festival generates a substantial economic impact for Middle Tennessee, with studies estimating an infusion of tens of millions of dollars into local economies in Coffee County and surrounding areas. It is a major employer for the region each June. Environmentally, the organizers have implemented significant initiatives, including a robust recycling program with **Clean Vibes**, a solar-powered stage, and a commitment to diverting waste from landfills. The **Bonnaroo Works Fund** has also provided grants to numerous local and regional community and environmental projects in Tennessee.

Management and organization

The festival is produced by **Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, LLC**, a joint venture primarily owned by Live Nation Entertainment. Day-to-day operations and booking are handled by C3 Presents, a Live Nation subsidiary formed from the merger of AC Entertainment and other promoters. Key leadership has included Ashley Capps and figures from Superfly Presents. The complex logistics, encompassing security, medical services, traffic management with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and infrastructure, require year-round planning and coordination with local officials in Manchester and Coffee County.

Category:Music festivals in Tennessee Category:2002 establishments in Tennessee Category:Annual events in the United States Category:Live Nation festivals