The What Podcast - Bonnaroo, Festival News, and More

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What's next for Bonnaroo?

Season 8, Episode 26 June 25, 2025 35m Video

Today on The What Podcast, Barry and Bryan dive into the aftermath of the unprecedented Bonnaroo 2025 cancellation, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster experienced by fans, organizers, and the broader festival community. They discuss the announcement of 100% ticket refunds, the challenges of upgrading infrastructure on the farm, and the intense scrutiny faced by organizers like Live Nation and C3. The hosts also explore how online commentary can distort the real picture, emphasizing that while frustrations and personal anecdotes abound, the broader context and two decades of successful events should not be overlooked.

Listen to this episode here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news!

Thumbnail photo by: Evan Brown

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Previous Episodes

When Bonnaroo Breaks Your Heart: Our Reaction to the 2025 Cancellation

S08E25 Jun 17, 2025 57m Video

We're still reeling from the cancellation of Bonnaroo 2025, and in this episode of The What Podcast, we open up about the heartbreak, frustration, and confusion that swept through the Bonnaroo community after historic rainfall forced organizers to call off the festival. We talk about what it was like to travel from all over the country-some of us from as far away as Seattle and New York-only to have the weekend cut short, and how we're coping with the "Bonnaflu" that seems to follow every year. Read More

Bonnaroo Week Begins: Packing, Travel, Weather Prep & More!

S08E24 Jun 9, 2025 1h 1m Video Chattanooga, TN

As Bonnaroo week kicks off, the crew records a special on-location episode at Lo Main in Chattanooga, diving into last-minute festival prep, weather worries, and the unique culture that makes Bonnaroo a can't-miss event. The hosts and guests, including long-time campmate Tara Viland (now in charge of events and programming at the Chattanooga Choo Choo) and Cassie Wanamaker (celebrating her 10th "Bonnaversary" and fourth year attending sober), share packing tips, weather-proofing strategies, and the importance of patience and flexibility for a successful festival experience. Read More

Bonnaroo 2025 Prep: Last-Minute Tips, Packing Hacks & Bryan's Festival Picks

S08E23 Jun 4, 2025 1h 23m Video

Bonnaroo 2025 is nearly here, and in this massive episode of The What Podcast, we've got essential last-minute tips and hacks to help you not just survive the farm, but have the greatest time ever. From cooler strategy and sleeping secrets to underrated essentials, it's a festival prep episode you don't want to miss. Read More

Lord Taco's Bonnaroo 2025 Picks and an Encounter with "The Dancing Man"

S08E22 May 28, 2025 1h 10m Video Pelham, TN

We're live on location at The Caverns in Pelham, TN-just down the road from Bonnaroo-as The What Podcast crew assembles for CaveJam just weeks before Bonnaroo 2025. This week, Lord Taco (Russ) reveals his complete Bonnaroo schedule, breaking down the acts he's most excited to see across the four-day festival, including King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Insane Clown Posse, and more. Read More

Barry's Bonnaroo 2025 Picks: What to See, Where to Be

S08E21 May 21, 2025 1h 3m Video

With Bonnaroo 2025 just three weeks away, we dive deep into Barry's picks, including must-see acts like Flipturn, King Gizzard, Olivia Rodrigo, and the SuperJam 70s Pool Party, as well as the importance of flexibility-sometimes the best Bonnaroo moments come from wandering and discovering new artists. Read More

The Bonnaroo 2025 Bandana Debate: What Fans Are Saying

S08E20 May 14, 2025 1h 6m Video

In a surprise move for 2025, Bonnaroo is not including a bandana or gift in its wristband shipments - and fans have strong opinions. Barry and Lord Taco reunite with Bryan Stone to unpack the "gift-gate" controversy, why the missing bandana matters to so many, and what it says about the evolution of the festival. Read More

Planning Your Perfect Bonnaroo Week: Packing Tips, Schedule Strategies & Survival Guide

S08E19 May 7, 2025 1h 27m Video

It's time to start planning your Bonnaroo week! Bryan Stone is out, so we get Evan Bonnaroo to fill in as guest host and share his picks for what shows and activities he has laid out. We are also joined by EDM Kyle to round out the discussion. The group covers everything from travel routines and pre-festival meetups at local hotspots (like Common John Brewing and the Manchester Walmart) to the importance of having a well-organized Bonnaroo packing list. Read More

Inside Hinterland: Sam Summers on Festival Challenges and the 90-Degree Guarantee

S08E18 May 1, 2025 59m Video

In this episode of The What Podcast, the hosts sit down with Sam Summers, the founder of Iowa's Hinterland Festival, for a deep dive into the art (and chaos) of modern festival production. From booking Fall Out Boy in college to launching Hinterland in 2015, Sam walks us through his journey from DIY club shows to managing a 20,000-attendee outdoor event that has weathered literal floods and the fury of the internet. Read More

Ultimate Bonnaroo 2025 Camp Prep: Packing, Planning, and Survival Tips

S08E17 Apr 30, 2025 1h 36m Video

In this episode of The What Podcast, hosts Barry, Russ, and Bryan are joined by special guests Beth and Abbey to dive deep into Bonnaroo 2025 prep and camp setup essentials. With less than 46 days until we are back on The Farm, the crew discusses smart strategies for getting ready now - from vehicle maintenance and camping gear organization to planning group logistics and must-have supplies. Read More

Bonnaroo 2025 Schedule Breakdown: Highlights, Conflicts & Surprises

S08E16 Apr 23, 2025 1h 10m Video

The Bonnaroo 2025 schedule is finally here! Barry, Bryan, and Taco break it down day-by-day and explore the surprises, conflicts, and can't-miss sets on this year's lineup. From the historic addition of three What Stage acts on Thursday-Luke Combs, Marcus King, and Wilderado-to Friday's major scheduling conflicts like Goose and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, the crew delivers their initial thoughts and reactions. Read More

Dogs in a Pile Talk Bonnaroo 2025 Debut, Jam Band Roots, and Songwriting with Tom Marshall

S08E15 Apr 16, 2025 1h 7m Video

In this episode of The What Podcast, Barry and Bryan sit down with Brian Murray and Jeremy Kaplan from Dogs in a Pile, the fast-rising jam band making their Bonnaroo debut in 2025. From their early days playing Grateful Dead covers on the Jersey Shore to developing a genre-bending sound influenced by Zappa, Coltrane, and Miles Davis, the band shares their journey and what fans can expect when they hit the stage in Manchester this June. Read More

World of Bluegrass comes to Chattanooga and the Latest Bonnaroo 2025 News

S08E14 Apr 9, 2025 1h 14m Video

This week on The What Podcast, we're diving into Bonnaroo and the World of Bluegrass! In an exclusive interview, we chat with Ken White, Executive Director of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), and Randy Steele, a local bluegrass musician, about moving the World of Bluegrass event from Raleigh to Chattanooga in 2025. Read More

Reviews for The What Podcast

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"These guys have seen it, lived it and love it. From stories, news and culture to interviews with fans, participants. artists and Bonnaroo staff, this show goes way deep into the ins and outs of a truly unique community experience."

NGavush

"Been going to Roo the last 5 years and recently started listening to The What last year and couldn't wait to catch season 2 episode 1! Lineup day for me is the equivalent to how a 5 year old feels on Christmas Day! Love this podcast and Roo so much."

Emi Jemii

"One of my favorite podcasts. Super informative for live music junkies like myself"

CoS Fan

"The What Podcast has become as much of a part of my yearly tradition getting ready for Bonnaroo as anything. I always love to hear what the gang is cooking up or whatever insider or local secrets they can spill before we get to the farm!"

Tim Keating

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