The What Podcast - Bonnaroo, Festival Culture & Live Music

Latest Episode

2026 Bonnaroo Schedule Deep Dive with John (EDM, Conflicts, Must-Sees)

Season 9, Episode 17 April 15, 2026 1h 10m Video

The 2026 Bonnaroo schedule is finally here, and we're breaking it all down. Russ is off this week, so John joins Barry and Bryan for a full day-by-day walkthrough of the biggest conflicts, the must-see sets, and the real-world strategies that will shape your weekend on the Farm. From EDM to jam to indie to late-night chaos, this episode gives you the context and advice you need to build your perfect Bonnaroo plan.

We also hit the biggest festival-world stories of the week: Coachella's wild first weekend, the Hulaween 2026 lineup and Sweetwater 420 Fest this weekend. Plus, we drop some more info on our live show on the How Stage this year, and Bonnaroo Radio!

Listen to this week's 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!

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Previous Episodes

Flying to Bonnaroo: What You Actually Need to Bring

S09E16 Apr 8, 2026 50m Video

Flying to Bonnaroo this year? Our long-time campmate and West Coast correspondent Elizabeth Thorpe breaks down exactly how she does it, based on years of flying to Manchester from Maine, Philly, and now Washington State. We also catch up on Beth's own "tour," highlighting the shows she's been shooting in Seattle and beyond, and what it's like working deep in the photo pit as a festival and venue photographer. Read More

Inside Soberoo: Bonnaroo's Sober Community with Founder Patrick Whelan

S09E15 Mar 31, 2026 1h 23m Video

Have you ever wondered if it's possible to do Bonnaroo sober? This week we're joined by longtime guest Patrick Whelan, founder of Soberoo and Harmonium Inc., the nonprofit that provides community and support for sober and sober-curious festivalgoers at Bonnaroo and dozens of other events around the country. Read More

86 Days to Bonnaroo, Start Your Prep Now

S09E14 Mar 17, 2026 24m Video

With 86 days to Bonnaroo, prep season is officially here. In this week's shorter check-in, Barry and Russ walk through the early steps every Roo camper should be taking now: from pulling out gear, checking tents and fans, and buying non-perishables a little at a time, to coordinating with your group so nobody shows up without poles, stakes, or the essentials. Read More

Bonnaroo Changed My Life: The Yearbook Guy's Story

S09E13 Mar 11, 2026 1h 22m Video

Bonnaroo really does change lives, and today's talk with Caleb Arias, aka The Bonnaroo Yearbook Guy, proves it once again. From being too nervous to talk to strangers at his first festival to becoming one of the most recognized creators in the festival community, Caleb walks us through the moment everything shifted. Read More

Bonnaroo Adds Sunrise Sets...and Barry Makes His Most Embarrassing Mistake Yet

S09E12 Mar 4, 2026 54m Video

Bonnaroo adds sunrise sets to the 2026 lineup, but first, Barry has to eat a little crow. We go down a rabbit hole of music history before shifting gears to talk Bonnaroo news, plus other festivals like Shaky Knees who just released their lineup. Finally we talk a little bit about this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees! Listen to this week's episode here or watch it on YouTube. Read More

Why Bourbon & Beyond Might Have the Best Lineup of 2026

S09E11 Feb 25, 2026 51m Video

Bourbon & Beyond does it again, dropping a stacked lineup that makes us ask the question, "is this real"? With headliners like Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, Mumford, and Dave Matthews, we start wondering if it's time we finally made the trip to Louisville and the lineup keeps getting better the further down you read! Elsewhere in the episode, we catch up with Bryan after his trip to Las Vegas, review the Summerfest lineup that also came out this week, and briefly discuss Bonnaroo ticket sales and pricing. Read More

Bonnaroo 2026: Why the EDM Lineup Feels Different (Where Stage)

S09E10 Feb 18, 2026 42m Video

Bonnaroo 2026's EDM lineup feels different, and the move to the new Where Stage is at the center of it. In this episode, Russ, Barry, and guest John break down why this year's late-night energy has shifted, what the community is reacting to, and how the new location changes the vibe of sunrise sets, crowd flow, and the festival's overall identity. Read More

Okay...We Were Wrong About Geese

S09E09 Feb 11, 2026 37m Video

Geese's performance on SNL last week sparked such a huge debate that we decided to walk it back and revisit the whole thing. Find out how we feel now about the band, what changed after a deeper listen, and whether they've made our list of must-see sets for Bonnaroo 2026. We also dig into the latest Bonnaroo news, including a tragic update on Lil Jon's missing son and a look at how many Bonnaroo artists showed up at this year's Grammy Awards. Read More

Most People Aren't Physically Ready for Bonnaroo... Are You?

S09E08 Feb 4, 2026 1h 7m Video

Most people think they're physically ready for Bonnaroo... until they hit the farm and realize just how intense four days of heat, walking, dancing, and nonstop movement really are. That's why we're talking to Christin Craig of the Roo Fitness Challenge: a simple, realistic, community-driven plan to help you show up stronger, safer, and more prepared than ever. Read More

Bonnaroo 2026: Why Ticket Deals Are Dropping Now

S09E07 Jan 28, 2026 1h 3m Video

Bonnaroo 2026 ticket deals are dropping earlier than expected. In this episode of The What Podcast, we break down the latest pricing shifts including referral codes, the introduction of 4- and 6-pack bundles, and one-day passes. Is this a sign of lower demand, strategic marketing, or something deeper? Also, we explore the newly announced late-night sets and who we are looking forward to staying up late for. Read More

Church Boners React to Bonnaroo Ticket Contest Entries

S09E06 Jan 21, 2026 55m Video

With Bryan Stone out sick, the Church Boners step in to help us react to your Bonnaroo ticket contest entries! From emotional first-timer stories to selfless submissions from fans entering on behalf of loved ones, this episode of The What Podcast highlights the heart of the Bonnaroo community: generosity, vulnerability, and the shared belief that the farm brings people together in ways nothing else can. Read More

There Is No Bonnaroo Without Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead

S09E05 Jan 14, 2026 1h 3m Video

In this episode, we dig into why there is no Bonnaroo without the Grateful Dead, and why Bob Weir's influence on the festival runs far deeper than any single performance. From the jam band touring culture to the community-first ethos that defines life on The Farm, we break down how the Grateful Dead's scene effectively migrated to Manchester, Tennessee and became part of Bonnaroo's DNA. Read More

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"I love this podcast!!! Bonnaroo is my favorite event of the year and this podcast keeps me excited, updated, and looking forward to it even more."

GNeff7

"This podcast truly gets me pumped for Roo. I learn new artists, there's great banter, and I feel like they're all my friends!"

Cassiosassio

"Unlike some other media outlets who focus on Roo, these guys just lay down the facts and info about the fest unlike other people who spout out “leaks and insider info” with no backing. They do it in a fun way that doesn’t drag on. If you love Roo or are interested in it, check these guys out for a fun time."

JRWenzel

"Lots of knowledge and insight from years of going from these guys. They know the festival very well and I'd recommend to any Bonnaroovian!"

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