The What Podcast - Bonnaroo, Festival News, and More

Latest Episode

How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo

Season 8, Episode 28 July 9, 2025 51m Video Manchester, TN

In this special live episode of The What Podcast from Bonnaroo 2025 at Planet Roo, hosts Barry, Bryan, and Lord Taco moderate an insightful panel celebrating the festival's cultural, civic, and economic impact on Manchester, Tennessee, and the broader region. Guests include Priscilla Norman, Rebecca French ("Miss Bonnaroo"), Festival Director Brad Parker of C3 Presents, and Ryan French from the City of Manchester. Together, they share personal stories of their Bonnaroo beginnings, reflect on the festival's evolution since 2002, and underscore its transformation into a generational rite of passage that fuses community spirit with musical magic.

The conversation highlights how Bonnaroo has become a year-round civic partner - investing millions into local schools, infrastructure, and nonprofit organizations through the Bonnaroo Works Fund. Stories range from prankish memories of sneaking into early fests to tales of locals opening swimming pools to traffic-trapped fans. They also address complex dynamics like city annexation and festival logistics while honoring the late co-founder Jonathan Mayers and unveiling new initiatives like the Infinity Stage and enhanced charitable integration. The panel closes with reflections on Bonnaroo's irreplaceable role as a beacon of positivity, unity, and transformation in both local and global festival culture.

Got something to say about Bonnaroo? Call our voicemail line at (423) 667-7877 and tell us what Bonnaroo means to you. We just might feature your message on a future episode!

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!

Photo by: David Bruce

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Previous Episodes

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S08E26 Jun 25, 2025 35m Video

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

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

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

S08E21 May 21, 2025 1h 3m Video

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The Bonnaroo 2025 Bandana Debate: What Fans Are Saying

S08E20 May 14, 2025 1h 6m Video

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

S08E19 May 7, 2025 1h 27m Video

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Bonnaroo 2025 Schedule Breakdown: Highlights, Conflicts & Surprises

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Reviews for The What Podcast

Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts

"I’m loving having an episode a week talking about my favorite festival I’ve ever been to. (Bonnaroo Vet 15,16) Keep up the great work and keep talking about the best place in the world!"

Bluuuurp

"Sparky Totem here to say we love the Pod and look forward to seeing you on the farm."

MoRoRadio

"Glad to have an outlet of fellow roo heads. Love to added element to expand the community of roo"

zcaetta

"Love hearing this podcast in the weeks leading up to Bonnaroo. Always helps to pump me up for what is to come. I love hearing them talk about and play selections from some of the artists lower on the lineup that I probably wouldn’t have listened to otherwise. So thanks guys!! Hope to see you on the farm this year!"

Chelsea.Davis

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