The What Podcast - Bonnaroo, Festival Culture & Live Music

Latest Episode

Bonnaroo Changed My Life: The Yearbook Guy's Story

Season 9, Episode 13 March 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. He explains how a simple journal turned into the Bonnaroo Yearbook, how that idea exploded across Hulaween and Okeechobee, and how documenting festival culture helped him find confidence, connection, and purpose.

We also dive into the massive growth of the Yearbook project, the behind-the-scenes work that goes into each book, the emotional fallout of Bonnaroo 2025, what we're looking forward to at Bonnaroo 2026, and Caleb's new collaboration with the festival itself. Finally, Caleb sticks around for a little bit of vinyl talk, where we show off some of our most valuable records from our collections.

Get your very own copy of The Bonnaroo Yearbook at 50% using coupon code THEWHATPODCAST: bonnarooyearbook.com

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

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

We Play Your Bonnaroo Contest Entries...They Hit Hard

S09E04 Jan 7, 2026 1h 10m Video

We're back after a short holiday break, and catching up on everything that's happened in the world of Bonnaroo and music festivals. In this episode, we reflect on our biggest moments from 2025, and how they shaped us as fans. Plus, does Bryan have a new favorite artist discovery from the 2026 lineup? Then, the heart of this episode comes from you! We play some of the Bonnaroo contest entries sent directly from listeners, and honestly the stories, memories, and emotions behind them hit harder than we ever expected. Read More

Bonnaroo Isn't About the Headliners Anymore: Brad Steiner's Don't-Miss Picks

S09E03 Dec 24, 2025 59m Video Chattanooga, TN

Former What Podcast host Brad Steiner is back, and he's bringing his most trusted Bonnaroo instincts with him. Recorded on location at Lo Main in Chattanooga, this episode features Brad alongside Bryan Stone and Barry Courter as they dig into why Bonnaroo isn't about the headliners anymore, and how the real magic of the festival lives deeper in the lineup. Read More

Bonnaroo Veterans React to the 2026 Lineup (What Stands Out)

S09E02 Dec 17, 2025 1h 4m Video

In this episode of The What Podcast, Bonnaroo veterans Beth and Bryan share their first impressions of the Bonnaroo 2026 lineup, breaking down what truly stands out and what feels different. They discuss genre balance, booking reactions across the Bonnaroo community, and ongoing questions around female artists and headliner representation. Read More

Bonnaroo 2026 Lineup Breakdown with Cory & Tuba: Early Release, Big Changes, and What to Expect

S09E01 Dec 2, 2025 1h 5m Video

The Bonnaroo 2026 lineup is here! In this episode, Cory Smith and Tim "Tuba" Smith from C3 Presents join the show to discuss the early release of the Bonnaroo 2026 lineup, why the team moved faster than usual, and how fan feedback shaped major decisions after a challenging 2025. They break down the strategy behind landing Skrillex for a massive Thursday kickoff, the shift to Wednesday entry, capacity adjustments, campsite and drainage improvements, and new communication tools like the return of Bonnaroo Radio. Read More

Reviews for The What Podcast

Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts

"I couldn't go to bonnaroo last year and one of the only things that made that bearable was The What Podcast...Brad and Barry you guys are awesome!! Funny, entertaining, insightful and true roo lovers. I loved all the guests on the show last year and was so excited when the first episode for this year came out."

mistyfamous

"It’s nice to hear some roo vets discuss their opinions/knowledge of the festival"

heyyhiihelllo

"Love listening to these guys chat about their perspectives on festivals, they’re funny and entertaining, and it gets me excited to think about the next festival and hearing people talk about it. It’s fun to listen to when you’re just chilling or driving to work! It’s comforting as well"

Chloessa

"Been listening since the beginning of the year when I got my first Bonnaroo ticket. Very informative and fun dynamic personalities to listen to. I very much enjoy the What Podcast! can't wait to see em on the Farm"

Meme Christian

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