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Latest episode

What Makes Bonnaroo Worth Saving?

Season 9, Episode 43 November 4, 2026 59m Video

What makes Bonnaroo worth saving? Is it the music, the people, the traditions, or something you can't quite explain until you've experienced it? Full episode page →

Barry CourterLord Taco

Chapters 6

The longest-running and highest-rated weekly show about Bonnaroo, festival culture, and live music

What is The What?

Artist interviews

Conversations with the artists who play the festivals we cover.

Behind the scenes

Festival organizers, bookers and industry insiders on how a festival comes together.

Festival community

The fans, camps and groups who make festival weekends what they are.


Previous Episodes

29m

S09E40Oct 14, 2026 Video Pelham, TN

CaveFest 2026 Recap: Live From The Caverns

Live from The Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee, we recap CaveFest 2026 with our ticket winner, plus the venue, the music, and the camping. Barry and Russ are joined by Bryan, back on the show after a couple of months, our bicoastal correspondent Elizabeth Thorpe, who flew in from Washington State for her third CaveFest, and Abby, the fan who won our ticket giveaway and is at her very first CaveFest! Listen to this week's episode here or watch it on YouTube.

46m

S09E39Oct 7, 2026 Video

Bourbon & Beyond 2026 Recap From Two Festival Veterans

Two festival veterans break down Bourbon & Beyond 2026 in Louisville: the crowd, the hotels, the VIP setup, the beer prices, and the weather. Barry and Russ are joined by our senior and junior correspondents, Trevin Bernarding and David Champion, who go to several festivals every year. They review the festival from the gate to the stage, then compare it with the rest of the circuit and look ahead to 2027.

40m

S09E38Sep 30, 2026 Video

The Musician Who Plays Mushrooms

How do you play a mushroom? This week we're joined by Tarun Nayar of Modern Biology, a Vancouver-based musician who uses bioelectric signals from mushrooms, plants, and other living organisms to create music. Using custom-built devices and synthesizers, Tarun translates biological activity into musical information, creating performances that blend science, technology, improvisation, and art.

44m

S09E37Sep 23, 2026 Video

We Got Evacuated at Shaky Knees 2026

The rain and heat at Shaky Knees 2026 did not stop Russ from having a good time in Atlanta! We catch up live from the hotel on Saturday morning and then the full recap in this episode: the heat, the lineup, and the Saturday storm and evacuation. Hear about notable performances from Turnstile, Fontaines D.

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Barry Courter, Bryan Stone, and Lord Taco. Photo by Elizabeth Thorpe
Bonnaroo is more than just a festival, and The What Podcast is your backstage pass to the stories, secrets, and the magic that makes it so legendary. Hosted by two entertainment industry veterans, each week Barry and Bryan will take you deep into festival culture, live music, and behind-the-scenes stories. Since 2018, we've connected with passionate music fans worldwide, sharing personal experiences, expert insights, and exclusive interviews with the musicians and industry insiders who make festivals happen. Whether you're a Bonnaroo veteran or a first-timer, subscribe now to stay in the loop on everything that makes music festivals unforgettable.

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