Festival Recap: Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival

Festival season is in full swing, and I wanted to take a moment and share with you my incredible recent experience at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Bonnaroo is an annual four-day music festival set on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. This was my first year attending and it’s already become one of my most favorite festivals to date! The fest was largely influenced by art rock concerts of the late 1960s and early 1970s (including the legendary Woodstock Music & Art Fair).  It was even ranked in 2003 by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the “50 Moments That Changed Rock & Roll,” “Festival of the Decade” by Consequence of Sound, and among the 10 Best Festivals by GQ. Needless to say, it lived up to its expectations… I had a blast frolicking around and discovering all that the festival had to offer.

Although there are several activities at this festival, the music remained one of the main attractions… including performances by Pearl Jam, LCD Soundsystem, Ellie Goulding and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.  There were multiple stages featuring live acts with a diverse array of musical styles (including indie rock, classic rock, world music, hip hop, jazz, americana, bluegrass, country music, folk, gospel, reggae, pop, electronica, and other alternative music).  I learned that the festival began with a focus on jam bands and folk rock.  It has diversified in recent years but continues to pay tribute to its roots, which we love!  In addition, there were several craftsmen and artisans selling unique products, food and drink vendors, a comedy tent, silent disco, cinema tent, and a Ferris wheel.  If you ever find yourself in Tennessee, I’d highly recommend attending this festival.  And as for me, I can finally cross it off our festival bucket list!