Bonnaroo Music Festival

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is an American annual four-day music festival developed and produced by Superfly Presents and AC Entertainment. Since its first year in 2002, it has been held at what is now Great Stage Park on a 700-acre (280 ha) farm in Manchester, Tennessee. The festival typically starts on the second Thursday in June and lasts four days. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 festival was initially postponed to September 24–27, but was ultimately canceled altogether.[2] Main attractions of this festival are the multiple stages featuring live music 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, electronic, and other alternative music. Musical acts begin Wednesday evening for early arrivers, continued throughout the festival with performances starting each day around noon, and some stages entertaining festival goers until sunrise.[3]

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
GenrePop, alternative rock, indie rock, hip hop, R&B, electronic, metal, funk, stoner rock, jazz, jam bands, Americana, country, folk, bluegrass, gospel, reggae, world
DatesSecond Thursday in June, duration of four days
Location(s)Great Stage Park, Manchester, Tennessee, U.S.
Years active2002–present
Attendance80,000+ (2015)[1]
Organized bySuperfly Presents and AC Entertainment
WebsiteOfficial website

The festival was ranked in 2003 by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the "50 Moments That Changed Rock & Roll",[4] "Festival of the Decade" by Consequence of Sound, and among the 10 Best Festivals by GQ Magazine.

History

The first Bonnaroo Music Festival took place in 2002. The founders chose "bonnaroo" (Creole slang meaning a really good time) for its literal meaning and to honor the rich New Orleans music tradition that they had enjoyed in college. Bonnaroo was popularized by New Orleans R&B singer Dr. John with his 1974 album Desitively Bonnaroo.[5][6] Bonnaroo is derived from the French "bonne" pronounced [bɔn] the feminine agreement of "bon" pronounced [bɔ̃] meaning "good," and the French "rue" pronounced [ʁy] meaning "street," translating roughly to "the best on the streets".[7]

In 2019, after a record breaking festival sell out, it was announced that Live Nation was buying out Superfly's share of Bonnaroo.[8]

Economy

By 2013, the direct and indirect economic impact of the festival since inception was estimated at $51 million, including $2.9 million in tax revenue for the year 2012.[9]

In 1999, the future site of Bonnaroo also hosted the Itchycoo festival.[10]

Environmentalism

Bonnaroo actively supports recycling and sustainability.[11] In 2011, A Greener Festival recognized Bonnaroo's efforts for the previous three years with an award.[12] In 2004 Bonaroo said it prevented having to collect 120 tons of trash by encouraging fans to recycle. Food and drink are sold in organic and recyclable materials to create less waste.[13] AGF auditors review festivals, as well as requiring their self-evaluation.[12] As of late, Bonnaroo initiates many "green" activities during the festival, such as Planet Roo.[14]

Accolades

When the festival first began in 2002, USA Today referred to Bonnaroo as "The culmination of a musical movement."[15] CNN described it as: "Music and subculture melted together into a pot of creative bubbling energy."[16]

In 2008, it was named "Best Festival" by Rolling Stone magazine, calling it "the ultimate over-the-top summer festival."[17]

The New York Times said "Bonnaroo has revolutionized the modern rock festival" in 2012,[18] and Spin called it the "Best festival of the summer."[19]

Venues
Which Stage at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.

Notable performances

R&B singer D'Angelo marked his return to American stages for the first time in over 12 years[20] on June 9, 2012 with a surprise performance at the festival's annual Superjam. He was backed by members of the R&B collective The Soulquarians, most notably Questlove, James Poyser and Pino Palladino, with guest guitarist Jesse Johnson. The set was composed almost entirely of covers.[21]

Other iconic performers have been Phish (2009, 2012, 2019), Dead & Company (2016), U2 (2017), Pearl Jam (2008, 2016), Billy Joel (2015), Mumford and Sons (2011, 2015), Elton John (2014), Eminem (2011, 2018), Jack White (2014), Lionel Richie (2014), The Flaming Lips (2003, 2007, 2010, 2014), Paul McCartney (2013), Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers (2006, 2013), Wu-Tang Clan (2013), Red Hot Chili Peppers (2012, 2017), Radiohead (2006, 2012), Neil Young (2003, 2011), Dave Matthews Band (2005, 2010), Stevie Wonder (2010), Bruce Springsteen (2009), Nine Inch Nails (2009), Metallica (2008), The Police (2007), Bob Dylan (2004).[22]

Activities
Graffiti by Nashville artist Ryan McCauley on the Graffiti Wall, which separates Centeroo from the campsites.

In addition to music, Bonnaroo also offers comedy, as well as a tent dedicated to showing movies.

Soopergroop

In 2013, Bonnaroo brought its stage to YouTube.[23]

Soopergroop[24]

Annual attendance

Note: all figures are approximate

By year

See also

References
  1. Waddell, Ray (June 9, 2015). "Tale of Two Festivals: Bonnaroo and CMA Music Fest Share Tennessee But Little Else". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  2. "Bonnaroo Canceled Because of COVID-19". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  3. "Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival". Bonnaroo. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  4. Bledsoe, Wayne (May 11, 2012). "The Birth of Bonnaroo". Tennessee Alumnus Magazine. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  5. Buchanan, Leigh (May 31, 2011). "The Founders of Superfly Presents and Brains Behind Bonnaroo". Inc.com. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  6. Dougherty, Steve (March 30, 2012). "Dr. John's Unlikely New Partner". The Wall Street Journal. p. D4.
  7. "Jon Pareles at the Bonnaroo Music Festival". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2006.
  8. "Live Nation Buying Out Superfly's Share of Bonnaroo". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  9. "Study: Bonnaroo has $51M economic impact". Knoxville News Sentinel. May 20, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  10. Greenhaus, Mike https://relix.com/news/detail/from-the-friday-bonnaroo-beacon-the-ole-home-place/ Relix
  11. Archived January 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  12. "46 Festivals Win The Coveted Greener Festival Award". Agreenerfestival.com. October 27, 2011. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  13. "13 Years of Green | Bonnaroo 2015". Bonnaroo.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  14. "Save the Planet". Bonnaroo. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  15. "Bonnaroo bands jam for a wider audience". USA Today. June 25, 2002. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  16. Joseph Van Harken CNN. "Raising the Bonnaroof - Jun. 18, 2003". CNN. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  17. "The 125-Plus People, Places and Things Ruling the Rock & Roll Universe : Rolling Stone". March 3, 2009. Archived from the original on April 4, 2010. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  18. "SUMMER FESTIVALS: POP AND JAZZ; Bonnaroo Jams In Everyone". The New York Times. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  19. SPIN - Google Boeken. November 2003. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  20. "Watch DAngelo & Questlove's Bonnaroo Superjam". consequenceofsound.net. March 20, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  21. "Bonnaroo Superjam Setlist at Bonnaroo 2012". setlist.fm. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  22. "Bonnaroo Past Lineups". Bonnaroo. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  23. Shaw, Lucas (November 12, 2013). "Bonnaroo Launches 'Soopergroop' Documentary Series (Exclusive)". Thewrap.com. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  24. "Bonnaroo & INDMUSIC Release Soopergroop Docuseries". LBBOnline. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  25. Bledsoe, Wayne (June 3, 2010). "Bonnaroo 2010: What a long, strange trip it's been". Knoxville.com. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  26. Beaujon, Andrew (August 7, 2003). "Bonnaroo 2003 Music Festival". Spin. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  27. Waddell, Ray (June 14, 2004). "Bonnaroo Scores High Gross, Attendance". Billboard. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  28. Bob Grossweiner & Jane Cohen (June 16, 2009). "Bonnaroo 2009 sees attendance increase over last year's festival totals". Ticket News. Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  29. Mary Jayne McKay (June 14, 2010). "Bonnaroo 2010: Hot Times on Stage and Off". CBS News. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  30. Kavner, Lucas (June 14, 2011). "Bonnaroo Festival Reports Tenth Death Since 2002". HuffPost. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  31. Wenzel, Patti (June 12, 2012). "Festival Season: Four days at Bonnaroo". ThirdCoastDaily.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  32. Hickey, Ric (July 14, 2013). "Bonnaroo 2013: Walk The Moon Thrills". City Beat. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  33. Ryan, Patrick (June 12, 2014). "Bonnaroo kicks off today". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 16, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  34. "Bonnaroo's Ticket Sales Plummet".
  35. "The Tennessean". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  36. Paulson, David; Rau, Nate. "Bonnaroo bounces back: In dramatic turnaround, 2019 festival to sell out". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
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