Bonnaroo

Ashley Capps, co-founder of AC Entertainment, developed Bonnaroo following the cancellation of the Hot Summer Nights rock music festival in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1999. Hot Summer Nights, which was a mainstay in Knoxville's World's Fair Park would suspend operations permanently following construction by city officials. Capps would state that the cancellation would be the main drive behind the origin of Bonnaroo, "The closing of the World's Fair Park for concerts precipitated getting creative and trying to find, 'OK, if we can't do this anymore, how can we still participate in the summer outdoor concert business,' and it was from that that Bonnaroo was ultimately launched."{{cite news |last1=Wilusz |first1=Ryan |title=Bonnaroo, America's favorite music festival, was born of canceled plans and construction |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2021/04/28/bonnaroo-how-knoxville-worlds-fair-park-inspired-tennessee-music-festival/7211168002/ |access-date=April 29, 2021 |work=Knoxville News Sentinel |date=April 28, 2021}}

In 1999, the future site of Bonnaroo hosted the Itchycoo Park Festival (named after the song Itchycoo Park by Small Faces), which is considered the spiritual predecessor to the original Bonaroo music festival. Unlike Bonnaroo, the Itchycoo Park Festival was considered an overall failure.{{Cite web |last=Greenhaus |first=Mike |date=2019-06-14 |title=From the Friday ‘Bonnaroo Beacon’: The Ole Home Place |url=https://relix.com/news/detail/from-the-friday-bonnaroo-beacon-the-ole-home-place/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026132348/https://relix.com/news/detail/from-the-friday-bonnaroo-beacon-the-ole-home-place/ |archive-date=2020-10-26 |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Relix}} 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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.inc.com/magazine/201106/how-we-did-it-superfly-presents.html |title=The Founders of Superfly Presents and Brains Behind Bonnaroo |last=Buchanan |first=Leigh |date=May 31, 2011 |work=Inc.com |access-date=July 8, 2015}}{{Cite news |title=Dr. John's Unlikely New Partner |last=Dougherty |first=Steve |date=March 30, 2012 |work=The Wall Street Journal |page=D4}} Bonnaroo is derived from the French "bonne" {{IPA|fr|bɔn|pron}} the feminine agreement of "bon" {{IPA|fr|bɔ̃|pron}} meaning "good", and the French "rue" {{IPA|fr|ʁy|pron}} meaning "street", translating roughly to "the best on the streets".{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/ref/arts/music/bonnaroo-journal.html |title=Jon Pareles at the Bonnaroo Music Festival |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 19, 2006}} The festival site is known as "the farm" by festival goers and locals, due to its location on what used to be 700 acres of farm land.

In 2019, after a record breaking festival sell out, it was announced that Live Nation was buying out Superfly's share of Bonnaroo.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8517202/live-nation-superfly-bonnaroo-share-purchase |title=Live Nation Buying Out Superfly's Share of Bonnaroo |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 29, 2019}}

The 2020 event was initially pushed back three months until September 2020, and then ultimately cancelled because of health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The 2021 event was canceled due to torrential rainfall from Hurricane Ida saturating the stage area, campgrounds, and tollbooth area, and making ground conditions unsuitable for vehicle traffic only a few days before the event was scheduled to take place.{{cite news|last=Leimkuehler|first=Matthew|date=August 31, 2021|title=Bonnaroo 2021 is canceled because of 'waterlogged' festival grounds|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/2021/08/31/bonnaroo-2021-canceled-the-campgrounds-flooded/5671705001/|work=The Tennessean|location=Nashville|access-date=}}

Hulu has exclusively streamed the festival from 2022 to 2024, alongside Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza.{{cite web|last=Haring|first=Bruce|title=Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits Will Stream Exclusively Via Hulu Through 2023|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/bonnaroo-lollapalooza-austin-city-limits-streaming-via-hulu-through-2023-1235021825/|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 12, 2022}}

In 2009 the Bonnaroo Works Fund was created as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for the festival.{{cite web |title=Bonaroo Works Fund |url=https://bonnarooworksfund.org/ |access-date=23 November 2022}} The organization awards grants to local non-profits and schools.{{cite web |title=Who We Support |url=https://bonnarooworksfund.org/whowesupport |website=Bonaroo Works Fund |access-date=23 November 2022}}

By 2013, the direct and indirect economic impact of the festival since its inception was estimated at $51 million, including $2.9 million in tax revenue for the year 2012.{{Cite web |url=http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/may/20/study-bonnaroo-has-51m-economic-impact/ |title=Study: Bonnaroo has $51M economic impact |date=May 20, 2013 |work=Knoxville News Sentinel |access-date=June 14, 2014}}

In 2023, Bonnaroo contributed $339.8 million to the regional economy (including over $5.1 million in tax revenue), and created or supported 4,163 full-time job equivalents.{{Cite web |last=Hurt |first=Melonee |title=Bonnaroo poured $339 million into Tennessee economy in 2023, study says |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/bonnaroo/2024/01/08/bonnaroo-generates-339-million-for-tennessee-economy-study-estimates/72113207007/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}

Bonnaroo actively supports recycling and sustainability.[http://www.bonnaroo.com/festival/greening-activism.aspx] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080123072138/http://www.bonnaroo.com/festival/greening-activism.aspx|date=January 23, 2008}} In 2011, A Greener Festival recognized Bonnaroo's efforts for the previous three years with an award.{{Cite web |url=http://www.agreenerfestival.com/2011/10/46-festivals-win-our-coveted-award/ |title=46 Festivals Win The Coveted Greener Festival Award |date=October 27, 2011 |publisher=Agreenerfestival.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918065232/http://www.agreenerfestival.com/2011/10/46-festivals-win-our-coveted-award/ |archive-date=September 18, 2012 |access-date=November 2, 2012}} In 2004 Bonnaroo 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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bonnaroo.com/get-involved/sustainability/greening-history |title=13 Years of Green | Bonnaroo 2015 |publisher=Bonnaroo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114744/http://www.bonnaroo.com/get-involved/sustainability/greening-history |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=July 8, 2015}} AGF auditors review festivals, as well as requiring their self-evaluation. As of late, Bonnaroo has initiated many "green" activities during the festival, such as Planet Roo.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bonnaroo.com/activities/environment-health-wellness |title=Save the Planet |website=Bonnaroo |access-date=February 4, 2016}}

When the festival began in 2002, USA Today referred to Bonnaroo as "the culmination of a musical movement."{{Cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2002/2002-06-25-bonnaroo.htm |title=Bonnaroo bands jam for a wider audience |date=June 25, 2002 |website=USA Today |access-date=November 2, 2012}} CNN described it as "music and subculture melted together into a pot of creative bubbling energy."{{Cite news |last=Van Harken |first=Joseph |title=Raising the Bonnaroof - Jun. 18, 2003 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/18/sprj.cas03.bonnaroo.cover/index.html?iref=allsearch |access-date=November 2, 2012 |publisher=CNN}}

In 2008, it was named "Best Festival" by Rolling Stone magazine, calling it "the ultimate over-the-top summer festival".{{Cite magazine |url=http://rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/20200609/page/23 |title=The 125-Plus People, Places and Things Ruling the Rock & Roll Universe : Rolling Stone |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404161938/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/20200609/page/23 |archive-date=April 4, 2010 |access-date=July 8, 2015}} The New York Times said "Bonnaroo has revolutionized the modern rock festival" in 2012,{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/02/arts/summer-festivals-pop-and-jazz-bonnaroo-jams-in-everyone.html?pagewanted=10 |title=SUMMER FESTIVALS: POP AND JAZZ; Bonnaroo Jams In Everyone |work=The New York Times |date=May 2, 2004 |access-date=November 2, 2012|last1=Sisario |first1=Ben }} Spin called it the "best festival of the summer",{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JZ4ej5RmWFUC&q=%25E2%2580%259CBest%20festival%20of%20the%20summer%25E2%2580%259D%20%25E2%2580%2593%20SPIN&pg=PA110%23v |title=SPIN - Google Boeken |date=November 2003 |access-date=November 2, 2012}} and the Grammy's have deemed it "the pinnacle of summer music festivals".{{Cite web |title=Bonnaroo: The Pinnacle Of Summer Music Festivals {{!}} GRAMMY.com |url=https://grammy.com/news/bonnaroo-the-pinnacle-of-summer-music-festivals |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=grammy.com}} Billboard named Bonnaroo the 8th best music festival in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Dave |date=2022-06-28 |title=Billboard’s Top 50 Festivals of 2022, Ranked |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/concerts/top-50-festivals-2022-1235089182/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}

Bonnaroo has been referred to as "the Glastonbury Festival of the United States", due to comparisons with the massive British festival, including the necessity of camping, the communal vibes of the attendees, and the large farm grounds it takes place on.{{Cite news |last=Locker |first=Melissa |date=2016-06-08 |title=Bonnaroo: high fives to the Glastonbury of American music festivals |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jun/08/bonnaroo-music-festival-tennessee-history-pearl-jam-lcd-soundsystem |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

File:Which.jpgBonnaroo has various stages in the venue area (called "Centeroo") and in the campground area (called "Outeroo").{{Cite web |title=Centeroo and Outeroo Maps - Bonnaroo Information |url=https://support.bonnaroo.com/hc/en-us/articles/4402685420948-Centeroo-Outeroo-Maps |website=Bonnaroo.com}} Centeroo stages include the What Stage, Which Stage, That Tent, This Tent, and The Other Stage (previously "The Other Tent", but changed to a full stage to accommodate the growth of EDM at the festival).{{Cite web |last=Paulson |first=Dave |title=Bonnaroo introduces new stage |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/03/21/bonnaroo-introduces-new-stage/99456550/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}} Outeroo stages in the campgrounds vary year-to-year, but has included a Where in the Woods Stage since 2018, which exclusively offers electronic music shows during late night hours.{{Cite web |last=Buitrago |first=Juan |title=Get lost in the woods with Bonnaroo's new surreal campground experience |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/bonnaroo/2019/06/15/bonnaroo-2019-where-woods-campground-surprise-dj-sets/1464871001/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}} The biggest stage that headliners appear on, the What Stage, can accommodate up to 80,000 fans.{{Cite web |last=Rau |first=Nate |title=Pairing the right band with the right stage at Bonnaroo |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/bonnaroo/2014/06/15/bonnaroo-stage-best-band/10552297/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US}}

R&B singer D'Angelo marked his return to American stages for the first time in over 12 years{{Cite web |url=http://consequence.net/2013/03/watch-dangelo-questloves-bonnaroo-superjam |title=Watch DAngelo & Questlove's Bonnaroo Superjam |date=March 20, 2013 |website=consequence.net |access-date=March 30, 2018}} 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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bonnaroo-superjam/2012/great-stage-park-manchester-tn-33df3cb9.html |title=Bonnaroo Superjam Setlist at Bonnaroo 2012 |website=setlist.fm |access-date=March 30, 2018}}

In 2009, Beastie Boys played their final ever show at the festival.{{cite web |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |title=Watch Beastie Boys' Final Concert From Bonnaroo 2009 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beastie-boys-final-concert-bonnaroo-2009-video-1067178/ |website=Rolling Stone |date=26 September 2020}}

Other performers have included Widespread Panic (2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011), Phish (2009, 2012, 2019), The Dead (2003, 2004), Dead & Company (2016), U2 (2017), Pearl Jam (2008, 2016), Billy Joel (2015), Mumford & Sons (2011, 2015), Elton John (2014), Eminem (2011, 2018), Jack White (2010, 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, 2024), Radiohead (2006, 2012), Neil Young (2003, 2011), Dave Matthews Band (2005, 2010), Stevie Wonder (2010), Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (2009), Nine Inch Nails (2009), Metallica (2008), the Police (2007), Tool (2007, 2022), and Bob Dylan (2004).{{Cite web |url=http://lineup.bonnaroo.com/past/2015 |title=Bonnaroo Past Lineups |website=Bonnaroo |access-date=February 4, 2016 |archive-date=September 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924174524/http://lineup.bonnaroo.com/past/2015 |url-status=dead }}

File:Bonnarooooooooo-bot.JPG

In addition to music, Bonnaroo used to offer comedy and cinema in a dedicated tent, but the tent was removed in 2018.{{Cite web |date=2017-06-08 |title=Deadnecks and sound checks: An oral history of Bonnaroo’s comedy tent |url=https://www.avclub.com/deadnecks-and-sound-checks-an-oral-history-of-bonnaroo-1798263115 |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en}}

Currently, Bonnaroo offers a plethora of various artistic, environmental, and community activities throughout the weekend in both Centeroo and Outeroo. These activities include parades, dance shows, yoga, sustainability lessons, a 5k run, a marriage barn, a water slide, vendor markets, and more.{{Cite web |title=Beyond the Music {{!}} Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival |url=https://www.bonnaroo.com/beyond-the-music |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=www.bonnaroo.com |language=en}}

Note: all figures are approximate

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• 2002: 70,000{{Cite web |url=http://www.knoxville.com/news/2010/jun/03/bonnaroo-2010-trip/ |title=Bonnaroo 2010: What a long, strange trip it's been |last=Bledsoe |first=Wayne |date=June 3, 2010 |publisher=Knoxville.com |access-date=June 17, 2013}}
• 2003: 80,000{{Cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2003/08/bonnaroo-2003-music-festival/ |title=Bonnaroo 2003 Music Festival |last=Beaujon |first=Andrew |date=Aug 7, 2003 |work=Spin|access-date=June 16, 2014}}
• 2004: 90,000{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1435581/bonnaroo-scores-high-gross-attendance |title=Bonnaroo Scores High Gross, Attendance |last=Waddell |first=Ray |date=June 14, 2004 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 17, 2013 |archive-date=May 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531072458/http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1435581/bonnaroo-scores-high-gross-attendance |url-status=dead }}
• 2005: 76,000
• 2006: 80,000
• 2007: 80,000
• 2008: 70,000
• 2009: 75,000–80,000{{Cite web |url=http://www.ticketnews.com/news/Bonnaroo-2009-sees-attendance-increase-over-last-years-festival-totals6916375 |title=Bonnaroo 2009 sees attendance increase over last year's festival totals |last=Bob Grossweiner & Jane Cohen |date=June 16, 2009 |publisher=Ticket News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407203509/http://www.ticketnews.com/news/Bonnaroo-2009-sees-attendance-increase-over-last-years-festival-totals6916375 |archive-date=April 7, 2013 |access-date=June 17, 2013}}
• 2010: 75,000{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bonnaroo-2010-hot-times-on-stage-and-off/ |title=Bonnaroo 2010: Hot Times on Stage and Off |last=Mary Jayne McKay |date=June 14, 2010 |work=CBS News |access-date=June 17, 2013}}
• 2011: 80,000{{Cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/14/bonnaroo-festival-reports-tenth-death_n_877005.html |title=Bonnaroo Festival Reports Tenth Death Since 2002 |last=Kavner |first=Lucas |date=June 14, 2011 |website=HuffPost |access-date=June 17, 2013}}
• 2012: 100,000{{Cite web |url=http://thirdcoastdaily.com/2012/06/festival-season-four-days-at-bonnaroo/ |title=Festival Season: Four days at Bonnaroo |last=Wenzel |first=Patti |date=June 12, 2012 |publisher=ThirdCoastDaily.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527013149/http://thirdcoastdaily.com/2012/06/festival-season-four-days-at-bonnaroo |archive-date=May 27, 2013 |access-date=June 17, 2013}}
• 2013: 90,000{{Cite web |url=http://citybeat.com/cincinnati/blog-4768-bonnaroo_2013_walk_the_moon_thrills.html |title=Bonnaroo 2013: Walk The Moon Thrills |last=Hickey |first=Ric |date=July 14, 2013 |publisher=City Beat |access-date=June 16, 2014}}
• 2014: 90,000+ (estimated){{Cite web |url=http://www.wbir.com/story/entertainment/events/2014/06/12/bonnaroo-kicks-off-today/10375231/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140616215810/http://www.wbir.com/story/entertainment/events/2014/06/12/bonnaroo-kicks-off-today/10375231/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 16, 2014 |title=Bonnaroo kicks off today |last=Ryan |first=Patrick |date=June 12, 2014 |work=USA Today |access-date=June 16, 2014}}
• 2015: 74,000
• 2016: 45,500{{Cite web |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2016/07/14/bonnaroos-ticket-sales-plummet-28000/87003736/ |title=Bonnaroo's Ticket Sales Plummet|website=The Tennessean }}
• 2017: 65,000{{Cite web |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/.../bonnaroo/2017/bonnaroo-attendance...392936001/ |title=The Tennessean |website=The Tennessean |access-date=March 30, 2018}}
• 2019: 80,000{{Cite news |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/bonnaroo/2019/06/10/bonnaroo-2019-sells-out-dramatic-turnaround/1370144001/ |title=Bonnaroo bounces back: In dramatic turnaround, 2019 festival to sell out |last1=Paulson |first1=David |access-date=December 21, 2019 |work=The Tennessean |last2=Rau |first2=Nate}}
• 2020: 0 (Canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic)
• 2021: 0 (Canceled due to flooding from Hurricane Ida)
• 2022: 40,000{{Cite web |url=https://www.newschannel5.com/news/music-and-festival-lovers-are-already-camping-out-for-bonnaroo/ |title=Music and festival lovers are already camping out for Bonnaroo |last=Gibbs |first=Kelsey |date=June 15, 2022 | website=NewsChannel5.com |access-date=June 30, 2023}}
• 2023: 85,000{{Cite web |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/bonnaroo/2023/06/15/bonnaroo-kicks-off-with-sellout-pride-and-85000-fans/70326520007// |title='It feels good': Bonnaroo returns, greeting 85,000 music fans at The Farm | last=Lunsford |first=Mackensy |date=June 15, 2023 |publisher=The Tennessean |website=The Tennessean |access-date=June 23, 2023}}
• 2024: 70,000

{{div col end}}

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• 2002 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2003 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2004 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2005 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2006 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2007 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2008 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2009 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2010 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2011 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2012 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2013 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2014 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2015 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2016 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2017 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2018 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2019 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2022 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2023 Bonnaroo Music Festival
• 2024 Bonnaroo Music Festival{{div col end}}

{{Portal|Rock music}}

• List of historic rock festivals
• List of jam band music festivals

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival}}

• [http://www.bonnaroo.com Bonnaroo.com] Official Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival website
• [https://culturalart.info/bonnaroo-2023/ Bonnaroo 2023 Lineup Announced]
• [http://www.greatstagepark.com GreatStagePark.com] Official Site of Bonnaroo Property
• [http://www.Inforoo.com Inforoo.com] The Unofficial Bonnaroo Message Board
• [http://www.poorvin.com/roo/ Survival Guide] Leo's Unofficial Bonnaroo Survival Guide
• [http://www.howdoyouroo.com How Do You Roo? A Survivor's Pocket Guide to Bonnaroo (Lulu, 2010)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228075449/http://www.howdoyouroo.com/ |date=February 28, 2020 }} The first (and only) unofficial guidebook to the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival

{{Bonnaroo Music Festival}}

{{Music venues of Tennessee}}

{{Rock festivals}}

{{authority control}}

Category:2002 establishments in Tennessee

Category:Counterculture festivals

Category:Jam band festivals

Category:Landmarks in Tennessee

Category:Music festivals established in 2002

Category:Music festivals in Tennessee

Category:Rock festivals in the United States

Category:Tourist attractions in Coffee County, Tennessee