Bonnaroo 2024 wasn’t for the faint of heart. The Tennessee sun blazed down mercilessly upon the 70,000 attendees, creating a festival experience that was equal parts music marathon and sweat bath. But through the haze and the heat, the magic of Bonnaroo endured. Music lovers braved the elements, forming a vibrant community around the shared love of live music.
As always, the weekend was packed with awesome music from the biggest stage in Centeroo to the smallest ones in Outeroo. On the main stage, still known as the What Stage, Post Malone didn’t disappoint, grinning throughout his performance and even bringing out bluegrass star Billy Strings for a surprise duet.
Cage the Elephant took the energy to another level with its electric performance, engaging with the crowd throughout the whole set.
Photos by Ashleigh Newnes
Chappell Roan’s meteoric rise to fame was made undeniable at this year’s ‘Roo. Having originally slated her for a smaller stage, festival organizers scrambled to accommodate the surging popularity of this breakout artist, moving her set to a bigger stage to handle the crowds.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers delivered a set packed with classics, but many in the crowd opted for a dose of nostalgia toward the end of that group’s funk-rock performance, leaving early to catch T-Pain on the Which Stage. Maggie Rogers brought her signature twirling energy to the stage, and crowds went nuts for Reneé Rapp.
Dashboard Confessional continued the Bonnaroo tradition of the epic Super Jam, bringing together a group of all-star musicians for an unforgettable emo performance.
This year’s festival saw a strong emphasis on electronic music, with headliners like Fred again.. and Pretty Lights plus numerous electronic artists scattered throughout the lineup. Some may not be fans of this ongoing Bonnaroo shift from jam bands to electronic music, but for those uninterested in Fred again.., Pretty Lights and the like, it did open up time to discover new sounds in the shade of the smaller tents. Happy Landing and Jobi Riccio are two artists from the How Stage lineup that left a lasting impression with both their performances and their personalities.
The annual Bonnaroo Pride Parade brought a vibrant splash of color through the campgrounds Saturday morning. Even many of those seeking refuge from the blazing sun in their tents couldn’t resist cheering on the parade from the sidelines.
As the last notes faded and the final beats dropped on the 22nd Bonnaroo, a bittersweet feeling settled over The Farm—exhaustion mingled with exhilaration, sunburns with singalong memories. Already, the rumor mill is churning about the 2025 lineup, and Bonnaroo will likely continue to forge memories in the summer heat with unforgettable music and spirit for years to come.
