r/bonnaroo

Is Hulaween everything Bonnaroo used to be? We put the question to John, our EDM and jam-scene correspondent, and his answer says a lot about how both festivals have changed.

John makes the case for Hulaween, String Cheese Incident's own festival at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, where the daily lineups just dropped. We get into what makes it different from Bonnaroo: the jam-forward lineup with an electronic edge, the six-hour String Cheese / My Morning Jacket / STS9 runs, and the secret sets where anyone might sit in: Goose turning up to play with Cheese, that kind of unplanned magic. It leads to a real conversation about whether Bonnaroo's special moments have started to feel scheduled instead of spontaneous, and John doesn't hold back, including some honest thoughts on this year's very EDM-heavy Thursday.

Plus: John recaps his own Bonnaroo 2026 (great, but different, and quieter than years past), we looks ahead to ShoalsFest October 3-4 in Alabama, CaveFest at The Caverns October 10-11, and take a look at the surprisingly free EDM lineup at our own River Games in Chattanooga.

This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts! If you struggle with attention span, there are timestamps in the description so you can jump to specific sections and we regularly post short form video clips of the podcast to TikTok and Instagram Reels!

The What Podcast is the longest-running and highest-rated weekly video podcast covering Bonnaroo and the broader music festival scene! Hosted by Barry Courter and Bryan Stone, two music industry veterans, the show started in 2018 as a celebration of everything Bonnaroo. Since then, it has grown to explore North America's festival landscape and the touring industry at large. Join Barry and Bryan each week for insider stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and the latest news from the world of live music.

Is this what it feels like?

Posting from a throwaway. Mods, please know this comes from someone who has cared deeply about this community for many years and is posting with genuine positivity in their heart for everyone here. Please read this post in full before removing or downvoting.

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I heard through a friend of a friend that some vendors are being told that Bonnaroo 2027 will not take place.

Please take this with an enormous grain of salt. It most likely a misunderstanding or case of crossed wires or Live Nation intentionally sharing false information in an effort to identify leaks. Personally, I think it’s a mistake, but hearing it made me think about how I would feel if 2027 ultimately didn’t happen.

It may be pure cope, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m glad this news came to me as a rumor without any indication that its actually true.

This way, when official dates, pricing, or other details are eventually announced, I believe I’ll experience a greater feeling of joy knowing I will be with thousands of my favorite strangers on the farm again after considering the alternative.

On the other hand, if news comes out from a reliable source that 2027 is officially cancelled, I’ll still be grateful to have had this time to process the possibility rather than having it come as a complete shock or taking me fully off guard like it did in 2021 and 25.

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I’m sharing this because I think there’s value in considering both possibilities, and I want everyone here to have the same opportunity before either becomes a reality.

So, yes, OK, you can downvote me now, or sound off in the comments if you have any thoughts to share. Anyone have any idea why cancelation would even be considered, or whether it would be for improvements that require an empty farm to complete?

Either way, thank you for being here, thank you for reading, for supporting one other, and for continuing to radiate positivity even when the world isn’t making it easy.

Whatever happens, we’ll get through it. ❤️

Really cool attachment this year and felt great watching the world cup with all different walks of life ❤️ i really hope they include it next year

I just realized I lost my bandana from this year and am devastated since it’s one of my favorites. Does anyone know if there’s extras?

I’m getting antsy 🤣😭 I don’t think I’ve been so anxious to get news like I’m ready to buy tickets NOWWWWWWWWWW

Did I go to the ER after Roo? Yes. Am I ashamed? No. I had a story to tell 🤣😭 ready for year 2!!

Did anyone else see the crazy guy in nothing but torn up socks asking for directions? I spotted him 4 times, and I've gotta say, after watching this poor guy literally plop down in mud and tell me he gave up finding his camp, i havent been able to stop thinking about him since roo ended; and dear gods do I hope that guy found his camp😂 anybody else spot the madman at roo 26'?

Looking for a guy named Ethan that my friends met. He invited them to his groups tent when it was raining and gave them Swedish fish and sour patch kids. Supposedly he’s really attractive, but I wasn’t there to verify. He was in his 20s, white, brown hair, mustache, pigtail braids, and he had a sister with him.

I just wanna shout out to the hotdog dudes between the two entrances in RV camping. That dog on the way out of centeroo was absolutely perfect. I was craving something with mustard cuz of all the walking and sweating. And 5 minutes later there was a free hot dog stand with mustard and ketchup.

One of the best hot dogs in my life, right up there with a 3$ hotdog and PBR in Las Vegas.

What’s the hold up?