Day three of Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, featured high heat, Pride celebrations, art attractions and stellar performances by Alabama Shakes, Rüfüs Du Sol and Superjâm Esoteríca: The Alchemy of Pop, presented by Kesha.
Aside from a little rain and mud, day three felt like classic ‘Roo — sweltering, humid and booming music — after day one was interrupted by a power outage and day two was marked by mud across The Farm.
Pride parade in celebration of Pride Month:
Roovians celebrated Pride Month with a colorful parade that weaved across the festival grounds.
Drag queens were on stilts, in full glam and armed with bubble guns, bringing a celebrate-who-you-are spirit. The parade started in Outeroo and made its way into Centeroo, stopping at the fountain for a dance circle.
Many participants jumped in the middle, earning cheers for their dance moves and moxie. The music was loud, and the buzz didn’t wear off even as the crowd thinned out. The parade was a celebration of love and embracing what it means to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Alabama Shakes:
Southern rock band Alabama Shakes performed with soul, creating a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere on the What Stage.
Brittany Howard opened by belting “Rise to the Sun,” then clung to her mint electric guitar as she rocked along to the rest of the set. Following Friday’s trend of artists advocating for various political issues, Howard sported an “ICE OUT” button on the strap of both guitars she toggled between during the set.
The energy never died once the band took the stage, and Howard encouraged the crowd to keep making memories throughout the festival.
“I hope y’all make friends,” she said. “I hope you leave all your worlds behind and just have a good time, okay?”
Puppet Making Workshop:
About 50 people came together at the Why Barn in Plaza Two to create walking puppets for Sunday’s Puppet Parade, hosted by Cattywampus. The Knoxville, Tennessee-based organization advocates for easy access to art for everyone. On Sunday, they plan to hold a giant street-theater parade through Outeroo into Centroo with New Orleans-style jazz band The Knox Honkers and Bangers.
Each attendee contributed to the towering, flower-like “Dandelion,” a puppet that sported a Bonnaroo-themed top, a face based on the festival logo and an outfit made from scrap fabric. All materials used for the puppets were recycled trash items that would have ended up in a landfill.
“We really love witnessing and facilitating the joy in our community that art making brings,” volunteer Evora Kries said. “Art should be for everybody. Every person should have access to art.”
SuperJam:
Kesha hosted “Superjâm Esoteríca: The Alchemy of Pop” at This Tent on Saturday night, putting on a lively, nostalgia-packed show that had the crowd singing along the whole time. She was joined by ‘Roo artists Del Water Gap, Grouplove, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, as well as surprise guest Margo Price.
Kesha kicked things off with her viral hit “TiK ToK,” then moved into a remix of 2000s and 2020s favorites “…Baby One More Time” and Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar.” Other covers included The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” and a standout rendition of The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside.”
Kesha also honored the legacy of Prince and shared her unusual connection to the legendary artist. At 18, she broke into his Paisley Park estate to play him her record, and he cut the then-unknown singer a break by not reporting the incident to police. Rain showers rolled in as she began a cover of “Purple Rain,” providing a dramatic background to her tribute.
“I felt Prince in that moment,” said Superjam attendee Roxanne Acree, 34. “I was like, ‘he’s here with us right now.’ It was so magical and really cool, and I’m really grateful to be here.”
Rüfüs Du Sol:
Rüfüs Du Sol wrapped up the night for early-goers and kicked things off for the after-hours crowd.
The Australian alternative dance trio, made up of Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George and James Hunt, brought their signature mix of atmospheric beats and vocals to the stage, turning the What Stage into a lively dancefloor.
Those who stuck around past midnight were rewarded with flashing lights, swirling smoke and booming bass that kept energy high late into the night.
Sunday, the festival comes to an end with headliners Noah Kahan, Role Model and Kesha.
To contact the features editor, email [email protected].
For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, and follow us on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines and on X and Instagram at @mtsusidelines. Also, sign up for our weekly newsletter here.
