Featured photo by Tyler Lamb, MTSU Seigenthaler News Service
Story by the Sidelines Staff
Each year, the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival transforms a field of land in rural Tennessee into a summer camp of music, art and community. Bonnaroo offers more than non-stop music, with campground activities including a Pride parade, yoga, a 5K run and silent disco parties – and that’s just what’s on the official bill. In short: There’s a lot to take in and little time to do it.
It can be overwhelming for even the most seasoned Bonnaroovians. To prepare, Sidelines compiled a list of the most burning questions – from a Glossaroo of terms to know and an explanation of totems – for festival-goers to know before stepping foot on The Farm.
What terms should I know before I go?
Bonnaroo exists on a different plane than reality, so why wouldn’t it have its own language? Learning the lexicon is crucial for a positive festival experience. Here’s a brief Glossaroo of must-know terms:
Centeroo: Where (most of) the action is. Five confusingly named main stages and tents, plus the smaller Who stage for up-and-coming artists, are spread around Centeroo’s perimeter. Plus, it’s the home of Bonnaroo’s iconic fountain, entrance arch and Ferris wheel.
Outeroo: Just north of Centeroo, thousands of campers become neighbors in what is known as Outeroo – at least for a few days. It’s the place to recharge for the next day. Or not – nocturnal campers can dance from dusk to dawn at Where in the Woods, the all-night party on the edge of Centeroo.
PLUR: An import from rave culture, PLUR stands for Peace, Love, Unity and Respect. It’s the mindset required for thousands of new friends to live in harmony under the sweltering sun of Tennessee in June. There’s even a special handshake.
C’roo: There’s no Bonnaroo without the C’roo. This team of volunteers helps with entry toll booths, sets up and tears down festival infrastructure and answers important guest questions like “Which stage is the What Stage?” Shauna Reynolds
What happens in Outeroo?
Activities and shows in Outeroo, the expansive campgrounds, vary wildly. From power yoga to the annual Bonnaroo Pride parade, tarot readings and wedding ceremonies officiated by Disco Lines and Gwar, Outeroo is an eclectic melting pot of sets, campers and, sometimes, circus performers. Emma Burden
When do I sleep?
Bonnaroo’s latest Centeroo sets last until 3:00 a.m., with the only exception being Pretty Lights second set beginning at 3:30 a.m. at the tail end of Saturday’s schedule. Those wanting to rest can opt for the first Pretty Lights set on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. to experience this act without potentially falling asleep during the rave. Bonnaroo’s latest sets are silent discos. Those wanting to catch this experience without missing time to rest could choose one silent disco to attend and get your beauty sleep on other nights. Speaking of beauty sleep, Bonnaroovians can experience a good night’s rest with the help of earplugs, eye masks and air mattresses – or, if they have a little extra to shell out on their camping, they can choose to camp in their cars, luxury tents, or “glamp” in RVs. Emma Burden
How should I prepare for Bonnaroo weather?
Typical of Tennessee summer weather, festival-goers can expect both blazing sun with a chance of scattered rain. It’s in your best interest to prepare for both, and a tarp can help you do that. To keep your things dry, bring a tarp to tiew over tents. In the sunny weather, extend the tarp to create porch space and a little extra shade. Bring a poncho and water, and hydration packs can keep in the June heat. Just in case, throw some extra hats, shades, and sunscreen. And remember to show up with multiple dry bathing suits for the wet weather. Matthew Olson
What do I do for hygiene?
Bonnaroo: a weekend where the most important task is barricading for the headliners, and the last thing on anyone’s mind is personal hygiene. Bonnaroo showers are located at Outeroo Plazas and are pay-to-play for $10 – but, hey, at least the toilets are free, right? The best advice for those wishing to avoid mud in cracks and crevices is to be prepared to wait – and pay – for Bonnaroo showers. For Farm-goers who can’t swing the provided hygiene experience, baby wipes are a godsend for quick and easy wash-downs, and hand sanitizer is the Holy Grail to eliminate any bacteria festering in the urine-covered portable restrooms. For those wishing to avoid the Bonnaflu, steer clear of promenading, bathing and especially drinking in the Bonnaroo fountain. Bailey Brantingham
Can I stream Bonnaroo from home?
Absolutely! Select Bonnaroo sets will be streamed live via Hulu, available June 13-16, starting at 7 p.m. The coverage will feature highly anticipated artists like Post Malone, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Chappell Roan. Sets from This Tent and That Tent will be broadcast on Hulu courtesy of MTSU’s Media Arts students. Find the livestreams on the Hulu homepage or by searching ‘Bonnaroo’ on the Hulu website.
When and where can you expect to see craft vendors at the farm?
Don’t forget to check out this year’s craft vendors throughout the grounds. In Outeroo and Centeroo, artists share unique homemade items with festival-goers. Bonnaroo faithful can expect to see an array of art, jewelry, accessories and clothing from these hand-crafted sellers. Sarah Baczewski
What is “kandi” trading and how can you participate?
Don’t miss out on one of Bonnaroo’s biggest traditions: “kandi” trading. Festival-goers exchange trinkets from bracelets and stickers, food and drinks. Some participants bring original artwork, such as crochet keychains and pottery. Individuals perform a Peace, Love, Unity and Respect handshake with each trade. Don’t know the handshake? Find a tenured Bonnarovian to show the way. Sarah Baczewski
What is a totem?
Totems at Bonnaroo, in all of their tall colorful glory, serve many purposes, from helping groups stay connected to being an intriguing conversation starter. These long, eye-catching poles represent groups of people and help festival-goers find other like-minded people on The Farm, and they prevent you from losing your friends. Totems serve as art and comedic relief for many festival-goers, often bringing a smile to those around them with the creativity they display. The rules? Totems must be less than seven feet tall and no more than one inch in diameter. Fans make these from a variety of materials. In the past, some wrapped PVC pipe with pool noodles and bright LED lights. Others added bubble blowers to the top for entertainment. Some totems even incorporate designs representing favorite artists. Kerstie Wolaver
Why is Mike on the schedule twice?
With over 100 artists on the schedule for Bonnaroo’s main stages, it’s tricky to keep them all straight. But some are more confusing than others, such as the two mononymous Mikes on the lineup. Well, one mike. and one MIKE. MIKE likes capital letters, while mike. avoids capital letters when possible.
MIKE, or Michael Jordan Bonema, is a New York City rapper who collaborated with Earl Sweatshirt. His voice is woozy and mumbly.
mike. was born Michael Francis Seander and previously performed under the name Mike Stud. He played baseball at Duke and Georgetown, and his music has been described as “frat rap.”
The good news is there’s no conflict Friday. With MIKE playing That Tent at 1:15 p.m. and mike. on This Tent at 4:30 p.m. fans can have it all — no need to drop a Mike. Shauna Reynolds
Who are some underrated artists I need to see?
Matt Maltese
The 26-year-old indie pop artist opens the Bonnaroo this year with a set at 2 p.m. inside This Tent. The British act gained popularity with hopeless romantics and lovers of poetry when “As the World Caves In,” a song from his 2018 album “Bad Contestant” gained traction thanks in-part to TikTok. This underrated artists’ soft lyrics, bringing fans all the nostalgia, could be finally gaining some much-deserved recognition when he opens Centeroo Thursday afternoon. Kerstie Wolaver
The Teskey Brothers
Josh and Sam Teskey began creating music in Melbourne, Australia. The up-and-coming group is drawing attention with a soulful blues and rock sound. The group brings all the vintage vibes to Bonnaroo Saturday on the What Stage at 4:30 p.m. With the combination of Josh Teskey’s voice and Sam Teskey’s guitar sounds, this sibling duo will be sure to impress fans new and old as they showcase their songwriting and stage presence to all who will listen. Kerstie Wolaver
Greensky Bluegrass
For much of the bluegrass community, this quintet needs no introduction. With a devout fanbase that sells out venues like the beloved Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, Greensky Bluegrass always brings true bluegrass jam to the stage. Greensky Bluegrass will play the This Tent on Sunday from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Kerstie Wolaver
Should I go to Cigarettes After Sex or The Garden?
Choosing between amazing performances rivals the Bonnaroo heat at being the hardest part of the festival. Especially when the choice comes between Cigarettes After Sex and The Garden, both performing on Saturday. Cigarettes After Sex runs from 9:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. at the What Stage and The Garden performs from 9:30 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. at That Stage. Your choice depends on your musical preferences.
Cigarettes After Sex offers a dreamy, ambient pop experience with soothing vocals and atmospheric instrumentals. This makes their performance perfect for a mellow, introspective vibe.
On the other hand, The Garden delivers high-energy, genre-defying punk rock with experimental and eclectic sounds, ideal for those seeking an adrenaline-fueled show. If you prefer a serene, tender set, go for Cigarettes After Sex If you’re in the mood for an energetic, unconventional performance, choose The Garden. Alyssa Williams
Should I go to Parcels or IDLES?
Bonnaroo’s ability to aggravate fans as much as possible with scheduling conflicts is back and better than ever. One of the internet’s most argued scheduling conflicts this year is Saturday’s Parcels vs. IDLES. Fans looking to end the night with a late-night set will choose between the five-piece powerhouses, with Parcels kicking it off at 12:15 a.m. and IDLES beginning at 12:45 a.m. For the mosh-pitting types who are more inclined to go out with a bang, rock-based IDLES will be the way to go. For fans at a higher risk of crashing out, winding down with a mellow, electropop Parcels dance party might be the better choice. However, for those who can’t choose, a mad dash from This Tent to That Tent at 1:45 a.m. to catch both Parcels and the tail end of IDLES or a spontaneous choice at the last minute, could be most fitting. Bailey Brantingham
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