Photos by Skyler Wendell, Sidelines
Story by Bailey Brantingham
When the sun sets at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, folks are usually found moshing at a random rave or filing into the headlining lawns. But Maggie Rogers had different plans for anyone near Which Stage Friday night.
Flanked by big-screen montages of flowers and home videos, Rogers stomped around the rug-bedecked stage as she greeted the audience: “My name is Maggie Rogers, and this is my beautiful band.”
Rogers opened the show with “It Was Coming All Along,” the lead track off her new album, “Don’t Forget Me,” and a fitting opener for her first Bonnaroo performance.
“This is the very first time I’ve ever played or been to this festival, and I’ve been dreaming about it since I was 16,” Rogers said.
Rogers seemed to be one of the only performers who got the memo about the Tennessee summer heat. She descended the on-stage risers in a black body suit paired with a sheer black skirt, microphone pack cuffed to her bicep.
Splashed in bright yellow and purple lights, Rogers made grooving look easy in her heeled latex boots. With risers and dancing room at her disposal, she kicked and sashayed her way across the stage.
Bonnaroo performer and “Euphoria” star Dominic Fike briefly joined Rogers on stage following her rendition of her newest lead single, “So Sick of Dreaming.” After performing earlier in the day, Fike connected with the singer to express his adoration and wave to the crowd in a quick in-and-out speech.
“I’ve been sitting back here just freaking out- this is so much better than my show,” Fike said. “Good to see you guys, thank you Maggie so much for having me. I’ll be back, I need more money. Alright, thanks.”
After the short special guest break, Rogers showcased the folk-pop power of her new album with “The Kill,” hypnotizing the stage lawn with the combo of the opening twangy guitar and her carefree dancing.
“This is crazy. I think that this is maybe the biggest crowd I’ve ever played, too,” Rogers said.
Then she switched gears.
“Alright, this next song is a love song, so hold the ones you’re with close,” she said, adding: “Maybe make out a little.”
Fans linked arms and swayed as Rogers led the crowd into “Love You For a Long Time,” complete with a jumbo kiss cam.
Rogers rounded out the set with a trip to a past life, featuring a trio of gems from her first studio album: “Falling Water,” “Light On,” and a special acoustic version of “Alaska.”
After sprinkling in a few throwbacks, Rogers circled back to her latest album by ending the show with “Don’t Forget Me.” It was a somewhat solemn goodbye to the crowd, but the Which Stage witnesses who experienced her vulnerable yet whimsical show in the flesh certainly won’t forget Maggie Rogers anytime soon.
Bailey Brantingham is the Lead Lifestyles Reporter for MTSU Sidelines.
To contact the Lifestyles Editor, email lifestyles@mtsusidelines.com.
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