There’s plenty to be intrigued by with the thirteenth incarnation of Bonnaroo -- storylines of redemption, homecomings, and, as always, impending surprises. Will Kanye West make amends for his 2008 debacle? What tricks does Jack White have up his sleeve for his home field fest?
We'll find out all this and more this weekend, when some 100,000 faithful Bonnaroovians convene in Manchester, Tennessee for America's finest music festival. With a full moon set for Friday the 13th, expect things to get plenty weird down on the farm.
New this year: a 4,000 pound, 22-feet long steel pig sculpture named Henri by art collective Hamaggedon set to christen BaconLand, featuring prime pork selections from across the country.
Don't overlook the Comedy Tent, which boasts a slew of current Saturday Night Live members including Sasheer Zamata and Taran Killam, Craig Robinson of The Office and This Is The End, Comedy Central’s Drunk History Live and Broad City’s Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson.
But the best thing to get excited for? The Superjams. After seemingly falling out of favor, this Roo tradition has returned with a vengeance in recent years. Dan Auerbach & Dr. John’s 2011 revival led to a Grammy-winning record, and last year’s Rock & Soul Superjam hosted by Jim James & John Oates set a new standard, with collaborations from Brittany Howard, R. Kelly, Billy Idol, Zigaboo Modeliste, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
This year’s series features three separate shows, all with untold special guests: Derek Trucks will take the stage at That Tent at Midnight Saturday with Chaka Khan, Taj Mahal, Eric Krasno, James Gadson, David Hidalgo and Adam Deitch along with Andrew Bird, Susan Tedeschi and Ben Folds.
Skrillex and friends featuring Big Gigantic will host guests Damian Marley, Robby Krieger of the Doors, Zedd, Mickey Hart, Janelle Monae, Warpaint, Chance the Rapper, and Thundercat Saturday at Midnight at This Tent.
Finally, Sunday at 8pm That Tent sees a return of last year’s The Bluegrass Situation Superjam hosted by Ed Helms featuring The Lonesome Trio, Dierks Bentley, Sarah Jarosz, Lake Street Dive, The Black Lillies, The Lone Bellow, Robert Ellis, Della Mae, Bryan Sutton and Dave Johnston of YMSB.
Let this playlist get you excited for this weekend's fest, and be on the lookout next week for our complete recap and photo gallery.
