Since I spend almost every weekend in the summer photographing music festivals, people always ask me which one is my favorite. It is hard because there are things that I love about each one, but I usually say Bonnaroo. Maybe it is because it is in my native home state of Tennessee or because it’s a reunion with photographer friends that I only see once a year. It also could be the famous warm Amish Donuts that are a perfect midnight snack.
The biggest standout reason for the festival being one of my favorite weekends of summer is the crowd. I mean what other festival has a code of ethics. “Radiate Positivity” is the theme of the festival with all fans smiling and living up to the chill attitude all throughout the weekend. I literally have a better attitude for a week after I leave. I am still enjoying all of the Reddit threads that show how supportive and cool this crowd is all weekend. My favorite thread is Bonnaroo Missed Connections.
Over a hundred bands spanning all genres of music takeover two main stages (What and Which) and three tents (This, That and the Other) during the four-day event each June near Manchester, TN. The 2019 installment of the festival went back to its JamBand roots with Phish performing two headlining sets along with Childish Gambino, Post Malone and Cardi B rounding out the diverse lineup with a sell out crowd for the first time in many years.
If you love to camp or want an authentic festival experience that you won’t want to miss out Bonnaroo 2020.