Manchester, Tennessee is an easily forgotten about town. Located about an hour south of Nashville, cows outnumber people and lush, green farms stretch farther than the eye can see.
Although, beginning Thursday June 12 and continuing until the following Sunday, the quaint farm town will become Tennessee’s third largest city overnight while hosting Bonnaroo, the popular music and arts festival.
Here, The Daily Beacon sorts through the 200 plus musicians, artists, comedians and performers scheduled to appear at the festival this weekend with a tentative schedule, highlighting the gotta-see acts and performances for both returning festival-goers and Bonnaroo virgins.
Thursday, June 12
Act: Banks
Location: This Tent
Time: 10:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Lana Del Rey and Haim seemed to be scheduled for almost every festival this year, but didn’t make it to Bonnaroo. If you’re a fan of both of those artists and still going to Bonnaroo, Banks is a major musician who sounds like a mixture of both those artists, yet still puts something new on the plate. Performing at This Tent, Banks’ harmonious yet edgy music will be a must-see come Thursday evening.
Act: Pusha T
Location: The Other Tent
Time: 12:15 a.m.– 1:15 a.m.
If you’re a fan of rhythm and poetry, Pusha T is obviously already on your personal Bonnaroo schedule. Although, if you’re skeptical of trekking the already well-worn grass of the grounds at midnight when you could be rocking out at the Silent Disco, you may want to consider the major show T is sure to put on. The energy and emotion that reeks his albums is guaranteed to create a major stench on stage, enveloping the crowd in a rap-infused aroma. Surely, Mr. T is a perfect way to end day one.
Friday, June 13
Act: Janelle Monae
Location: What Stage
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Janelle Monae has a style that is uniquely hers, and this definitely shines in her music. Most often categorized in the hip-hop/soul genre, Monae’s haunting voice and groovy tunes are perfect for Bonnaroo’s largest stage, sure to set the mood for the rest of the night’s amazing performances.
Act: Jake Bugg
Location: 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Time: This Tent
If you haven’t already heard of this young rock n’ roller, he’s worth a listen pre-Bonnaroo so you’ll be able to really feel him on stage when watching his performance. Pulling influences from Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and other major musicians of the ’60s, this 20-year-old English man will surely become one of your new favorite artists after hearing him play.
Act: The Head and The Heart
Location: Which Stage
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
The Head and The Heart provide their listeners with the quintessential indie folk/Americana music that is so easy and melodious that it is easily enjoyable for most music lovers. Their performance will without a doubt be one of the quieter performances of the evening, but their mastered acoustic guitar and sweet harmonies will provide for a refreshing set among the rest of the night’s headliners.
Act: Vampire Weekend
Location: What Stage
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
When they released their third and latest album early last summer, Vampire Weekend became better known than they had ever been before, earning them a highly coveted reputation of being a headliner at many major festivals including Bonnaroo. The New York natives dub their music as “Upper West Side Soweto,” involving complicated allusions to Greek literature and grammar mistakes. Yet it is by far one of the most anticipated performances of the festival and a must see on Friday evening.
Act: Kanye West
Location: What Stage
Time: 10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Arguably one of the most important rap artists of our era – Kanye West knows he’s good. With this in mind, West also puts on a heck of a show, and his two-hour set at Bonnaroo is almost guaranteed to cause vibrations throughout Manchester. Maybe that’s why no one else is scheduled to play at the same time? Go ahead, join the rest of the crowd and enjoy this once in a lifetime performance.
Saturday, June 14
Act: Grouplove
Location: That Tent
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
A band that is sure to start off the evening on a high note is Grouplove. They’re fun, they’re exciting, and they’re easy to enjoy – especially when you’ve been up all night and haven’t showered in over 48 hours. You may have heard their song “Tongue Tied” on the radio or heard their work off “The Fault in Our Stars” soundtrack. Either way, their live performance will be well-attended and well-enjoyed.
Act: Chromeo
Location: Which Stage
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
If you haven’t already heard about this Canadian duo, Chromeo is definitely someone you should check out. Their latest album, “White Women,” perfectly defines the unique Chromeo sound that revisits the cheesy vibrations and melodies of the ’80s yet captures it in a modern setting. Dancing is required at a Chromeo concert, so make sure you’re ready for some pulsing tunes.
Act: Lionel Richie
Location: What Stage
Time: 8:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
Hello? Is it Lionel Richie you’re looking for? Bonnaroo has always had a knack for hosting a classic, well-established artist at their festival–The Beach Boys in 2012, Paul McCartney in 2013 – and Richie fits in perfectly among that group. His set is sure to please not only the older crowd at Bonnaroo but also the younger kids who still appreciate his original candor that seeps out of his tunes.
Act: Jack White
Location: What Stage
Time: 10:45 p.m. – 12:15 a.m.
As a Nashville local, Jack White won’t be traveling as far as his peers to perform at Bonnaroo but is sure to still feel the festival vibes on high come Saturday night. His work has long been revered since his White Stripes days, and since he’s gone solo, his music has gotten deeper and punkier while still maintaining that cool edge.
Act: Frank Ocean
Location: The Other Tent
Time: 12:30 a.m. – 1:45 a.m.
Whilst some Bonnaroo performances will rile up crowds and have them as rowdy as the student section on a fall Saturday in Neyland Stadium, others will capture audience member’s attention and have them in a music-based daze for the entirety of their set. This is what Frank Ocean’s performance will be like. His newest album titled “Channel Orange” put him among the ranks of Trey Songz and fellow Bonnaroo performer Kanye West. Although it’s a late set, you’re guaranteed to be mesmerized by Ocean’s music.
Sunday, June 15
Act: Fitz and The Tantrums
Location: Which Stage
Time: 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
If you missed them at Volapalooza, now is your chance. Anyone who did attend UT’s annual end-of-the-year concert knows that this group of highly talented musicians can put on an amazing show. Considering the volume of the Bonnaroo stage, their set is probably going to be bigger and better at Manchester. Easily accessible for most popular music fans, Fitz and The Tantrums will become–if not already–one of your favorite bands.
Act: Arctic Monkeys
Location: What Stage
Time: 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
These Englishmen from Sheffield, England exemplify indie rock. Their music pulls from classic punk and psychedelic tunes of the ’60s and ’70s and takes listeners back to that time through their artfully done records. Imagine what seeing them live might be like? Prepare yourself for a blast to the past because the Arctic Monkeys are a major band that will have you focused on only them.
Act: The Avett Brothers
Location: What Stage
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
You have probably heard of The Avett Brothers. And if you’re a fan, you may have already seen them in concert. But if you have neither heard of them nor seen them in concert, you have got to pencil them into your Bonnaroo schedule. The band does a fantastic job at creating folk and bluegrass music that everyone can enjoy, not just your great-grandfather who has lived in Tennessee his whole life. The Avett Brothers’ set is assuredly going to be one of your last and fondest memories from Bonnaroo.
Act: Elton John
Location: What Stage
Time: 9:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
If you’re in for the Bonnaroo long haul (and aren’t traveling too far before getting home to work on Monday morning), you’ll be at Elton John’s set Sunday evening. John is one of those artists whom you’ll brag about seeing in concert to your children and your grandchildren. Plus, “Bennie and the Jets” is almost guaranteed to get played, so make sure you know all the lyrics so you can sing along with your new Bonnaroo friends.
