15 Artists You Can't Miss at Bonnaroo

Bonnaroo.  The biggest event of the year. 4 days, 8+ stages, and over 150 artists performing 24 hours a day. It can be a lot to take it. At times you will find yourself thinking "who should I see?" We all know the headliners and the top half of the lineup, but the fun of Bonnaroo is checking out some new acts, finding some bands you love,  and just having a good time discovering new music, otherwise what's the point of going to a massive music festival. Kyle, Becca and I have scoured the entire Bonnaroo lineup to select our favorite artists. You definitely need to hear all of these guys before you head out to Manchester, Tennessee this June. Happy Bonnaroo and keep radiating that positivity y'all.

Rhiannon Giddens is an American musician and the lead singer of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. She's from Greensboro North Carolina and has been involved with many high profile projects including The New Basement Tapes, alongside Elvis Costello, Marcus Mumford ,Taylor Goldsmith and Jim James. She debut her solo album in February 2015, Tomorrow is My Turn,  produced by T-Bone Burnett and includes songs made famous by Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and Nina Simone. Don't miss her at Bonnaroo.

Jungle are a music collective based out of London formed in 2013. They have been described as mid seventies funk music will definitely make you dance. They began a climb to fame after first playing South by Southwest in 2014, later that year they played Glastonbury Festival and received rave reviews. "Busy earnin'" made it on to the FIFA15 sondtrack and it's also the theme song of Tales From The Boarderlands. I anticipate this will be one of the funnest sets at Bonnaroo!

Against Me! are a punk rock band from Gainesville, Florida formed in 1997 by Laura Jane Grace. This band is one of the many bands that got me through high school, and it was such a treat to see them on the Bonnaroo line up. Set highlights will include "Thrash Unreal," "Stop," and "I Was A Teenage Anarchist" among others. Don't miss Laura Jane Grace bring Bonnaroo through the roof as we all sing along, because be honest with yourself, you know all of the words.

Atomic Bomb! Who Is William Onyeabor? are a touring super group to play the music of Nigerian Funkmaster William Onyeabor.  The group is directed by Ahmed Gallab and features members of Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem, The Beastie Boys and more. It is widely rumored that at Bonnaroo the band will be fronted by David Byrne and Damon Albarn. While it is still a mystery, I would suggest that you don't miss out on it.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are a garage rock band from Melbourne, Australia. They will be making their Bonnaroo debut this summer. Probably one of the funnest bands on the line up, make sure to check out the album Oddments and prepare to get weird.

Hurray for the Riff Raff is the stage name of singer and banjo player Alynda Lee Segarra, former member of the band Dead Man Street Orchestra. Alynda's music is exactly what her stage name suggests: she writes for the underdogs, the "riff raff," if you will. She's also a huge advocate for LGBT rights. Her sweet but gritty voice and the smooth acoustics of her backing band are sure to impress live. 



Ryn Weaver was already mentioned in my Coachella article, but she'll be making an appearance at Bonnaroo is well and is certainly worth mentioning twice. Her bad ass pop sound is so hypnotic, I'll be catching her set at both Coachella and Bonnaroo. 





Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn may be the most technically talented acts in this year's Bonnaroo lineup. Fleck has collaborated with a whole slew of artists and is widely considered one of the best, most innovative banjo players alive with 15 Grammy awards to his name. Paired with his beautiful wife Abigail's voice, this couple's performance absolutely should not be missed. 



Brandi Carlile is an alternative folk-rock goddess with an unstoppably powerful voice and lyrics that are pure poetry. I fell in love with Brandi when I heard her version of "Pride and Joy" performed live with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Don't miss these insane pipes this year at Bonnaroo. 



Between the Buried and Me came out of left field this year on the Bonnaroo lineup. This musically innovative metal band (their concept album Colors is one continuous song) is one of the best in the industry. Throw your Bonnaroo experience for a loop and join the mosh pit of people who do not normally mosh and will likely have no idea what they are doing. 

MØ is a Danish singer song writer, signed by Sony Records. Her unique looks, voice, lyrics, and electronic music makes for an extremely interesting mix. Since discovering her earlier this year, I have been listening non-stop and her performance is one you will definitely see me at.

PHOX, an alternative folk/indie pop band got their start here in the Midwest! Their smooth movements, interesting vocalizations, peculiar and thought provoking lyrics, are just as catchy as they are peppy! Definitely try to make some time to see at least part of their unique set this year!  



Ana Tijoux is a French/Chilean artist, she can only be described as Latin American electronic pop, and hip hop. Although I don't quite understand what she's saying her beats and tones make me want to TRY to dance because lord knows I can not dance, let alone move my hips properly to her sick beats. I supposed I'll make a fool out of myself at her set be there or be square and witness how white I really am. 



Catfish & The Bottlemen are a rock band from northern whales. The smooth tone of the vocals and amazing guitar and drums, depending on the song, make me want to dance or just contemplate. I'm so excited to see their set this year at roo!



Bahamas now I have to admit, when my Starbucks app gave me "All The Time" for free, I wasn't absolutely struck by it. The more I listened, the more Afie's voice got stuck in my head and I found that I could definitely just sit back, relax and enjoy some music listening to Bahamas. I'll definitely be calming down the hype with some Bahamas this year!