Museyon’s Guide To… Bonnaroo

“The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a four-day, multi-stage camping festival held on a beautiful 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee every June.” This, from the Bonnaroo site, is very true but Bonnaroo isn’t always a music festival, it is sometimes an intense survival experience. Cases of dysentery, swamp-foot and dehydration are not uncommon from the sometimes muddy conditions and powerful heat. But that’s not to say we don’t recommend Bonnaroo, we do! It’s one of the most widely attended and well-structured festivals in America with a roster of great bands gracing their stages every year and Bonnaroo is known for fostering a happy and community driven atmosphere that most liken to a less hippy Woodstock. We just think you should be highly prepared for the battle against the elements that at times can be Bonnaroo. Here’s our tips.

1. Tent – Bring a GOOD tent. Something sturdy with legs you can bang into the ground. You don’t want the wind and the rain ruining your good time. Camping spots are the designated space in front of your car.
2. Water- Water at Bonnaroo is free so bring a bottle to refill. Also, the sun in Tennessee can get very hot so drink plenty of it.
3. Food – Outside food is permissible at Bonnaroo so bring a cooler and some grub. If you want to buy food at the festival, prices are not exorbitant but you’ll at least want some snacks.
4. Beer – Bonnaroo is one of the few festivals were beer is allowed but only in cans. Don’t screw this-up!
5. Traffic – Expect to wait a LONG time. If you get there early on Thursday, you’ll wait up to 4 hours. Get there late, it’s more like 8.
6. Facilities – The toilets here can get pretty gross. Be prepared. Bring handy wipes and extra loo rolls.
7. Rain – Bonnaroo isn’t Glastonbury but be prepared for rain. Wrap things in plastics bags, wrap yourself in a rain slicker, think about bringing wellies.

The times for this year’s line-up hasn’t been announced yet so keep checking the Bonnaroo site. For now, drool over the immense line-up (Stevie Wonder!) and buy yourself a ticket while they last.

Museyon’s Guide To… Bonnaroo

Related Articles

Music Interview: Or Zubalsky, Bushwick, NYC

Spotlight On: Musée d’Orsay

Museyon’s Guide to: Pitchfork Festival