Featured image by Jorgensen Photography
Childish Gambino, Phish, Cardi B… This year’s Bonnaroo lineup is stacked with great headliners, but don’t sleep on the acts lower on the bill. Make sure to add these sets to your festival schedule:
AJR
Friday at 5:30 p.m. on the Which Stage
I’ve been listening to these guys since their days of sampling Spongebob with “I’m Ready” – they were a guilty pleasure back then, but now I have no problem admitting I’m a fan. AJR’s hits “Burn the House Down” and “Sober Up” have put them on the mainstream map, and their live sets have been impressing audiences during this year’s festival season.
Courtney Barnett
Friday at 7:45 p.m. in That Tent
Barnett’s chill indie vibes are a perfect fit for Bonnaroo. I can’t wait to catch her set, which should be right on time for golden hour and sunset on The Farm.
Trampled By Turtles
Sunday at 3:00 p.m. on the What Stage
This group may not be a household name, but their brand of bluegrass is so catchy (and technically proficient) that anyone near the What Stage on Sunday afternoon will probably become a fan. Keep an ear out for their cover of Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?”
Princess
Sunday at 3:30 p.m. in That Tent
I’m so excited for Princess’ set – seeing Maya Rudolph (yes, that Maya Rudolph) and Gretchen Lieberum cover Prince’s hits is right up my alley. I’m also secretly hoping that some sort of collaboration between Princess and The Lonely Island will happen – The Lonely Island’s set is late-night on Saturday so there’s not a ton of time in between the two, and it would be amazing to see two SNL alums together at Roo. Here’s hoping!
Balkan Bump
Sunday at 7:15 p.m. in Snake & Jake’s
I just discovered Balkan Bump during CloZee’s set at Coachella, but I’m a huge fan now. I grew up playing trumpet, and it’s so nice seeing someone bringing these kinds of instruments into electronic and mainstream music – Balkan Bump is insanely talented, but also so clearly aware of what works for the electronic musicians with whom he collaborates. I’m curious to see how his massive sound translates to the small-ish size of Snake & Jake’s, and also hoping to see him pop in during collaborator Gramatik’s set.
King Princess
Sunday at 8:15 p.m. in This Tent
Another princess on the list! King Princess has really blown up since her breakout single “1950” debuted in early 2018, and it seems like she’ll only get bigger. Her set overlaps a bit with both Cardi B and Phish, but try to catch her if you can – she’ll likely only be on the bigger stages in the future.