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by Barry Courter and Bryan Stone
Bonnaroo is more than just a festival, and The What Podcast is your backstage pass to the stories, secrets, and the magic that makes it so legendary. Hosted by two entertainment industry veterans, each week Barry and Bryan will take you deep into festival culture, live music, and behind-the-scenes stories. Since 2018, we've connected with passionate music fans worldwide, sharing personal experiences, expert insights, and exclusive interviews with the musicians and industry insiders who make festivals happen. Whether you're a Bonnaroo veteran or a first-timer, subscribe now to stay in the loop on everything that makes music festivals unforgettable.
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We had the chance to sit down with Keith Richards this week. Not that Keith Richards — let's get that out of the way early. Our actual guest is the newly-named Head of Festivals at Ground Control Touring, an independent booking agency representing artists from Waxahatchee to Japanese Breakfast to Manchester Orchestra. He was named to the role this past January, Ground Control's first-ever Head of Festivals, and he joined us to pull back the curtain on how a festival lineup actually comes together.We get into the questions we've always wanted answered: do artists really make more money at festivals versus arena tours? Is there a "cookie-cutter lineup" problem, or is that a myth? Why is developing a true headliner one of the hardest jobs in the industry right now? Keith also walks us through what it was like being on-site at Bonnaroo 2026 during the storm evacuation, riding it out alongside Bonnaroo's own team, and drops a list of up-and-coming artists he thinks are worth watching heading into next year.Listen to this week's episode with Keith Richards here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news!______ Intro Meet Keith Richards (Not That One) How Booking Actually Works Keith's History with the Booking Industry Cookie-Cutter Lineups & the State of the Industry Bonnaroo Hasn't Gotten Old, You Have Artists to Watch: Who's Next? Not That Keith Richards (The Full Story) OutroLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEShaky Knees 2025 vs. IBMA Chattanooga: Live from the Red Carpet + Bilmuri InterviewGround Control hires Keith Richards as head of festivals & Joy Hubbard as festival coordinator______ 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. Other music provided by Midist and used with permission. We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.
Bonnaroo puts out an official music census every year asking fans what they want to see next — so this year, we sat down together to answer every single question. We walk through it all: genres, headliners, comedy acts, late-night programming, the future of That Tent's new location, Bonnaroo Radio, and more. What do we agree on? What do we disagree on?Before the census, we catch up on recent local trips, and break down the newly finalized Hulaween lineup. Plus: Billy Strings opens Chattanooga's newly renovated Tivoli Theater, and Reddit's already buzzing about 2027 Bonnaroo mock lineups.📢 NOW TAKING OUR OWN LISTENER SURVEY!How did you find the show? What do you listen to us on? What do you want to hear more of? Take 2 minutes and help shape what we cover next: https://thewhat.co/surveyListen to this week's episode with Caleb here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news!______ Intro Catching Up: Recent Trips RIP Rick Williams: A Chattanooga Music Legacy Bryan's Sphere Anniversary & The Caverns Hulaween 2026 Lineup Reactions Billy Strings Opens the Tivoli Theater Bonnaroo 2027 Mock Lineups Bonnaroo's Official 2027 Survey Begins What Genre Do We Listen to Most? What Genre Needs More Presence at Bonnaroo? Should Bonnaroo Bring Back Comedy Acts? Headliners vs. Undercard: What Matters More? Does Bonnaroo Help You Discover New Music? Late Night Sets & Time Between Shows Bonnaroo in June vs. September How Important Is the SuperJam? Should Thursday Have More Stages? That Tent's New Location: Was It a Success? Grading Bonnaroo Radio Did Anyone Watch the Where Stage? Bonnie Roo's: The Farm's New Hangout Spot Who We Want at Bonnaroo Next Year Take Our Own Listener SurveyLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEDead & Co. at the Sphere and Happy Landing at Bonnaroo 2024Camping at Bonnaroo: Must-Know Updates and New Amenities for 2025Church Boners React to Bonnaroo Ticket Contest EntriesThe What Podcast Audience Survey______ 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with
Meet the man who's become a Bonnaroo legend, one signature at a time. Caleb Arias, creator of the Bonnaroo Yearbook, joins us for the third time to break down how his passion project exploded this year. What started as pitching strangers to sign a notebook is now three-hour lines, sold-out printed editions, and fans hand-crafting custom trinkets just for him.Grab your own copy of the Bonnaroo Yearbook at bonnarooyearbook.com and use code THEWHATPODCAST for 50% off!We get into the wristband smuggling caper, the moment Caleb revealed Bryan might have the most beautiful signature in the entire book (calligraphy pen and all), and what it's really like becoming a recognizable figure at a large music festival: including the sacrifices, the boundaries he's had to set, and why he stayed sober the entire weekend just to protect the project. Plus: a sneak peek at a possible Bonnaroo children's book starring his bearded dragon, Trogdor.Listen to this week's episode with Caleb here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news!______ Intro Caleb, the Bonnaroo Yearbook Guy Returns The Wristband Heist & Getting to the Farm How the Yearbook Project Began Bryan's Calligraphy Pen & Inside the Book Becoming "Bonnaroo Famous" From Passion Project to Real Money Trogdor, the Children's Book & Music Highlights Chasing Sunrise Sets & Planning for Next YearLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEThe Bonnaroo Yearbook: Capturing Festival Memories@bonnarooyearbook on InstagramHow Bonnaroo Gives Back: Live from Planet Roo 2026______ 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. Other music provided by Midist and used with permission. We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.
Bonnaroo 2026 might have been the best one yet, and we are here to break down the entire weekend for you! We recap a festival full of serendipity: a surprise wedding in The Grove, an unforgettable run-in with singer-songwriter Jesse Wells on Shakedown Street, Bryan's first-ever Roo Run, and the Noah Kahan set and fireworks that closed it all out.Looking behind the scenes, we also go deep on how Bonnaroo pulled it all off. After the rain, the mud, and a Thursday-night power outage, we've got details on all the improvements. 2,700 yards of mulch, new French drains, sump pumps and generators, and more! Plus a music rundown covering Wet Leg, Geese, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, GRiZ, Mount Joy, The Strokes, The Chats, and Blues Traveler, and a moment to remember Oliver Tree. Thumbnail photo by Evan Brown Listen to this week's episode here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news!______ The Best Bonnaroo Ever? Our 2026 Recap Begins 300 Episodes! How We Got Here The Bonnaroo Moments We'll Never Forget Ranking Bonnaroo 2026 Against 20+ Years Getting to the Farm: Setup, Common John & Jiffy Burger Thursday at Bonnaroo 2026 The Thursday Night Power Outage Behind the Scenes: Dale Green's Bonnaroo Infrastructure Tour Did Moving the Stage to The What Field Work? What Bonnaroo Is Fixing for Next Year The Which Stage's Big Comeback Surviving Sunday: The Storm That Almost Won A Surprise Wedding in the Grove Bryan's Best Day Ever at Bonnaroo What's Next + Looking Ahead Remembering Oliver Tree Send Us Your Bonnaroo Pics! OutroLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEIt's Called: Freefall (GRiZ Remix)Okay...We Were Wrong About GeeseHow Bonnaroo Gives Back: Live from Planet Roo 2026Instagram: @ethorpephotoDr. Oliver Tree's Extremely Epic Art Grant for Baby Geniuses______ 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. Other music provided by Midist and used with permission. We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@th
We're back from The Farm! First, Barry and Russ give a quick recap of an unforgettable Bonnaroo 2026 (our full deep-dive recap is coming soon!). Then we bring you our live panel from the Planet Roo stage, where we sat down with the nonprofits behind Bonnaroo's charitable mission: Kelsey Dewald (Planet Roo / Bonnaroo Works Fund), David Conover (Grundy County Food Bank), Emily Torgrimson (Eat for Equity), Anna Sampson (We Are Neutral), and Nancy Tarr & Deborah Dunn (Well Dunn Foundation). From a $100,000 grant for local school mental health to rescuing 25,000 pounds of food a year — here's how Bonnaroo gives back, and how your ticket does so much more than get you through the gate.Listen to this week's episode here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news!______ Intro Quick Bonnaroo 2026 Recap Live from Planet Roo at Bonnaroo 2026 Kelsey Dewald (Bonnaroo Works Fund) David Conover (Bonnaroo Food Sustainability) Emily Torgrimson (Eat for Equity) Anna Sampson (We Are Neutral) Nancy Tarr and Deborah Dunn (Well Dunn Foundation) OutroLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEThe Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy Has a Story You Haven't HeardBonnaroo 2026: Meet the podcasters who talk ‘Roo year-roundBonnaroo's New Festival Director Told Us What's Really Changing in 2026Instagram: @ethorpephotoBonnaroo 2026 Recap: Roodemption!Reel: I Am Bonnaroo______ 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. Other music provided by Midist and used with permission. We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.
It's Bonnaroo Week! We all got together at Lo Main in Chattanooga to get hyped, swap stories, and run through our last-minute tips before we all head to the farm. Joining us: Austin (aka Squeegee Guy), Tara, and Cassie.We get into going VIP, counting up our Bonnaroos (the math is harder than you'd think), taking family to the farm, staying safe out there, the shows we can't wait to see, and our final tips before we leave.SEE US LIVE AT BONNAROO 2026!The What Podcast is going LIVE at Bonnaroo 2026 on the How Stage inside Planet Roo, Thursday at 4PM. Come see us on stage with special guests and giveaways.Listen to this week's episode here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news!______ Intro It's Bonnaroo Week! The What Podcast LIVE at Bonnaroo — Thursday 4PM, How Stage Is Bonnaroo VIP Worth It? How Many Bonnaroos Have We Done? (The Math Is Hard) Bringing Family & Kids to Bonnaroo Bonnaroo Safety & Harm Reduction Tips Must-See Bonnaroo 2026 Artists Last-Minute Bonnaroo Packing & Prep TipsLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEThe What Podcast on TikTokThe What Podcast LIVE in Planet Roo, Thursday 4:00 PMBonnaroo Isn't About the Headliners Anymore: Brad Steiner's Don't-Miss PicksWhat Everyone Forgets to Pack at Bonnaroo - and Where to Get It______ Don't miss The What Podcast LIVE at Bonnaroo, on the How Stage inside Planet Roo Thursday at 4:00 PM! 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. Other music provided by Midist and used with permission. We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.
You packed for weeks. You made a list. And you're still going to forget something — everyone does. This week we sat down with Brendan from Mr. B's Festival Needs General Store, who's spent nearly 20 years watching festival-goers realize they left the most important thing at home. Toothbrush, pillow, tent poles, stakes, a power bank — Brendan's seen it all, and he tells us what people forget the most and how to make sure a missing item doesn't wreck your weekend.Mr. B's has two locations in the Bonnaroo campgrounds (Plaza 3 and Plaza 4) plus a spot inside the VIP lounge, open 24 hours from Wednesday through Monday. If you forgot it, they brought it. Even better — you can skip the on-site scramble entirely with Mr. B's Click & Collect: pre-order everything from tent packages to cases of water and pick it up when you arrive. The pre-order deadline is JUNE 7, so don't wait.Plus, before the interview we catch you up on the latest — the Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy clip that's now passed 4 million views, and the weather chatter that has everyone a little nervous (spoiler: don't panic). And don't forget — The What Podcast is going LIVE at Bonnaroo 2026 on the How Stage inside Planet Roo, Thursday at 4PM. Come see us on stage with special guests and giveaways.Listen to this week's episode with Brendan from Mr. B's here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news!______ Intro The Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy Goes Viral The What Podcast LIVE at Bonnaroo 2026 - 4PM Thursday Bonnaroo 2026 Weather: Should You Worry About Rain? What People Always Forget to Pack for Bonnaroo (Mr. B's General Store)LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEThe What Podcast on TikTokThe Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy Has a Story You Haven't HeardThe What Podcast LIVE in Planet Roo, Thursday 4:00 PMMr. B's Click and Collect: Pre-order before June 7th______ Don't miss The What Podcast LIVE at Bonnaroo, on the How Stage inside Planet Roo Thursday at 4:00 PM! 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. Other music provided by Midist and used with permission. We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.
The Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy is one of the biggest viral moments to come out of Bonnaroo 2025's cancellation and letdown, and this week we finally got the full story. Austin, the man behind the pool noodle who went viral squeegeeing mud during the Bonnaroo 2025 cancellation, joins The What Podcast to tell us how the video blew up across TikTok, and the unexpected twists that came from it — including how it's sending his mom and aunt to their first-ever Bonnaroo.Before the interview, we go into the latest festival news like the long lines of fans waiting to get into Griztronics at The Gorge last weekend. We also revisit a little of our interview last week with Bonnaroo's director and marketing manager Shelby and Cory.And don't forget — The What Podcast is going LIVE at Bonnaroo 2026 on the How Stage inside Planet Roo, Thursday at 4PM. See us live on stage with special guests, and you could also win free giveaways from Lunchbox and an original I Am Bonnaroo print from photographer David Bruce!Listen to this week's episode with the Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news!______ Intro Griztronics at The Gorge: Long Lines, Heat & Refunds Bonnaroo 2026 Changes Recap The What Podcast LIVE at Bonnaroo 2026 Interview: The Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy Tells His StoryLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEBonnaroo's New Festival Director Told Us What's Really Changing in 2026Follow Austin on TikTok______ Don't miss The What Podcast LIVE at Bonnaroo, on the How Stage inside Planet Roo Thursday at 4:00 PM! 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. Other music provided by Midist and used with permission. We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.
Bonnaroo is more than just a festival, and The What Podcast is your backstage pass to the stories, secrets, and the magic that makes it so legendary. Hosted by two entertainment industry veterans, each week Barry and Bryan will take you deep into festival culture, live music, and behind-the-scenes stories. Since 2018, we've connected with passionate music fans worldwide, sharing personal experiences, expert insights, and exclusive interviews with the musicians and industry insiders who make festivals happen. Whether you're a Bonnaroo veteran or a first-timer, subscribe now to stay in the loop on everything that makes music festivals unforgettable.
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