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/survey
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!
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(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:36) Catching Up: Recent Trips
(00:05:04) RIP Rick Williams: A Chattanooga Music Legacy
(00:06:43) Bryan's Sphere Anniversary & The Caverns
(00:10:25) Hulaween 2026 Lineup Reactions
(00:13:30) Billy Strings Opens the Tivoli Theater
(00:15:21) Bonnaroo 2027 Mock Lineups
(00:19:23) Bonnaroo's Official 2027 Survey Begins
(00:23:33) What Genre Do We Listen to Most?
(00:24:46) What Genre Needs More Presence at Bonnaroo?
(00:33:07) Should Bonnaroo Bring Back Comedy Acts?
(00:39:58) Headliners vs. Undercard: What Matters More?
(00:45:56) Does Bonnaroo Help You Discover New Music?
(00:50:18) Late Night Sets & Time Between Shows
(00:53:46) Bonnaroo in June vs. September
(00:54:10) How Important Is the SuperJam?
(00:54:57) Should Thursday Have More Stages?
(00:55:30) That Tent's New Location: Was It a Success?
(00:59:43) Grading Bonnaroo Radio
(01:03:09) Did Anyone Watch the Where Stage?
(01:05:16) Bonnie Roo's: The Farm's New Hangout Spot
(01:08:05) Who We Want at Bonnaroo Next Year
(01:08:59) Take Our Own Listener Survey
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Dead & Co. at the Sphere and Happy Landing at Bonnaroo 2024
Camping at Bonnaroo: Must-Know Updates and New Amenities for 2025
Church Boners React to Bonnaroo Ticket Contest Entries
The What Podcast Audience Survey
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