The What Podcast

Bonnaroo 2025 is behind us, so what’s next? On this week's The What Podcast, we do some porch sittin' and look ahead to more festivals still to come in 2025, including Shaky Knees, World of Bluegrass, and CaveFest. We dive deep into the legacy of Devo, one of our most-anticipated acts of Shaky Knees this year, and explore the surprising event that sparked the band's creation.

Plus, we preview World of Bluegrass and the big guests heading to Chattanooga next month. And finally, we’re looking forward to CaveFest at The Caverns in Tennessee, our second favorite place in the world. What festivals are you most excited about as we wrap up 2025? Let us know in the comments!

Listen to this 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!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro

(03:36) Devo documentary

(11:39) Shaky Knees preview

(18:26) World of Bluegrass preview

(21:43) CaveFest preview

(22:04) Bonnaroo news

(25:23) Bryan in Washington state

(27:30) Weird Al

(31:04) More Devo documentary

(34:04) Back in the studio

(36:13) Outro

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

The Backseat Lovers on Growing into a Festival Band, Technical Difficulties and All

Bonnaroo 2024 Recap Part 2 with Michigander

Bonnaroo's Survey Questions and hey, nothing's Big Summer

Wet Leg: Tiny Desk Concert

World of Bluegrass comes to Chattanooga and the Latest Bonnaroo 2025 News

How The Caverns Became Tennessee’s Premier Music Destination

Bonnaroo Shake-Up: Brad Parker Departs, & Kyle Hollingsworth on New Album, String Cheese, and Beer

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

Bonnaroo is facing a big change: Festival Director Brad Parker is leaving C3 Presents and saying goodbye to the Bonnaroo family. In this episode, we talk about what Brad's departure could mean for the future of The Farm, and look ahead to what’s next for Bonnaroo. It's a special "breaking news" edition of The What Podcast.

Next, we sit down with Kyle Hollingsworth of The String Cheese Incident for an in-depth conversation about his brand-new solo album All We Are, the evolution of String Cheese's sound, and his long-running passion for brewing craft beer. Kyle shares festival memories, songwriting insights, and the surprising connection between making music and making beer. If you love Bonnaroo, jam bands, and craft beer, you won't want to miss this interview!

Listen to this 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!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:23) Brad Parker leaving C3

(00:11:53) Flooding in Chattanooga

(00:17:18) Interview with Kyle Hollingsworth

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Moon River with Drew Holcomb and AC Entertainment

Bonnaroo 2026: Brad & Cory from C3 Answer Your Questions

Bonnaroo, Cruise Festivals, and More with Sixthman VP Jeff Cuellar

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

Despite Bonnaroo's cancellation this year, fans persevere and call in to share what makes the festival so special: freedom, life-changing connections, and more. But first, The What Podcast crew celebrates a big milestone. Thank you for 2,000 YouTube subscribers! Fresh off last week's in-depth interview with Brad Parker and Cory Smith about Bonnaroo 2026 plans, we dive into the heartfelt listener voicemails, reflect on the 2025 shutdown aftermath, talk transparency, programming changes, and more. Want to share your own thoughts with us? Call our voicemail line at (423) 667-7877.

We also head into the off-season by spotlighting a few recent trips to The Caverns for a last-minute Drive-By Truckers show, and a visit to Dave's Little Magic Bar in Johnson City. Stay subscribed to The What Podcast for an upcoming interview with Kyle Hollingsworth from String Cheese Incident and some upcoming fall festivals we're covering, too!

Listen to this 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!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:41) YouTube milestone

(00:06:36) Recapping last week's show

(00:34:53) Russ' bus trip

(00:41:30) Bryan at The Caverns

(00:44:58) Hinterland Update

(00:46:39) Listener Voicemails

(01:06:56) Previewing next week's show

(01:08:32) Rock is dead, part 2

(01:15:45) Outro

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Bonnaroo 2026: Brad & Cory from C3 Answer Your Questions

The Real Roo Bus Joins The What Podcast

The Bonnaroo Yearbook: Capturing Festival Memories

How The Caverns Became Tennessee’s Premier Music Destination

Bonnaroo Community Spotlight: How Church Boners Became a Festival Family

Inside Hinterland: Sam Summers on Festival Challenges and the 90-Degree Guarantee

How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo

Is Rock Dead? The Bonnaroo Music Census and Remembering Ozzy Osbourne

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

After the unprecedented cancellation of Bonnaroo 2025, fans have had big questions about the future of the festival and in this episode, we get real answers straight from C3 Presents, the team that puts on the festival. Brad Parker, Festival Director and Cory Smith, Marketing Manager join us today for an in-depth look at the changes to Thursday programming, the removal of Tuesday entry, campground changes, stage updates, and more.

Many thanks to our Discord members for submitting questions for Brad and Cory! Fan feedback definitely plays a role in shaping the future of Bonnaroo, and we are very fortunate for Brad and Cory to sit down with us and answer all these questions and more. Join our server at: https://thewhat.co/discord

Listen to this episode with Brad and Cory 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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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:54) Recapping 2025's cancellation

(00:22:10) Thursday welcome party

(00:27:43) Removal of Tuesday entry

(00:34:36) How many less tickets will be sold

(00:35:09) The Infinity Stage

(00:38:25) Kalliope, Outeroo, and the Who Stage

(00:44:51) 2025 artists returning for 2026

(00:46:17) Missed performances this year

(00:49:12) Roo Residency and jam bands

(00:52:49) Lineup, ticket sales, and pricing

(00:55:33) Vibe check

(01:01:39) Changes to camping and 1-day ticket sales

(01:03:36) Outro

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Join the Discord!

When Bonnaroo Breaks Your Heart: Our Reaction to the 2025 Cancellation

Bonnaroo Community Spotlight: How Church Boners Became a Festival Family

Bonnaroo Lineup Behind the Scenes - Interview With AC Entertainment

How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo

Thumbnail photo by: Evan Brown

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

Bonnaroo released their annual Music Census last week, and Barry and Bryan dive into it and what it means for the changing festival landscape. Is rock music being pushed to the sidelines, or is it adapting with the times? We look at how fan preferences have changed and continue to shape what Bonnaroo looks and sounds like.

We also take time to remember the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, whose influence on rock and metal continues to be felt. With rock's presence fading from the festival landscape, Ozzy’s legacy hits harder than ever.

Listen to this 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!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:15) The Bonnaroo Music Census

(00:16:02) Last week's Bonnaroo announcement

(00:24:02) Back to the Music Census

(00:38:19) Oasis vs. The Beatles revisited

(00:52:50) Remembering Ozzy

(01:01:45) Lineup thoughts

(01:04:04) Outro

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo

Bonnaroo 2026: The Comeback and the Cutbacks

Oasis vs. The Beatles: the debate continues…

Mama I'm Coming Home

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

Bonnaroo is officially coming back in 2026, but not without some major changes. From losing Tuesday arrival and Thursday programming to scaled-back campgrounds and the end of "Where in the Woods" as we know it, Barry, Bryan, and Lord Taco break down the official announcement and what it really means.

Is this a "shrinkflation Bonnaroo" or are things just returning back to the way they were? Plus with some other things in the news recently, we get into a deep discussion about how infrastructure, weather, and politics are all shaping the future of The Farm. Finally, Barry shares the one thing that scares him about Bonnaroo's future more than anything else.

Listen to this 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!

Thumbnail photo by: Evan Brown

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:19) History of The What Podcast

(00:11:32) Glastonbury video

(00:14:31) Bonnaroo's announcement

(00:42:48) Land disputes in Manchester

(00:51:17) Coldplay kiss cam incident

(00:54:33) Tomorrowland stage burns down

(00:56:34) The risk of outdoor events

(01:00:04) Shaky Knees schedule

(01:04:24) Bus trip

(01:06:01) Outro

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

The Logistics of Music Festivals

The Bonnaroo 2025 Bandana Debate: What Fans Are Saying

How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo

Surviving Woodstock '99: Two Attendees Look Back 25 Years Later

Wet Leg: Tiny Desk Concert

High Country Bus Festival 2023 - VW Camping on the River

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

Bonnaroo 2026 is happening and we've got the first real confirmation. In this episode of The What Podcast, Barry, Bryan, and Lord Taco take a look at the (as of now) unofficially official dates (June 11-14), the subtle ways the news dropped, and why this feels like the first truly optimistic Bonnaroo moment since the cancellation in 2025.

Then we head to Common John Brewery, just outside the festival grounds in Manchester, where we sit down with the team behind this year's King Gizzard-inspired hazy IPA, "Nuclear Fusion". We talk about the brewery's roots in the Bonnaroo community, the Camp Reddaroo collaboration, and what it takes to create a beer that's become integral to the Bonnaroo experience.

Plus: A recap of Russ' last two weekends of travel, including a July 4th trip to "The Other Farm" and a campout on the side of a mountain with airplanes, fireworks, and rock concerts in the woods. And finally, Bryan and Barry dive into a spirited debate: Does Oasis deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the Beatles? One of them says absolutely not.

Listen to this 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!

Thumbnail photo by: Evan Brown

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:26) Bonnaroo's dates for 2026

(00:07:21) Bryan's merch issues

(00:11:00) Camping trips from the last 2 weeks

(00:22:47) Oasis vs. The Beatles

(00:34:12) Setting up this week's interviews

(00:39:20) Interview with Bull at Common John

(01:03:25) Interview with LeBron and Derek at Common John

(01:12:35) Outro

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

In this special live episode of The What Podcast from Bonnaroo 2025 at Planet Roo, hosts Barry, Bryan, and Lord Taco moderate an insightful panel celebrating the festival's cultural, civic, and economic impact on Manchester, Tennessee, and the broader region. Guests include Priscilla Norman, Rebecca French ("Miss Bonnaroo"), Festival Director Brad Parker of C3 Presents, and Ryan French from the City of Manchester. Together, they share personal stories of their Bonnaroo beginnings, reflect on the festival's evolution since 2002, and underscore its transformation into a generational rite of passage that fuses community spirit with musical magic.

The conversation highlights how Bonnaroo has become a year-round civic partner - investing millions into local schools, infrastructure, and nonprofit organizations through the Bonnaroo Works Fund. Stories range from prankish memories of sneaking into early fests to tales of locals opening swimming pools to traffic-trapped fans. They also address complex dynamics like city annexation and festival logistics while honoring the late co-founder Jonathan Mayers and unveiling new initiatives like the Infinity Stage and enhanced charitable integration. The panel closes with reflections on Bonnaroo's irreplaceable role as a beacon of positivity, unity, and transformation in both local and global festival culture.

Got something to say about Bonnaroo? Call our voicemail line at (423) 667-7877 and tell us what Bonnaroo means to you. We just might feature your message on a future episode!

Listen to this 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!

Photo by: David Bruce

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

How are we all feeling, 3 weeks removed from Bonnaroo's 2025 cancellation? This episode might just improve your mood a little. With the new survey out, it offers a rare insight into the festival organizers' thoughts about the future of Bonnaroo. We all feel pretty sure it should stay in June on The Farm, however.

We also introduce you to one of our favorite new discoveries from the festival: emo/folk duo hey, nothing. Bryan and Barry sit down with Tyler and Harlow for a conversation about their journey from high school musicians to Bonnaroo performers, the creative power of Maine, and their stacked summer tour that includes stops at Lollapalooza, Shaky Knees, and more.

Got something to say about Bonnaroo? Call our voicemail line at (423) 667-7877 and tell us what Bonnaroo means to you—we just might feature your message on a future episode!

Listen to this 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!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro

(01:16) StoneOnAir Podcast's Bonnaroo Coverage

(02:30) Comments on social media

(06:08) Phone line is open

(07:14) I Am Bonnaroo photos

(08:38) Our thoughts, 3 weeks later

(10:17) The Bonnaroo survey

(27:59) Setting up this week's interview

(29:47) Interview with Hey, Nothing

(46:51) Upcoming episodes

(49:59) Outro

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

Today on The What Podcast, Barry and Bryan dive into the aftermath of the unprecedented Bonnaroo 2025 cancellation, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster experienced by fans, organizers, and the broader festival community. They discuss the announcement of 100% ticket refunds, the challenges of upgrading infrastructure on the farm, and the intense scrutiny faced by organizers like Live Nation and C3. The hosts also explore how online commentary can distort the real picture, emphasizing that while frustrations and personal anecdotes abound, the broader context and two decades of successful events should not be overlooked.

Listen to this 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!

Thumbnail photo by: Evan Brown

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.