History of Bonnaroo in Timeline

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is a four-day annual event held on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, typically starting on the second Thursday in June. Founded in 2002 by Superfly Presents and AC Entertainment, it has run every year except for cancellations in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2021 due to flooding from Hurricane Ida. The festival features a wide variety of musical genres across multiple stages, including indie rock, classic rock, world music, hip hop, jazz, Americana, bluegrass, country, folk, gospel, reggae, pop, electronic, and alternative music. Performances begin Wednesday evening for early arrivers and continue throughout the festival until sunrise each day.

1974: Dr. John Releases "Desitively Bonnaroo"

In 1974, New Orleans R&B singer Dr. John released the album "Desitively Bonnaroo," which later inspired the name of the music festival.

1999: Cancellation of Hot Summer Nights Inspires Bonnaroo

In 1999, the cancellation of the Hot Summer Nights rock music festival in Knoxville, Tennessee, led to the creation of Bonnaroo.

1999: Itchycoo Park Festival Held

The Itchycoo Park Festival, considered the spiritual predecessor to Bonnaroo, took place in 1999 at the future Bonnaroo site. It was deemed a failure.

2002: Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival Founded

In 2002, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival was founded by Superfly Presents and AC Entertainment. It's a four-day music festival held annually at Great Stage Park in Manchester, Tennessee.

2002: First Bonnaroo Music Festival

The first Bonnaroo Music Festival was held in 2002, taking its name from Dr. John's 1974 album "Desitively Bonnaroo." The name is Creole slang for "a really good time."

2002: Bonnaroo Described as Culmination of a Musical Movement

Upon its inception in 2002, USA Today described Bonnaroo as "the culmination of a musical movement," while CNN highlighted its blend of music and subculture.

2002: Widespread Panic Performance at Bonnaroo

Widespread Panic performed at Bonnaroo in 2002.

2003: Bonnaroo Acclaimed by Rolling Stone and Other Publications

In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Bonnaroo as one of the "50 Moments That Changed Rock & Roll." It was also recognized as "Festival of the Decade" by Consequence of Sound and among the 10 Best Festivals by GQ Magazine.

2003: Widespread Panic, The Dead, Neil Young, and Flaming Lips Performances at Bonnaroo

Widespread Panic, The Dead, Neil Young, and the Flaming Lips performed at Bonnaroo in 2003.

2004: Bonnaroo Promotes Recycling

In 2004, Bonnaroo reported preventing 120 tons of trash through its recycling initiatives.

2004: The Dead and Bob Dylan Performances at Bonnaroo

The Dead and Bob Dylan performed at Bonnaroo in 2004.

2005: Widespread Panic and Dave Matthews Band Performances at Bonnaroo

Widespread Panic and the Dave Matthews Band performed at Bonnaroo in 2005.

2006: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Radiohead Performances at Bonnaroo

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Radiohead performed at Bonnaroo in 2006.

2007: Widespread Panic, The Police, Tool, and Flaming Lips Performances at Bonnaroo

Widespread Panic, The Police, Tool, and the Flaming Lips performed at Bonnaroo in 2007.

2008: Rolling Stone Names Bonnaroo "Best Festival"

Rolling Stone magazine named Bonnaroo the "Best Festival" in 2008, praising its over-the-top summer experience.

2008: Widespread Panic, Pearl Jam, and Metallica Performances at Bonnaroo

Widespread Panic, Pearl Jam, and Metallica all performed at Bonnaroo in 2008.

2009: Phish, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and Nine Inch Nails Performances at Bonnaroo

Phish, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and Nine Inch Nails performed at Bonnaroo in 2009.

2009: Beastie Boys' Final Show

The Beastie Boys played their final show ever at Bonnaroo in 2009.

2009: Bonnaroo Works Fund Established

The Bonnaroo Works Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was created in 2009 to support local non-profits and schools through grants.

2010: Jack White, Flaming Lips, Stevie Wonder, and Dave Matthews Band Performances at Bonnaroo

Jack White, The Flaming Lips, Stevie Wonder, and the Dave Matthews Band performed at Bonnaroo in 2010.

2011: Bonnaroo Recognized for Sustainability Efforts

In 2011, A Greener Festival (AGF) awarded Bonnaroo for its sustainability efforts over the preceding three years.

2011: Widespread Panic, Neil Young, Mumford & Sons, and Eminem Performances at Bonnaroo

Widespread Panic, Neil Young, Mumford & Sons, and Eminem performed at Bonnaroo in 2011.

June 9, 2012: D'Angelo Returns to American Stage at Bonnaroo Superjam

On June 9, 2012, D'Angelo made his return to American stages after a 12-year absence with a surprise Superjam performance at Bonnaroo, backed by members of the Soulquarians.

2012: Bonnaroo Generates Significant Tax Revenue

In 2012 alone, Bonnaroo generated $2.9 million in tax revenue, contributing to a total economic impact of $51 million since the festival began.

2012: New York Times and Spin Praise Bonnaroo

In 2012, The New York Times recognized Bonnaroo's revolutionary impact on modern rock festivals, and Spin called it the "best festival of the summer."

2012: Phish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Radiohead Performances at Bonnaroo

Phish, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Radiohead performed at Bonnaroo in 2012.

2013: Bonnaroo's Economic Impact Highlighted

By 2013, Bonnaroo's estimated direct and indirect economic impact since its inception reached $51 million, including $2.9 million in tax revenue for 2012.

2013: Paul McCartney, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Wu-Tang Clan Performances at Bonnaroo

Paul McCartney, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Wu-Tang Clan performed at Bonnaroo in 2013.

2014: Elton John, Lionel Richie, Jack White, and Flaming Lips Performances at Bonnaroo

Elton John, Lionel Richie, Jack White, and the Flaming Lips performed at Bonnaroo in 2014.

2015: Billy Joel and Mumford & Sons Performances at Bonnaroo

Billy Joel and Mumford & Sons performed at Bonnaroo in 2015.

2016: Dead & Company and Pearl Jam Performances at Bonnaroo

Dead & Company and Pearl Jam performed at Bonnaroo in 2016.

2017: U2 and Red Hot Chili Peppers Performances at Bonnaroo

U2 and the Red Hot Chili Peppers performed at Bonnaroo in 2017.

2018: Eminem Performance at Bonnaroo

Eminem performed at Bonnaroo in 2018.

2018: Removal of Comedy and Cinema Tent at Bonnaroo

In 2018, Bonnaroo removed its dedicated tent for comedy and cinema.

2018: Where in the Woods Stage Added to Outeroo

In 2018, the Where in the Woods Stage, dedicated to electronic music, was introduced in the Outeroo campground area.

2019: Live Nation Acquires Superfly's Share of Bonnaroo

Following a record-breaking sell-out in 2019, Live Nation bought out Superfly's share of Bonnaroo.

2019: Phish Performance at Bonnaroo

Phish performed at Bonnaroo in 2019.

September 2020: 2020 Bonnaroo Officially Cancelled

After initially being postponed to September 2020, the Bonnaroo festival was officially cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Bonnaroo Cancelled

The 2020 Bonnaroo festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: 2021 Bonnaroo Cancelled Due to Hurricane Ida

In 2021, Bonnaroo was cancelled due to heavy rainfall and flooding caused by Hurricane Ida, which made the site unsafe for the event.

2021: Bonnaroo Cancelled

The 2021 Bonnaroo festival was cancelled due to excessive rain and flooding from Hurricane Ida.

2022: Hulu Streams Bonnaroo

Beginning in 2022, Hulu secured exclusive streaming rights for Bonnaroo, along with Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza, continuing through 2024.

2022: Billboard Ranks Bonnaroo Among Top Music Festivals

Billboard ranked Bonnaroo as the 8th best music festival in 2022.

2022: Tool Performance at Bonnaroo

Tool performed at Bonnaroo in 2022.

2023: Bonnaroo's Economic Impact Reaches $339.8 Million

In 2023, Bonnaroo's contribution to the regional economy reached $339.8 million, which included over $5.1 million in tax revenue, and supported thousands of jobs.