It's time to start planning your Bonnaroo week! Bryan Stone is out, so we get Evan Bonnaroo to fill in as guest host and share his picks for what shows and activities he has laid out. We are also joined by EDM Kyle to round out the discussion. The group covers everything from travel routines and pre-festival meetups at local hotspots (like Common John Brewing and the Manchester Walmart) to the importance of having a well-organized Bonnaroo packing list. Get practical insights on camp setup, including how to claim your space, orient your tent for shade, and quickly befriend neighbors for a supportive festival community.

The conversation also highlights music day by day, including the new Infinity Stage, and the diversity of genres-especially EDM. Kyle shares his curated playlist and top picks, while the group discusses the logistics of navigating the massive festival grounds, and the value of exploring plazas and fan-driven events like the Roo Bus party and Beer Exchange. Key festival survival tips include staying hydrated, applying sunscreen early, and bringing items to trade with fellow campers.

Kyle's Bonnaroo 2025 playlist here: https://thewhat.co/kylespicks

Get some of Kyle's Bonnaroo stickers on his Etsy store at https://dohpechytt.etsy.com/ and save 15% when you use code THEWHAT at checkout!

Listen to this episode of The What Podcast with Kyle and Evan here, or watch it on YouTube. Be sure and like and subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts. Thanks for listening!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:08:35) Kyle joins

(00:14:04) Getting into Bonnaroo and setting up

(00:28:59) Wednesday

(00:35:57) Thursday

(00:50:40) Friday

(00:59:31) Saturday

(01:10:45) Sunday

(01:16:02) Rating our plans

(01:19:20) Where in the Woods and wrap-up

(01:23:18) Outro

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🎧 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
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/
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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast
Email: comments@thewhatpodcast.com

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat

In this episode of The What Podcast, the hosts sit down with Sam Summers, the founder of Iowa's Hinterland Festival, for a deep dive into the art (and chaos) of modern festival production. From booking Fall Out Boy in college to launching Hinterland in 2015, Sam walks us through his journey from DIY club shows to managing a 20,000-attendee outdoor event that has weathered literal floods and the fury of the internet.

Sam doesn't shy away from discussing Hinterland’s tough 2023, where a perfect storm of record-breaking heat, overcrowding, and poor water logistics led to fan frustration. In response, Sam did the unthinkable: he listened. After combing through every Reddit post and angry comment, he launched the "90-Degree Guarantee": a bold refund policy if temperatures cross a certain threshold, and revamped the entire site design for 2024 to improve shade, water access, and flow. He credits part of this shift to inspiration from C3 Presents, the powerhouse behind festivals like Bonnaroo, and their commitment to behind-the-scenes best practices that Sam sought to emulate.

Listen to the full interview with Sam Summers here, or watch it on YouTube. And don't forget to subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:05:22) Interview with Sam Summers

(00:58:03) Outro

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🎧 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
Email: comments@thewhatpodcast.com

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat

In this episode of The What Podcast, hosts Barry, Russ, and Bryan are joined by special guests Beth and Abbey to dive deep into Bonnaroo 2025 prep and camp setup essentials. With less than 46 days until we are back on The Farm, the crew discusses smart strategies for getting ready now — from vehicle maintenance and camping gear organization to planning group logistics and must-have supplies. Abbey and Beth share personal tips for first-timers and veterans alike, emphasizing the importance of preparation, hydration, and building community at camp. Plus, hear insights about upgrading your campsite, the magic of shoe organizers, why teamwork is crucial, and how friendships and new camps can transform your Bonnaroo experience.

Whether you're driving from across the country or flying in, this episode is packed with actionable advice for Bonnaroo camping, packing essentials, and festival survival tips. Make sure you and your gear are festival-ready!

Make sure to join us on Thursday, June 12th at 4:00 PM inside Planet Roo for a special live episode of The What Podcast, meetup, and musical performance!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:10:30) Abbey and Beth join

(01:35:07) Outro

______
🎧 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
Email: comments@thewhatpodcast.com

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat