The Bonnaroo 2026 lineup is here! In this episode, Cory and Tuba join the show to discuss the early release of the Bonnaroo 2026 lineup, why the team moved faster than usual, and how fan feedback shaped major decisions after a challenging 2025. They break down the strategy behind landing Skrillex for a massive Thursday kickoff, the shift to Wednesday entry, capacity adjustments, campsite and drainage improvements, and new communication tools like the return of Bonnaroo Radio. The conversation also covers stage relocations, late-night possibilities, art installations, pricing philosophy, and a renewed focus on guitars in the lineup - all while emphasizing transparency, data-driven planning, and a commitment to delivering a fully realized Bonnaroo in 2026.

Plus, we've got tickets to give away with a camping pass! Visit thewhat.co/win for details on how to enter, or call our hotline at (423) 667-7877!

But that's not all. Check out our YouTube exclusive livestream with our reactions to the Bonnaroo 2026 lineup with some special guests! Subscribe to The What Podcast and stay up-to-date on Bonnaroo and festival news all year long!

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(00:00:00) Intro

(00:16:33) Interview with Cory and Tuba

(01:03:57) Outro

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Win Bonnaroo 2026 Tickets

Bonnaroo 2026 Lineup Day! LIVE on The What Podcast

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Bonnaroo 2026 is already taking shape, and in this episode we break down the latest news coming out of Manchester, including confirmation of the Thursday headliner and what these early updates might mean for the festival experience next year. We discuss fresh Roo Clues, lineup news, changes to the farm layout, and the growing list of improvements Bonnaroo fans can expect in 2026.

We also dive into a full recap of Corona Capital 2025 after Bryan and Beth's trip to Mexico City. From the massive stages and spectacular VIP skybox to the crowd experience, transportation, food, prices, and overall festival atmosphere, we compare Corona Capital to Bonnaroo and share what American festivals could learn from the Mexico City scene. If you're curious about traveling for festivals, international music experiences, or you’re considering making Corona Capital part of your 2025 plans, our detailed breakdown will help you understand what makes it such a standout event.

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!

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(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:28) Bonnaroo bandanas are back

(00:04:04) Skrillex confirmed for Thursday night

(00:07:05) The third Roo Clue

(00:10:54) New grass planted on The Farm

(00:14:01) Corona Capital Festival recap

(01:07:43) Previewing what's coming up

(01:09:10) Outro

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

The Bonnaroo 2025 Bandana Debate: What Fans Are Saying

Bonnaroo 2026 Updates: Farm Improvements and New Clues

Why You Should Attend a Mexican Music Festival

instagram.com/ethorpephoto

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In this episode of The What Podcast, we break down the newest Roo Clue, take a close look at the farm improvements happening right now in Manchester, and talk through what these changes might mean for the festival experience next year. Bryan is still off in Mexico City, so Barry and Russ sit down for a quick update.

We discuss the visible work happening on the Bonnaroo grounds, including new crushed-run roads, turf upgrades, and a smaller campground footprint designed to reduce flooding and improve traffic flow. Plus, we share news of our upcoming Bonnaroo 2026 ticket giveaway! Call us at (423) 667-7877 and share your clue theories, lineup leaks, wishlist, contest ideas, or whatever else is on your mind.

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!

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(00:00) Intro

(01:09) Bryan in Mexico City

(03:50) Roo Clue #2

(06:42) Ticket Giveaway

(08:55) Infrastructure upgrades on The Farm

(16:39) Future episodes

(18:12) Outro

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Why You Should Attend a Mexican Music Festival

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Bonnaroo came alive last week with a flurry of updates for 2026, and The What Podcast is back to dive into them! Beth joins us this week and we recap Bonnaroo's social reactivation after months of silence, and listen to the first Roo Clue "bread" hint. We also speculate if the lineup drop could happen earlier than ever before and what to expect for ticket sales.

Then it's off to Mexico City! Beth and Bryan outline their plans for attending Corona Capital next week, and what U.S. festival fans can learn from Mexico's sponsorship-forward model that helps keep tickets surprisingly affordable. Expect a preview of a 90s‑leaning top line (Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, Deftones) and undercard curiosities, plus a compare/contrast on crowd energy, branding on stages (yes, Doritos), and production style versus Bonnaroo.

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!

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(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:55) Catching up with Beth

(00:10:21) Bonnaroo Roo Clues and News

(00:30:21) Bryan and Beth prepare for Corona Capital in Mexico City

(00:58:58) Outro

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

CaveFest 2025: Exploring the Underground Magic of The Caverns

StoneOnAir.com

https://instagram.com/ethorpephoto

Why You Should Attend a Mexican Music Festival

We Enlist in Pondo's Army

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What makes a music festival in Mexico feel so different from one in the United States? This week on The What Podcast, Barry and Bryan talk with Ricardo Gómez from OCESA, the promoter behind Mexico City's massive Corona Capital Festival. Ricardo shares how Mexican festival culture compares to the U.S., from the unmatched passion of Mexican fans and the emotional connection they have with artists, to how sponsorships help keep ticket prices affordable without compromising the experience.

The conversation goes deep into the logistics of building a large-scale event in Mexico City, including lineup curation, routing challenges, and the economics of booking international headliners. For Bonnaroo and music festival fans alike, it's a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how live music thrives south of the border, and what American festivals could learn from the energy, community, and creativity that define Mexico's biggest music festivals.

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!

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(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:44) Interview with Ricardo Gómez of OCESA

(00:48:50) Wrap-up

(00:53:24) Outro

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

CaveFest 2025: Exploring the Underground Magic of The Caverns

ticketmaster.com.mx

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The What Podcast is on location at The Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee for CaveFest 2025, just down the road from Bonnaroo! Barry couldn't make it this week, so our friend Beth Thorpe steps in to co-host. We talk about our experience at the festival, why CaveFest is more than just bluegrass, and how an independent venue like The Caverns runs differently from Live Nation's Bonnaroo. Plus, we get a full cave tour with the owner himself! Could CaveFest be the most magical small festival in the Southeast? Does it give Bonnaroo a run for its money when comparing vibes?

But that’s not all, we also cover the latest music and festival news. We speculate on Bonnaroo's radio silence over the past few months and what it might mean for the festival next year. Nine Inch Nails' Future Ruins Festival has been cancelled, Rush announces a surprise 2026 tour, and we share some hot takes on Taylor Swift’s new album.

Listen to this week's episode with our coverage of CaveFest 2025 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

(00:03:33) Bonnaroo updates and speculation

(00:06:09) Nine Inch Nails festival cancelled

(00:08:41) Rush tour announced

(00:12:42) Taylor Swift's new record

(00:24:20) Bonnaroo merch

(00:27:11) CaveFest Coverage

(00:52:33) Outro

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Radiohead, Oasis & Nine Inch Nails: The 90s Rock Revival Taking Over Festivals

Taylor Swift vs. Pixies - Actually Romantic/Where Is My Mind Mashup

Wood Brothers: Luckiest Man

Radiohead Vs. The Hollies

How The Caverns Became Tennessee's Premier Music Destination

Caveman Chronicles by Todd Mayo on Amazon

Thumbnail photo by: Elizabeth Thorpe

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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 beloved Moon River Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee is setting sail - literally! In this episode of The What Podcast, hosts Barry Courter and Bryan Stone sit down with Drew Holcomb, founder of Moon River, and Jeff Cuellar, CEO of Sixthman, to talk about the bold decision to move the festival from the banks of the Tennessee River to a cruise ship at sea. They discuss the challenges that made the Chattanooga version unsustainable, the emotional weight behind that choice, and why "Moon River at Sea" could be the next evolution of boutique music festivals.

From weather risks and financial realities to the excitement of an immersive fan experience on the ocean, this conversation goes deep into what it takes to produce a modern festival in a changing world. Drew shares personal insight into what Moon River meant to him and the city, while Jeff explains how Sixthman plans to bring that same community spirit to the high seas.

Listen to this week's episode with Drew and Jeff 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

(00:01:55) Moon River at Sea with Drew and Jeff

(01:04:44) Outro

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Bonnaroo Gumbo

Saving Moon River: How the Festival Overcame a Sunday Rainout

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Why does a shower matter? This week on The What Podcast, Meredith MacLeod Jaulin from Shower the People joins us. Learn how a Nashville mobile shower and laundry nonprofit restores dignity, health, and trust - then channels festival energy into year-round impact through Planet Roo partnerships and tie-dye towel activations at Bonnaroo. Meredith shares the org's origin (founded 2017), why low-barrier access matters, and how a converted school bus now delivers showers, laundry, underwear, and essentials across Nashville - while Planet Roo grants, programming, and community touchpoints help amplify the mission.

Also, we look at other festival news too as many events are starting to announce their 2026 lineups, such as Coachella, Big Ears, and Summerfest. What does this mean for Bonnaroo? Bryan Stone also recaps his IBMA experience and how the VIP experience seems to miss the mark.

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!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:03:06) Confusing seating at IBMA

(00:14:40) Coachella and other festival lineups

(00:18:17) Brad Parker's replacement

(00:21:37) Introducing this week's guest

(00:24:15) Interview with Meredith

(01:02:19) Outro

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

showerthepeople.net

stoneonair.com

Shaky Knees 2025 vs. IBMA Chattanooga: Live from the Red Carpet + Bilmuri Interview

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

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