Through the rain and sun, the spirit of Bonnaroo was alive and stronger than ever this past weekend. The weather was top of mind after last year’s cancellation and promises of improvements to the farm by festival promoters. Although there were flash storms here and there, many workers seen sweeping away puddles afterwards and the show continued on with many highlights, including an epic sing-along set by Noah Kahan, an ever-engaging Kesha, insane moshing and dancing with Turnstile and Amyl and the Sniffers, and a sense of community amongst Bonnaroovians.
The party started off with a chill Thursday as people got settled into their campgrounds and prepared for what looked like it could be a rainy weekend. The festival kicked off with an amazing performance from Skrillex, setting the tone for the days ahead. Friday brought high energy and an exciting lineup featuring artists like GRiZ, Turnstile, and the legendary The Strokes. Spirits were high across the Farm as fans bounced from stage to stage, soaking in the music and the atmosphere. However, heavy rain earlier in the week had left the grounds covered in mud, transforming fields and walkways into a muddy playground. Those who came prepared with rain boots looked like geniuses, while anyone who didn’t quickly discovered that nearly every shoe store within a 20-mile radius had sold out of rain boots. Others embraced the chaos, sacrificing their once-bright white sneakers to the mud. Sandals, bare feet, and every footwear choice in between made appearances. The mud people emerged in full force, turning dirt-packed fields into giant water slides and proving that Bonnaroo is as much about the experience as it is about the music. Yungblud embraced the chaos by turning in an exciting live performance that was engaging and entertaining. He even came out into the crowd to sing and interact with the fans, making him that much more adored.
Saturday was the peak of the weekend. With perfect weather and an incredible lineup, the Farm felt fully alive. Fans packed the stages, wandered through Centeroo, and enjoyed a full day of music, art, and community. After surviving Friday’s muddy conditions, everyone seemed ready to make the most of a beautiful day on the Farm. Aussie act Rüfüs Du Sol headlined the perfect set as they expressed their appreciation for Bonnaroo, even recalling their last time on the farm in That tent in 2018. The light show was incredible and gave fans who watched from the mud a reason to dance and sway. The other highlight hands down had to have been Kesha’s ‘Alchemy of Pop’ Superjam set that featured amazing pop covers with other festival performers. From Del Water Gap singing “I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys to Rainbow Kitten Surprise joining to perform The Killers “Mr. Brightside”, the tent was an absolute party.
Sunday seemed destined to be the perfect finale, with Noah Kahan set to headline the festival. The day’s early performances, including the exciting emerging act Girl Tones, were underway when suddenly a massive downpour hit, bringing everything to a halt. A weather evacuation was announced, and those who had attended Bonnaroo 2025 couldn’t help but fear a repeat of the previous year’s cancellation. Everyone scrambled for shelter and waited out the storm. Campers made the most of the situation, creating makeshift slip-and-slides and finding ways to keep the Bonnaroo spirit alive despite the uncertainty. After nearly three hours, the long-awaited announcement finally came: the festival was back on. While fans were thrilled to return and finish the weekend on a high note, the cancellation of 11 scheduled acts definitely dampened the mood. Still, Role Model and Kesha helped bring the crowd’s energy right back where it needed to be before Noah Kahan closed out the festival. Between songs, he joked about how his famously depressing music somehow gets people dancing, drawing laughs from the crowd. Kahan was modest and engaging, even coming out to the back of the crowd to perform a few songs. Ending with “Stick Season”, Kahan had the entire Bonnaroo audience in the palm of his hands. As fireworks lit up the Tennessee sky and marked the end of Bonnaroo 2026, everyone stood covered in mud, exhausted and happy. Despite the rain, delays, and muddy chaos, most wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. That’s life on the Farm.
