Bonnaroo 2026: The Comeback and the Cutbacks

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 lineup

(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

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