After more than a decade of uniting fans of all backgrounds, Bonnaroo sometimes feels less like a music festival and more like a vibrant, thriving city of 80,000 that only springs to life for one weekend every year. The consistently excellent lineups (this year’s headliners were Phish, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, The Beach Boys, Bon Iver, The Avett Brothers, and The Shins) are always a major draw, but what keeps people coming back is the overwhelming sense of community and positivity that is unmatched among other festivals around the country. In the seclusion of the forests and farmland of Manchester, TN, attendees are greeted by old familiar landmarks and festival traditions that brought everyone together. Bonnaroo derives its name from the New Orleans slang for “a really good time,” and that’s exactly what it guarantees. Bigger, better, and crazier than ever, this year’s festival has given its Bonnaroovians enough music and memories to keep the spirit alive for a long time. Or at least until next year.
Watch out for our full recap coming in the next couple of days. In the meantime, check out these amazing photos taken by the wonderful Lexi Namer. You can check out more of her photos here. Shots of Foster The People, Alabama Shakes, The Roots, Ludacris, Feist and more below!