Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The What Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Strings Reopens Chattanooga's Restored Tivoli Theatre | 20 oct. 2026 | 00:55:57 | |
Billy Strings is reopening the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga, a 105-year-old landmark that just finished a $75 million restoration. We sat down with Nick Wilkinson of the Tivoli Foundation to find out how it happened, why a city spends that kind of money on a theater, and how the live music business really works. Billy plays two nights at the Tivoli (Oct. 20 and 21) in a room of about 1,600 seats, during IBMA week. Nick explains how the reopening came together, how the ticket lottery works, why tickets can't be transferred, and how the free block party outside works, with the show projected on giant LED screens outside the venue. Then we get into the bigger picture: why it took so long, who paid for it, why touring is now how artists make a living, the "no runny eggs" rule that keeps big acts coming back, how Live Nation and Ticketmaster fit in, where ticket fees actually go, and what's next for concerts in Chattanooga. 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! ______ (00:00) Intro (03:07) Interview: Nick Wilkinson, Tivoli Foundation (04:12) Billy Strings and the Tivoli reopening (11:28) Why the renovation took so long (23:52) The music industry, no runny eggs and Live Nation (44:44) Takeaways and festival news LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE CaveFest 2026 Recap: Live From The Caverns Saving Moon River: How the Festival Overcame a Sunday Rainout ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| CaveFest 2026 Recap: Live From The Caverns | 14 oct. 2026 | 00:29:46 | |
Live from The Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee, we recap CaveFest 2026 with our ticket winner, plus the venue, the music, and the camping. Barry and Russ are joined by Bryan, back on the show after a couple of months, our bicoastal correspondent Elizabeth Thorpe, who flew in from Washington State for her third CaveFest, and Abby, the fan who won our ticket giveaway and is at her very first CaveFest! 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! ______ (00:00) Hurricane Weekend at CaveFest (03:37) Our Ticket Winner's First CaveFest (06:03) The Caverns: Storm, Grounds & Vibe (15:21) The Music, the Crowd & Camp Spirit (23:00) Up Next: IBMA World of Bluegrass & Wrap-Up LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE How The Caverns Became Tennessee's Premier Music Destination The Musician Who Plays Mushrooms ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bourbon & Beyond 2026 Recap From Two Festival Veterans | 07 oct. 2026 | 00:46:25 | |
Two festival veterans break down Bourbon & Beyond 2026 in Louisville: the crowd, the hotels, the VIP setup, the beer prices, and the weather. Barry and Russ are joined by our senior and junior correspondents, Trevin Bernarding and David Champion, who go to several festivals every year. They review the festival from the gate to the stage, then compare it with the rest of the circuit and look ahead to 2027. In this episode: - What Bourbon & Beyond is like: an older crowd, lots of guitars, no DJ sets - The hotel rule that surprised them, plus VIP and general admission - The amusement park, festival beer prices, and "And Beyond" branding - How cancellations, evacuations, and weather shape their festival plans - Their best tips for first-timers and how they find new bands 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! ______ (00:00) Intro (03:12) Bourbon & Beyond 2026 Recap (18:51) Hotels, VIP & Festival Comforts (26:48) Planning 2027 & the State of Festivals (38:20) Best Tips & Festival Discoveries (46:01) 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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 Musician Who Plays Mushrooms | 30 sept. 2026 | 00:40:11 | |
How do you play a mushroom? This week we're joined by Tarun Nayar of Modern Biology, a Vancouver-based musician who uses bioelectric signals from mushrooms, plants, and other living organisms to create music. Using custom-built devices and synthesizers, Tarun translates biological activity into musical information, creating performances that blend science, technology, improvisation, and art. We talk about how he discovered plant and mushroom sonification during the pandemic, the history of bioelectric music, Brian Eno and Robert Fripp's influence on generative music, and what we can expect when he performs in a cave at CaveFest next month. (get tickets here!) Plus we catch up with Abby, the winner of our CaveFest ticket giveaway: a recent festival-goer who has several Bonnaroos and Shaky Knees under her belt, and will now be a first-time CaveFest camper! Abby shares her festival journey and why she's excited for her next adventure at The Caverns. Finally, we preview some upcoming festival coverage in the coming weeks, and try to get to the bottom of why so many festivals this year are getting cancelled or disrupted because of weather. 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! ______ (00:00) Music made from mushrooms? (04:08) Modern Biology's Tarun Nayar (24:22) Abby's Bonnaroo, Shaky Knees & CaveFest journey (36:50) Bourbon & Beyond and CaveFest preview (38:15) Why festivals keep getting cancelled (40:04) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Modern Biology LIVE @ Indian Summer Festival @modernbiology101 on Instagram Fripp & Eno - A Radical Representative Of Pinsnip - Paris (1975) ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| We Got Evacuated at Shaky Knees 2026 | 23 sept. 2026 | 00:44:43 | |
The rain and heat at Shaky Knees 2026 did not stop Russ from having a good time in Atlanta! We catch up live from the hotel on Saturday morning and then the full recap in this episode: the heat, the lineup, and the Saturday storm and evacuation. Hear about notable performances from Turnstile, Fontaines D.C., Geese, LCD Soundsystem, and Gorillaz who closed the fest out Sunday night, plus what it was like riding out the evacuation in downtown Atlanta. Then we're joined by Scott Miller, one of the artists performing next month in October (get tickets here!) for a great conversation about songwriting, his history with The Caverns, and cows. Headed to Hulaween? Use code THEWHATPODCAST for $20 off a four-day pass. https://thewhat.co/hulaween 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! Thumbnail photo: Roger Ho for Shaky Knees 2026 ______ (00:00) Intro (10:19) Shaky Knees Day 1: Checking In From Atlanta (22:36) Full Shaky Knees 2026 Recap: Heat, Rain & the Lineup (26:33) Scott Miller Talks Songwriting and Cows (43:37) 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Inside Bumbershoot: Where Music Meets DIY Art (and Wrestling) | 16 sept. 2026 | 00:48:49 | |
Our bicoastal correspondent Elizabeth Thorpe is back, and this time she's breaking down Bumbershoot, the Seattle festival where music meets DIY art, animation, a fashion district, roller derby, and yes, actual wrestling. Beth walks us through all of Bumbershoot: the lineup (Death Cab for Cutie, Turnstile, De La Soul, Bikini Kill, Orville Peck), what makes a city festival different from a camping one, and the outsider-arts culture that Bumbershoot still preserves, the same DIY spirit that gave rise to grunge. Plus, a look ahead to CaveFest (camping tips and what's new), a Shaky Knees preview, Hulaween, and some Chattanooga artists who just landed an NPR Tiny Desk concert. We're giving away two tickets to CaveFest at The Caverns (October 10–11, camping included)! Details: https://thewhat.co/giveaway If you don't win, get tickets to CaveFest here! Headed to Hulaween? Use code THEWHATPODCAST for $20 off a four-day pass. https://thewhat.co/hulaween 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! ______ (00:00) Beth's Back (01:09) Win 2 Tickets to CaveFest (02:18) Inside Bumbershoot: Seattle's Music & Arts Festival (26:54) Shaky Knees Preview (29:04) CaveFest: Camping, Cold Weather & What's New (46:11) Save $20 on Hulaween Tickets (47:03) Chattanooga Artists on NPR's Tiny Desk (48:37) Wrap-Up LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Two Festivals We're Hitting This Fall: Shaky Knees & CaveFest CaveFest 2026 Ticket Giveaway: How to Enter Bonnaroo's Cancellation: A City Official on the Long-Term Vision for The Farm How Has Bonnaroo Changed? A Festival Photographer's View After Bonnaroo: How to Choose Your Next Festival Get $20 off Hulaween tickets with code THEWHATPODCAST Isaiah Rashad: Tiny Desk Concert ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Two Festivals We're Hitting This Fall: Shaky Knees & CaveFest | 09 sept. 2026 | 00:34:40 | |
Bonnaroo may be taking 2027 off, but festival season isn't over. This week Barry and Russ break down the two festivals they're hitting this fall, Shaky Knees in Atlanta and CaveFest at The Caverns, and share their tips for doing each one right. One's a city festival, one's a camping festival, and they're very different experiences. We get into the Shaky Knees lineup (The Strokes, Turnstile, Fontaines D.C., Twenty One Pilots and more), how to handle a city fest (hotels, getting around, the stages), and what makes CaveFest special — the cave stage, the amphitheater, camping in October, and the lineup up at Pelham. Plus festival news, the Good Friends Music Festival in Manchester, and how we're all still keeping Manchester in our plans. We're also giving away two tickets to CaveFest at The Caverns (October 10-11, camping included). Details in the episode and at thewhat.co/giveaway. If you don't win, get tickets to CaveFest here! Oct 10-11, 2026 at The Caverns 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! ______ (00:00) Catching Up + Festival News (04:04) Good Friends Fest & Manchester (07:21) CaveFest Ticket Giveaway: How to Win (09:00) Shaky Knees: The City Festival Guide (16:43) CaveFest: The Camping Festival Guide (33:00) What's Coming Up LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Bonnaroo's Cancellation: A City Official on the Long-Term Vision for The Farm CaveFest 2026 Ticket Giveaway: How to Enter How The Caverns Became Tennessee's Premier Music Destination ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| After Bonnaroo: How to Choose Your Next Festival | 02 sept. 2026 | 00:46:32 | |
No Bonnaroo in 2027? Here's how to figure out where to go instead. With Bonnaroo taking a fallow year, a lot of us are asking the same question: what festival do we go to now? So we brought in long-time friend of the show Liesl (@rockstarsweat), a festival superfan who's been to Bonnaroo, Pickathon, Glastonbury, Solid Sound and just about everywhere in between, to talk through how she actually chooses which festivals to attend. Barry, Russ, and Liesl get into the real decision-making: lineup vs. community vs. cost, how the Glastonbury ticket lottery actually works, the difference between city and camping festivals, and why the fallow year might just open a door to something new. Plus, we open the show remembering Dolly Parton, and why she belonged at Bonnaroo. Get tickets to CaveFest here! Oct 10-11, 2026 at The Caverns 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! ______ (00:00) Welcome Back, Liesl (02:41) Remembering Dolly Parton (13:12) Bonnaroo's Fallow Year (16:46) Beyond Bonnaroo: Pickathon, Glastonbury & More (21:05) How Do You Choose a Festival? (23:31) How Glastonbury Tickets Actually Work (27:36) What Bonnaroo's Year Off Means for Fans (31:07) City Festivals vs. Camping Festivals (36:40) Festival Bucket Lists (38:00) CaveFest (42:17) Festivals We're Hitting Next (41:23) Going to Festivals Solo (45:51) Wrap-Up LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Bonnaroo's Cancellation: A City Official on the Long-Term Vision for The Farm ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo's Cancellation: A City Official on the Long-Term Vision for The Farm | 26 août 2026 | 01:15:11 | |
Bonnaroo is taking 2027 off, and we wanted to dig into what's next. This week we're joined by David Bruce (I Am Bonnaroo) and Ryan French, a Manchester city councilman and tourism official with a front-row seat to what a fallow year actually means for the town Bonnaroo calls home. We get into the economic ripple through Manchester, why Bonnaroo is the "bell cow" for festivals far beyond itself, what a year off does to the local businesses and community that depend on it, and why our guests are hopeful about 2028 and beyond. Plus, Barry reflects on a full-circle moment: covering Bonnaroo in 2002 as a skeptical newspaper reporter, and getting quoted in Rolling Stone about its future 24 years later. Get tickets to CaveFest here! Oct 10-11, 2026 at The Caverns 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! ______ (00:00:00) The News, One Week Later and a Rolling Stone Shoutout (00:03:19) How We Got Here: From a 2002 "Hippie Fest" to Rolling Stone (00:20:54) David Bruce & Ryan French Join (00:27:41) Bonnaroo the "Bell Cow" and What It Means for Other Festivals (00:35:14) What a Year Off Costs Manchester (00:49:50) The Community Response and Keeping Bonnaroo Alive (01:01:08) Looking Forward and Moving Ahead (01:09:08) Reflecting on Past Cancellations (01:13:07) Mini-Roos and 2027 Events LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Rolling Stone: Bonnaroo Taking ‘Much-Needed Year Off’ in 2027 Force Majeure with Jeff Becker What Bonnaroo Fans Actually Want From a Podcast Bonnaroo Cancels 2027: Our Live Reaction Catching Up with I am Bonnaroo Creator David Bruce How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo Bonnaroo's Infamous "Squarch": The Full Story with Tim "Tuba" Smith ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo Cancels 2027: Our Live Reaction | 21 août 2026 | 00:22:23 | |
We officially have confirmation on Bonnaroo's 2027 cancellation. We got together to share our initial reaction, and Barry literally pulled over on the side of the road to record this. As far as The What Podcast goes, we're still here every week and we'll have a deeper dive into this news next week. 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! ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Is Hulaween Everything Bonnaroo Used to Be? | 19 août 2026 | 01:09:46 | |
Is Hulaween everything Bonnaroo used to be? We put the question to John, our EDM and jam-scene correspondent, and his answer says a lot about how both festivals have changed. John makes the case for Hulaween, String Cheese Incident's own festival at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, where the daily lineups just dropped. We get into what makes it different from Bonnaroo: the jam-forward lineup with an electronic edge, the six-hour String Cheese / My Morning Jacket / STS9 runs, and the secret sets where anyone might sit in: Goose turning up to play with Cheese, that kind of unplanned magic. It leads to a real conversation about whether Bonnaroo's special moments have started to feel scheduled instead of spontaneous, and John doesn't hold back, including some honest thoughts on this year's very EDM-heavy Thursday. Plus: John recaps his own Bonnaroo 2026 (great, but different, and quieter than years past), we looks ahead to ShoalsFest October 3-4 in Alabama, CaveFest at The Caverns October 10–11 (get tickets here!), and take a look at the surprisingly free EDM lineup at our own River Games in Chattanooga. Need Hulaween tickets? Save $20 on GA 4-day passes with code THEWHATPODCAST! 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! ______ 00:00:00) Intro (00:01:24) Festival updates: CaveFest, 420 Fest, ShoalsFest, River Games (00:09:22) EDM Correspondent John Joins the Show (00:16:50) Hulaween Drops its Daily Linueps (00:26:43) Comparing Hulaween to Bonnaroo (00:35:44) John's Bonnaroo 2026: Great, But Different (01:02:12) What's Next for The What Podcast (01:09:01) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE How Has Bonnaroo Changed? A Festival Photographer's View Kyle Hollingsworth Interview: String Cheese Incident, New Music & Craft Beer Okay...We Were Wrong About Geese ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| How Has Bonnaroo Changed? A Festival Photographer's View | 12 août 2026 | 01:09:55 | |
How has Bonnaroo changed over the years? We asked someone with a rare vantage point — Elizabeth Thorpe, festival photographer and our West Coast correspondent, who's been going to Bonnaroo since 2004 and now shoots it from inside the photo pit. Beth walks us through what the festival experience is really like from behind the lens: the "first three songs only" rule, why the pit is her happy place, and how Bonnaroo has evolved from a freewheeling field party into something bigger, busier, and more produced. We also get into her recent run of festivals beyond Bonnaroo: Wilco's Solid Sound in Massachusetts (with a Mermaid Avenue set featuring Billy Bragg and a surprise Natalie Merchant appearance) and Pickathon out in the Oregon woods. Beth covered both for The What Podcast, and shares her photography throughout. 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:48) 20 Years at Bonnaroo, From Superfan to the Photo Pit (00:28:08) Solid Sound: Wilco's Own Festival in Massachusetts (00:42:52) Pickathon: Eight Stages in the Oregon Woods (01:06:54) Still No Dates for Bonnaroo 2027? (01:08:57) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE What Bonnaroo Fans Actually Want From a Podcast Flying to Bonnaroo: What You Actually Need to Bring Bonnaroo 2026: Thursday Headliner Confirmed + Our Corona Capital 2025 Breakdown ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| What Bonnaroo Fans Actually Want From a Podcast | 05 août 2026 | 00:56:19 | |
What do Bonnaroo fans actually want from a podcast? We surveyed our listeners — and 89% agreed on the answer. In this episode of The What Podcast, Barry, Bryan, and Russ break down the results of our listener survey: where you're really listening (YouTube is running away with it), how you found the show, and what content you want more of. We also catch up on a busy stretch of festival season: the rain that hammered Lollapalooza and Hinterland, the pull of Pickathon out in Oregon, and a remembrance of Glen Hansard. Plus: which festivals YOU want us to cover next (Shaky Knees, Bourbon & Beyond, and a few surprises made the list), and a look at the flood of vintage Bonnaroo photo galleries taking over Reddit. 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! ______ (00:00) Intro (01:08) Keith Richards & Our Bonnaroo Radio Takeover (08:29) Jesse Welles in Asheville (14:49) Lollapalooza, Hinterland, and Pickathon (23:41) Remembering Glen Hansard (27:40) The Survey: We Asked Why You Listen (28:30) Where Do Bonnaroo Fans Actually Listen? (30:41) 89% of Our Listeners Want This (35:45) How You Actually Found Us (40:53) Which Festivals Should We Cover Next? (43:31) Your Comments (50:52) The Bonnaroo Photos Reddit Loves (55:56) Wrap-Up & Camp Nutbutter Memories LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Bonnaroo's Lineup Secrets, From a Booking Agent Named Keith Richards Bonnaroo Radio Takeover ft. Noah Kahan, String Cheese Incident & More Traveling to Bonnaroo: A Patreon Chat It's Bonnaroo Week! Hype, Stories & Last-Minute Tips St. Paul and The Broken Bones' Paul Janeway Got Peed on at Bonnaroo ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo Radio Takeover ft. Noah Kahan, String Cheese Incident & More | 29 juil. 2026 | 02:00:00 | |
The What Podcast took over Bonnaroo Radio in 2026! We present a two-hour special that aired during the festival, bringing together Noah Kahan, RÜFÜS DU SOL, String Cheese Incident's Kyle Hollingsworth, and the people who built and shaped Bonnaroo. Produced and packaged by Bryan Stone, and now collected here in full. Spanning six years of interviews from 2019 through 2025, it's a cross-section of the show's history and how it's evolved — from Noah Kahan on songwriting to the origin story of how Bonnaroo launched, a conversation about sobriety at the festival, the wild backstory of Dancing Man Chris, and Kyle Hollingsworth on String Cheese Incident and his new solo record. Originally aired on Bonnaroo Radio, WFTZ 101.5 FM The Rooster. 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:00:34) Noah Kahan on songwriting as therapy (00:11:14) RÜFÜS DU SOL on how the pandemic rebuilt the band (00:20:32) Tim "Tuba" Smith on running the festival & the Squarch saga (00:48:33) Ken Weinstein tells Bonnaroo's origin story (01:00:17) Patrick Whelan on Soberoo and finding support (01:20:18) The surprising story behind Chris "The Dancing Man" (01:39:45) Kyle Hollingsworth on String Cheese Incident and wild artist collabs (01:59:18) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Noah Kahan on Mental Health and Allowing Himself to Be Honest Trading Whiskey Shots for Ginger Shots: RÜFÜS DU SOL Joins The What Podcast Bonnaroo's Infamous "Squarch": The Full Story with Tim "Tuba" Smith Mapping Out the Highlights and Conflicts of the Bonnaroo 2024 Schedule Lord Taco's Bonnaroo 2025 Picks and an Encounter with "The Dancing Man" Kyle Hollingsworth Interview: String Cheese Incident, New Music & Craft Beer ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo's Lineup Secrets, From a Booking Agent Named Keith Richards | 22 juil. 2026 | 00:52:14 | |
We had the chance to sit down with Keith Richards this week. Not that Keith Richards — let's get that out of the way early. Our actual guest is the newly-named Head of Festivals at Ground Control Touring, an independent booking agency representing artists from Waxahatchee to Japanese Breakfast to Manchester Orchestra. He was named to the role this past January, Ground Control's first-ever Head of Festivals, and he joined us to pull back the curtain on how a festival lineup actually comes together. We get into the questions we've always wanted answered: do artists really make more money at festivals versus arena tours? Is there a "cookie-cutter lineup" problem, or is that a myth? Why is developing a true headliner one of the hardest jobs in the industry right now? Keith also walks us through what it was like being on-site at Bonnaroo 2026 during the storm evacuation, riding it out alongside Bonnaroo's own team, and drops a list of up-and-coming artists he thinks are worth watching heading into next year. Listen to this week's episode with Keith Richards 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! ______ (00:00) Intro (02:24) Meet Keith Richards (Not That One) (07:06) How Booking Actually Works (24:26) Keith's History with the Booking Industry (30:16) Cookie-Cutter Lineups & the State of the Industry (40:20) Bonnaroo Hasn't Gotten Old, You Have (42:10) Artists to Watch: Who's Next? (49:18) Not That Keith Richards (The Full Story) (51:29) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Shaky Knees 2025 vs. IBMA Chattanooga: Live from the Red Carpet + Bilmuri Interview Ground Control hires Keith Richards as head of festivals & Joy Hubbard as festival coordinator ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| We Filled Out Bonnaroo's 2027 Music Census | 15 juil. 2026 | 01:10:01 | |
Bonnaroo puts out an official music census every year asking fans what they want to see next — so this year, we sat down together to answer every single question. We walk through it all: genres, headliners, comedy acts, late-night programming, the future of That Tent's new location, Bonnaroo Radio, and more. What do we agree on? What do we disagree on? Before the census, we catch up on recent local trips, and break down the newly finalized Hulaween lineup. Plus: Billy Strings opens Chattanooga's newly renovated Tivoli Theater, and Reddit's already buzzing about 2027 Bonnaroo mock lineups. NOW TAKING OUR OWN LISTENER SURVEY! How did you find the show? What do you listen to us on? What do you want to hear more of? Take 2 minutes and help shape what we cover next: https://thewhat.co/survey 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:00:36) Catching Up: Recent Trips (00:05:04) RIP Rick Williams: A Chattanooga Music Legacy (00:06:43) Bryan's Sphere Anniversary & The Caverns (00:10:25) Hulaween 2026 Lineup Reactions (00:13:30) Billy Strings Opens the Tivoli Theater (00:15:21) Bonnaroo 2027 Mock Lineups (00:19:23) Bonnaroo's Official 2027 Survey Begins (00:23:33) What Genre Do We Listen to Most? (00:24:46) What Genre Needs More Presence at Bonnaroo? (00:33:07) Should Bonnaroo Bring Back Comedy Acts? (00:39:58) Headliners vs. Undercard: What Matters More? (00:45:56) Does Bonnaroo Help You Discover New Music? (00:50:18) Late Night Sets & Time Between Shows (00:53:46) Bonnaroo in June vs. September (00:54:10) How Important Is the SuperJam? (00:54:57) Should Thursday Have More Stages? (00:55:30) That Tent's New Location: Was It a Success? (00:59:43) Grading Bonnaroo Radio (01:03:09) Did Anyone Watch the Where Stage? (01:05:16) Bonnie Roo's: The Farm's New Hangout Spot (01:08:05) Who We Want at Bonnaroo Next Year (01:08:59) Take Our Own Listener Survey LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Dead & Co. at the Sphere and Happy Landing at Bonnaroo 2024 Camping at Bonnaroo: Must-Know Updates and New Amenities for 2025 Church Boners React to Bonnaroo Ticket Contest Entries The What Podcast Audience Survey ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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 Bonnaroo Yearbook Guy Is Now Bonnaroo Famous | 08 juil. 2026 | 00:56:17 | |
Meet the man who's become a Bonnaroo legend, one signature at a time. Caleb Arias, creator of the Bonnaroo Yearbook, joins us for the third time to break down how his passion project exploded this year. What started as pitching strangers to sign a notebook is now three-hour lines, sold-out printed editions, and fans hand-crafting custom trinkets just for him. Grab your own copy of the Bonnaroo Yearbook at bonnarooyearbook.com and use code THEWHATPODCAST for 50% off! We get into the wristband smuggling caper, the moment Caleb revealed Bryan might have the most beautiful signature in the entire book (calligraphy pen and all), and what it's really like becoming a recognizable figure at a large music festival: including the sacrifices, the boundaries he's had to set, and why he stayed sober the entire weekend just to protect the project. Plus: a sneak peek at a possible Bonnaroo children's book starring his bearded dragon, Trogdor. Listen to this week's episode with Caleb 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:00:32) Caleb, the Bonnaroo Yearbook Guy Returns (00:02:14) The Wristband Heist & Getting to the Farm (00:12:24) How the Yearbook Project Began (00:15:47) Bryan's Calligraphy Pen & Inside the Book (00:24:14) Becoming "Bonnaroo Famous" (00:33:18) From Passion Project to Real Money (00:36:09) Trogdor, the Children's Book & Music Highlights (00:42:04) Chasing Sunrise Sets & Planning for Next Year LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Bonnaroo Yearbook: Capturing Festival Memories @bonnarooyearbook on Instagram How Bonnaroo Gives Back: Live from Planet Roo 2026 ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| How Bonnaroo 2026 Survived the Storm (And Became Unforgettable) | 01 juil. 2026 | 01:30:25 | |
Bonnaroo 2026 might have been the best one yet, and we are here to break down the entire weekend for you! We recap a festival full of serendipity: a surprise wedding in The Grove, an unforgettable run-in with singer-songwriter Jesse Welles on Shakedown Street, Bryan's first-ever Roo Run, and the Noah Kahan set and fireworks that closed it all out. Looking behind the scenes, we also go deep on how Bonnaroo pulled it all off. After the rain, the mud, and a Thursday-night power outage, we've got details on all the improvements. 2,700 yards of mulch, new French drains, sump pumps and generators, and more! Plus a music rundown covering Wet Leg, Geese, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, GRiZ, Mount Joy, The Strokes, The Chats, and Blues Traveler, and a moment to remember Oliver Tree. Thumbnail photo by Evan Brown 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! ______ (00:00:00) The Best Bonnaroo Ever? Our 2026 Recap Begins (00:00:44) 300 Episodes! How We Got Here (00:01:46) The Bonnaroo Moments We'll Never Forget (00:07:03) Ranking Bonnaroo 2026 Against 20+ Years (00:14:00) Getting to the Farm: Setup, Common John & Jiffy Burger (00:19:28) Thursday at Bonnaroo 2026 (00:25:15) The Thursday Night Power Outage (00:29:54) Behind the Scenes: Dale Green's Bonnaroo Infrastructure Tour (00:37:00) Did Moving the Stage to The What Field Work? (00:40:45) What Bonnaroo Is Fixing for Next Year (00:42:54) The Which Stage's Big Comeback (00:44:29) Surviving Sunday: The Storm That Almost Won (00:51:11) A Surprise Wedding in the Grove (01:01:15) Bryan's Best Day Ever at Bonnaroo (01:20:29) What's Next + Looking Ahead (01:22:56) Remembering Oliver Tree (01:26:50) Send Us Your Bonnaroo Pics! (01:29:56) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE It's Called: Freefall (GRiZ Remix) Okay...We Were Wrong About Geese How Bonnaroo Gives Back: Live from Planet Roo 2026 Dr. Oliver Tree's Extremely Epic Art Grant for Baby Geniuses ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| How Bonnaroo Gives Back: Live from Planet Roo 2026 | 24 juin 2026 | 01:08:58 | |
We're back from The Farm! First, Barry and Russ give a quick recap of an unforgettable Bonnaroo 2026 (our full deep-dive recap is coming soon!). Then we bring you our live panel from the Planet Roo stage, where we sat down with the nonprofits behind Bonnaroo's charitable mission: Kelsey Dewald (Planet Roo / Bonnaroo Works Fund), David Conover (Grundy County Food Bank), Emily Torgrimson (Eat for Equity), Anna Sampson (We Are Neutral), and Nancy Tarr & Deborah Dunn (Well Dunn Foundation). From a $100,000 grant for local school mental health to rescuing 25,000 pounds of food a year — here's how Bonnaroo gives back, and how your ticket does so much more than get you through the gate. 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:54) Quick Bonnaroo 2026 Recap (00:17:18) Live from Planet Roo at Bonnaroo 2026 (00:24:43) Kelsey Dewald (Bonnaroo Works Fund) (00:33:42) David Conover (Bonnaroo Food Sustainability) (00:40:18) Emily Torgrimson (Eat for Equity) (00:45:48) Anna Sampson (We Are Neutral) (00:58:26) Nancy Tarr and Deborah Dunn (Well Dunn Foundation) (01:08:40) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy Has a Story You Haven't Heard Bonnaroo 2026: Meet the podcasters who talk ‘Roo year-round Bonnaroo's New Festival Director Told Us What's Really Changing in 2026 Bonnaroo 2026 Recap: Roodemption! ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| It's Bonnaroo Week! Hype, Stories & Last-Minute Tips | 08 juin 2026 | 00:50:02 | |
It's Bonnaroo Week! We all got together at Lo Main in Chattanooga to get hyped, swap stories, and run through our last-minute tips before we all head to the farm. Joining us: Austin (aka Squeegee Guy), Tara, and Cassie. We get into going VIP, counting up our Bonnaroos (the math is harder than you'd think), taking family to the farm, staying safe out there, the shows we can't wait to see, and our final tips before we leave. SEE US LIVE AT BONNAROO 2026! The What Podcast is going LIVE at Bonnaroo 2026 on the How Stage inside Planet Roo, Thursday at 4PM. Come see us on stage with special guests and giveaways. 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! ______ (00:00) Intro (01:26) It's Bonnaroo Week! (04:05) The What Podcast LIVE at Bonnaroo — Thursday 4PM, How Stage (06:31) Is Bonnaroo VIP Worth It? (10:39) How Many Bonnaroos Have We Done? (The Math Is Hard) (16:50) Bringing Family & Kids to Bonnaroo (31:46) Bonnaroo Safety & Harm Reduction Tips (37:11) Must-See Bonnaroo 2026 Artists (43:14) Last-Minute Bonnaroo Packing & Prep Tips LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The What Podcast LIVE in Planet Roo, Thursday 4:00 PM Bonnaroo Isn't About the Headliners Anymore: Brad Steiner's Don't-Miss Picks What Everyone Forgets to Pack at Bonnaroo - and Where to Get It ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| What Everyone Forgets to Pack at Bonnaroo — and Where to Get It | 03 juin 2026 | 00:47:10 | |
You packed for weeks. You made a list. And you're still going to forget something — everyone does. This week we sat down with Brendan from Mr. B's Festival Needs General Store, who's spent nearly 20 years watching festival-goers realize they left the most important thing at home. Toothbrush, pillow, tent poles, stakes, a power bank — Brendan's seen it all, and he tells us what people forget the most and how to make sure a missing item doesn't wreck your weekend. Mr. B's has two locations in the Bonnaroo campgrounds (Plaza 3 and Plaza 4) plus a spot inside the VIP lounge, open 24 hours from Wednesday through Monday. If you forgot it, they brought it. Even better — you can skip the on-site scramble entirely with Mr. B's Click & Collect: pre-order everything from tent packages to cases of water and pick it up when you arrive. The pre-order deadline is JUNE 7, so don't wait. Plus, before the interview we catch you up on the latest — the Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy clip that's now passed 4 million views, and the weather chatter that has everyone a little nervous (spoiler: don't panic). And don't forget — The What Podcast is going LIVE at Bonnaroo 2026 on the How Stage inside Planet Roo, Thursday at 4PM. Come see us on stage with special guests and giveaways. Listen to this week's episode with Brendan from Mr. B's 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! ______ (00:00) Intro (01:18) The Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy Goes Viral (02:35) The What Podcast LIVE at Bonnaroo 2026 - 4PM Thursday (05:09) Bonnaroo 2026 Weather: Should You Worry About Rain? (12:37) What People Always Forget to Pack for Bonnaroo (Mr. B's General Store) LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy Has a Story You Haven't Heard The What Podcast LIVE in Planet Roo, Thursday 4:00 PM Mr. B's Click and Collect: Pre-order before June 7th ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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 Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy Has a Story You Haven't Heard | 27 mai 2026 | 00:49:11 | |
The Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy is one of the biggest viral moments to come out of Bonnaroo 2025's cancellation and letdown, and this week we finally got the full story. Austin, the man behind the pool noodle who went viral squeegeeing mud during the Bonnaroo 2025 cancellation, joins The What Podcast to tell us how the video blew up across TikTok, and the unexpected twists that came from it — including how it's sending his mom and aunt to their first-ever Bonnaroo. Before the interview, we go into the latest festival news like the long lines of fans waiting to get into Griztronics at The Gorge last weekend. We also revisit a little of our interview last week with Bonnaroo's director and marketing manager Shelby and Cory. And don't forget — The What Podcast is going LIVE at Bonnaroo 2026 on the How Stage inside Planet Roo, Thursday at 4PM. See us live on stage with special guests, and you could also win free giveaways from Lunchbox and an original I Am Bonnaroo print from photographer David Bruce! Listen to this week's episode with the Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy 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! ______ (00:00) Intro (04:29) Griztronics at The Gorge: Long Lines, Heat & Refunds (10:17) Bonnaroo 2026 Changes Recap (18:18) The What Podcast LIVE at Bonnaroo 2026 (19:26) Interview: The Bonnaroo Squeegee Guy Tells His Story LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Bonnaroo's New Festival Director Told Us What's Really Changing in 2026 ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo's New Festival Director Told Us What's Really Changing in 2026 | 20 mai 2026 | 01:05:21 | |
Less than three weeks to Bonnaroo 2026 and we got an exclusive interview with Bonnaroo's new Festival Director Shelby Goodsell and Marketing Manager Cory Smith to give us the most comprehensive inside look at what's changing, what's new, and what to expect on The Farm this year. We cover the Where Stage move, the campsite changes, the new Bonnie Roo's Sports Bar, Thursday's unprecedented all-in-one programming, the Grateful Dead tribute set, bandanas at the toll booths, and much more. If you're going to Bonnaroo 2026 this is the episode you cannot miss. Then don't forget, The What Podcast will be LIVE at Bonnaroo 2026 on the How Stage inside Planet Roo, Thursday at 4PM. Come find us, hug and howdy, and maybe walk away with free giveaways from Lunchbox and an original I Am Bonnaroo print from David Bruce! Listen to this week's episode with Shelby and Cory 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:49) Bonnaroo 2026 Outeroo Schedule Revealed (00:06:47) Bonnaroo Radio Returns in 2026 (00:12:46) Bonnie Roo's Sports Bar - New for 2026 (00:15:54) Bonnaroo Arch Playlist - Fans Choose This Year (00:17:40) Bonnaroo Squeegee King Returns (00:19:50) Interview: Bonnaroo Festival Director Shelby Goodsell & Marketing Manager Cory Smith (01:02:53) The What Podcast LIVE at Bonnaroo 2026 - How Stage, Planet Roo, Thursday 4PM (01:04:12) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE StoneOnAir: "Wishlist" on Pearl Jam Radio Noah Kahan Told Us This Before He Was A Bonnaroo Headliner Bonnaroo's Infamous "Squarch": The Full Story with Tim "Tuba" Smith Bonnaroo Community Spotlight: How Church Boners Became a Festival Family There Is No Bonnaroo Without Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Noah Kahan Told Us This Before He Was A Bonnaroo Headliner | 13 mai 2026 | 00:47:15 | |
We're back with a jam-packed episode as Bonnaroo 2026 gets closer by the day. We are now less than 30 days away! First up, The What Podcast will be LIVE Bonnaroo this year! We'll be on the How Stage inside Planet Roo on Thursday at 4PM, and we want to see you there. Then we break down the newly announced Bonnaroo SuperJam lineup headlined by Kesha, and react to Noah Kahan's SNL performance. Then we sit down with Trevor and Miguel from Wooks Haven: two first-timers who attended their first Bonnaroo in 2024, got completely hooked, came back in 2025, and loved it so much they built something around it. Their story is proof that it doesn't matter how many times you've been, Bonnaroo gets you every time. We wrap things up with a look back at our 2023 interview with Noah Kahan, who just performed on SNL and Tiny Desk and is now headlining Bonnaroo 2026. We had him before he blew up, and it's a powerful interview you don't want to miss! 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:07:01) The What Podcast Live at Bonnaroo 2026 (00:10:17) Bonnaroo SuperJam Lineup Revealed feat. Kesha (00:13:41) Noah Kahan on SNL (00:16:55) Wooks Haven Interview (00:39:09) Outro (00:43:10) Noah Kahan Interview: Before He Was A Bonnaroo Headliner LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Noah Kahan on Mental Health and Allowing Himself to Be Honest Jim James Looks Back on My Morning Jacket's Legendary 2004 Bonnaroo Show St. Paul and The Broken Bones' Paul Janeway Got Peed on at Bonnaroo Trading Whiskey Shots for Ginger Shots: RÜFÜS DU SOL Joins The What Podcast ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Don't Go to Bonnaroo Without These Tips | 29 avr. 2026 | 01:00:25 | |
We asked the Bonnaroo community to send us their best advice for surviving and thriving at Roo, and you delivered! Today we're going through your top tips, plus sharing a few of our own. We also highlight some of the community events announced recently! This episode will help get you prepped for The Farm and help you make the most out of your festival experience. Number one tip, don't miss our live podcast on the How Stage inside Planet Roo on Thursday at 4:00 PM! We announce some more giveaway stuff that you must be present to win! We're also celebrating 2,500 subscribers on YouTube, thanks to each and every one of you for helping us reach that milestone! 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:40) How Our Bonnaroo Prep Has Evolved Over the Years (00:05:37) The What Podcast Live Show + Giveaway (00:09:50) Community Events in Outeroo (00:11:29) Shotgunaroo Returns (00:13:09) John Cena Lookalike Contest (00:14:28) Beer Exchange + Coffee Exchange (00:15:40) Roo Bus Baseball Game (00:19:55) House of Yes Events Announced for Bonnaroo 2026 (00:23:11) Celebrating 2,500 YouTube Subscribers (00:24:05) Your Best Bonnaroo Tips (29 Listener‑Submitted Hacks) (00:58:44) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Catching Up with I am Bonnaroo Creator David Bruce Bonnaroo 2026: Why Ticket Deals Are Dropping Now Bonnaroo Cuts, Changes, and What's Returning (JamTrak, App, Who Stage, Radio Bonnaroo) Church Boners React to Bonnaroo Ticket Contest Entries ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo Cuts, Changes, and What’s Returning (JamTrak, App, Who Stage, Radio Bonnaroo) | 22 avr. 2026 | 00:56:41 | |
Bonnaroo just made several big changes: some cuts, some returns, and some updates that will affect everyone going in 2026. In this episode, we break down everything we know so far: JamTrak disappearing, the app shifting to Festiverse, questions around the Who Stage, Bonnaroo Radio returning, wristband warnings, ticket updates, and more. We also talk about our live show at Bonnaroo, this year’s giveaway, and what these changes mean for your weekend on the Farm. After the Bonnaroo block, stick around for fun extras: Volkswagen stories, VIP upgrades at The Caverns, Rock the Country news, Ticketmaster rulings, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame updates, and Roo Bus/Bob Dylan talk. 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! ______ (00:00) Intro (00:49) The What Podcast Live (01:15) Bonnaroo Prep and Recap from Last Week (03:53) Giveaway with Lunchbox (06:28) Wedding Update (07:46) Wristbands are shipping (11:20) Schedule Conflicts and Reactions (14:34) JamTrak is not returning (17:55) "Magic Man" not returning (20:21) No more Bonnaroo App (21:35) No Who Stage (23:08) The Return of Radio Bonnaroo (25:27) Music Genre Venn Diagram (28:05) Bug-a-Paluza Recap and Bus History (34:16) VIP Upgrades at Venues (44:49) Rock the Country (46:38) Live Nation/Ticket Master Judgement (50:12) Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees (54:25) Roo Bus in town for Bob Dylan (55:24) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo 2026 Bonnaroo Schedule Deep Dive with John (EDM, Conflicts, Must-Sees) Riot Fest, CaveFest, and Catching Up with flipturn at Moon River Festival Bonnaroo 2026: Thursday Headliner Confirmed + Our Corona Capital 2025 Breakdown ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| 2026 Bonnaroo Schedule Deep Dive with John (EDM, Conflicts, Must‑Sees) | 15 avr. 2026 | 01:10:31 | |
The 2026 Bonnaroo schedule is finally here, and we’re breaking it all down. Russ is off this week, so John joins Barry and Bryan for a full day‑by‑day walkthrough of the biggest conflicts, the must‑see sets, and the real‑world strategies that will shape your weekend on the Farm. From EDM to jam to indie to late‑night chaos, this episode gives you the context and advice you need to build your perfect Bonnaroo plan. We also hit the biggest festival‑world stories of the week: Coachella's wild first weekend, the Hulaween 2026 lineup and Sweetwater 420 Fest this weekend. Plus, we drop some more info on our live show on the How Stage this year, and Bonnaroo Radio! 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro: Where is Lord Taco? (00:04:05) Coachella Week 1 Chaos (00:09:37) Hulaween 2026 Lineup Reaction (00:16:13) Sweetwater 420 Fest This Weekend (00:17:33) Roo Run Registration Opens (00:19:54) The What Podcast Live Show + Bonnaroo Radio (00:24:08) Bonnaroo Schedule First Impressions (00:31:29) Friday Schedule Breakdown (00:41:31) Saturday Schedule Breakdown (00:54:54) Sunday Schedule Breakdown (01:03:58) Final thoughts + Weekend Strategy (01:09:48) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Bonnaroo Changed My Life: The Yearbook Guy's Story How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo Printable Schedules from Lindsey Bonnaroo 2026: Why the EDM Lineup Feels Different (Where Stage) Riot Fest, CaveFest, and Catching Up with flipturn at Moon River Festival ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Flying to Bonnaroo: What You Actually Need to Bring | 08 avr. 2026 | 00:50:21 | |
Flying to Bonnaroo this year? Our long‑time campmate and West Coast correspondent Elizabeth Thorpe breaks down exactly how she does it, based on years of flying to Manchester from Maine, Philly, and now Washington State. We also catch up on Beth’s own “tour,” highlighting the shows she’s been shooting in Seattle and beyond, and what it’s like working deep in the photo pit as a festival and venue photographer. From Jeff Tweedy at the Moore to Color Me Badd at the Clearwater Casino, Beth brings us a side of live music most fans never get to see. 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! ______ (00:00) Intro (03:14) Angine de Poitrine & Math Rock (07:30) Bonnaroo Updates & Festival Talk (13:35) Rush "Fifty Something" Tour Plans (15:19) Flying to Bonnaroo: Packing & Travel Tips (24:08) Beth's Seattle Shows & Photography Tour (49:09) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Anika Nilles: Who Is Rush's New Drummer? ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Inside Soberoo: Bonnaroo's Sober Community with Founder Patrick Whelan | 31 mars 2026 | 01:23:19 | |
Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to do Bonnaroo sober? This week we’re joined by longtime guest Patrick Whelan, founder of Soberoo and Harmonium Inc., the nonprofit that provides community and support for sober and sober‑curious festivalgoers at Bonnaroo and dozens of other events around the country. Whether you’re in recovery, "California sober," or just need a break from a crew that's going a little too hard, Patrick explains how Soberoo creates a safe, welcoming space for anyone who wants to experience the festival with a clear head. We also take a quick tour through this year’s festival landscape, from Bourbon & Beyond to Shaky Knees to CaveFest (get tickets here!), before reacting to Angine de Poitrine, a wildly unique Canadian math‑rock duo that listeners have been sending our way. And make sure you stick around to the end for an exciting announcement! 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:01) Our Bonnaroo 2026 Prep (00:18:15) Talking Soberoo with Patrick (00:55:12) Bourbon & Beyond (01:05:06) CaveFest Tickets on Sale (01:13:18) Angine de Poitrine (01:18:13) Live Show at Bonnaroo (01:19:53) Record Store Day (01:21:24) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE How to Enjoy a Substance-Free Bonnaroo Experience with Soberoo 86 Days to Bonnaroo, Start Your Prep Now Bonnaroo Changed My Life: The Yearbook Guy's Story Rick Beato: Please STOP Sending Me This Angine de Poitrine - Full Performance (Live on KEXP) How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| 86 Days to Bonnaroo, Start Your Prep Now | 17 mars 2026 | 00:24:39 | |
With 86 days to Bonnaroo, prep season is officially here. In this week's shorter check‑in, Barry and Russ walk through the early steps every Roo camper should be taking now: from pulling out gear, checking tents and fans, and buying non‑perishables a little at a time, to coordinating with your group so nobody shows up without poles, stakes, or the essentials. We also break down the Live Nation settlement with the DOJ, and how it might (or might not) affect events like Bonnaroo. Plus a little vinyl talk, and some making fun of Bryan. 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! ______ (00:00) Intro (03:11) 86 days to Bonnaroo, how to start prepping (09:40) Live Nation Settles with DOJ (20:21) Our first records/albums (23:11) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Bonnaroo Changed My Life: The Yearbook Guy's Story Ultimate Bonnaroo Camp Prep: Packing, Planning, and Survival Tips Bonnaroo 2026 Lineup Breakdown with Cory & Tuba: Early Release, Big Changes, and What to Expect Bonnaroo 2026: Brad & Cory from C3 Answer Your Questions When Bonnaroo Breaks Your Heart: Our Reaction to the 2025 Cancellation How The Caverns Became Tennessee's Premier Music Destination ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo Changed My Life: The Yearbook Guy's Story | 11 mars 2026 | 01:22:05 | |
Bonnaroo really does change lives, and today's talk with Caleb Arias, aka The Bonnaroo Yearbook Guy, proves it once again. From being too nervous to talk to strangers at his first festival to becoming one of the most recognized creators in the festival community, Caleb walks us through the moment everything shifted. He explains how a simple journal turned into the Bonnaroo Yearbook, how that idea exploded across Hulaween and Okeechobee, and how documenting festival culture helped him find confidence, connection, and purpose. We also dive into the massive growth of the Yearbook project, the behind‑the‑scenes work that goes into each book, the emotional fallout of Bonnaroo 2025, what we're looking forward to at Bonnaroo 2026, and Caleb's new collaboration with the festival itself. Finally, Caleb sticks around for a little bit of vinyl talk, where we show off some of our most valuable records from our collections. Get your very own copy of The Bonnaroo Yearbook at 50% using coupon code THEWHATPODCAST: bonnarooyearbook.com 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:17) Caleb the Bonnaroo Yearbook Guy joins (00:19:22) Origin story (00:32:54) Thoughts on this year's lineup (00:36:09) How to get a yearbook (00:47:30) Bonnaroo adds 2-day ticket options (01:06:25) Our most valuable vinyl records (01:21:31) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Bonnaroo Yearbook: Capturing Festival Memories Okay...We Were Wrong About Geese Bonnaroo 2026: Brad & Cory from C3 Answer Your Questions Catching Up with I am Bonnaroo Creator David Bruce ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo Adds Sunrise Sets...and Barry Makes His Most Embarrassing Mistake Yet | 04 mars 2026 | 00:54:54 | |
Bonnaroo adds sunrise sets to the 2026 lineup, but first, Barry has to eat a little crow. We go down a rabbit hole of music history before shifting gears to talk Bonnaroo news, plus other festivals like Shaky Knees who just released their lineup. Finally we talk a little bit about this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees! 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! ______ (00:00) Intro (02:16) Barry's Confession and Repentance (09:57) History of Grateful Dead and CBGB (15:00) Bonnaroo Update: Sunrise Sets and Festival 'Shrinkflation' (23:35) Shaky Knees: Worth the Slog? (30:41) Other festival news (42:34) Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (52:11) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Why Bourbon & Beyond Might Have the Best Lineup of 2026 Danny Clinch: Still Moving on Amazon A History of the Grateful Dead in 10 Songs Bonnaroo's 2024 Outeroo Lineup and Television's Richard Lloyd Reflects on Marquee Moon Shaky Knees 2025 vs. IBMA Chattanooga: Live from the Red Carpet + Bilmuri Interview Bonnaroo 2026: Thursday Headliner Confirmed + Our Corona Capital 2025 Breakdown How to Enjoy a Substance-Free Bonnaroo Experience with Soberoo ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Why Bourbon & Beyond Might Have the Best Lineup of 2026 | 25 févr. 2026 | 00:51:53 | |
Bourbon & Beyond does it again, dropping a stacked lineup that makes us ask the question, "is this real"? With headliners like Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, Mumford, and Dave Matthews, we start wondering if it's time we finally made the trip to Louisville and the lineup keeps getting better the further down you read! Elsewhere in the episode, we catch up with Bryan after his trip to Las Vegas, review the Summerfest lineup that also came out this week, and briefly discuss Bonnaroo ticket sales and pricing. 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! ______ (00:00) Intro (01:27) A Gift for Barry (05:12) Bryan's Trip to Las Vegas (15:46) Revisiting the Where Stage lineup (20:16) Bourbon and Beyond (30:35) Summerfest (35:25) Bonnaroo Tickets and Pricing (50:38) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Danny Clinch on Photographing Bruce Springsteen and Getting Radiohead to Play Bonnaroo Danny Clinch: Still Moving on Amazon Dead & Co. at the Sphere and Happy Landing at Bonnaroo 2024 Record Store Day 2026, The Releases We're Grabbing Bonnaroo 2026: Why the EDM Lineup Feels Different (Where Stage) Church Boners React to Bonnaroo Ticket Contest Entries Noah Cyrus on Her Family, Her Songwriting, and More How to Enjoy a Substance-Free Bonnaroo Experience with Soberoo Toasting the Bourbon & Beyond 2024 Lineup ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo 2026: Why the EDM Lineup Feels Different (Where Stage) | 18 févr. 2026 | 00:42:32 | |
Bonnaroo 2026's EDM lineup feels different, and the move to the new Where Stage is at the center of it. In this episode, Russ, Barry, and guest John break down why this year's late‑night energy has shifted, what the community is reacting to, and how the new location changes the vibe of sunrise sets, crowd flow, and the festival’s overall identity. From longtime Roo veterans feeling uncertain to the Saturday lineup pulling people "right back in," we dig into the reasons this year stands out. If you'd like to be a part of our Discord community like John, it's free to join! https://thewhat.co/discord 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:04:08) Lineup Discussion and Where Stage with John (00:39:25) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Church Boners React to Bonnaroo Ticket Contest Entries ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Okay...We Were Wrong About Geese | 11 févr. 2026 | 00:37:35 | |
Geese’s performance on SNL last week sparked such a huge debate that we decided to walk it back and revisit the whole thing. Find out how we feel now about the band, what changed after a deeper listen, and whether they've made our list of must‑see sets for Bonnaroo 2026. We also dig into the latest Bonnaroo news, including a tragic update on Lil Jon's missing son and a look at how many Bonnaroo artists showed up at this year's Grammy Awards. We also get into CaveFest now that the 2026 dates are official (get tickets here!), plus some speculation about CaveJam's future and other performances we're excited about at The Caverns. And we wrap things up with a look at the Record Store Day 2026 releases we’re most excited about, from Tony Bennett's MTV Unplugged to Billy Strings' Tiny Desk to a mountain of Rolling Stones exclusives. All this week on The What Podcast! 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! ______ (00:00) Intro (05:20) A special gift from Dale Green (08:48) Revisiting our Geese Take (17:33) Lil Jon's Son Found Dead (19:28) CaveFest 2026 Dates Announced (26:05) Record Store Day 2026 List Released (35:21) Bonnaroo Artists on the Grammys (36:58) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Most People Aren't Physically Ready for Bonnaroo... Are You? Bonnaroo 2026 Lineup Breakdown with Cory & Tuba: Early Release, Big Changes, and What to Expect The Les Claypool Interview: Primus, South Park, And The Art Of Weird Bass Billy Strings: Tiny Desk Concert ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Most People Aren't Physically Ready for Bonnaroo… Are You? | 04 févr. 2026 | 01:07:54 | |
Most people think they're physically ready for Bonnaroo…until they hit the farm and realize just how intense four days of heat, walking, dancing, and nonstop movement really are. That's why we're talking to Christin Craig of the Roo Fitness Challenge: a simple, realistic, community‑driven plan to help you show up stronger, safer, and more prepared than ever. In this episode, certified personal trainer Christin breaks down exactly what it takes to get Roo‑ready, why even small changes now can transform your festival experience, and how YOU can join the challenge starting today. Whether you’re a first‑timer or a seasoned veteran, this is your roadmap to surviving (and actually enjoying) the physical side of Bonnaroo. Sign up for the Roo Fitness Challenge here! 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:05:48) Message from Brad Parker (00:07:35) Artists bailing on Kid Rock festival (00:09:15) 420 fest in Atlanta lineup and new location (00:13:16) New Noah Kahan music (00:14:08) Geese on SNL (00:17:26) Roo Fitness Challenge with Christin (01:07:17) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Camping at Bonnaroo: Must-Know Updates and New Amenities for 2025 instagram.com/roofitnesschallenge ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo 2026: Why Ticket Deals Are Dropping Now | 28 janv. 2026 | 01:03:33 | |
Bonnaroo 2026 ticket deals are dropping earlier than expected. In this episode of The What Podcast, we break down the latest pricing shifts including referral codes, the introduction of 4‑ and 6‑pack bundles, and one-day passes. Is this a sign of lower demand, strategic marketing, or something deeper? Also, we explore the newly announced late-night sets and who we are looking forward to staying up late for. And finally, let us introduce Keera and Tyler, the winners of Bonnaroo 2026 ticket giveaway! Hear their reaction to the news, their story, and their wedding plans! Thank you to everyone who participated in our contest, and stay subscribed to The What Podcast as we bring you the latest festival news and insights over the coming months. 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:06) Bryan's Ear Infection (00:07:24) Bonnaroo After Hours Lineup (00:14:13) New Ticket Options (00:29:15) Our Contest winners (00:59:10) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Church Boners React to Bonnaroo Ticket Contest Entries RooHamm: Fantasy Superjam Draft Sean Stewart: Exploring Bonnaroo 2022 We Play Your Bonnaroo Contest Entries...They Hit Hard Keera's Entry for Bonnaroo 2026 Tickets How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Church Boners React to Bonnaroo Ticket Contest Entries | 21 janv. 2026 | 00:55:48 | |
With Bryan Stone out sick, the Church Boners step in to help us react to your Bonnaroo ticket contest entries! From emotional first‑timer stories to selfless submissions from fans entering on behalf of loved ones, this episode of The What Podcast highlights the heart of the Bonnaroo community: generosity, vulnerability, and the shared belief that the farm brings people together in ways nothing else can. Rick and Sean join Russ and Barry to listen through a new batch of Bonnaroo contest entries, including redemption arcs, first‑Roo dreams, and heartfelt messages from fans hoping to give someone else the chance to experience the festival. Their reactions remind us why Bonnaroo is more than a lineup. 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:05:26) Enter our contest (00:06:16) Catching up with Church Boners (00:20:50) Playing your contest entries (00:50:23) Final thoughts (00:55:00) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Bonnaroo Community Spotlight: How Church Boners Became a Festival Family CaveFest 2025: Exploring the Underground Magic of The Caverns We Play Your Bonnaroo Contest Entries...They Hit Hard ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| There Is No Bonnaroo Without Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead | 14 janv. 2026 | 01:03:30 | |
In this episode, we dig into why there is no Bonnaroo without the Grateful Dead, and why Bob Weir's influence on the festival runs far deeper than any single performance. From the jam band touring culture to the community-first ethos that defines life on The Farm, we break down how the Grateful Dead’s scene effectively migrated to Manchester, Tennessee and became part of Bonnaroo’s DNA. Plus, we play and react to more of your Bonnaroo contest entries, hearing from listeners about their own experiences, memories, and what Bonnaroo means to them. There's still time to enter our contest for a chance to win two tickets to Bonnaroo 2026 with a camping pass! Visit thewhat.co/win for details on how to enter, or call the hotline at (423) 667-7877! Thumbnail Photo: Elizabeth Thorpe 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:00:59) Bob Weir Passes Away (00:33:27) We Play More of Your Contest Entries (01:03:01) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Dead & Co. at the Sphere and Happy Landing at Bonnaroo 2024 We Play Your Bonnaroo Contest Entries...They Hit Hard Keera's Entry for Bonnaroo 2026 Tickets ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| We Play Your Bonnaroo Contest Entries...They Hit Hard | 07 janv. 2026 | 01:10:16 | |
We're back after a short holiday break, and catching up on everything that's happened in the world of Bonnaroo and music festivals. In this episode, we reflect on our biggest moments from 2025, and how they shaped us as fans. Plus, does Bryan have a new favorite artist discovery from the 2026 lineup? Then, the heart of this episode comes from you! We play some of the Bonnaroo contest entries sent directly from listeners, and honestly the stories, memories, and emotions behind them hit harder than we ever expected. From first-time Bonnaroo experiences to moments of connection, resilience, and community, these submissions capture what makes Bonnaroo and music festivals so meaningful beyond the lineup. Watch Reece's full video submission here. There's still time to enter our contest for a chance to win two tickets to Bonnaroo 2026 with a camping pass! Visit thewhat.co/win for details on how to enter, or call the hotline at (423) 667-7877! 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:17) Catching up after the holidays (00:17:04) Our best 2025 moments (00:34:03) Playing your contest entries (01:09:46) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Bonnaroo Isn’t About the Headliners Anymore: Brad Steiner’s Don't-Miss Picks TOTEM Holiday Party Live From Straight to Ale When Bonnaroo Breaks Your Heart: Our Reaction to the 2025 Cancellation Dogs in a Pile Talk Bonnaroo 2025 Debut, Jam Band Roots, and Songwriting with Tom Marshall Bonnaroo's Survey Questions and hey, nothing's Big Summer Shaky Knees 2025 vs. IBMA Chattanooga: Live from the Red Carpet + Bilmuri Interview Lord Taco's Bonnaroo 2025 Picks and an Encounter with "The Dancing Man" CaveFest 2025: Exploring the Underground Magic of The Caverns Bonnaroo 2026: Thursday Headliner Confirmed + Our Corona Capital 2025 Breakdown The Bonnaroo Yearbook: Capturing Festival Memories ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo Isn’t About the Headliners Anymore: Brad Steiner’s Don't-Miss Picks | 24 déc. 2025 | 00:59:59 | |
Former What Podcast host Brad Steiner is back, and he's bringing his most trusted Bonnaroo instincts with him. Recorded on location at Lo Main in Chattanooga, this episode features Brad alongside Bryan Stone and Barry Courter as they dig into why Bonnaroo isn't about the headliners anymore, and how the real magic of the festival lives deeper in the lineup. From legacy acts to emerging artists, the conversation centers on how Bonnaroo has become a place where discovery, timing, and live performance energy matter more than top-line billing. Brad shares his don't-miss Bonnaroo picks, explains how bands really break, and reflects on unforgettable festival moments that shaped his perspective, along with stories from recent shows, including the Oasis reunion and artists you'll be glad you saw early. There's still time to enter our contest for a chance to win two tickets to Bonnaroo 2026 with a camping pass! Visit thewhat.co/win for details on how to enter, or call the hotline at (423) 667-7877! 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:24) Brad Joins (00:30:35) Brad's Bonnaroo 2026 Picks (00:59:42) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Shaky Knees 2025 vs. IBMA Chattanooga: Live from the Red Carpet + Bilmuri Interview Noah Kahan on Mental Health and Allowing Himself to Be Honest ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo Veterans React to the 2026 Lineup (What Stands Out) | 17 déc. 2025 | 01:04:44 | |
In this episode of The What Podcast, Bonnaroo veterans Beth and Bryan share their first impressions of the Bonnaroo 2026 lineup, breaking down what truly stands out and what feels different. They discuss genre balance, booking reactions across the Bonnaroo community, and ongoing questions around female artists and headliner representation. From headline-level conversations to deeper observations about where the festival is heading, this episode offers thoughtful, honest perspective for both longtime attendees and newcomers planning their next Roo. Before diving into Bonnaroo 2026, the hosts catch up after a short break, and talk about recent experiences including MAINx24 in Chattanooga, and Portugal. The Man at The Caverns along with other festival news from around the country. They also take a nostalgic look back at the Bonnaroo 2002 DVD, and reflect on how the festival has changed over time before wrapping up with some contest entries. There's still time to enter, for a chance to win two tickets to Bonnaroo 2026 with a camping pass! Visit thewhat.co/win for details on how to enter, or call the hotline at (423) 667-7877! 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:35) Brief History of The What Podcast (00:07:41) MAINx24 and Portugal. The Man (00:16:53) Jazzfest and Other Festivals (00:21:22) Bonnaroo 2026 Updates and Lineup Thoughts (00:46:19) Bonnaroo 2002 DVD (00:49:40) Final Lineup Thoughts (00:55:09) Contest Entries (01:04:24) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE MAINx24 Parade 2025 LIVESTREAM Bonnaroo 2026 Lineup Day! LIVE on The What Podcast Bonnaroo Lineup Behind the Scenes - Interview With AC Entertainment Bonnaroo 2026 Lineup Breakdown with Cory & Tuba: Early Release, Big Changes, and What to Expect Beth's Bonnaroo 2026 Spotify Playlist ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo 2026 Lineup Breakdown with Cory & Tuba: Early Release, Big Changes, and What to Expect | 03 déc. 2025 | 01:05:39 | |
The Bonnaroo 2026 lineup is here! In this episode, Cory Smith and Tim "Tuba" Smith from C3 Presents 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! ______ (00:00:00) Intro (00:13:17) Bonnaroo 2026 ticket giveaway (00:16:33) Interview with Cory and Tuba (01:03:57) Outro LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Bonnaroo 2026 Lineup Day! LIVE on The What Podcast ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo 2026: Thursday Headliner Confirmed + Our Corona Capital 2025 Breakdown | 26 nov. 2025 | 01:10:00 | |
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! ______ (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 ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Bonnaroo 2026 Updates: Farm Improvements and New Clues | 19 nov. 2025 | 00:19:46 | |
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! ______ (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 ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Inside Bonnaroo 2026: Clues, Presale News... and a Trip to Mexico City?! | 12 nov. 2025 | 01:00:18 | |
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! ______ (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 https://instagram.com/ethorpephoto Why You Should Attend a Mexican Music Festival ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Why You Should Attend a Mexican Music Festival | 22 oct. 2025 | 00:54:40 | |
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! ______ (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 ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| CaveFest 2025: Exploring the Underground Magic of The Caverns | 15 oct. 2025 | 00:53:27 | |
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! ______ (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 How The Caverns Became Tennessee's Premier Music Destination Caveman Chronicles by Todd Mayo on Amazon Thumbnail photo by: Elizabeth Thorpe ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Moon River Festival Sets Sail: Why Chattanooga's Beloved Fest Is Moving to a Cruise Ship | 08 oct. 2025 | 01:11:15 | |
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! ______ 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 Saving Moon River: How the Festival Overcame a Sunday Rainout ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||
| Inside Bonnaroo's Planet Roo: Shower The People's Mission Radiates Positivity | 01 oct. 2025 | 01:02:59 | |
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! ______ 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 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 ______ 🎧 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 The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission. 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. | |||