Create Bonnaroo Outfits:
Comfy Daytime Edition

Getting outfits together for Bonnaroo is one of my favorite parts of planning for the event. The vibes at Bonnaroo are very hippy and colorful which are some of my favorite fashion description words! With Bonnaroo coming up in a few short months, I wanted to walk through how I plan and purchase the perfect out! I’m a sucker for comfort at any events, and with the extreme heat being comfortable is literally essential.

Get Inspired

If you guessed that the first step in creating any outfit starts with inspiration, you’re right on the money. I love going to different sites to get inspired by what I would want to wear for Bonnaroo! Pinterest is one of my favorite places to start, but I also love checking out Instagram and TikTok! Once I get the ball rolling, I’ll start creating a small little inspiration board. I used to use Canva for this but since the release of FreeForm and the new item selection feature on my iphone, I’ve been using those more. I really lie these to be an inspirational guide more than anything else and I really try to add images, etc. that invoke my desired vibe. Here’s what I came up with for this outfit:

Your “Centerpiece”

Creating an outfit for me always starts with an item that I absolutely fall in love with. I call this my “centerpiece” item and it’s what I base the rest of my outfit off of this item. At Bonnaroo finding something comfortable for the day can be kind of challenging because I’m not a bikini/small outfit kind of person and it’s usually so hot… really all you want is something minimal. So, I typically go for a light pair of joggers or biker shorts on the bottom with a light weight or smaller top, on top. I always look for things that aren’t made of super heavy fabric wise but still offers me some coverage in the places I desire. For this outfit, I found the cutest tshirt during a Valentine’s Day drop from Naked When the Beat Drops.

Buy It Here

Complimentary + Comfy bottoms

In an attempt to avoiding spending literally all of my money on outfits for events, I try and focus on one splurge item (usually my centerpiece) and then I try and purchase or repurpose for the rest of the outfit to be budget friendly. This is usually where my festival basics come into play!

For this outfit since the shirt is pretty bold, I thought a pair of black biker shorts would be perfect. I personally love the Berry x Lulu Lemon biker shorts. Sadly, these shorts aren’t sold anymore but the good news… The regular Lululemon Biker Shorts are a solid 10/10 that I love. I feel like they’re longer than normal biker shorts and don’t “ride up” as much as others either. Not to mention, Lulu has a lifetime warranty so if they fall apart you can always get them replaced making them a worth-while investment for your general wardrobe.

Buy It Here

Accessorize

Accessories are the best way for you to take your outfit to the next level. Sure, this outfit’s cute… but with the right accessories it’s a whole new level of cute chic.

I’m a suckkkkker for a good bucket hat, not only are they functional but they make doing your hair for the event so easy. I usually do hats on the first and last day of events because those are my lazy days Pairing this look with a reliable cross-body ensures you’ve got somewhere for all the festival essentials (i.e., sunglasses, battery fan, and hand sanitizer).

Buy It All Here

Tie it together with the perfect shoes

Of course, no comfy outfit is complete with out my favorite pair of rave shoes, the platform converse. Shoes really pull your look together overall and you want to make sure that they’re comfy to boot! That’s why I love a good platform- they’re always comfortable and provide a little extra cushion when you’re walking on gravel/rocks! Of course, I chose my go-to platform converse, but this look would also be super cutie with a pair of Dr.  Marten. You can shop my full Dr. Marten’s Festival Shoe Guide to find all the best options.

Buy It Here

Shop the Look

The Shirt

The Shorts

Accessories

The Shoes

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Bonnaroo Updates (2022): Everything You Need to Know

Every year, the teams behind Bonnaroo create an amazing experience that continues to get better with age. Some would say like a fine wine. What does this mean for us as attendees though? Well… It means that for 2022, Bonnaroo is giving us some BIG upgrades that attendees have been requesting for… well years. So, here’s everything YOU need to know about the Bonnaroo updates for 2022.

Okay so starting with the HEAVY hitters first.

NEW Campground Entry

The delimma of getting into the campgrounds has always been a survival of the fittest for Bonnaroo. I’m talking HOURS of waiting along the interstate, hours of waiting just outside of the turnstiles. Truly- chaos. So, to solve this problem, the team has implemented a daily parking process where attendees will purchase camping tickets directly associated with a specific arrival day and that is the ONLY day they can arrive if wanting to arrive before Thursday (i.e. Tuesday, Wednesday, or Weekend [Thursday- Saturday]). It can be anticipated that Thursday will still be a long wait!

The goal is to better control the number of people arriving on certain days. Make sure you tune in for the recap to see how this is executed and how people perceive the change! If executed well, it could alleviate the wait times in line for attendees, stress and pressure on check-in teams at the entrance, and even stress on local government in the area to support traffic control/deviations!

Better Campground Transportation

Another big problem solver that I’m truly giddy about! Getting around outside of Centeroo (where the music and stages are) is a lot, which usually means missing out on all the amazing activities available at the Plazas (more to come on this). However, for 2022, Bonnaroo has partnered up with Allegiant to bring Jamtrak to the grounds! Above is the concept image, pulled from this Facebook live, gives us hope that easy (and free) access to transportation across the grounds will be there! 

Stage Changes

Stage changes are always and exciting, but scary time. It can be a total win, or it could be a TOTAL miss. This year, late night music is moving over to The Other stage. Personally, I feel like this is going to greatly increase traffic flow because it’s closer to the side-entrance of Centeroo. Making it an ideal location for a quick late-night exit versus traversing the entire Farm from the Kalliopi stage. Make sure you check out the 7 Artists You Can’t Miss on the Bonnaroo Late Night Lineup. Other upgrades include a massive haul on the Silent Disco and Who Stage, including new lighting, lasers, and more.

Plaza Upgrades

Every year, the Plazas come back with an even bigger bang, and this one is no exception. Bringing back some of my favorite amenities, such as shade, food, misting stations, and charging stations (phew*), these spots are a HUB of activities for attendees. Not to mention, they are all individually curated for a different ‘vibe’ at every location! So, put that Jamtrack to use and make sure you visit ALL OF THEM.

Another important note, is that some Plazas have specific shopping merchandise only available there, and secret artists sets that are always *announced* so keep your eyes peeled!

Tent & Camping Upgrades

Camping is a major part of the Bonnaroo experience, so they’ve really stepped up their game. For those attendees who are interested in the Platinum packages, enjoy shaded campgrounds just South of Centeroo with direct access to the Artist Lounge.

For those that are looking to avoid the hassle of pitching their own tent, consider checking out the new Darkroom tents available this for all package types not just VIP! They include an air conditioning unit, souvenir gear, inflatable beds, and more.

These are some BIG changes that the team has implemented for the Bonnaroo updates of 2022. Although I’m personally more excited about the entrance changes, all of these upgrades are going to make this years experience THAT much more special. If you haven’t fully prepared yet, fear not! There’s plenty of time. Make sure you check out the Bonnaroo Festival Guide, as well as stay connected on socials so you can join in on Q&As, Lives, and more.

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7 Artist You Can't Miss on The Bonnaroo Late Night Lineup for 2022

New for 2022, Bonnaroo is sharing a late night lineup. For those of you who are new to the Bonnaroo world, this is very different from previous years. None-the-less, you can bet there will be surprises at every turn once you get on The Farm.

In previous years, Bonnaroo has been host to several different types of “late night” shows, but this is the first year that they are giving us an entire lineup. It’s been understood that this lineup is the artists that are going to be playing at The Other stage as it’s now going to be a late-night spot (along with Where in the Woods and Plazas).

Thursday:

• Sidepiece – Dynamic duo of Nitti Gritti and Party Favor. Perfect for house lovers!
• VNSSA – Who doesn’t love a strong female DJ with a fire set? Enjoy tech house vibes during her set!

Friday:

• Illenium – His set’s at The Other stage are phenomenal. Don’t miss this- he’s a set master!
• Lane 8 – With new music releases in the past year, Lane 8 is a cannot miss house artists on this lineup

Saturday:

• Flume – Clearly a cannot miss! After his long hiatus from music (and the public), his sets are ones you never know if it’ll be your last.
• Ludacris – Enjoy the throwback, I know you want to! I can’t wait
• Chris Lake – We all love this house music icon. With amazing sets and ability to read the crowd, this is going to be one late-nighter you cannot miss!

These are 7 artists that I promise will rock your world during the late night sets at Bonnaroo this year! Continue gearing up for the event and make sure that you’re totally prepared! The official Bonnaroo 2022 Updates post will also tell you more about updates for this year! Check out the Bonnaroo Survival Guide or, head over to my Youtube channel to get Bonnaroo ready!

Bonnaroo Youtube

Bonnaroo Survival Guide

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Top 10 Must-See Artists at Bonnaroo Music Festival 2022

Bonnaroo is back for 2022 with a lineup that is lowkey a banger. Although this festival IS NOT an all EDM-related festival, its stages have seen huge names like Alison Wonderland, Illenium, Bassnectar, and more. And in true fashion, this year is no different, just maybe not so EDM-focused.  Here are the top 10 artists that you cannot miss at Bonnaroo Music Festival 2022.

1. Rezz

With the release of her new album in 2021, seeing her name on the lineup was exceptionally exciting! In previous years, her music was starting to lose it’s pizzaz (IMPO) but this new album is going to be a treat to hear on the Farm. Fingers crossed she’s at the Other Stage!

2. Illenium

Illenium on the farm is a dream come TRUE! Take from me, I fell in love with Illenium at The Other Stage in 2017 and it was magical. Not only does this mean we’re in for a performance of a lifetime, but he also does an amazing job ready the vibes of the crowd and giving everyone a great time!

3. CHVRCHES

This is an oldie but goodie- this group is an all-time favorite. Their stage performance is truly a treat and they’ve graced the Bonnaroo stages before! Prepare for true performance with this dynamic trio.

4. Black Tiger Sex Machine

Does more really need to be said? BTSM is a performance that truly no one should miss. This trio not only brings amazing vibes, and can frequently be found around the campgrounds during events, but they also have an outstanding show. Their visuals and stage presence speak for themselves. 

5. G Jones

A master of tunes- G Jones should never be missed. After experiencing his set on the Farm in 2017, he’s been an OG favorite for me. Not only do his mixes boast amazing transitions and tunes, but his visuals are unrivaled. 

6. All Time Low

It’s funny how many people in the early EDM scene are also long-time Alt-music lovers. All Time Low is likely a crowd favorite and their tour this year is EXCEPTIONALLY promising! 

7. John Summit

A House music phenom- it’s SO exciting to see him on the lineup this year! Not only are his mixes amazing, but his show performance is also SO fun. Even for someone who is not typically a house-lover, I’ll definitely be attending his set.

8. Of The Trees

This is a group that’s been on my list for a very long time! Their stage performance is said to be electrifying and their ability to control and read the crowd creates a very fun environment for everyone! 

9. Lucii

It’s always heart-warming to see a little bass music on the lineup! LUCII is a favorite and one artist that’s also been on my must-see list for a while now! If you’re looking for deep dark wubs, this is the set for you! 

10. Clozee

Seeing Clozee on the farm will be a treat for everyone! Not only do her mixes create an amazing environment and ambiance for the crowd, but her visuals and crowd control are SO impressive. We got the opportunity to also see her for the Silent Disco and I highly recommend catching her if she’s there this year!

And there it is! These are going to be the top 10 must-see artists at Bonnaroo Music Festival 2022! This year is going to be a very low-key heater year which is ver exciting! As a multiple-year attendee, I personally find that a sold-out/very packed Bonnaroo is NOT as much fun as a half-packed Roo.

Start preparing for Bonnaroo now! Check out the Bonnaroo Festival Guide below.

Bonnaroo Festival Guide

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Learn About What’s New for Bonnaroo 2021

Bonnaroo season is upon us once again which means it’s time to share all the amazing updates that are in store for us for Bonnaroo 2021! As always, there are big things upon us this year with stage updates, amazing lineups, bigger activities, and so much more. I’m sharing the updates that have been shared with us for Bonnaroo 2021 (thus far).

With COVID-19 still relatively fresh in people’s minds, it’s been a burning question how events are going to handle the needs of social distancing, while also handling the needs of their attendees. Where some festivals may shy away from the challenge, Bonnaroo (and promoters) took the opportunity to step up to the challenge and ALSO upgraded the venue, artists, and activities while they were at it.

Updates to Getting in Line

In Bonnaroo 2019, and previous years, camping spot delegations were a mystery. For 2021, Bonnaroo is changing up how they’re “placing people” for spots as they enter. In order to get into the grounds, a Bonnaroo camping ticket is required, and for 2021 attendees are required to purchase a ticket for entrance on a specific day. This also means, the earlier your “entrance day” the better a spot you’ll have to Centroo. This is because they’re filling the campgrounds from front to back this year!  Another addition to the “line” situation will be that attendees are able to buy daily entry passes.

Although the line will be divided up amongst several days, please make sure you properly prepare! The Bonnaroo festival line! can be a beast- so don’t go in unknowning. There’s tons of details available about the line and Bonnaroo security over in the Bonnaroo festival guide to help you all out! So, regardless of the day, be prepared to wait just in case!

Inside the Venue Updates

Outside of just making changes to how you get into the festival, Bonnaroo has several upgrades inside the venue to create a better experience for everyone. I feel like a lot of these changes come from years of attendee feedback, so it’s exceptionally nice to see them implement some changes. The big ones are going to be FREE, 24/7 transportation, as well as upgrades to the stages that (IMO) were long over-due.

Stages Upgrades

This has been highly anticipated for me, so I’m excited to announce that the Which Stage is getting some upgrades! Think bigger screens, larger speakers, and better bass. Although the Which Stage isn’t their premier “EDM” stage, this is the stage to catch gam sessions (i.e. Griz SuperJam in 2019). 

Around the Campgrounds

If you’ve been to Bonnaroo before, then you know there’s a lot of walking involved. Having the best rave shoes for festival season is my first pro tip. The next is to make sure you catch the JamTrak while you’re in the grounds. JamTrak is a free shuttle service that’s going to be running 24/7 for free!

This is only the beginning! Bonnaroo continues to upgrades their venue every year so we’re always in for a treat when the time comes. There are tons of more details to make your visit to the farm amazing at the Bonnaroo festival guide, so make sure to check it out! As more updates roll out, make sure that you’re staying in the loop! You can stay in the loop by subscribing to the Hackers List. This gives you access to exclusive festival tips and tricks, announcements, EDM news, and so much more.

Bonnaroo Festival Guide

Learn About Camping

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This year, Bonnaroo 2019 blessed nearly 80,000 beautiful souls with an unforgettable experience down in Manchester, TN. The Farm was back and better than ever this year. With new stages, installations and they even brought back Plaza 11 (which hasn’t seen the Bonnaroo maps since 2015). This year, I was invited to attend Bonnaroo as a guest of the Media. Make sure to check out the bottom of this post for some MIND BLOWING photos that my little rave nug @taylor_thehuman took while on media with me!

The Road to Bonnaroo 2019

The road to Bonnaroo this year was a different one than what I have taken in previous years. Although I was still coming from Indianapolis, I was attending ‘Roo as a guest of the Media. This meant there were new obstacles to overcome.

Getting My Media Pass

Overall, there was a lot of mystery surrounding my media pass, however, it didn’t stop me from being extremely excited about the opportunity. The festival provided a location, however, outside of the location, they didn’t provide anything else. There were no directions on where to go when it came to car checks, and when asking people at check-in, they sent us to the wrong line, twice, and at one point, the sheriff’s told us that there actually was no media check-in. However, things were a lot smoother once I finally made it into the venue and got setup. There were a lot of great experiences that I had with my media pass and some not so great experiences. Check out my entire media experience over here.

Oh, the Bonnaroo Line

Waiting in line at a festival is inevitable. However, this year’s Bonnaroo line seemed to be in a particular state of disarray this year. There were exits closed off that, in previous years, were open for use. At one point, traffic was being routed down about 25 miles from the Bonnaroo entrance just to turn around. Not to mention, a person in my groop was unfortunately in line for over 12 hours because they were routed literally around the ENTIRE farm. Although I understand the need to control traffic flow, asking anyone to sit in a car for 12 hours seems a bit much, Bonnaroo. Having a radio station, iTunes station, hell, even an email, tweet, or insta update could have gone a long way to let attendees know what was going on.

On The Farm

Once my car finally made it into the venue, things were rather smooth. Car checks overall took about 10 minutes max. They checked my center console as well as the big blue tub that holds all of our camping gear and our coolers to check for glass. That was it. From there, we were sent on our way through the Farm.

Setting Up Groop Camping

This year, we had a SQUAD of people. Altogether, we had 170+ people camping with us, luckily we were in groop camping so space had already been saved for us! We all showed up when we were able to get in, faced all our cars in towards the campsite. This ensured that if anyone wanted to turn on their car, they wouldn’t fumigate a fellow fester with car fumes. From there, we started setting up canopies in the middle of the site, with our tents off of the canopies. It created almost like a tent town, full of all my favorite people! It was great.

Wednesday Shenanigans

Since we were able to get in around midnight on Wednesday night/Thursday morning, we made it in time for the Bonnaroo 2019 pre-party. One of the best parts of Bonnaroo is that the plazas are constantly having parties, and Wednesday night was no different. In Plaza 9 there was a glo-party, and in another plaza there was a party bus. I was exhausted after sitting in line for hours, so my boyfriend and I crashed early. But our friends rolled in around 3/4 AM from the party. We closed it down for the night and got ready for all the artists that we were so excited to see

Day 1: Cool, Calm, Collected

Day one of Bonnaroo 2019 started off VERY promising. My boyfriend and I woke up to a cool morning, which was uncharacteristic to Bonnaroo. We were able to sleep until about 8am that morning. It was g-l-o-r-i-o-u-s. Once we were up and at ’em though, we got moving. The group decided to start the morning with Asics JoyFlow Yoga in Plaza 2. From there, we headed into Centeroo to do some merch shopping. Rave Hack: Do your merch shopping on the first day to avoid anything you want selling out!

Once we were back at camp, we started looking at the schedule and planning out the rest of our day. We made our way in Centeroo through the back entrance to avoid the long wait/line at the Arch, and headed over to The Other stage. We caught Hekler’s set to start the night and WOW. He threw down. Not only with his own beats, but with oldies/throwbacks that had the crowd singing and screaming along. After that, we camped out for Eprom and were not disappointed. After that, we headed back to the campsite to catch some Zzzs. I did end up missing 12th Planet, but since I’m seeing him at Forest this year I wasn’t too worried.

The end of the night was the most epic. Space Jesus B3B Eprom B3B Shlump blew my MIND. So much weird shit was played, but it was all straight fire. I was floored that it was happening on the FIRST night of Bonnaroo?! The rest of the weekend continued on relatively the same way. Into the sunrise, Space Jesus and Freddy Todd played at Kalliope, as a ‘release party’ of sorts for Freddy’s new EP The Chrondor Era Mixtape.

Day 2: The Buildup

Friday was a little more reckless than Thursday but overall was a tame day. We decided to skip yoga this day and stay in camp to make breakfast (eggs, toast, and hashbrowns *yuuum*). My boyfriend and I decided to start the day seeing the Avett Brothers. They aren’t EDM, but a live act that I highly encourage anyone to catch! After that, we headed over to catch Griz at the Which Stage and then mosied over to The Other for Jade Cicada and Liquid Stranger.

Jade Cicada ended up being the best surprise show of Bonnaroo 2019 for me. I wasn’t familiar with him before, but his live set was amazing. Deep bass with beautiful visuals and lasers to go along with them. Liquid Stranger also really showed up for the show. He was able to play a lot of different things for the audience, and even brought up some special guests!

Day 3: And We’re Off to the Races

Saturday was the busiest day of the weekend for me. There were so many great acts going on, I ended up running all over the Farm to catch them at different stages. The first show I caught was one I had been looking forward to for a while, Whipped Cream. She played an amazing set, bringing the crowd to a scream of excitement. After that, I headed over to Hozier to catch the end of his set, and then move to the main stage to campout for Odesza.

The crowd at Odesza was insane, and in the end, my boyfriend and I decided to leave the crowd and get a spot sitting down. Although we weren’t right up front, the production from where we were was fantastic. Not to mention that the crowd was phenomenal to watch from a distance. Towards the end of Odesza, Space Jesus was on The Other, so I quickly headed over there to get my weird on.

To finish off the mad dash, my friends and I quickly headed to Post Malone and I’m SO happy that we didn’t miss it. The show as great, and he was so entertaining- even all the way in the back. After that, in true fashion, my squad and I closed the night down with Gramatik and Zhu at The Other. Zhu’s set was really surprising for me. Although it wasn’t what I was expecting, it was clear that he’s very talented, singing more or less everything live for the crowd.

Day 4: Closing it Down @ The Other

Sunday was definitely the burn-out day for most of the festival attendees of Bonnaroo 2019. Obviously, there were still those people going as hard as ever, but more people were sitting down on this day than any of the other days.

My boyfriend and I spent the day hanging out at The Other stage. We did catch a few other sets off of The Other, like Lil Dicky, Cardi B and Walk The Moon. The first I stayed and watched was AC Slater, which was a great set! I loved all the housey vibes that he was putting out for the crowd. After that, G Jones came on. I wasn’t expecting a lot from this set, since I’ve seen him almost 5 times in the past year alone, but the set was GREAT. Not only did he play the fan favorites like Helix, but he also played some unreleased music which was even BETTER.

Closing down The Other was ILLENIUM. I’ve always been a huge fan of him, although I wouldn’t consider myself an Illenial, I would deff. say I’m a follower. His set was epic and heavy, and he even played all the songs that the crowd could sing along too. One of my favorite things about festivals is when the crowd can sing along louder than the music.

Packing Up & Heading Home

Initially, we were planning on heading home on Monday morning on a full night of sleep. That isn’t necessarily how it panned out though. We packed up the majority of our things on Sunday morning, like our canopy, table- essentially anything aside from just our tent and sleeping gear. When checking the forecast, a storm was supposed to come in late Sunday so after ILLENIUM, we called it a Roo and headed back home.

In The End

This year’s experience was by far the best, even though it was much more crowded than in previous years. Bonnaroo 2019 had a few hiccups in the beginning with their routing of traffic and communication with TDOT, but once inside the venue things were smooth sailing. The volunteers were amazing and kind, and the security team was friendly to boot.

The grounds were exceptionally clean when we arrived, and Centeroo was even cleaner. The staff was always helpful when we needed something too. The Media tent inside of Centeroo had wifi and air conditioning which was also a great escape during the heat. Even though the beginning of it was a little rough, Bonnaroo was a beautiful experience and one that I look forward to every year.

The Gallery

The post Bonna-wahoo! Total Recap Bonnaroo 2019 appeared first on Rave Hackers.

Actually Getting My Media Pass & Getting in Line

The first one I ran into? Actually getting the freaking pass. Media credentials are picked up in a different location than Will Call. This year Media/Artists/Guests weren’t able to pick up their passes until 6 pm on Wednesday. I was surprised, to say the least, not to mention there were several ‘hiccups’ along the way.

The Issues

1. The campgrounds almost always open early (even though they’re not supposed to open until 8pm on Wednesday). This year was no different. Doors opened around 3pm ET. This meant that there were 3 hours of people already getting in line before I could even get my media pass. 
2. When attempting to pick up my media pass, I was actually told by the Sheriffs guarding the entrance that there was no media check-in (even though I was showing them the email from Bonnaroo directly). Eventually, I had to turn around in traffic and sneak past the Sheriffs because they refused to let me through (where’s the communication at Bonnaroo and TDOT?)
3. When I tried to get into the campgrounds, I was sent to not one, but TWO totally different entrances. I was searched twice and then was told after almost an hour of waiting and being pointed in different directions, that I couldn’t come in through any entrances we had been waiting at. I. WAS. SHOOK. 
4. Once we finally made it to someone who knew what was going on, they informed me that I would be able to camp in Guest Camping, however, anyone else that was in my car with me would need to stay back at the entrance and weren’t allowed to enter since I was the only one with media credentials.. Which meant.. where were my guests supposed to sleep? 

The Lack of Communication

What made this so disappointing was the overall lack of communication. Not only between Bonnaroo and TDOT, but also between Bonnaroo and those who were given media credentials. It would have been nice to have the Sheriffs ‘in the know’ about where specific check-ins were taking place. As well, it would have been nice to be able to get my ticket at a reasonable hour to still have time to get in line, without having to wait for everyone and their mother to get in line before me.

During Check-In

The actual media check-in was also another experience. The line moved quickly, I would say there were at least 20-30 other members of media there with us. After watching the lines for a little bit, I started to hear the same response from the Bonnaroo team when they were asked questions “Well.. This is actually a learning process for us because we don’t really know what we’re doing…”. I could understand if this was the first year allowing media/press/photography on site, however, this was not their first rodeo.

To top it off, I started to also notice that everyone carrying a photography bag, were running into issues. Several, if not most, of the photography team, had turned in paperwork to get their bags tagged to get into Centeroo, however, Bonnaroo wasn’t able to actually find that paperwork? So most people had to carry their cameras willy-nilly. SMH Bonnaroo. SMH.

Inside The Venue

Once we finally made it into the venue, things went much smoother. The volunteers at the tollbooths were able to easily direct my car over to Groop Camping. The search was light (especially considering I had already been checked twice at other entrances previous).

There was a media/press tent within the venue that was where they held all of the press conferences and what not that was accessible to me. They had free waters, food, and even free wifi and air conditioning. I didn’t spend a ton of time in the media tent though- I rather found myself trying to push into the press areas at the fronts of the stages. Typically security was pretty lax, however, that was dependent upon the artists. Some had stricter requirements to get into the photo pits.

How It Could Have Been Better

Every year, Bonnaroo is the one festival that I look forward to over any other. Not only do I enjoy coming home, but I enjoy seeing the beautiful installations and works of art that the Bonnaroo team creates. Even with an additional influx of 20,000 people, the festival this year more or less went off without a hitch.

There was only ONE death announced (WOW, so awesome), and yes, we had some issues when it came to traffic. Of course, traffic is always an issue. However, I feel that with communication on the interweb being as easy as it is, posting something on Reddit, Instagram, Twitter or even email, would have been nice. They could have let the festival attendees know which exits they can take, where those exits are going to route them, and what the wait times are looking like in certain lines (I.E. 6 hours for interstate shoulder line, 5 hours for exit 127 line, etc.)

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When getting ready for any festival, Bonnaroo included, there are obviously the typical items that you want to make sure that you have. I call this my ‘duh list’- but fail not, I also forget something off this list too. To avoid this, I’ve made my ‘duh list’ the first things that I start packing/setting aside when preparing to pack. However, there are a few items that, honestly, I would be caught dead at a festival without. These are NOT your average essentials like a battery pack, etc. The essentials listed here- you’ll be glad you know about, especially for Bonnaroo! (Check out my Youtube video all about this here)

If you’re looking for something more in-depth, click here to check out my entire Rave Hackers Festival Guide! It has tons of information for festival gear and hacks to make your festival experience a great one! Download it now (FOR FREE) below.

Travel

Getting to Bonnaroo is obviously the most important step. No matter how much you prepare it won’t matter if you get a flat and can’t figure out what to do next. Below are the things you should have in your car BEFORE you leave for the trip.

My first year at Bonnaroo my friends and I waited in line for almost 6 hours. During that wait, we quickly realized several things: quit drinking mass amounts of liquids once you get in line because you could be holding it for a while, and make sure to have easily accessible snacks/drinks if needed! When I was trying to come home that same year, my car died and you’d be surprised how hard it was to find someone who had jumper cables. Your car battery dying can be an easy thing! Especially if you’re like me, and utilize it to charge your phone or battery pack when you’re at the campsite!

The Campsite

The camping experience at Bonnaroo is something that people constantly rave about. You’ll see tons of different styles, shapes and looks if you go exploring on The Farm. Below are some things that I feel are underratedly awesome and important for a successfully comfortable campsite.

Every year, it never fails that someone asks for either a knife or scissors when we’re on The Farm, and frequently I myself need one. This is why the multi-tool is SO great to have on hand. Another essential to have on hand is good lighting. Personally, I like to use lanterns, but headlights or string lights are a great option too!

Now, let’s just talk about the cuddle puddle. I’ve gone back and forth about it- but it’s TRULY the way to go. Air mattresses will continue to deflate every night and morning- no matter how much you pump it. Now, why go through all that pain and discomfort when you can just cuddle up in a giant puddle of blankets with comfy padding underneath? Personally, I recommend these pads (they’re great!).

Comfort

Obviously, no one wants to rough it at a festival if they don’t HAVE to. So below are some of my essentials when it comes to Bonnaroo.

One day when I was preparing for Bonnaroo I found some GEMS that really ended up making my life over the past couple years amazing. The battery-powered fans really are essential if you’re going to be in a tent. The industrial style ones (like this) are amazing, and the fan will go all night long. The wet wipes speak for themselves, but the water cooling towels- lemme just tell you about them. They stay oh-so cool as long as you add water- they’re great for under hats or just around your neck. Truly. Lifesaving.

Food

Buying food at the festivals can get expensive- and honestly I love pizza but I’m not a fan of it in the morning. I like to get myself some good nutrition, especially after getting sick after my first Roo!

YES- TRASH BAGS! Save the Earth and the Farm guys- really. We’re so blessed to have such a beautiful experience year after year, and if there’s anything we’ve learned from Okeechobee getting canceled and Electric Forest cutting back to only one weekend- it’s that you HAVE to value the land you’re thriving on. So don’t litter- don’t throw your random shit on the ground (*end of rant*). Also, meal prepping is where it’s at. For example, instead of bringing along 10 whole eggs, I crack them into a bottle and mark every 2 eggs. It makes them easy to pour in the mornings with minimal mess!

The Venue

The items listed below are things that honestly, you’re going to want for yourself. They’re great- and really revolutionized my life when I brought them to Bonnaroo for the first time.

What I would die without:

These are my Bonnaroo non-essential essentials. These are all items that I wouldn’t be caught at Bonnaroo, or any festival, without. Check it out- tell me what you think! Share some of your favorite gear or essentials in the comments down below!

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If you’re looking for something more in-depth and specific, head over here to check out the official Rave Hacker’s Guide to Bonnaroo! It goes over all the different options you can get for tickets and camping. It even includes what kind of gear I recommend bringing to just about any camping music festival! Check it all out here.

Bonnaroo Tickets

Picking tickets out for Bonnaroo is one of the easier decisions! They keep it relatively straight forward when it comes to options. Just like previous years, Bonnaroo offers GA, VIP and Platinum tickets. However, for 2020, they’re bringing out a new stop for every one. For this year we also have the option for GA+. You can learn about what’s included in each ticket and how much they cost over here.

Bonnaroo Camping

For 2020, Bonnaroo is spicing things up for 2020. The biggest change is that they’re including A BRAND NEW security check-in to make the lines into the festival shorter. They’re also going to be filling in the grounds from FRONT TO BACK, which means it’s truly first come first serve y’all.

Once you’ve finally purchased your ticket though, it’s time to find a solution for your camping. Bonnaroo offers several different types of camping. Obviously there are the normal GA, VIP and Platinum tickets. However, this year, they have tons of different ‘add-on’ camping options either for souvenir/Le Bon tents, or tents that you can actually rent and camp within the GA camping area.

There are tons of different options when it comes to Bonnaroo and making sure that you buy the right tickets and camping is the first thing you need! For the rest of the month (and after) I’m going to be going through all of the different things I wish I had known before attending Bonnaroo! Learn more about Bonnaroo over on the Survival Guide, here.

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Now that the Bonnaroo 2019 Lineup Drop has happened, the rumors of conflicts and late night sets have been flying! Get an idea of the shows that you can’t miss, and ones that you should consider checking out too.

Headliners

After reading several rumors that the Bonnaroo 2019 lineup would be returning to it’s more ‘authentic’ roots, they’ve really done it. They’ve brought back the diversity that the festival is so known for. Just talking to fellow Bonnaroovians, and even some people who haven’t attended yet, everyone is excited about what the Farm is going to be offering this year!

Phish

This group is a Farm favorite. For 2019 they’re taking up some prime real estate on the Bonnaroo lineu. Phish is a classic American Rock group that is exceptionally well known for their following and music. I wouldn’t consider myself a fan, I know some of their songs and you’re definitely going to want to catch at least one of their sets on the Farm.

Childish Gambino

Not only is this artist more or less going to be a crowd favorite but it’s also been rumored (from various different dependable sources) that this show is set to be one of the last few that Glover performs for a while! I’m not confirming, nor deny this, I am highly recommending that you catch at least some of his set! (Currently taking bets that he’s shirtless with white pants- anyone want in on the action?

Zhu & Odesza

These are two artists that I’m so stoked to see. Initially, Zhu was supposed to play in my hometown, but sadly the show was cancelled. (*Sigh) He was a mystery artists until mid-2014 when he started sharing a little more about himself, but still focused his interviews on the music and production.

Seeing Odesza on the Farm is going to be something great. My rave fam are strong supports of them, and sad to say that I missed the one time they were able to come to my hometown. But good things happen for a reason right! Make sure you don’t miss their amazing drumline and visuals. Their show is one you don’t want to miss. The group has also recently released their Zyra Odesza VIP Remix- so make sure to check it out if you’re on the fence about catching this set. I promise it’ll change your mind!

Griz

There have been tons of (if not most of them) rumors about the conflicts between Griz and Phish on Friday- however let me just say a few things to keep in mind:

• Phish has three individual sets throughout the entire fest- if you don’t catch Friday (Although Friday is rumored to be the best of the Phish sets for the weekend) make sure you try and catch another set Sunday!
• Griz also has two sets during Bonnaroo- however one is a regular set, and one is a Super Jam Set. The Super Jam set is said to be a compilation of tons of oldies that we can all scream and shout to!

I personally will be likely at both Griz sets, but will definitely be at the Super Jam Set! Griz rocks the Sax throughout his sets, and if you’ve never had the chance to be enveloped by his beautiful ‘future funk’ and electro-soul tunes catching one of his sets will be a must.

Roo Clue’s

Roo Clue’s are the lineup hints that Bonnaroo thinks of and displays over all their social media platforms. Take a stab at guessing some of them too while you’re at it! If you don’t follow ‘Roo socially then you should absolutely consider following either r/Bonnaroo (reddit threat) or their Instagram (if anything at the end of the year) so you can get updates about the festival!

Thoughts & Rumors

When the 2019 lineup dropped there were definitely a few ‘oh’ moments. There had been rumors that Bonnaroo was going to go back to their ‘older’ roots, however, to be honest, I didn’t even know what that meant. After looking at previous lineups, and talking to fellow long-time ‘Roo-ers, the 2019 lineup is pretty spot on. Although there were some disappointments that Tame Impala and GroupLove, this years lineup is a blissful four days of diversity with various genres for any and all music lovers.

Whipped Cream

No one understands HOW excited I am about this gal being at Bonnaroo this year! I randomly lucked into seeing her set at an impromptu Zeds Dead concert I decided to go to with my boyfriend the day after Bassnectar NYE. ANyway, the show was phenomenal. Whipped Cream can be described as a spunky chick with a heavy beat. I would group her into the genre of sounding more like Rezz. She threw up some amazing remixes of some personal favorites (Excision, Rezz, oldies from the 90’s) and it was beyond refreshing. This is an artist that you’ll want to catch at Bonnaroo. I promise.

Post Malone

I’ve never had the opportunity to see Malone live but have heard great things about the vibes that he puts out. I’m very excited about this guy, but there are others in the ‘Roo community that may not be quite so stoked; Claiming that he’s too ‘mainstream’ to be on the Farm. I disagree with this as Bonnaroo has seen HUGE mainstream names throughout the history of the festival. As someone who’s not personally interested in the hip-hop scene, I’m excited for the opportunity to enjoy something different at the Farm.

Griz + Gramatik = Grizmatik?

I’ve never had the opportunity to see Griz live, however I’m a fan of his songs and am so excited about getting to see him! However, I have see Gramatik lives and oh my god. I am so excited to get to see him again on the Farm! It’s not confirmed, however many people are anticipating a late night Kalliope set from these two. Lets just say that you wouldn’t get any complaints from me if that were to be the case

Overall, the Bonnaroo 2019 lineup drop is full of amazing artists. If the ones I mentioned here didn’t spark your interest, other feature artists will be Brandi Carlile and Kacey Musgraves. Make sure to keep more up-to-date with Bonnaroo by checking out the Rave Hackers Bonnaroo Survival Guide! Or subscribe to stay in the loop with new Bonnaroo info, exciting news and exclusive rave hacks.

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