Festival season is right around the corner, and one of the biggest games in town is Bonnaroo. The Manchester, Tenn., musical extravaganza’s 2018 iteration is set for June 7-10, with headliners Eminem, The Killers and Muse topping the characteristically massive lineup.
With today’s release of the festival’s daily lineups (included down below), we now know how ‘Roo 2018’s four individual days are going to shake out, which is always critical information when there are set-prioritizing decisions to be made. We’ll break it down by you day-by-day below, highlighting some of the artists you need to see.
Thursday, June 7
As is typical at Bonnaroo, Thursday will be something of a warm-up day, with a focus on the festival’s more low-profile names. Stand-outs include Ron Gallo, whom we named one of 2017’s best new artists, and Durand Jones & The Indications, who delivered one of the best Paste Studio sessions of last year. Take chances and explore—see at least one new act, if not more—and enjoy the calm before the storm.
Friday, June 8
Things jump up a notch on the fest’s first full day, from big names like Sturgill Simpson and Paramore to rising acts like Khalid and Japanese Breakfast. You’re certainly not going to lack for options here, but you may start to find yourself torn between multiple sets that you were hoping to see. Whatever you do, just don’t miss the Superjam.
Saturday, June 9
Okay, Saturday is where things get truly epic. There are excellent acts all up and down the docket on Day Three, including Bon Iver (performing two sets), Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Sylvan Esso, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Brockhampton, First Aid Kit, Mavis Staples, Moses Sumney, Knox Fortune and many more. Here, the decisions are truly agonizing. Steel yourself.
Sunday, June 10
Chances are, if you’ve made it to Day Four of ‘Roo, you’re happy just to still be standing. But the lineup won’t let you rest yet: Alt-J, Broken Social Scene, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Thundercat and so many more acts are going to keep you moving till the bitter end. Leave it all out there on the Farm, folks. There are no wrong answers.
See the complete daily breakdown for Bonnaroo 2018 below, and keep an eye out for the fest to announce exact set times and such.
