The What Podcast
Bonnaroo is more than just a festival, and The What Podcast is your backstage pass to the stories, secrets, and the magic that makes it so legendary. Hosted by two entertainment industry veterans, each week Barry and Bryan will take you deep into festival culture, live music, and behind-the-scenes stories. Since 2018, we've connected with passionate music fans worldwide, sharing personal experiences, expert insights, and exclusive interviews with the musicians and industry insiders who make festivals happen. Whether you're a Bonnaroo veteran or a first-timer, subscribe now to stay in the loop on everything that makes music festivals unforgettable.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 56 minutes
- Episodes
- 267
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2025
From Bonnaroo to Seattle: A 90s Grunge Pilgrimage
A Bonnaroo love story, fresh Farm updates from Manchester, and a Seattle grunge pilgrimage: all this week in The What Podcast! We preview Shaky Knees Festival 2025 in Atlanta and IBMA bluegrass event…
Red Rocks, My Morning Jacket, and Bonnaroo Stories: RooHamm & Roo Bus Catch-Up
Parker Reed from the RooHamm Podcast joins us to catch up and explain why there's been a lull since Bonnaroo, and how their group handled the festival's rainout before becoming optimistic about 2026.…
What’s Next After Bonnaroo? Devo at Shaky Knees and More 2025 Festivals
Bonnaroo 2025 is behind us, so what’s next? On this week's The What Podcast, we do some porch sittin' and look ahead to more festivals still to come in 2025, including Shaky Knees, World of Bluegrass…
Bonnaroo Shake-Up: Brad Parker Departs, & Kyle Hollingsworth on New Album, String Cheese, and Beer
Bonnaroo is facing a big change: Festival Director Brad Parker is leaving C3 Presents and saying goodbye to the Bonnaroo family. In this episode, we talk about what Brad's departure could mean for th…
Why Bonnaroo Feels Like Home: Fans Share Their Stories & Memories
Despite Bonnaroo's cancellation this year, fans persevere and call in to share what makes the festival so special: freedom, life-changing connections, and more. But first, The What Podcast crew celeb…
Bonnaroo 2026: Brad & Cory from C3 Answer Your Questions
After the unprecedented cancellation of Bonnaroo 2025, fans have had big questions about the future of the festival and in this episode, we get real answers straight from C3 Presents, the team that p…
Is Rock Dead? The Bonnaroo Music Census and Remembering Ozzy Osbourne
Bonnaroo released their annual Music Census last week, and Barry and Bryan dive into it and what it means for the changing festival landscape. Is rock music being pushed to the sidelines, or is it ad…
Bonnaroo 2026: The Comeback and the Cutbacks
Bonnaroo is officially coming back in 2026, but not without some major changes. From losing Tuesday arrival and Thursday programming to scaled-back campgrounds and the end of "Where in the Woods" as …
Back to The Farm: Bonnaroo 2026 Details & Beers at Common John
Bonnaroo 2026 is happening and we've got the first real confirmation. In this episode of The What Podcast, Barry, Bryan, and Lord Taco take a look at the (as of now) unofficially official dates (June…
How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo
In this special live episode of The What Podcast from Bonnaroo 2025 at Planet Roo, hosts Barry, Bryan, and Lord Taco moderate an insightful panel celebrating the festival's cultural, civic, and econo…
Bonnaroo's Survey Questions and hey, nothing's Big Summer
How are we all feeling, 3 weeks removed from Bonnaroo's 2025 cancellation? This episode might just improve your mood a little. With the new survey out, it offers a rare insight into the festival orga…
What's next for Bonnaroo?
Today on The What Podcast, Barry and Bryan dive into the aftermath of the unprecedented Bonnaroo 2025 cancellation, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster experienced by fans, organizers, and the …
When Bonnaroo Breaks Your Heart: Our Reaction to the 2025 Cancellation
We're still reeling from the cancellation of Bonnaroo 2025, and in this episode of The What Podcast, we open up about the heartbreak, frustration, and confusion that swept through the Bonnaroo commun…
Bonnaroo Week Begins: Packing, Travel, Weather Prep & More!
As Bonnaroo week kicks off, the crew records a special on-location episode at Lo Main in Chattanooga, diving into last-minute festival prep, weather worries, and the unique culture that makes Bonnaro…
Bonnaroo 2025 Prep: Last-Minute Tips, Packing Hacks & Bryan's Festival Picks
Bonnaroo 2025 is nearly here, and in this massive episode of The What Podcast, we've got essential last-minute tips and hacks to help you not just survive the farm, but have the greatest time ever. F…
Lord Taco's Bonnaroo 2025 Picks and an Encounter with "The Dancing Man"
We're live on location at The Caverns in Pelham, TN—just down the road from Bonnaroo—as The What Podcast crew assembles for CaveJam just weeks before Bonnaroo 2025. This week, Lord Taco (Russ) reveal…
Barry’s Bonnaroo 2025 Picks: What to See, Where to Be
With Bonnaroo 2025 just three weeks away, we dive deep into Barry's picks, including must-see acts like Flipturn, King Gizzard, Olivia Rodrigo, and the SuperJam 70s Pool Party, as well as the importa…
The Bonnaroo 2025 Bandana Debate: What Fans Are Saying
In a surprise move for 2025, Bonnaroo is not including a bandana or gift in its wristband shipments — and fans have strong opinions. Barry and Lord Taco reunite with Bryan Stone to unpack the "gift-g…
Planning Your Perfect Bonnaroo Week: Packing Tips, Schedule Strategies & Survival Guide
It's time to start planning your Bonnaroo week! Bryan Stone is out, so we get Evan Bonnaroo to fill in as guest host and share his picks for what shows and activities he has laid out. We are also joi…
Inside Hinterland: Sam Summers on Festival Challenges and the 90-Degree Guarantee
In this episode of The What Podcast, the hosts sit down with Sam Summers, the founder of Iowa's Hinterland Festival, for a deep dive into the art (and chaos) of modern festival production. From booki…