16 Acts To See at Bonnaroo 2024

Say She She, That Stage, 3:45-4:30pm
RIYL: Gabriels, Neal Frances

Say She She, a self-described “disco-delic” group comprised of Piya Malik, Sabrina Mileo Cunningham, and Nya Gazelle Brown, are making music that sounds like absolutely nobody else out there. With influences taken from ’70s funk and disco, along with the sounds of Nile Rodgers and Grace Jones, their style catapults me back into a decade that I never lived through: an impressive feat, if you ask me.

Say She She has shared the stage with the likes of Black Pumas and The Dave Matthews Band, and are currently on their biggest headlining tour to date. – Kristin

Sid Sriram, That Tent, 5-5:45pm
RIYL: Cautious Clay, Dijon

Born in Tamil Nadu, India and raised in the Bay Area of California, Sid Sriram is a trained Carnatic musician who blends the melodic vocalization of South Indian music with the soulful styling he grew up listening to. Sriram studied Music Production at Berklee, where he further honed a distinct sound. The blend of cultural influences results in a stunning display of vocal stamina, that I can’t wait to see live at Bonnaroo on Thursday.

I first heard Sriram on his NPR Tiny Desk appearance, where he performed songs off his 2023 album Sidharth. He was so in sync with his band and performed vocal runs with ease, while still emoting with passion. I’m excited to see him take that same energy and elevate it to fit the stage. – Meleah

Medium Build, That Tent, 6:30-7:30pm
RIYL: Noah Kahan, Flipturn

One man you can count on to leave blood, sweat, and tears on every stage he graces is Nick Carpenter, better known as Medium Build. The Georgia-raised, Alaska-based artist is on the tail of his biggest release, Country, and his first year signed to Island Records. Bonnaroo is merely a stop on Carpenter’s seemingly endless world tour, opening up for Holly Humberstone in Europe earlier this year, and now headlining his own shows until November. 

You can expect an emotional tilt-o-whirl of a set. After belting lyrics that evoke a universal search for purpose with a voice that feels like a heavy apparition passing through your body, Carpenter will hit you with some of the funniest crowd work without missing a beat. The way he performs invites the audience to unleash all their anguish alongside him. – Meleah

Róisín Murphy, That Tent, 1:30-2:30am
RIYL: Purple Disco Machine, Jungle

There’s no better way to kick off Bonnaroo than with Róisín Murphy. This Irish singer, songwriter, and record producer has been a music scene staple since the ’90s and continues to bring the heat.

Dubbed the adolescent century’s true art-pop queen, Murphy’s sensuous and eclectic music spans genres from disco to hot jazz. AllMusic perfectly describes her as “a purveyor of adventurous, omnivorous pop.” Her infectious energy will get everyone moving and grooving from the start. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to her music, you won’t be able to resist dancing along to her beats. – Jesse

Mon Rovǐa, 11-11:40am (Outeroo) and Who Stage, 3:30-4:15pm
RIYL: Joy Oladokun, Wild Rivers

The sweet, melodic voice of Mon Rovǐa is one that I’ve been waiting to hear live. Born in Liberia, Mon Rovǐa lives in the Appalachian Mountain range of Tennessee, finding inspiration in the natural world around him. His soft blanket of a voice pairs perfectly with the gentle plucking of the ukelele heard on many of his tracks. His latest EP, Act 3: The Dying of Self, is the final part of a series of EPs he has been crafting to tell the story of his life. 

Mon Rovǐa is playing his first set at Outeroo, the surrounding part of the Farm, so I expect more of a relaxed, intimate atmosphere than the performances taking place in Centeroo. I expect the messaging of his music, full of self-actualization in the face of immense challenge and the grounding of self through nature, to resonate with the type of audience Bonnaroo is crafted for. – Meleah

Abby Holliday, Who Stage, 2:15-3pm
RIYL: The Japanese House, Carol Ades

Like I wrote in this post just a few days ago, I’ve only recently stumbled upon singer-songwriter Abby Holliday’s music, but it only took me a couple songs to become an instant fan. Holliday, who is based in Nashville and has been writing music for as long as she can remember, seems to be making a breakthrough in her career this year.

As an avid fan of The Japanese House, Holliday recently shared that she will be opening for the indie pop act in Charlottesville, Virginia this June: she’s also making her debut at Lollapalooza in August alongside her performance at Bonnaroo. If you’re a fan of insightful indie pop music with colorful production, I suggest checking out Abby’s performance – Kristin

The Japanese House, Which Stage, 3:45-4:45pm
RIYL: The 1975, Maggie Rogers

Amber Main, the person behind the moniker better known as The Japanese House, took a four year break between her two albums, as well as a long time away from touring. Last year, her sophomore album In The End It Always Does received glowing reviews for its introspective lyricism and intricate production choices.

Her collaborations with MUNA and The 1975 have made her a force to be reckoned with in the indie space, and her upcoming gig supporting Maggie Rogers on tour this fall will definitely increase her fanbase. Be sure to check her out before she hits that next level of success. – Kristin

Lowdown Brass Band, Who Stage, 9:45-10:30pm
RIYL: NxWorries, Vulfeck

The LowDown Brass Band is an all-horn ensemble that blends dancehall, street beat rhythms, conscious hip-hop, jazz, reggae, and soul into a high-energy, electrifying performance. Their unique fusion of genres creates an unforgettable musical experience, making them a must-see at Bonnaroo.

Their dynamic performance will have you dancing and smiling, offering the perfect conclusion to an exciting day. The band’s seamless blend of diverse influences results in a fresh yet nostalgic soundscape that resonates deeply with the audience. It’s the ideal way to cap off your evening, ensuring your Bonnaroo experience ends on a high note with vibrant energy and unforgettable music.
– Jesse 

Trousdale, This Tent, 1:30-2:15pm
RIYL: Joseph, Gatlin

Folk-pop trio Trousdale, named for the street that runs through the University of Southern California campus where they met, have been making waves with every song they release. The trio, comprised of Quinn D’Andrea, Georgia Greene, and Lauren Jones, became friends in college after bonding over the stress of the school’s intensive music program: initially enrolling to pursue solo careers but realizing the magic that comes from their collaboration. 

Trousdale, who have been praised for their incredible harmonies and contemporary take on folk-pop, will be back on the road for their Still Out Of My Mind Tour next month before joining The Teskey Brothers for a handful of dates. – Kristin

Ryan Beatty, Which Stage, 2-3pm
RIYL: Kevin Abstract, Omar Apollo

Writing about Ryan Beatty as an “artist to watch” will never not feel wrong, because he’s been around for what feels like forever, working on and perfecting his craft. But on a positive light, I’m so happy to finally see him doing rounds in festival lineups.

With the release of his wonderful record Calico last year, Ryan has been touring as a headliner and opener for most of the year, with the likes of Noah Kahan and Maggie Rogers, and will now get even more chances to shine in front of new people. His talent never ceases to amaze me and so many others, and the candidness of his lyrics and performances promise to be one of the highlights of every stage he gets to play on this summer, so make sure to include him in your schedule if you can. – Javi

The Maine, What Stage, 2:45-3:45pm
RIYL: 5 Seconds of Summer, Mayday Parade

I’ve been a fan of The Maine, a 5-piece pop-punk band with alt. rock influences, for as long as I’ve loved Taylor Swift (going on 15 years), and it’s so exciting to see them get recognition as a band worthy to land on a major festival lineup this year. They’ve been hustling as creatives and touring artists consistently for so many years, and their dedicated fanbase is a testament to their talent.

With nine studio albums under their belt, there will be plenty of songs for the band to choose from to fill their hour-long set at Bonnaroo: I’m sure we’ll hear the throwbacks “Everything I Ask For,” “Girls Do What They Want,” but attendees will also get a glimpse of their newer releases with more contemporary references and less pop punk inspiration. Regardless, the band always puts on a great show, and I’m excited for the Bonnaroo community to experience their vibes. – Kristin

Bakar, This Tent, 4:30-5:30pm
RIYL: slowthai, Kevin Abstract 

Bakar, a London-based artist that blends indie rock, R&B, and hip-hop into a unique and compelling sound that defies easy categorization, is a must-see at Bonnaroo this year. His tracks like “Hell N Back” and “First Time” showcase his knack for crafting catchy, heartfelt tunes that resonate widely.

Bakar’s fearless approach to music allows him to seamlessly transition between genres, making his live performances especially captivating. His distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence create a dynamic connection with the audience for an unforgettable experience.

Seeing Bakar live at Bonnaroo promises to be a festival highlight. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to his music, his innovative sound and energetic show will leave you inspired. – Jesse

Jake Wesley Rogers, What Stage, 1:45-2:45pm
RIYL: Elton John, Conan Gray

I find it pretty poetic that Bonnaroo happens to fall in line with Pride Month every year, because I can’t think of a better place to be than celebrating with Jake Wesley Rogers at a festival. The Nashville-based musician got his start on America’s Got Talent when he was just 15, and his 10+ years of performing experience proves that he is a true force to be reckoned with.

Rogers’ music embraces a “high glam” aesthetic reminiscent of the greats like Madonna and Elton John, and I had the chance to see him back in 2021 at his Lollapalooza debut: it was a stand-out performance compared to the 20+ sets I saw across those four days: which is saying something. – Kristin

The Beaches, This Tent, 2:30-3:15pm
RIYL: The Aces, Girl in Red

I think it goes without saying that Canadian four-piece The Beaches have had an astronomical amount of success over the last year, largely in part to their hit “Blame Brett” going viral on TikTok as well as their sophomore album, Blame My Ex, reintroducing their sound to a larger demographic since the release of their debut album back in 2017.

We got the chance to cover The Beaches’ debut at Lollapalooza last year, catching their set opening up the Bud Light stage on Thursday afternoon. I surely liked their music enough prior to that, but seeing them live made my interest in them increase exponentially. For such a young act, I was blown away by their stage presence and ability to capture the audiences’ attention: the crowd was surprisingly large for being so early in the day. They’re also touring with girl in red at the moment: so don’t miss out. – Kristin

Chappell Roan, This Tent, 4-5pm
RIYL: Lady Gaga, MUNA

Chappell Roan is having one of the most unexpected (but insanely deserving) moments right now. Brought on by the release of her first instant classic, pop ear worm “Good Luck, Babe!,” Roan is getting due recognition for the glittery, sapphic dreamworld she established in the 2023 release of The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.

Every person I know who has seen a Chappell Roan set has raved about her performance, her stage presence, her commitment to the drama. Every person agrees that she’s a pop star. She’s on quite a few festival schedules this summer, drawing impressive crowds by any measure, but certainly for her placement in afternoon slots. There is simply nowhere else I would rather be on the Sunday of Bonnaroo than in a crowd of gay people flailing our arms around chanting “H-O-T-T-O-G-O!” – Meleah

Badbadnotgood, That Tent, 4:30-5:30pm
RIYL: Flying Lotus, Toro y Moi

BADBADNOTGOOD is a Canadian quartet is renowned for their genre-defying sound, blending jazz, hip-hop, and electronic music into an innovative fusion that captivates audiences. Their latest album, Talk Memory, showcases their musical evolution, offering rich, textured compositions that push boundaries and explore new sonic landscapes.

In addition to their new album, BADBADNOTGOOD recently featured on the “Stop Making Sense” tribute album, paying homage to the Talking Heads with their unique interpretation of “Crosseyed and Painless.” This tribute highlights their versatility and deep respect for musical heritage.

BADBADNOTGOOD’s improvisational prowess and tight musicianship create a dynamic and immersive show that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Whether you’re a jazz aficionado or a fan of innovative music, BADBADNOTGOOD’s performance at Bonnaroo is one you won’t want to miss. – Jesse