Top 10 Greatest Bonnaroo Performances Ever
There is no better place in the world to experience live music than in a field surrounded by the friendliest people on earth. There’s a little farm in Manchester TN that has created a unique universe where music is celebrated with unprecedented love. It’s been nearly 20 years since the first Bonnaroo. Over the years there have been thousands of artists who have graced the many stages at this legendary festival, but there are some who stand high above the rest. These monumental performances are still fresh in the minds of fans who were lucky enough to be there. These are the greatest performances to ever happen at Bonnaroo.
10. Beastie Boys – 2009
What ended up being the Beastie Boys’ last performance is also one of their most beloved. Bonnaroo was lucky enough to get this iconic hip hop/rock trio to headline in 2009. Their set was one for the ages. The group played 24 songs during their two-hour set, which ended on a high note when they played their biggest hit, “Sabotage”.
9. My Morning Jacket – 2008
Jim James and friends have been Bonnaroo staples for years. Some have even unofficially crowned the band’s frontman as the King of Bonnaroo. He deserves this title, and My Morning Jacket absolutely deserves a spot on our list. This band has become synonymous with Bonnaroo and has played the festival multiple times, but their 2008 performance was possibly their best ever.
8. Jack White – 2014
Jack White took the stage at 10:45 pm in 2014 and started playing a 26-song, two hour and thirty minute set, which was around 45 minutes longer than the festival had originally planned. No one in attendance complained about the extra time that White played. The setlist included material from every point in White’s career, including songs from The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, and some of his solo work.
7. Florence + the Machine – 2015
Most music fans now understand that Florence Welch is an absolute force live, but back in 2015 she still had to convince some fans that she was headliner material. The stakes for her Sunday night set felt greater than normal. She only had one hour to show festival attendees that Florence + the Machine was a live show that no one should ever miss. Florence Welch is the absolute embodiment of love that oozes from every inch of Bonnaroo. Barefooted and sporting a white dress, she serenaded the crowd with her angelic voice. She ran through the crowd… twice, hugged fans, and gave us one of the most memorable 60 minutes of music to ever happen at Bonnaroo.
6. Childish Gambino – 2019
Shirtless, bearded, and ready to take all of Bonnaroo to church, Childish Gambino had one of the best performances in Bonnaroo history when he headlined the festival in 2019.
5. Pretty Lights Sunrise Set – 2013
This might be the most commonly talked about electronic music set to ever happen at Bonnaroo. Pretty Lights played a massive 37-song set in 2013 that began in the pitch black and continued until the sun was up. If my memory is right, he went on around 2:30 in the morning and didn’t stop until 7:00 a.m. Every year, people pray to the Bonnaroo gods that another EDM artist will do what he did in 2013.
4. SuperJam! Featuring Ben Harper, John Paul Jones, & ?uestlove – 2007
The SuperJam has become a Bonnaroo staple, a musical collaboration between some of the greatest musicians on earth that celebrates music in the most spectacular form. Over the years, there have been some glorious SuperJams that have taken place on The Farm, but nothing will ever compare to what happened in 2007. A 25-minute rendition of “Dazed and Confused,” deep cuts from the Isley Brothers, and a soul-packed version of “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder. This super-trio created something special that will probably never happen again.
3. Bruce Springsteen – 2009
When Bruce Springsteen was announced as a headliner for Bonnaroo in 2009, anyone who knows The Boss knew that they could expect a stunning set. A sprawling 28-song setlist that included fan favorites and some deep tracks even included his famous rendition of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” One of the best moments of his set was when he brought out Phish to play “Badlands” with him. Whether you love Springsteen or hate him, there is no doubting that this man and the E Street Band put on one of the best live shows in the world.
2. Radiohead -2006
Any time someone asks what the best performance that ever happened at Bonnaroo, Radiohead’s 2006 headlining set is always mentioned. People who were there still talk about this performance as if it had happened yesterday. At Bonnaroo, Radiohead covered every inch of in their extensive studio catalog, from the furious guitars of 1995’s The Bends to the haunting electronics of Kid A. Every second of this set was masterful and will forever be remembered and celebrated.
1. Paul McCartney – 2013
The man behind some of the greatest songs and albums of all time headlined Bonnaroo in 2013. His Friday night set was something that had to be experienced to truly understand. It can be argued that Sir Paul McCartney is the most influential musician of all time. To have the man who wrote “Hey Jude,” “Yesterday,” “Blackbird,” “Live and Let Die,” and “The Long and Winding Road” there to play those tracks for fans was surreal. McCartney didn’t let his age hold him back; he was 71 years old at the time. For nearly 3 hours he played 38 songs that included three separate encores.
In between songs, he told stories ranging from Jimi Hendrix telling him that his guitar was out of tune to heartfelt interactions that he had with John Lennon. There is no concert moment that will ever top the 90,000-person sing-along that happened during “Hey Jude.” I still get goosebumps when I think about this set. Thank you, Sir Paul.