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PODCAST

The What Podcast

Barry Courter and Bryan Stone

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

music music commentary

All Episodes

83:27

Bonnaroo 2025 Prep: Last-Minute Tips, Packing Hacks &...

The What Podcast ·

2025/06/04

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. From cooler strategy and sleeping secrets to underrated essentials, it's a festival prep episode you don’t want to miss.We then catch up with Bryan Stone and his recent trip to Mexico, before diving into his Bonnaroo schedule. We start with Roo Run updates from Kyle the Bonnaroovian and then

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63:44

Barry’s Bonnaroo 2025 Picks: What to See, Where to Be

The What Podcast ·

2025/05/21

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 importance of flexibility-sometimes the best Bonnaroo moments come from wandering and discovering new artists. We also cover some details about your wristband, and preview the upcoming CaveJam festival at The Caverns this weekend. It's our 250th episode!We also take a look at the updated maps for

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66:31

The Bonnaroo 2025 Bandana Debate: What Fans Are Saying

The What Podcast ·

2025/05/14

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-gate" controversy, why the missing bandana matters to so many, and what it says about the evolution of the festival. It’s a deep dive into Bonnaroo tradition, fan culture, and how communication from organizers plays a role in festival loyalty.Bryan also catches us up on what he’s been doing these

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59:25

Inside Hinterland: Sam Summers on Festival Challenges...

The What Podcast ·

2025/05/01

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 booking Fall Out Boy in college to launching Hinterland in 2015, Sam walks us through his journey from DIY club shows to managing a 20,000-attendee outdoor event that has weathered literal floods and the fury of the internet.Sam doesn't shy away from discussing Hinterland’s tough 2023, where a perfect

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96:38

Ultimate Bonnaroo 2025 Camp Prep: Packing, Planning,...

The What Podcast ·

2025/04/30

In this episode of The What Podcast, hosts Barry, Russ, and Bryan are joined by special guests Beth and Abbey to dive deep into Bonnaroo 2025 prep and camp setup essentials. With less than 46 days until we are back on The Farm, the crew discusses smart strategies for getting ready now — from vehicle maintenance and camping gear organization to planning group logistics and must-have supplies. Abbey and Beth share personal tips for first-timers and veterans alike, emphasizing the importance of

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74:48

World of Bluegrass comes to Chattanooga and the...

The What Podcast ·

2025/04/09

This week on The What Podcast, we're diving into Bonnaroo and the World of Bluegrass! In an exclusive interview, we chat with Ken White, Executive Director of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), and Randy Steele, a local bluegrass musician, about moving the World of Bluegrass event from Raleigh to Chattanooga in 2025. They share insights into what this means for Chattanooga's growing music scene and how the event will blend a business conference, live showcases, and a

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72:46

Bonnaroo 2025 Countdown: Ticket Sales Update & Our...

The What Podcast ·

2025/04/02

The countdown to Bonnaroo 2025 is officially on! In this episode, we dive into the buzz surrounding ticket sales—could this be a rare sellout year? We also explore the lineup with fan-suggested artists you won't want to miss and build the ultimate festival playlist. Plus, we discuss exciting updates like Bonnaroo's new disc golf announcement, the World of Bluegrass coming to Chattanooga, and shakeups in Goose that could impact their set. Whether you're a Bonnaroovian veteran or a

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62:07

And the Bonnaroo 2025 Ticket Winner is...

The What Podcast ·

2025/03/26

Spring has finally sprung, and that means two things: less than 80 days to Bonnaroo 2025, and it's time to reveal our contest winners! After twelve weeks and countless entries, The What Podcast crew selects the winner of two GA wristbands plus a camping pass, a print from I Am Bonnaroo photographer David Bruce, and a Bonnaroo Yearbook! We also start our deep dive into the Bonnaroo 2025 lineup, starting with your suggestions and Bryan shares his Bonnaroo playlist to kick things off. Join our

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81:22

Bonnaroo's Infamous "Squarch": The Full Story with...

The What Podcast ·

2025/03/12

In Bonnaroo’s 20+ year history, few controversies stung fans more than the fiery demise of its iconic arch in 2019—replaced by a giant LED monolith nicknamed "The Squarch". In a rare interview with The What Podcast, Tim "Tuba" Smith—C3 Presents' Director of Festivals and Strategic Initiatives—finally tells us the full story. Faced with an aging wooden arch riddled with rot, bees, and safety hazards ("you could hear it creak in a stiff breeze"), Tuba's team prioritized

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102:18

Bonnaroo Community Spotlight: How Church Boners...

The What Podcast ·

2025/03/05

Ever wonder how some Bonnaroo veterans claim the same prime camping spot every year? In this jam-packed episode of The What Podcast, we continue diving into the Bonnaroo camping experience with the legendary Church Boners crew. From their humble beginnings in 2007 to becoming one of the most recognizable and welcoming camps on The Farm, Rick, Chad, Sean, Nicholas, Justin, and Caroline share hilarious stories, pro camping tips, and the magic of building a Bonnaroo family. Plus we dive into the

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01:30:54

Top Bonnaroo 2025 Acts You Can’t Miss

The What Podcast ·

2025/02/19

It's time to dive into the Bonnaroo 2025 lineup, and who better to guide us than our old buddy Brad Steiner? Longtime fans of the show will remember Brad as co-host of the show, who founded The What Podcast back in 2018 with Barry. We catch up with Brad and get an idea of what his life is like in New York City after leaving the show. From Action Bronson to Vampire Weekend, Brad breaks down the lineup day by day to deliver his picks, plus we talk about the recently-announced Arcade Fire late night

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01:25:07

How to Enjoy a Substance-Free Bonnaroo 2025...

The What Podcast ·

2025/01/22

A growing number of Bonnaroovians are choosing to experience the festival substance-free, and in this episode of The What Podcast, we catch up with Patrick Whelan, founder of Soberoo. Soberoo has been a part of Bonnaroo since its inception and has grown into Harmonium Inc., a nonprofit that now supports sober spaces at festivals and concerts nationwide. Patrick shares his personal journey to sobriety and the transformative role live music played in his recovery. Whether you're in recovery or curious

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01:12:52

Van Life, EDM Culture, and Bonnaroo 2025

The What Podcast ·

2024/12/04

Would you live in a van and travel the country going to festivals? While it sounds like a dream lifestyle to most of us, our guests this week, Lauren and David, are living it. They started Soundchecks to Stagedives in 2021 and have spent the last two years on the road full-time, covering music festivals and shows.Lauren and David take us inside the EDM community, sharing insights and speculating on who we might see at Bonnaroo 2025. From Tipper’s big plans for next year to the acts they’re most

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01:04:33

Bonnaroo 2025 Hype: Tipper Confirmed + Nashville Meetup!

The What Podcast ·

2024/11/27

It's time to get hyped for Bonnaroo 2025! In this episode, we break down major updates, including the confirmation of Tipper on the lineup. Tipper’s inclusion is creating buzz, and we speculate on his placement in the schedule. We also discuss what this means for Bonnaroo’s evolving lineup strategy and its ability to bring legacy acts into the spotlight. We also need to talk about some of the recent policy changes, such as the new re-entry fee if you leave the farm, and new ticket options.Beyond

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01:39:20

How The Caverns Became Tennessee’s Premier Music...

The What Podcast ·

2024/11/20

This week on The What Podcast, we take a field trip to The Caverns in Pelham, TN — a music venue like no other. Located just 20 minutes from Bonnaroo's Farm, The Caverns offers an extraordinary experience, hosting shows underground in a breathtaking cave and on a sprawling outdoor amphitheater.We sit down with Todd Mayo, the visionary behind The Caverns, to uncover its remarkable story. From serendipitous beginnings to becoming one of Tennessee’s most captivating entertainment landmarks, Todd

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00:45:13

Exit 111 Five Years Later, Hangout Fest, and Hulaween

The What Podcast ·

2024/10/23

It's been five years since Exit 111 took place on our beloved Farm in Manchester, featuring heavy-hitting acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Def Leppard, and Guns N' Roses. Bryan Stone attended with Taco, while Barry made a visit to check it out. The hosts reflect on the festival's surprising gun policy and discuss how things have changed since then. Will Great Stage Park ever host another festival like this?In more recent news, we explore Sand in My Boots, a new festival headlined by Morgan Wallen in Gulf

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01:13:19

Beyond South Star: Huntsville's Unique Vision for...

The What Podcast ·

2024/10/16

We conclude our coverage of South Star 2024 this week with an exclusive peek behind the curtain into how the festival came together in such a short period of time, and the long-term vision the city has for it. Despite the hurricane weather and Sunday's cancellation, the event was a huge success for the city. Matt Mandrella is Huntsville's Music Officer, quite possibly the first person in the country to hold a municipal position dedicated to developing and improving the musical culture for a city

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01:08:10

Music and Mud: Tom Morello's Epic South Star...

The What Podcast ·

2024/10/09

We continue the South Star Festival conversation this week with Jim Striker, who ran bars and clubs in Chattanooga for over 20 years before getting into music promotion. Jim was there with his wife on Saturday for South Star, and shares his experience rocking out to Tom Morello despite the muddy and rainy weather.Elsewhere in the episode, Bryan Stone tries to get Oasis tickets and we discuss the latest news about Chappell Roan cancelling some of her upcoming festival appearances and concerts amid

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00:52:17

South Star to Couch Star – Hurricane Helene Brings Us...

The What Podcast ·

2024/10/02

Hurricane Helene has made a big impact on the Southeast, and while we're all grateful to be safe, our weekend took an unexpected turn. The inaugural South Star Festival in Huntsville, AL came and went, but it was shorter and muddier than we had planned. Despite the setbacks, was it worth the trip?After Sunday's cancellation, we sat down with Daniel and Sharla, Evan Bonnaroo, Chloe, and Shaina to chat about 'Couch Star,' and reflect on how we felt lucky to have even one day of the festival—and even

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00:52:59

Algorithms Are Hurting Music Festivals

The What Podcast ·

2024/09/25

It's the week of South Star Music Festival, and Barry and Bryan are gearing up to head to Huntsville, while Russ, unfortunately, has to miss out due to a wedding. To make matters worse, the news that Tom Morello is replacing Jane's Addiction only deepens his FOMO. Thanks to The What Podcast's roving correspondent Trevin, the trio also gets some insight into the Bourbon and Beyond festival, which took place this past weekend in Louisville, KY. Finally, the episode dives into the heart of

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59 results

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The What Podcast

Barry Courter and Bryan Stone