Festival history

The first Bonnaroo, organized by veteran music promoter Ashley Capps and held in 2002, attracted about 70,000 visitors. The festival took its name from the 1974 album Desitively. Bonnaroo by New Orleans pianist and vocalist Dr. John. In the Creole slang of New Orleans, Bonnaroo means, roughly, “best on the street.”

A central area of the festival site, called Centeroo, is open 24 hours a day, offering food, crafts, vending and other activities. Bonnaroo attendees can also view films, sample specialty beers at the Broo’ers Festival, or dance all night at the Silent Disco. At this unique event, DJs play electronic music until the early morning hours, but nearby campers remain undisturbed, as the party is broadcast directly to wireless headsets worn by attendees.