Photo Credit: Dusana Risovic
Yesterday, June 15, the 2023 edition of Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival commenced in Manchester, Tenn. The initial day of music started just after 4:30 p.m. CDT. As is tradition, the first day boasted various emerging artists eager to rip into their set and get The Farm buzzing; included was Welsh psych-rockers CVC who kicked off the event in the That Tent with a high-energy run-through of choice tunes before severe weather ultimately caused a push back in the schedule and paused the band’s frame.
Thursday highlighted newer names to the scene with the arrival of indie-leaning artist Ezra Furman, who took over the That Tent following CVC’s return to finish their set after the previously mentioned storm delays. Abraham Alexander also lent his indie sound, reimagining George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” during his set. Newcomer Petey took over This Tent, commenting on the size of the audience and hammering in the celebratory nature of the occasion with video clips of Olympic athletes embracing their mothers.
Apart from up-and-coming artists, the roots and jam scene was plentiful on the first evening on The Farm, with the return of Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, who added a down-home bluegrass edge to the experience. The band also nodded toward the festival location, with state representation in their lyrics. Later in the night, Diarrhea Planet shredded in the That Tent. Fellow jammers, Neighbor also took a late night/ early morning slot, running through fan favorite originals.
Additional indie artists such as Suki Waterhouse and DEHD coaxed the audience with spellbinding performances. Other highlights included Cimafunk’s funk-infused presentation of Cuban and Afro-Caribbean music and Big Freedia ranging in the early morning hours in the That Tent. Zeds Dead delivered their headlining frame on the Other Stage, known for presenting electronic acts like Mersiv, which implemented seasonal nods to late summer and mid-June.
With the first day of the festival in the books, music will pick back up in the early afternoon hours. Friday features a headlining set courtesy of Kendrick Lamar, who will take the What Stage this evening at 11 p.m.