The What Podcast

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World of Bluegrass comes to Chattanooga and the Latest Bonnaroo 2025 News Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

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 vibrant downtown festival experience.

Meanwhile, Bonnaroo fans have plenty to celebrate with the return of Snake and Jake's Barn to Centeroo, replacing the House of Matroomony. We also talk about the Who Stage lineup and its new location at Plaza 7, and whether this is a good move or not.

Listen to the full episode about the World of Bluegrass coming to Chattanooga here, or watch it on YouTube. And don't forget to rate and review The What Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:03:34) Corrections

(00:07:40) Bonnaroo updates

(00:16:49) Interview with Randy Steele and Ken White

(01:06:24) Bus problems

(01:09:28) Upcoming shows

(01:14:10) Outro

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We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

Bonnaroo 2025 Countdown: Ticket Sales Update & Our Lineup Deep Dive Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

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 first-timer, this episode has everything you need to get hyped for The Farm!

Also, be sure and join The What Podcast for a special meetup and live episode on The How Stage inside Planet Roo at 4:00 PM on Thursday during Bonnaroo!

Listen to the whole episode right here, or watch the video on YouTube. And don't forget to like, rate, and subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:08:43) Bonnaroo tickets are selling fast

(00:25:05) Disc golf coming to Bonnaroo

(00:26:30) World of Bluegrass coming to Chattanooga

(00:29:10) Goose member fired

(00:39:45) Our Bonnaroo picks

(01:10:57) Outro

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.
Other music provided by Midist and used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

And the Bonnaroo 2025 Ticket Winner is... Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

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 discord for more listener suggestions that we couldn't get to on the show.

Elsewhere in the episode, the crew discuss CaveJam coming up and Lollapalooza's quick sell-out, plus the release of the Where in the Woods lineup for Bonnaroo. Oh, and one more thing—why Kitchen Dwellers might not be Bryan’s cup of tea...

Also, be sure and join The What Podcast for a special meetup and live episode on The How Stage inside Planet Roo at 4:00 PM on Thursday during Bonnaroo!

Listen to the whole episode right here, or watch the video on YouTube. And don't forget to like, rate, and subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:06:00) CaveJam

(00:08:12) Contest submissions

(00:37:23) Bryan on other podcasts

(00:39:02) More winners

(00:45:08) Bonnaroo artist suggestions

(00:50:37) Lollapalooza

(00:53:19) Where in the Woods

(00:58:17) Outro

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.
Other music provided by Midist and used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

5 Years After COVID: How Bonnaroo Survived & Came Back Stronger Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

It’s been five years since COVID-19 shut down the world, bringing live music and festivals like Bonnaroo to a halt. In this episode of The What Podcast, we reflect on how the pandemic impacted the festival industry, from the mass cancellations of 2020 to Bonnaroo’s remarkable post-COVID comeback. Barry even records while battling COVID for the first time, making this anniversary discussion all the more surreal. We revisit key moments—like when SXSW was the first major event to cancel, the uncertainty surrounding live events, and how the music industry adapted with virtual performances.

Beyond the five-year COVID milestone, we also go over the latest updates for Bonnaroo 2025 including the possible replacement of the House of Matroomony and events at the House of Yes. Also, be sure and join The What Podcast for a special meetup and live episode on The How Stage inside Planet Roo at 4:00 PM on Thursday during Bonnaroo!

Listen to the full episode right here, or watch the video on YouTube. And don't forget to like, rate, and subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro

(02:26) Last week's episode with Tuba

(15:30) Bonnaroo news

(27:00) Contest update

(31:27) 5 years after the COVID shutdown

(49:36) Outro

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.
Other music provided by Midist and used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

Bonnaroo's Infamous "Squarch": The Full Story with Tim "Tuba" Smith Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

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 safety, burning the original and hastily designing a modular LED replacement. Beyond the arch drama, Tuba talks to us about navigating Bonnaroo’s COVID cancellation, Hurricane Ida's 2021 gut-punch, and modern upgrades for The Farm like flushable toilets and paved roads. He also dives into C3's mentorship initiatives, including the KU LEAP program that immerses students in festival logistics.

Want to break into the festival industry? Love geeking out over Bonnaroo’s behind-the-scenes magic? This episode is for you! We also cover the latest news about the Who Stage moving to Outeroo. Also, be sure and join The What Podcast for a special meetup and live episode on The How Stage inside Planet Roo at 4:00 PM on Thursday during Bonnaroo!

Listen to the whole story about the Squarch right here, or watch the video on YouTube. And don't forget to like, rate, and subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:23) Moving the Who Stage

(00:07:49) Interview with Tuba

(01:19:28) This week's question

(01:20:57) Outro

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.
Other music provided by Midist and used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

Bonnaroo Community Spotlight: How Church Boners Became a Festival Family Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

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 recently-announced Shaky Knees lineup, recap Bryan Stone's trip to Nashville to see Billy Strings, and also be sure and join The What Podcast for a special meetup and live episode on The How Stage inside Planet Roo at 4:00 PM on Thursday during Bonnaroo!

Listen to the full episode of The What Podcast with the Church Boners here, or watch the full video on YouTube. As always, don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:40) Last week's show

(00:09:05) Shaky Knees lineup

(00:13:39) Bryan saw Billy Strings

(00:22:32) Church Boners

(01:33:43) Contest updates

(01:40:18) This week's question

(01:41:53) Outro

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.
Other music provided by Midist and used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

Camping at Bonnaroo: Must-Know Updates and New Amenities for 2025 Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

Bonnaroo isn't just about the music - camping is a huge part of the experience, and that's the focus of this week's episode of The What Podcast. Listeners recently submitted their top camping questions on our Discord server, and we brought in Brad Parker, Festival Director for C3 Presents, to get the answers straight from the source. Brad breaks down the biggest updates for 2025, including improved amenities, new camping options, re-entry policies, and safety enhancements. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned Roo veteran, this episode is packed with must-know info to help you prepare for the farm.

But that’s not all! We also break some news about the brand-new Infinity Stage coming to Bonnaroo and its location on The Farm, plus we dive into the "Roo Clues" that Shaky Knees has been teasing about their lineup. Huge thanks to Brad for joining us and answering so many listener questions - this episode is jam-packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

Also, be sure and join The What Podcast for a special meetup and live episode on The How Stage inside Planet Roo at 4:00 PM on Thursday during Bonnaroo!

Listen to the full episode of The What Podcast with Brad Parker here, or watch it on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to The What Podcast, and do us a solid by rating and reviewing the show!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:17) Brad's grievances

(00:13:28) Camping at Bonnaroo

(00:21:20) Single-day tickets

(00:26:57) Moon Colony

(00:31:47) Re-entry policy and fee

(00:37:19) Changing accommodations and transferring passes

(00:43:33) RV parking

(00:46:59) How to park closest to Centeroo

(00:49:03) What time do gates open on Tuesday

(00:52:17) Groop camping additions

(00:53:34) Day parking

(00:55:51) Horse patrols and extra security

(01:06:14) Brad's camping hacks and how to stay cool

(01:09:44) Prescription medications

(01:12:45) Infinity Stage

(01:14:11) Has anyone bought the Insider package?

(01:18:16) Billy Strings in Nashville

(01:21:39) Shaky Knees dropping clues

(01:24:53) Outro

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.
Other music provided by Midist and used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

Top Bonnaroo 2025 Acts You Can't Miss Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

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 set, "Santa Pirata". You won't want to miss these picks!

Rounding out the coverage of recent Bonnaroo news, we talk about the after hours lineup that just came out and we try to figure out if Bryan can stay up for all of it. Also, be sure and join The What Podcast for a special meetup and live episode on The How Stage inside Planet Roo at 4:00 PM on Thursday during Bonnaroo!

Listen to Brad make his recommendations here, or watch the episode on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast for the latest festival news and it would really help us out to leave a rating and review.

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:05:26) Catching up with Brad

(00:17:48) The state of the music industry

(00:20:25) Brad's picks for Bonnaroo 2025

(01:09:19) Brad's tattoo

(01:14:31) Contest update

(01:18:02) Bonnaroo After Hours lineup

(01:22:03) Contest entries

(01:28:49) Matt Pinfield update

(01:29:52) Outro

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.
Other music provided by Midist and used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

Reliving Bonnaroo's Best Shows and the Latest Festival News Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Bonnaroo is packed with unforgettable performances, from iconic sets by My Morning Jacket to legendary moments with Tom Petty. In this week's episode of The What Podcast, we reflect on some of the shows we'd love to relive and hear from listeners about their favorite Bonnaroo memories. Speaking of reflection, Barry, Bryan, and Russ also share some of their favorite interviews over the past 7 years from older episodes of The What Podcast.

Plus we dive into the latest festival news, including Moon River's 2025 pause in Chattanooga and the amazing Bourbon & Beyond lineup headed for Louisville in September. We also preview some upcoming Record Store Day releases, and also be sure and join The What Podcast for a special meetup and live episode on The How Stage inside Planet Roo at 4:00 PM on Thursday during Bonnaroo!

Listen to the full episode here, or watch it via YouTube. And don't forget to subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a rating and review.

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:08) History of the podcast

(00:08:59) Moon River news

(00:23:33) Bourbon & Beyond lineup

(00:28:47) Contest updates

(00:30:43) Diving in to the Bonnaroo 2025 lineup

(00:36:11) Record Store Day

(00:40:16) Past guests on The What Podcast

(00:46:45) Contest entries

(01:08:48) Outro

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.
Other music provided by Midist and used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

3000 Miles to Bonnaroo: A Solo Traveler's Experience from Ireland Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

The What Podcast goes international this week with our special guest, Geraldine from Dublin, Ireland. A devoted Bonnaroo attendee since 2019, Geraldine shares her incredible journey of traveling solo across the Atlantic to experience the festival. From navigating long-haul flights and shuttles to discovering new music and embracing the Bonnaroo community, she gives a unique perspective on what makes the festival so special. We dive into her favorite performances, her approach to accommodations (no camping for her!), and finally we get some tips for solo traveling to Bonnaroo.

Also, be sure and join The What Podcast for a special meetup and live episode on The How Stage inside Planet Roo at 4:00 PM on Thursday during Bonnaroo!

Listen to the full story about Geraldine's journey to The Farm here, or watch the episode on YouTube. And be sure to rate and review The What Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, as it really helps us out.

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:03:43) Peter Buck and Kevn Kinney

(00:10:59) Interview with Geraldine

(01:03:50) Contest entries

(01:24:58) Outro

The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.
Other music provided by Midist and used with permission.

We love to hear from you! Send us an email at comments@thewhatpodcast.com or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.

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