The What Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Bonnaroo Yearbook: Capturing Festival Memories Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

What started as a simple icebreaker at music festivals has blossomed into the Bonnaroo Yearbook, a one-of-a-kind community art project created by photographer Caleb Arias. Caleb’s journey began when he brought a journal to his first festival and invited others to sign it. By the time he attended Bonnaroo, he discovered its unparalleled sense of community and decided to publish the Bonnaroo Yearbook to share and celebrate the memories he'd collected.

Get your copy of the Bonnaroo Yearbook at bonnarooyearbook.com and use promo code THEWHATPODCAST for 50% off! A big thanks to Caleb for joining the show and offering this exclusive discount.

Elsewhere in the episode, we discuss Hinterland’s new weather policy, recap the recent TOTEM meetup in Nashville, and play some of the latest contest entries. 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 with Caleb and the Bonnaroo Yearbook here, or watch it on YouTube. Make sure to subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get your podcasts for weekly episodes!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:03:52) Hinterland

(00:10:18) Steve Martin and Martin Short

(00:18:26) Interview with Caleb Arias of the Bonnaroo Yearbook

(01:11:00) Contest entries

(01:18:56) TOTEM meetup in Nashville

(01:23:47) 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.

How to Enjoy a Substance-Free Bonnaroo Experience with Soberoo Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

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 about trying a "Sober Saturday" on The Farm, Soberoo provides invaluable resources and support for a substance-free festival experience.

We also dive into the Bonnaroo 2025 lineup, spotlighting standout acts like King Gizzard's innovative three-night residency and the increasing availability of non-alcoholic options like Athletic Brewing. Plus, we hear from our audience as they share their lineup picks during our ticket giveaway. 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! Lastly, Bryan Stone doubles down on his take that the 2025 lineup is better than the 2020 lineup. Do you agree? Join our Discord and share your thoughts! https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn

Listen to our full interview with Patrick here, or watch the episode on YouTube. Do us a solid and like and review The What Podcast on your favorite podcast platform!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:05:58) Interview with Patrick Whelan of Soberoo

(01:12:34) Gov Ball lineup

(01:15:48) Contest entries

(01:24:15) 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.

Is Bonnaroo 2025's Lineup Better Than 2020? Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

The Bonnaroo 2025 lineup has been out for a week! How’s everyone feeling about it now? Bryan, Barry, and Lord Taco share their updated thoughts and compare it to the ill-fated 2020 lineup, which has become almost mythical in the years since.

While we’re saving a deep dive into the lineup for later, this week we catch up after the holiday break. Russ shares highlights from his latest camping trip, Barry dives into his passion for Notre Dame football, and Bryan buys Pearl Jam tickets again. We also chat about Bonnaroo's new Infinity Stage and what it could mean for the festival, based on a recent Consequence interview with Brad Parker.

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!

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, help is available. In the U.S., call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. It's free, confidential, and available 24/7. Visit https://988lifeline.org for more resources and support.

Listen to the full episode of The What Podcast here, or watch it on YouTube. Please rate and review our show too, it would really help us out!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:22) Catching up from holiday break

(00:23:33) New Infinity Stage

(00:30:10) Contest entries

(00:44:08) Comparing 2025 to 2020

(00:49:04) 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 2025 First Impressions: Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, The Creator, Hozier, and more! Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

The Bonnaroo 2025 lineup is finally here! Bryan, Barry, and Lord Taco bring you a special live edition of The What Podcast with our first impressions. Who are we excited to see? Who surprised us the most? Over the coming weeks, we will bring you even more coverage of Bonnaroo 2025 along with some exclusive interviews.

Later in the episode, we bring in our friends Lauren and David from Soundchecks to Stagedives and get their take on the lineup, particularly on the EDM side. 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 here, or watch it on YouTube. And join our Discord for early access to episodes! https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:03:14) ICP leaks the lineup

(00:16:00) Barry joins

(00:25:05) Lineup officially released

(00:35:31) Lauren and David join

(00:48:23) Ticket giveaway

(00:50:36) Final thoughts

(00:58:30) 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.

Essential Vinyl Picks, Bonnaroo News, and Holiday Celebrations Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

Christmas is just around the corner, and The What Podcast is wrapping up the year with a fun and festive episode before taking a holiday break. Barry, Russ, and Bryan kick things off by recapping MAINx24, Chattanooga’s 24-hour block party. From the parade in the bus to chili competitions and Jell-O shots, it’s the ultimate community celebration.

Next, the guys dive into the latest Bonnaroo buzz, including Roo Clues, lineup leaks, and what’s shaping up to be an exciting 2025. Plus, they celebrate a fantastic Spotify Wrapped this year and take a moment to thank YOU, the listeners and viewers, for an incredible year of growth.

Finally, Barry poses the ultimate holiday music question: What are your top five records for starting a vinyl collection? The hosts share their lists, highlight essential vinyl for any music lover, and offer some great gift-giving tips for the season. Now it’s your turn—share your top 5 vinyl picks in the comments. See you in the new year!

Are you Ready to ROO? The What Podcast wants to send you to the Farm to experience a magical weekend of music, fun, and friendship at Bonnaroo! You'll witness round-the-clock entertainment from over 100 artists! We've got 4-day tickets and a camping pass for you and a guest. Visit thewhat.co/win for details.

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:51) MAINx24 in Chattanooga

(00:08:28) Spotify Wrapped

(00:18:59) Bonnaroo news

(00:24:19) Top 5 vinyl albums

(00:54:47) 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.

Van Life, EDM Culture, and Bonnaroo 2025 Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

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 excited about, this episode is a must-listen for festival lovers.

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:15) Roo clue

(00:03:30) Alice's Restaurant

(00:04:50) Festive Owl

(00:06:14) Ticket giveaway

(00:07:19) Shaky Knees dates

(00:09:34) Interview with Lauren and David

(01:08:40) 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 2025 Hype: Tipper Confirmed + Nashville Meetup! Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

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 the festival news, Russ talks about the Bonnaroo Takeover, a last-minute meetup in East Nashville hosted by marketing director Cory Smith and the Bonnaroo team. Featuring free Spicy Pie, a DJ set by Sparkle City Disco, and the "Letters to Roo" mailbox project, this event highlights the festival's commitment to the community. Could future Bonnaroo meetups be planned?

Finally, we dive into the broader festival scene, from Shaky Knees' move to Piedmont Park and date change to Coachella's 2025 lineup featuring Kraftwerk and Misfits.

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:39) Last Week at The Caverns

(00:04:58) Bonnaroo's Nashville takeover

(00:24:27) Re-entry fee

(00:33:19) GA+ and Insider

(00:37:27) Tipper confirmed

(00:42:46) Other festival news

(00:53:09) Country music at Bonnaroo

(01:03:57) 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.

How The Caverns Became Tennessee’s Premier Music Destination Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

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 shares insights from his journey, including highlights from his new book, Caveman Chronicles. Whether you're a music enthusiast or someone interested in the behind-the-scenes challenges of running an independent venue, don't miss this deep dive episode!

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:09:51) Interview with Todd Mayo

(01:33:18) 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.

Who's Headlining Bonnaroo 2025? We Make Our Guesses Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

We are still unpacking last week's conversation with Brad and Cory from C3 about what to expect for Bonnaroo 2025. Lots of new information on changes and improvements for next year, and of course we've got to take a guess at who they are hinting at for headliners.

In addition to all the Bonnaroo info, we take a look at some of the recent news about When We Were Young Festival, and Chappell Roan's SNL performance. What's got you most excited for Bonnaroo 2025? Leave us a comment below and subscribe to The What Podcast for the latest festival news and info!

Join the Discord for early access to episodes!

Photo By: Evan Brown

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:05:59) Chappell Roan on SNL

(00:14:36) When We Were Young

(00:19:01) Unpacking last week's episode

(00:27:06) Thursday/Sunday headliners

(00:32:40) Where in the Woods and EDM

(00:35:35) Transition from AC/Superfly to C3

(00:49:00) Final thoughts on changes

(00:51:06) Our guesses for headliners

(00:57:00) 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.

What’s Next for Bonnaroo in 2025? Nov 04, 2024

Show notes

Could comedy make a comeback at Bonnaroo in 2025? Expanded camping options, or even a two-weekend event? This week on The What Podcast, we dive deep with Bonnaroo insiders Festival Director Brad Parker and Marketing Manager Cory Smith from C3 Presents. They share exclusive insights into what worked in 2024, what fans loved, and the exciting changes planned for 2025. If you're a Bonnaroovian, you won’t want to miss this one!

And, of course, it wouldn't be Bonnaroo without a diverse lineup. Brad and Cory hint at what fans can expect — from EDM headliners to legacy acts — and talk about the balancing act of booking artists that honor Bonnaroo's roots while offering the "best in the streets" to appeal to any fan, regardless of genre.

Join the Discord for early access to episodes!

Photo By: Evan Brown

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CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:29) Beat in Nashville

(00:07:08) This week's guests

(00:15:19) Russ in a music video

(00:16:37) Interview with Brad and Cory

(00:18:14) Bonnaroo 2024 feedback

(00:31:15) Grading last year's festival

(00:35:12) Focusing on community

(00:37:42) C3 revolutionized the industry

(00:42:45) Lessons learned

(00:25:53) Tuesday entry

(00:53:09) Lineup talk

(01:08:58) Bonnaroo census

(01:14:47) Teasing things for Bonnaroo 2025

(01:18:39) Chappell Roan

(01:25:51) GWAR

(01:28:14) Brad's tweet

(01:29:35) Changes for Bonnaroo 2025

(01:37:20) Who stage

(01:38:02) Final thoughts

(01:39:37) 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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