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Music festival season’s been in swing for a couple months now, and it chugs along this week with Bonnaroo. It all kicks off tomorrow and runs through Sunday, led by the likes of LCD Soundsystem, Pearl Jam, Dead & Company, Tame Impala, M83, Ellie Goulding, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and a downright exhausting amount more.
The Manchester, Tennessee fest began in 2002 with a down-to-earth jam on the farm, maintaining some of that vibe while growing into one of the biggest live music settings on the planet, with 10 stages across 700 acres and nearly 100,000 annual attendees. Depending on your view of the festival landscape, this either sounds like heaven, or it sounds like a fresh hell punctuated by four days of strangers shoving towards the front and no hope of proper bathrooms. But let’s assume that because you’re reading this, you’re in the former camp, and you are, potentially, on your way to Bonnaroo right now. Even for seasoned vets of the fest, figuring out who to see can be a little overwhelming. So Pitchfork thought we’d offer up a few day-by-day recommendations to add to your own personal Bonnaroo schedule.
Thursday
Waxahatchee // 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. // This Tent
As Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield has gained a loyal following over the last few years, her shows have echoed these fans in a way: They’ve grown louder and more intense, particularly with her current live band. This should leave audience members feeling less exposed when they inevitably shout all their emotions along with Crutchfield—a great way to kick off any festival, obviously.
Hundred Waters // 7 to 8 p.m. // The Other Tent
Hundred Waters curated FORM Arcosanti festival earlier this spring, recruiting some of their favorite acts ranging from Skrillex’s stadium-sized EDM to Bill Callahan’s sauntering front-porch ruminations. The Florida band’s music finds a middle ground that you didn’t know existed between the two. Their quiet electronic folk should be a chill way to ease into night one.
Lizzo // 11 p.m. to 12 a.m. // That Tent
After spending much of last year opening for Sleater-Kinney’s big comeback tour, Twin Cities rapper and singer Lizzo ended 2015 with her bold, personality-driven debut, Big GRRRL Small World. She’s only playing a few shows this summer, mostly at festivals, so best to catch her when you can: you’ll leave her high-energy and totally fun show feeling, quite simply, good as hell.
Friday
Kamasi Washington // 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. // This Tent
West Coast jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington’s debut record—a triple album of jazz instrumentals—was fittingly titled The Epic. If he can pack that kind of gargantuan energy into his studio recordings—not to mention in his star-making performances on To Pimp a Butterfly—you can only imagine what this guy’s live sets are like.
Vince Staples // 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. // This Tent
Vince Staples’ dark, political hip-hop might not seem a perfect fit for the easy-going atmosphere perpetuated by big fests, but there’s an explosive intensity and superstar charisma that makes the Long Beach rapper a must-see wherever he goes.
LCD Soundsystem // 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. // What Stage
If you haven’t caught one of the big LCDreunion shows yet, it’s worth checking out—not because they’ve been playing new songs or because James Murphy has new fancy frontman moves—but because, you know, nostalgia. Dance yrself clean, because a metaphorical shower is the most you might get all weekend.
Blood Orange // 2 to 3 a.m. // The Other Tent
Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes has played precious few concerts as of late—blame all the brilliant pop production he’s done for folks like Carly Rae Jepsen—so make sure to catch his late-night Bonnaroo jam, where he’s expected to premiere songs from his forthcoming Freetown Sound.
Saturday
Natalie Prass // 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. // That Tent
With the kind of pastel-hued vintage pop she perfected on her self-titled debut last year, Nashville singer-songwriter Natalie Prass feels right at home on sun-soaked festival stages. Prass’ backing band is more compact than the small village or brass, woodwinds, and strings she used on her album, but these songs still shine live, particularly with Prass having spent much of last year on the road, too.
The Internet // 4 to 5 p.m. // This Tent
Their name might send your mind racing to all the emails you’re missing while you’re out, but Odd Future associates the Internet’s expertly crafted and downright addictive R&B will wipe the office drudgery from your mind, as evidenced by last year’s brilliant Ego Death.
Haim // 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. // Which Stage
The prospect of seeing some of Haim’s perfectly synchronized dance moves is reason enough to catch the sister act’s good-times live show if you never have. But there are other reasons too, of course—chief among them the fact that they’ve been premiering songs from their forthcoming sophomore album.
Miguel // 12 to 1:15 a.m. // That Tent
“My conversations about love and lust are directly related to my dreams,” R&B innovator Migueltold us last year. “When you’re talking about your dreams, what else can you be but vulnerable?” End your Saturday by basking in Miguel’s sensual psychedelia, and prepare your mind for sweet dreams (or lusty ones—we don’t know your tent life) and hopefully some coffee in the morning.
Sunday
Jason Isbell // 4 to 5 p.m. // What Stage
By Sunday afternoon, you’ll likely be dragging. Former Drive-By TruckerJason Isbell’s set of evocative country-rock might be a good opportunity to pop a squat and savor the best of the Southern songwriting tradition under that Tennessee sun.
Dead & Company // 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. // What Stage
Last month, we heard an impressive group of younger bands take on the Grateful Dead’s legendary songbook, but no one does it quite like the Dead—well, at least those of ‘em who’re still with us. Bonnaroo returns to its jam-band roots with two sets from recently reunited Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann, plus friends. Just, try to ignore the fact that John Mayer will be there.
D∆WN (Dawn Richard) // 8:15 to 9 p.m. // Who Stage
“Jubilation is where I’m at now,” Dawn Richardstold us earlier this year. “It makes you want to move your feet, like you’ve found something deep in yourself.” Richard’s recent forward-thinking R&B with producer Kingdom should be the perfect close to Bonnaroo weekend, itself an ideal environment for soul-searching, feet-moving jubilation. May her impeccable dancers guide you towards the light.