As it has been for most of this century so far, the greater Nashville area is set to greet the summer with two massive music events. CMA Fest, pretty much the biggest country fan gathering there is, takes over downtown June 6-9, and Bonnaroo, among the longest-running multigenre music fests in the South, rolls into The Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester June 13-16.
In our annual Festival Frenzy issue, we take this opportunity to examine the slow evolution of country music in general and CMA Fest in particular, and run down 10 events worth catching on the smaller stages. We also check out your Bonnaroo headliners — Pretty Lights, Post Malone, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Fred Again.. — round up the local talent at Bonnaroo, and give you a day-by-day guide to our favorite performances during the fest.
The massive fan gathering continues its slow move away from toxic culture
Our writers’ picks for sets you don’t want to miss, from Tanner Adell to Wyatt Flores and beyond
Look for Jobi Riccio, Brittany Howard, Cage the Elephant and many more at the Farm
Pretty Lights, Post Malone, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Fred Again.. top the bill down on the Farm
Bring your dancin’ shoes to Bonnaroo Day 1, but also prepare for raining (fake) blood
Ride a wave of indie rock and pop — or focus your attention elsewhere — on Bonnaroo Day 2
Get in your feelings, get in the club and rock out — you can do it all on Bonnaroo Day 3
The ladies are here to slay on Bonnaroo Day 4
