Summer is rapidly approaching in Middle Tennessee, which means festival season is well underway. And that means it’s time for our annual Festival Frenzy issue, with coverage of the two major music fests that mark this time in Music City: CMA Fest (taking over Lower Broadway and Nissan Stadium June 4 through 7) and Bonnaroo (at The Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester, June 11 through 14).
We have a conversation with Bryan Andrews, who brings staunchly outspoken progressive politics to the ostensibly apolitical environment of CMA Fest. And we catch up with Nashville’s own MORGXN, one of few openly LGBTQ performers booked for CMA Fest this year.
We also ask a festival mega-fan and a historian for their perspective on the current landscape of big music festivals. We run down our favorite sets of the weekend at Bonnaroo, and we’re delighted to bring you Bonnaroo Bingo once again. (See Bonnaroo Bingo below, with illustrations by Alex Levin.) And because festivals abound in the vicinity of Music City, we’ve got a look at some more to look forward to, including 615 Week and Nashville Pride.
Top off that reusable water bottle, make sure the cap’s tight on your SPF-50 and check that fit: It’s about to get real festive in here. STEPHEN TRAGESER, MUSIC EDITOR
Play along! When you spot any of the items below, let us know on social media. Don’t forget to tag it with the hashtag #BonnaroBingo and our handle @NashvilleScene.
Talking with festival mega-fan Sarah Minton and historian, author and professor Gina Arnold about today’s music fest landscape
We run down our favorite acts of the festival from headliners to up-and-comers playing the campgrounds
Check out a smorgasbord of local music fests to add to your calendar
Talking representation and loving country music with one of the few LGBTQ artists booked to perform at this year’s festival
Talking with the outspoken progressive singer-songwriter ahead of his CMA Fest debut
