Bonnaroo was built on a foundation of communal jam-band revelry with some Americana and hip-hop trimmings—the inaugural 2002 outing slotted Trey Anastasio and Widespread Panic as headliners with the likes of Gov’t Mule, Ben Harper and Jurassic 5 offering some added range. As the years have passed, the Tennessee festival has shed a decent amount of that flavor to prioritize more populist tastes, touting the Kanye West/Radiohead/Nine Inch Nails/Red Hot Chili Peppers totem that sweeps through Lollapalooza, Coachella and a litany of other music events in any given summer. But as this weekend proved, Bonnaroo still offers a damn good time and knows how to entertain, even if its DNA isn’t quite as distinct.
After three solids days of performances from the likes of The Lemon Twigs, The xx and Chance the Rapper to name a few, Bonnaroo ended its sweet 16th year with a more mellow schedule, with standout slots from Aaron Lee Tasjan, Noname, Travis Scott and headliner The Weeknd. Check out photographer Sarah Hess’ photos from the day above and check back next weekend as Paste hits up Firefly.
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Noname at Bonnaroo, Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN, 6/11/2017
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Noname at Bonnaroo, Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN, 6/11/2017
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Aaron Lee Tasjan at Bonnaroo, Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN, 6/11/2017
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Aaron Lee Tasjan at Bonnaroo, Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN, 6/11/2017
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Aaron Lee Tasjan at Bonnaroo, Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN, 6/11/2017
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Bonnaroo, Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN, 6/11/2017
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Bonnaroo, Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN, 6/11/2017
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Bonnaroo, Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN, 6/11/2017
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Bonnaroo, Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN, 6/11/2017
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Bonnaroo, Great Stage Park, Manchester, TN, 6/11/2017