aLIVECoverage
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, celebrates its Sweet 16 this year as the festival opens this Thursday, June 7 and runs through Sunday, June 10. That teenage energy is somewhat evident in the line-up, which, unlike years past, lacks an impressive veteran rock band headliner.
The 2018 lineup — headlined by The Killers, Muse, and Eminem — may appeal more to Millennials and Gen-Xers without much to offer for older Baby Boomer festival-goers. In recent years, the festival has wrapped up with performances by Paul McCartney, U2, Phish, Elton John, and the remaining members of the Grateful Dead. But, Eminem will close out the main stage on Saturday, promoting his new album, Revival, which has been widely criticized as a mediocre release that fails to adapt to the changing sounds of hip-hop. Long-time fans will surely be hoping Eminem plays plenty of his late ’90s classics, as he did at his last Roo performance in 2011.
Andrew Jorgensen
The Killers close out the festival on Sunday. They’ll likely perform works from 2017’s Wonderful Wonderful, but they’ll certainly get the most fan reaction from 2004 breakout hits, like “Mr. Brightside” and “Somebody Told Me.” 
Andrew Jorgensen
Other lineup highlights include indie folk rockers Bon Iver, pop-country crossover artist Sheryl Crow, rapper Future, emo rockers Paramore, and electronic acts Bassnectar, The Glitch Mob, and Kaskade. Click here for the full line-up.
Those looking for more of a rave experience than a rock festival can dance the night away at the Kalliope stage, featuring both well-known and obscure DJs spinning into the wee hours of the morning.
Andrew Jorgensen
Bonnaroo is so much more than music though. The festival offers plenty in the way of cultural activities, and this year they’re pushing new “Campground Experiences” at plazas located across the general campgrounds. Family game nights, yoga, puppet-making workshops, and even a Roo Run 5K are among the highlights, along with the old standards — a water park, a Ferris wheel, a food truck court, a craft brew tent, and more.
