Jeffrey Everett

A year has passed since Dexter and the Moonrocks came to Indy. They returned Friday night with a vengeance. 2025 marked the release of their new EP

After a rough 2025, when torrential rains canceled the festival after just one day, Bonnaroo 2026 started Thursday night with a refreshed farm and setup. They made some big changes, like drainage projects, grading, 135 acres of new turf, and getting rid of water-prone campsites, all to keep the fields dry no matter what the weather throws at them. The changes seemed to scale back on attendance (estimated 45,000) as the crowds were comfortable and navigating much easier. This year also featured the opening of Bonnie Roo's Broos & Sports Bar, a new spot that's bursting with some of the best breweries around—think crisp, hoppy, funky, and even alcohol-free options. We didn't have to miss out on watching the World Cup, NBA Finals, and some MLB games on huge screens all weekend! Reminiscent of previous Roo's, today's weather was freakin' oppressive! Temps in the 90's with high humidity took center stage. Shade was at a premium as fans begged for sunset. To get things started, “Shotgunaroo” took place at 2 pm Thursday. As the names suggests, everyone chugs a beer at set time as the arch provides a countdown. Thursday's lineup fortunately was a bit more relaxed than usual, with just four acts on the “What” main stage. This gave everyone time to get their campsites, adapt to the heat and get ready before the shows started around 5:30 p.m. First up was Spiritual Cramp, a punk rock band from San Francisco. They brought the energy with a high-octane set. Next was Vince Staples, a rapper, songwriter, and actor. On April 25, he released the single “Blackberry Marmalade” from his upcoming album Cry Baby, which is set to come out on June 25. He gave a raw, unfiltered performance with great vocals and kept the crowd engaged. Then came Four Tet, also known as Kieran Hebden, an English electronic musician. He beautifully engineered and changed the pace, keeping the crowd hooked as a cool light show pulsed into the crowd. The evening ended with electronic superstar Skrillex (pit closed for photos), whose set went until 12:30, which was pretty early for Bonnaroo. His powerful bass and technical skills had the crowd jumping all night long. His performance supported his surprise brand new release this week

After a fun tease on opening day, Friday was the first full day with performances on all the 10 stages. The first show started at 1 p.m., and the last one ended at 6 a.m., just as the sun peeked over the horizon. It was a tough day, requiring a lot of focus and careful choices to really enjoy the experience. We tried to see lots of different acts, but we still missed nearly 75% of the shows since so many were happening at the same time. Afternoon rain created some mud but nothing in comparison to last years flood. Lambrini Girls, an English punk rock band from Brighton, kicked things off bright and early at 1:15. Next up was Villanelle, another UK group led by Gene Gallagher, the son of Oasis's Liam Gallagher. Then came Claire Rosinkranz, a last-minute fill in due a cancellation. The California native exploded onto the scene in 2020 with her single "Backyard Boy." She took full advantage of the opportunity and put on an energetic set. We then switched to Amble, an Irish folk band that blended guitars, banjo, and mandolin with heartfelt songwriting, creating a mix of indie-pop and authentic acoustic folk. We turned up the volume with The Chats, a punk rock band from Queensland, Australia. Their shouty, stripped-down lyrics, infused with humor, made their in-your-face set unforgettable. UK's up-and-coming Wet Leg had a highly anticipated set next. Their tongue-in-cheek lyrics, with hits like “Wet Dream” and “Catch These Fists,” were the highlights of their fun-filled performance. English rocker Yungblud (photography not approved) made an early evening appearance on the main stage and didn't disappoint. His charismatic, energetic, and engaging performance was a hit with a huge crowd. We then saw Jessie Murph, whose dynamic fusion of pop, country, and a touch of blues was a homecoming for her roots in Tennessee and Alabama, with a huge reception. As the sun began to set, the party was just getting started. Griz took the stage with his signature sax playing, combined with high-energy DJ EDM production. He is coming off the release of his highly anticipated new album

Bonnaroo kicked off the weekend with a packed schedule that kept going until Sunday morning! After a grueling Friday late night, fans slowly made their way back into Centeroo throughout the day and were in full swing for the headliners and late-night acts. Some of the first performances were really something, like Sunami, an American hardcore punk band that formed in San Jose, California, back in 2019. Their intense, violent performance really got everyone up and moving. Their mosh pit was wild, a stark contrast to the usual Roo vibe of chill and fun. Things calmed down a bit for the next show with Steph Strings, an Australian folk singer with a deep, soulful voice and a contagious smile. Then came Confidence Man, an electronic pop duo also from Down Under. They put on a high-energy, euphoric performance with synchronized dance moves that had their fans completely hooked. Things stayed upbeat with Arcy Drive, an indie rock band from Northport, NY. Their raw performance has earned them the nickname “attic rock,” with gritty guitar riffs and a communal feel. Holly Humberstone had a memorable late afternoon set. The up-and-coming indie rocker from the UK has just released her second album, Cruel World, featuring the hit single “To Love Somebody.” We also caught The Runarounds, an American indie rock band formed in Wilmington, North Carolina, for the teen drama TV show of the same name. Things got even more exciting for the next show by Amyl and the Sniffers, a punk rock group from Melbourne, Australia. Amy Taylor's electrifying and captivating performance truly made for one of the best shows of the day! Alabama Shakes are back after Brittany Howards solo adventure, and they've just dropped a new track called “American Dream,” a powerful protest song touching on gun violence, abortion rights, and the White House renovations. Next, we caught a few songs from Rainbow Kitten Surprise an alt rock band formed in 2013 by Darrick Keller and Ela Melo in an Appalachian State University dorm room. The evening acts kicked off with Kesha's Superjam, a fantastic collaboration of artists celebrating pop music. Teddy Swims took the stage to shine with his raw, soul-stirring vocals and genuine emotional honesty, weaving a story that connected deeply with the audience. Rüfüs Du Sol (no photos allowed) delivered a massive production set that transported us to a Sunday morning, offering more than just a DJ set—they gave us a true live performance. James Hunt's live drumming, Jon George's keyboard wizardry, Tyrone Lindqvist's velvety smooth vocals, along with a dramatic light show and stage set, created an unforgettable experience.

Well, the fears stemming from last year's Bonnaroo fiasco returned with heavy rain and lightning interrupting performances after the 1 o'clock acts. The infield was evacuated and everyone had to return to their campsites. Several single day pass holders were stranded having been dropped off for the day. We sat waiting for the storms to pass, but every clap of thunder meant another 30 minutes wait. Hours passed and everyone was skeptical it would reopen. The weather fortunately cleared and the sun retuned. A new schedule was issued with the evening acts intact. The gate reopened around 5:30. Last year the farm was underwater, but the drainage efforts worked with little standing water even after the downpour. As fans made their way back in, we saw Fcukers, who brought a raw mix of electroclash, house, and post-punk. Tedeschi Trucks Band followed (photo access not approved) with a blend of Americana roots, blues, and southern rock. Led by the Derick Truck's guitar prowess and Susan Tedeschi's vocals, their set was a fan favorite. Turnover was next with their laid-back indie-pop creating an intimate, meditative atmosphere. Rising superstar Role Model played next to a massive crowd. With his boyish charm and raspy vocals, he had the crowd singing along like a campfire retreat. Pop superstar Kesha (photo access not approved) followed with excellent live vocals, emotional authenticity, creating an inclusive, joyous party atmosphere. The festival concluded with a singular headlining set by Noah Kahan (photo access not approved). The crowd spread back as far as the eye could see. He featured not only his current album

Last night, rock legends AC/DC kicked off their 17-date North American summer Power Up tour with a packed house at the Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte. The Pretty Reckless,

The Lollapalooza aftershows kicked off before the festival officially starts Thursday and we were lucky to be able catch two acts on Wednesday night. First up was Empire of the Sun at the Salt Shed, a warehouse remodeled into a concert venue. The group is one of Australia's most visionary ventures, created by Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore. They broke on the scene with "Walking On A Dream" an electronic pop fusion that set the stage their genre bending sound. The show was sold out and the crowd was ready to go. They took the stage early at 9 with an elaborate stage set, dancers and trademark Asian garb. The sound in warehouse was surprisingly good and the show was a mesmerizing spectacle for the eyes and ears. As the show wound down, a quick Uber got us to Bottom Up a small music venue a few miles from Lollapalooza. CMAT (Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson) is an Irish acclaimed singer-songwriter, princess of pop, critical darling and celebrated fashion provocateur. The venue was jammed packed from front to back with no room to move. As she got underway it was apparent why. She was energetic, engaging and had an infectious glow which had everyone feeling good. The fans knew her material and sang along with most of the songs. The Irish phenom is ready to take America by storm and Lollapalooza will be a perfect spring board for exposure.

Friday's weather was pretty good with some light rain, but it didn't dampen the fans' excitement or how much they participated. The show kicked off with The Army, The Navy, an American folk-pop band made up of Maia Ciambriello and Sasha Goldberg. These childhood friends dropped their debut album, Fake Brave Life, on June 12th this year. Then came The Day We Ran, an alternative band from Australia known for their catchy harmonies. They're currently on their first North American tour, promoting their debut EP, Naked At Your Door. Next up was High Vis, an English rock band from London that formed in 2016. The Titos side stage featured Julia Wolf, an American singer, songwriter, and record producer from Long Island, New York. Her raw emotion, captivating storytelling, and down-to-earth stage presence really stood out. After that, we saw Mother Mother, a Canadian indie rock band from Quadra Island, British Columbia. Then, on the AirBnB stage, we spotted Finn Wolfhard, who's probably best known for his role as Mike Wheeler on Netflix's Stranger Things. He mentioned that music would be his main focus now that the series is over. Wolfhard released his debut studio album, Happy Birthday, on June 6, 2025. Back on the mainstage, we caught Zara Larsson, a Swedish singer and songwriter. She first became famous in 2008 after winning the second season of the Swedish talent show, Talang. Finally, on the Allianz stage, we saw Not For Radio, the solo project of The Marías' frontwoman, María Zardoya. She dropped her EP, Bloom, back in April 2006. Friday, The Smashing Pumpkins, Charli XCX, and Major Lazer were the main acts. Major Lazer was the only one who got the green light for photos, and they officially unveiled a new track called “RoTATe wiTh aMeRiCa FOsTeR, sKiLLiBeNg aNd bEAM.” The show was packed with amazing visuals, eight dancers, pyrotechnics, and CO2 cannons that really made the performance pop!

The rain from yesterday turned into a downpour overnight and in the morning, which caused some delays until the grounds were ready. The ground crew did an amazing job, keeping the mud to a minimum and making sure there was no standing water. Doors finally opened around 3 p.m., and there was a lot of shuffling of the lineup, with some early shows being canceled and others having shorter sets. We rushed to the AirBNB stage and got to see a few songs by Die Spitz, an all-female punk rock band from Austin, TX. The afternoon continued with Wolf Alice, an English indie rock group led by singer Ellie Rowsell. Her dynamic vocal range was on full display, especially in their recent hit “Bloom Baby Bloom.” Next up was Momma, an indie rock band formed in 2015 by Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten, who have been friends since meeting at school. Then came Spacey Jane from Fremantle, Australia, who are up-and-coming indie rockers with a raw, edgy sound. The Neighbourhood played at the mainstage, performing a 13-song set that included hits like “Sweater Weather” and “Afraid,” along with some newer tracks. We hurried to Perry's stage to see Allison Wonderland's high-energy set, backed by tracks from her album

Sunday was a fantastic end to Lollapalooza 2026! The decision to feature female artists in every premier top-billing spot really paid off, with record crowds and ticket sales. Today's headliners were The XX, an alt rock band, Canadian pop singer Tate McRae, and EDM superstars the Chainsmokers. We started the day at The Bends, an alt rock band from Baton Rouge, whose single “Smoking in Bed” was a hit on alt rock radio and they're about to release a debut album. Next was New Constellations, the ethereal project of Portland duo Harlee Case and Josh Smith. We headed over to Titos stage to catch Cruz Beckham and the Breakers. Cruz is the youngest son of David Beckham and Victoria Beckham, and they announced their 6-track debut EP,