Photos co-curated by Angelique Kidjo
Now in its 16th year, the annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts festival has become an international travel destination for lovers of alternative rock, pop, hip hop and jazz.
Glam Fam
Stylish Brothers Michael and Brian D’Addario, founders of the band The Lemon Twigs, display their vintage fashion finds before taking the Bonnaroo stage to perform songs from their album, Do Hollywood.
Photo by: Kristi York Wooten
Kristi York Wooten
Stylish Brothers Michael and Brian D’Addario, founders of the band The Lemon Twigs, display their vintage fashion finds before taking the Bonnaroo stage to perform songs from their album, Do Hollywood.
This June, headliners at the four-day event included U2, The XX, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chance the Rapper, Lorde and The Weeknd. Yet, while its huge stages and 700-acre site with adjacent camping in rural Manchester, Tennessee are favorites of music fans worldwide, Bonnaroo’s sense of community, fostered through unique experiences such as charity dinners, art exhibitions and close encounters with world-famous performers, set it apart from competitors like Coachella or Lollapalooza. From its recycling program and friendly vendors to its ultra-quirky stage names, Bonnaroo wants attendees – and starring acts alike – to feel as if they’ve landed in Oz the moment they arrive in the Volunteer State.
Pot of Gold
Lucia Wilson and Joe Memmel feel the vibrations of the What Stage while chilling out by the rainbow gate at Bonnaroo.
Photo by: Kristi York Wooten
Kristi York Wooten
Lucia Wilson and Joe Memmel feel the vibrations of the What Stage while chilling out by the rainbow gate at Bonnaroo.
She Belongs to the World
Angelique Kidjo, an international advocate for organizations such as UNICEF and Oxfam, poses for a photo on the farm before she performs at That Tent at Bonnaroo. U2 honored Kidjo and other powerhouse female icons during its set with a performance of the song "Ultraviolet."
Photo by: Ashley Charping Martin
Ashley Charping Martin
Angelique Kidjo, an international advocate for organizations such as UNICEF and Oxfam, poses for a photo on the farm before she performs at That Tent at Bonnaroo. U2 honored Kidjo and other powerhouse female icons during its set with a performance of the song "Ultraviolet."
Sun and Sand
Summery festivalgoer Marley White, from South Carolina, enjoys Bonnaroo Beach before the music begins.
Photo by: Kristi York Wooten
Kristi York Wooten
Summery festivalgoer Marley White, from South Carolina, enjoys Bonnaroo Beach before the music begins.
Before African singer Angelique Kidjo set foot on the magical Tennessee farm for her June 9 performance of the Talking Heads’ 1980 album Remain in Light at Bonnaroo’s That Tent, she had recently performed a masterful reinterpretation of the same classic record in New York City’s Carnegie Hall. That’s quite a change in scenery, but the Grammy winner from Benin says Bonnaroo’s welcoming vibe and open-minded audiences made it easy for her to bring her special blend of Afrobeat and rock to a crowd of several thousand people.
Turning (Red)
Celebrity chef Hugh Acheson poses in a Hedley & Bennett apron (designed in conjunction with Dominique Ansel) before presenting a three-course meal at the (RED) Supper at Bonnaroo, a charity dinner to fight AIDS.
Photo by: Caroline Knight
Caroline Knight
Celebrity chef Hugh Acheson poses in a Hedley & Bennett apron (designed in conjunction with Dominique Ansel) before presenting a three-course meal at the (RED) Supper at Bonnaroo, a charity dinner to fight AIDS.
Sassy Spinner
DJ Ayesha Chugh cools off in cut-offs and sandals before playing her set at Bonnaroo.
Photo by: Kristi York Wooten
Kristi York Wooten
DJ Ayesha Chugh cools off in cut-offs and sandals before playing her set at Bonnaroo.
Kidjo also helped the Travel Channel’s Roam curate this photo essay by posing for us and choosing other images which capture the diversity and personality of both the festival’s stage talent and its variety of travelers – young and old, solo or in groups, including couples, friends, and siblings. Festivalgoers could be spotted taking selfies at every location on the farm, but Kidjo liked our portraits of “Bonnaroovians” finding quiet moments of fun together as the music swirled around them.
Sisterly Love
New Jersey siblings Dawn and Crystal Mahoney grab a few minutes together in the shade at Bonnaroo.
Photo by: Ashley Charping Martin
Ashley Charping Martin
New Jersey siblings Dawn and Crystal Mahoney grab a few minutes together in the shade at Bonnaroo.
Flower Girls
This casually cool trio of Tennesseans (Amber Woodhouse, Savannah Presley Green and Brittney Redstone) met at the festival during a card game and became fast friends.
Photo by: Ashley Charping Martin
Ashley Charping Martin
This casually cool trio of Tennesseans (Amber Woodhouse, Savannah Presley Green and Brittney Redstone) met at the festival during a card game and became fast friends.
“If I could choose, I would always travel with a sister or a friend,” she says. “I like to have somebody with me to talk with, laugh with, and share with while traveling. Being there for each other is important, even in this age of technology.”
The World' s Longest Salad
Oxfam America’s Jackie Nelson treats Stephanie Washington and other diners to the World’ s Longest Salad at BonnaROOTS, a poverty-fighting fundraiser held Saturday evening inside Planet Roo. The delicious supper of locally grown veggies was presented in conjunction with Eat for Equity, which hosts shared meals for great causes.
Photo by: Kristi York Wooten
Kristi York Wooten
Oxfam America’s Jackie Nelson treats Stephanie Washington and other diners to the World’ s Longest Salad at BonnaROOTS, a poverty-fighting fundraiser held Saturday evening inside Planet Roo. The delicious supper of locally grown veggies was presented in conjunction with Eat for Equity, which hosts shared meals for great causes.
School's Out
Reunited school buds Robert Guerrero, Sam Lebewitz, Adam Rudolph, Michael Thal, and Sam Arieven celebrate day one of Bonnaroo near the This Tent stage.
Photo by: Kristi York Wooten
Kristi York Wooten
Reunited school buds Robert Guerrero, Sam Lebewitz, Adam Rudolph, Michael Thal, and Sam Arieven celebrate day one of Bonnaroo near the This Tent stage.
Bohemian Break
Steven Carroll and Emily Payne take a minute away from cornhole tossing to bask in the bright afternoon sun.
Photo by: kristi York Wooten
kristi York Wooten
Steven Carroll and Emily Payne take a minute away from cornhole tossing to bask in the bright afternoon sun.
Blessings and Reflections
Grammy winning Christian hip hop artist Lecrae, whose new single "I Will Find You" featuring Tori Kelly dropped June 9, takes a pause outside the Notes for Notes studio before participating in the Bonnaroo Soul Shakedown SuperJam with Chance the Rapper, Jon Batiste, and others.
Photo by: Ashley Charping Martin
Ashley Charping Martin
Grammy winning Christian hip hop artist Lecrae, whose new single "I Will Find You" featuring Tori Kelly dropped June 9, takes a pause outside the Notes for Notes studio before participating in the Bonnaroo Soul Shakedown SuperJam with Chance the Rapper, Jon Batiste, and others.
Pretty Parasol
Juliet Johnson takes shelter from the sun under an umbrella in front of the Who Stage at Bonnaroo.
Photo by: Kristi York Wooten
Kristi York Wooten
Juliet Johnson takes shelter from the sun under an umbrella in front of the Who Stage at Bonnaroo.
Kicking Back
Austinite Monica Marcano rests her boots on a load of instruments and gear while sitting among hay bails on the farm.
Photo by: Ashley Charping Martin
Ashley Charping Martin
Austinite Monica Marcano rests her boots on a load of instruments and gear while sitting among hay bails on the farm.
Fashion Angel
Designer Kittaya Treseangrat strikes a pose near the Artist Tent at Bonnaroo.
Photo by: Kristi York Wooten
Kristi York Wooten
Designer Kittaya Treseangrat strikes a pose near the Artist Tent at Bonnaroo.