The greatest thing about Bonnaroo has always been its ability to appeal to, quite literally, everyone. Last year’s lineup saw rappers Kanye West and Wiz Khalifa perform ahead of soul legends like Lionel Richie and Bobby Womack. Sadly, Womack died two weeks after his performance at Bonnaroo, which uniquely allowed lifelong fans to stand beside young people hearing his music for the first time in what would ultimately be his last performance. Such a mixing of crowds is rare these days.
“I think it crosses generations and genres,” Jonathan Mayers, co-founder of Bonnaroo’s production company, said in a statement. “There’s really something for everyone.”
Now that the lineup for this year’s Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has been unveiled, it looks like they really will have something for everyone – Including the jazz fans in attendance.
Fresh off a residency at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Rock and Roll legend Billy Joel will headline Bonnaroo this year, alongside British on-again/off-again folk rock band Mumford & Sons, who appear to have found a practical way of proving the rumor that they broke up shortly after the September 2012 release of their sophomore album Babel has been greatly exaggerated.
Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Deadmau5, My Morning Jacket, Florence + The Machine, and the Alabama Shakes are also headlining.
Among the jazz/blues/funk-influenced acts at Bonnaroo 2015, Medeski, Scofield, Martin, & Wood were a most welcome surprise for us in the lineup. They have been a favorite at The Jazz Line for a while now, and it’s great to see them garner attention like this at a major festival.
Young blues-man Gary Clark Jr., Funk/R&B collective Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, and the ever genre-defiant Earth Wind & Fire are also due to perform.
Tickets for the festival go on sale Saturday, January 17, with prices ranging from $299.50 – $324.50 (plus fees) for general admission tickets through to $1,524.50 (plus fees) for a pair of VIP tickets.
Check out the full lineup and ticket information on Bonnaroo’s Website.
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