Whether it's interacting with your new neighbors at campsites or high-fiving festivarians in Centeroo, Bonnaroo has always been an inviting community. That includes embracing new artists from multiple musical genres with Saturday’s lineup bouncing from rock to rap to country, folk and electronic dance.
Witha setlist of hits and enough charisma to fill the What Stage Post Malonerevived the thousands who dealt with sweltering heat all day long. He performedhis debut single, “White Iverson” as well as his latest hit, “Sunflower.” Whileintroducing the latter song Malone said, “This is my grandparents' favoritesong because there's no cuss words in it.”
Healso added another dimension to his multi-hyphenate description—singer,songwriter, rapper and producer—when he played an acoustic guitar on"Stay."
Witha nod to Bonnaroo’s past and present, the midnight shows featured the comedicmusic of The Lonely Island on White Stage, Singer/songwriter Clairo and rapperGucci Mane at This Tent and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead knocking out that group’sinterpretations of the Grateful Dead catalog at That Tent.
Atthe same time Bonnaroo has been a place for reunions of attendees and artistswho return to the Farm.
Playingbigger stages and with a setlist of hits, Saturday found a number of artiststriumphantly returning to Bonnaroo.
Amongthose who “graduated" to new levels since their initial appearance wereKacey Musgraves who came back as multiple Grammy and CMA award winner.Performing on the Which Stage she played a self-assured set that included“Butterflies” and “Slow Burn."
Shedidn’t have to say this to gain the adoration of the crowd but Musgravesoffered undying love to the festival. “I’m not lying at all when I say thatBonnaroo is my absolute fucking favorite place to play. I’ve been lookingforward to this for so long, know that you guys are gonna fucking bringit."
Hozierreturned four years after his Bonnaroo debut with a powerful set. Backed by asix-piece band and visuals that ranged from flames to a political message oftaking on the establishment during “Nina Cried Power,” Hozier proved hisworthiness to be on the What Stage this time around.
Ona day that featured Bonnaroo’s first Pride Parade, it was significant match tohave Hozier’s anti-homophobia anthem "Take Me to Church” performed. He wasalso joined by Americana star and Nashville artist Brandi Carlile on “WorkSong."
Later,Carlile joined folk legend John Prine at That Tent on “Summer's End." Healso duetted with Kelsey Waldon on "In Spite of Ourselves.” Themischievously witty Prine introduced that number by saying, “This is foranybody thinking of getting married. Remember it's easier to get rid of atattoo.”
TheNational played a triumphant set of moody hypnotic material that favored theband’s latest album, “I Am Easy to Find,” including opening number “You HadYour Soul With You” with guest vocalist Kate Stables of This Is the Kit,“Oblivions,” “Hey Rosey” as well as earlier tracks, “The System Only Dreams inTotal Darkness” and “Don’t Swallow the Cap.”
Otherreturning artists who have shown artistic and commercial growth included theinfectiously joyous Rubblebucket on Which Stage where the Brooklyn actperformed “Donna,” “Lemonade” “Annihilation” and released dozens of balloonsinto the crowd during “Came Out of a Lady.”
TheRecord Company played that On Tap Lounge several years ago, and based on itsferocious live set and song such as “Make It Happen,” “Rita Mae” and “Off theGround” moved on to Saturday’s spot on the What Stage.
BothHippo Campus and Unknown Mortal Orchestra showed that indie rock lives on withthe former displaying a poppier approach while UMO provided a cleansing musicalbath for the sizzling masses. The That Tent set included Ruban Nielson goingoffstage during “From the Sun” and continuing to solo while walking through thecrowd.
Alltold, it was a bright and beautiful day, overflowing with the many delightsthat the Farm can offer. And there’sstill more to come…
