By Bill Foster and Rusty Odom • photos by Bill Foster
Thursday felt a lot like Friday around 10:00 p.m. when Rebecca Black took the stage.
Over the next hour, she scorched a hole in the earth in the middle of the brand new Infinity Stage where the Comedy tent once sat years ago. Just a couple hours later, Tractorbeam, a side project form the Disco Biscuits fellas, were the first full band to take the stage and the spacial audio experience went further on display. The stage has three circular sections with the stage in the middle, each with its own lighting production and one of the most audio experiences a fan can hope to get. The stage is hard to describe and even harder to photograph effectively but before the weekend is over, I have a feeling that one of us (probably Bill, let’s be honest) will find the right angle and we’ll bring it to you right here. It looks fantastic and it sounds amazing. This is a great addition to the farm.
Our first day on Bonnaroo 2025 started with the magnificent Sofia Isella. We walked in just in time to hear “Doll People,” the Tik Tok smash that packed That Tent at four PM on a scorching hot Thursday. Isella performed solo to backing tracks and while I’d love to hear what the energy and improvisation a live band would offer, she was a one-woman whirlwind, spending her time alternating between stinging guitar solos and flailing on the floor. The crowd was loud and enthusiastic to those who were new to her and fans alike. This is definitely someone to watch.
The huge What stage is open on Thursday for the second time is as many years but this year featured four shows and not just the headliner. Wilderado became the first band to play it and the Tulsa, Oklahoma trio sounded tight with a mix of rock and roll and country in just the right proportions.
The Lemon Twigs are long standing Blank favorites, since we first saw them at Bonnaroo a decade ago. The Long Island brother duo (they tour as a four-piece) write jangly, 1960s power pop and put on stunning live shows, full of guitar heroics and leaps. Today’s show, however, was the most sedate we have seen them, focusing more on their softer side. I’m glad I saw it, but it wasn’t my favorite show by them.
Greenville, South Carolina’s Marcus King is touring behind his sixth record, including a pair of very well-received efforts produced by Dan Auerbach. He played the What Stage with a large band behind him, with whom he interacted frequently. He paid tribute to both the recently passed Sly Stone and Brian Wilsom with incredible covers of “I Wanna Take you Higher” and “God Only Knows.” This was a really strong, self-assured set from a confidant and still growing artist.
By all accounts, Luke Combs became the first country headliner at Bonnaroo at his own request because he really wanted to play here and it showed in his demeanor and in his show. He continually spotlighted his incredible band, brought out Miranda Lambert, Marcus King and Joe Bell out to assist him and often ceding the spotlight to them. I’m not the biggest fan of this particular brand of country, but Combs was simpley a delight.
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country provided the musical highlight of the day for me. The Nashville wunderkind is an absolutely shredder and everyone in his band is equally skilled. Even the crowd of Juggalos on the front row waiting for the next act were into it and enthusiastic.
I had been warned about Insane Clown Posse. So, evidently, had the entire photo pit, which was a sea of garbage bag ponchos and camera covers. I don’t know what I expected. I noticed the two hundred plus two-liter bottles of Faygo, of course. They came out and sounded great. “Well, there’s only two of them,” I thought. Which was right when six more clowns rushed the stage and began fire hosing everything in sight. It was a sticky, crazy and, we;;, insane experience but I’m glad I saw it. A lot of fun and their fans are as nice as can be.
