‘Beyond Gutted’: 2025 Bonnaroo Festival Washed Out
Splendour in the Grass isn’t the only festival brand that’s been sunk by Mother Nature.
The four-day Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, one of the most popular summer events in the US, has scrapped most of its 2025 schedule, due to heavy rains.
“We are beyond gutted, but we must make the safest decision and cancel the remainder of Bonnaroo,” reads a push alert from the festival app.
Superstar Australian DJ Dom Dolla headlined the Thursday night program, which turned out to be the final spot for Bonnaroo 2025. Downpours on an unlucky Friday the 13th rendered the grounds unworkable, about 100 kilometres southeast of Nashville in Manchester, TN.
Organisers made the tough call.
“Today, the National Weather Service provided us with an updated forecast with significant and steady precipitation that will produce deteriorating camping and egress conditions in the coming days,” reads a separate statement.
@domdolla still not over @bonnaroo ♬ original sound – Dom Dolla
Ticket holders are offered refunds. Four-day admission (starting at US$480) and camping tickets will receive a 75% refund.
“The number one thing we need from the Bonnaroo community is patience,” the message continues. “Some of your fellow campers’ sites are in rough shape. The rain has settled in areas and made certain parts of Outeroo difficult to manage.
“We’d like to prioritise getting those folks as well as those with accessibility needs off The Farm as soon as possible this evening. To do this, we ask that if your campsite is in good shape or if you’re in an RV or pre-pitched accommodation, please consider spending the night with us and we’ll start working to get you out of here safely tomorrow.”
Along with Dolla, the unaffected lineup on Thursday included Luke Combs, Bonnaroo’s first-ever country headliner, along with Wisp, the Droptines, the Lemon Twigs, Die Spitz, Daniel Donato, and the Insane Clown Posse.
The full, previously-announced bill included Australian alternative rock act King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, plus Glass Animals, Justice, Megadeth, and many more.
Produced by Superfly Presents and AC Entertainment, Bonnaroo welcomes 80,000 party-goers in a typical year. The past five years, however, have been anything but typical. The 2021 edition was cancelled when flooding from Hurricane Ida made the site unsafe, while the 2020 show was a no-go due to the pandemic.
“We have put our hearts and souls into making this weekend the most special one of the year, and cannot express how crushed we are to have to make this decision,” the statement signs off. “Thank you in advance for your patience, your positivity and your unfailing Bonnaroovian spirit.”