The What Podcast

Barry Courter and Bryan Stone
  • 4.9 (293)
  • MUSIC COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The What Podcast

Bonnaroo is more than just a festival, and The What Podcast is your backstage pass to the stories, secrets, and the magic that makes it so legendary. Hosted by two entertainment industry veterans, each week Barry and Bryan will take you deep into festival culture, live music, and behind-the-scenes stories. Since 2018, we've connected with passionate music fans worldwide, sharing personal experiences, expert insights, and exclusive interviews with the musicians and industry insiders who make festivals happen. Whether you're a Bonnaroo veteran or a first-timer, subscribe now to stay in the loop on everything that makes music festivals unforgettable.

  1. How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo

    2D AGO

    How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo

    In this special live episode of The What Podcast from Bonnaroo 2025 at Planet Roo, hosts Barry, Bryan, and Lord Taco moderate an insightful panel celebrating the festival's cultural, civic, and economic impact on Manchester, Tennessee, and the broader region. Guests include Priscilla Norman, Rebecca French ("Miss Bonnaroo"), Festival Director Brad Parker of C3 Presents, and Ryan French from the City of Manchester. Together, they share personal stories of their Bonnaroo beginnings, reflect on the festival's evolution since 2002, and underscore its transformation into a generational rite of passage that fuses community spirit with musical magic. The conversation highlights how Bonnaroo has become a year-round civic partner - investing millions into local schools, infrastructure, and nonprofit organizations through the Bonnaroo Works Fund. Stories range from prankish memories of sneaking into early fests to tales of locals opening swimming pools to traffic-trapped fans. They also address complex dynamics like city annexation and festival logistics while honoring the late co-founder Jonathan Mayers and unveiling new initiatives like the Infinity Stage and enhanced charitable integration. The panel closes with reflections on Bonnaroo's irreplaceable role as a beacon of positivity, unity, and transformation in both local and global festival culture. Got something to say about Bonnaroo? Call our voicemail line at (423) 667-7877 and tell us what Bonnaroo means to you. We just might feature your message on a future episode! Listen to this episode here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news! Photo by: David Bruce ______ 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast Email: comments@thewhatpodcast.com The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat

    51 min
  2. Bonnaroo's Survey Questions and hey, nothing's Big Summer

    JUL 2

    Bonnaroo's Survey Questions and hey, nothing's Big Summer

    How are we all feeling, 3 weeks removed from Bonnaroo's 2025 cancellation? This episode might just improve your mood a little. With the new survey out, it offers a rare insight into the festival organizers' thoughts about the future of Bonnaroo. We all feel pretty sure it should stay in June on The Farm, however. We also introduce you to one of our favorite new discoveries from the festival: emo/folk duo hey, nothing. Bryan and Barry sit down with Tyler and Harlow for a conversation about their journey from high school musicians to Bonnaroo performers, the creative power of Maine, and their stacked summer tour that includes stops at Lollapalooza, Shaky Knees, and more. Got something to say about Bonnaroo? Call our voicemail line at (423) 667-7877 and tell us what Bonnaroo means to you—we just might feature your message on a future episode! Listen to this episode here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news! ______ CHAPTERS (00:00) Intro (01:16) StoneOnAir Podcast's Bonnaroo Coverage (02:30) Comments on social media (06:08) Phone line is open (07:14) I Am Bonnaroo photos (08:38) Our thoughts, 3 weeks later (10:17) The Bonnaroo survey (27:59) Setting up this week's interview (29:47) Interview with Hey, Nothing (46:51) Upcoming episodes (49:59) Outro ______ 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast Email: comments@thewhatpodcast.com The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat

    51 min
  3. What's next for Bonnaroo?

    JUN 25

    What's next for Bonnaroo?

    Today on The What Podcast, Barry and Bryan dive into the aftermath of the unprecedented Bonnaroo 2025 cancellation, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster experienced by fans, organizers, and the broader festival community. They discuss the announcement of 100% ticket refunds, the challenges of upgrading infrastructure on the farm, and the intense scrutiny faced by organizers like Live Nation and C3. The hosts also explore how online commentary can distort the real picture, emphasizing that while frustrations and personal anecdotes abound, the broader context and two decades of successful events should not be overlooked. Listen to this episode here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news! Thumbnail photo by: Evan Brown ______ 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast Email: comments@thewhatpodcast.com The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat

    36 min
  4. When Bonnaroo Breaks Your Heart: Our Reaction to the 2025 Cancellation

    JUN 17

    When Bonnaroo Breaks Your Heart: Our Reaction to the 2025 Cancellation

    We're still reeling from the cancellation of Bonnaroo 2025, and in this episode of The What Podcast, we open up about the heartbreak, frustration, and confusion that swept through the Bonnaroo community after historic rainfall forced organizers to call off the festival. We talk about what it was like to travel from all over the country—some of us from as far away as Seattle and New York—only to have the weekend cut short, and how we’re coping with the "Bonnaflu" that seems to follow every year. Even though the festival ended early, we reflect on the incredible Thursday we did get—packed with music, laughter, and some unforgettable moments. We also dig into the tough decisions organizers faced, why this year's weather was truly a once-in-a-century event, and how the Bonnaroo community continues to come together, even in disappointment. Joining us is campmate Elizabeth Thorpe, who shares her cross-country travel saga from Seattle. We all talk about the silver linings—like extra time with friends, the Friday beer exchange, and a little show and tell. Plus, we shout out contest winners, longtime friends, and the many fans who stopped us to say hello and share their stories. Whether you’re feeling angry, sad, or just plain lost, you’re not alone—we encourage you to connect with others who “get it,” join our Discord, and look ahead with us to future Bonnaroos. https://thewhat.co/discord Listen to this week's episode about the Bonnaroo 2025 cancellation here or watch it on YouTube. And as always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get your podcasts for festival news, tips, and more. ______ 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast Email: comments@thewhatpodcast.com The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat

    57 min
  5. Bonnaroo Week Begins: Packing, Travel, Weather Prep & More!

    JUN 9

    Bonnaroo Week Begins: Packing, Travel, Weather Prep & More!

    As Bonnaroo week kicks off, the crew records a special on-location episode at Lo Main in Chattanooga, diving into last-minute festival prep, weather worries, and the unique culture that makes Bonnaroo a can't-miss event. The hosts and guests, including long-time campmate Tara Viland (now in charge of events and programming at the Chattanooga Choo Choo) and Cassie Wanamaker (celebrating her 10th "Bonnaversary" and fourth year attending sober), share packing tips, weather-proofing strategies, and the importance of patience and flexibility for a successful festival experience. The conversation highlights the unpredictable Tennessee weather, the value of practical gear like rubber boots, and new festival features—such as Bonnaroo's QR code lock screen for lost phones. Russ is already en route to Manchester, where he plans to meet up with friends at Common John Brewery to sample the new Camp Reddaroo beer (and hopefully sleep in their parking lot). The rest of the crew arrives later in the week. Don’t miss The What Podcast live from The Farm! Join us Thursday at 4PM in Planet Roo for Podcast Party with a Purpose, featuring special guests and a look at Bonnaroo’s impact on the local community. Listen to this episode here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news! ______ CHAPTERS (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:01) Packing for Bonnaroo (00:04:23) Change your phone's lock screen (00:06:42) How to get help from Bonnaroo (00:10:09) Weather (00:12:53) Parachute People (00:14:04) Our travel plans (00:18:08) Tara joins (00:26:18) Cassie joins (00:48:50) Russ in Manchester on Monday (00:52:02) David Bruce on Hulu (00:56:23) The What Podcast live at Bonnaroo (00:59:51) Outro ______ 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast Email: comments@thewhatpodcast.com The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat

    1h 1m
  6. Bonnaroo 2025 Prep: Last-Minute Tips, Packing Hacks & Bryan's Festival Picks

    JUN 4

    Bonnaroo 2025 Prep: Last-Minute Tips, Packing Hacks & Bryan's Festival Picks

    Bonnaroo 2025 is nearly here, and in this massive episode of The What Podcast, we've got essential last-minute tips and hacks to help you not just survive the farm, but have the greatest time ever. From cooler strategy and sleeping secrets to underrated essentials, it's a festival prep episode you don’t want to miss. We then catch up with Bryan Stone and his recent trip to Mexico, before diving into his Bonnaroo schedule. We start with Roo Run updates from Kyle the Bonnaroovian and then finally we go day by day with Bryan and discover his can't-miss acts. Plus, you don't want to miss our live show, Podcast Party with a Purpose, at 4PM Thursday on the How Stage inside Planet Roo! We've got special guests, including festival director Brad Parker, a Q&A, and more. Find out more at https://thewhat.co/live And if you're in the Chattanooga area on Sunday, June 8th, join us at Lo Main Bodega at 11:00 AM EDT for a meet and greet with us as we record our final episode before Bonnaroo! Finally, we close the show with our Hayley Jane interview, recorded last weekend at CaveJam. We go inside the cave and discuss her musical influences, van breakdowns on tour, and why she wants to play Bonnaroo one day. Plus, her connection to Dogs in a Pile. Can she convince them to play Bryan's favorite song on the farm next weekend? Listen to this week's episode with Bryan's picks here, or watch the video on YouTube. And don't forget to subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. ______ CHAPTERS (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:50) Giveaway update (00:06:01) Barry on the radio (00:07:48) Dancing man (00:10:35) Bonnaroo prep tips (00:30:32) Live podcast in Planet Roo (00:32:43) Roo Run and Bonnaroovian Kyle (00:36:37) Bryan in Mexico and Bryan's picks (00:39:16) Thursday (00:41:34) Friday (00:45:58) Saturday (00:49:36) Sunday (00:51:59) Wrap-up (00:55:47) Chattanooga meetup (00:59:11) Outro (01:03:49) Interview with Hayley Jane ______ 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast Email: comments@thewhatpodcast.com The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat

    1h 23m
  7. Lord Taco's Bonnaroo 2025 Picks and an Encounter with "The Dancing Man"

    MAY 28

    Lord Taco's Bonnaroo 2025 Picks and an Encounter with "The Dancing Man"

    We're live on location at The Caverns in Pelham, TN—just down the road from Bonnaroo—as The What Podcast crew assembles for CaveJam just weeks before Bonnaroo 2025. This week, Lord Taco (Russ) reveals his complete Bonnaroo schedule, breaking down the acts he's most excited to see across the four-day festival, including King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Insane Clown Posse, and more. Plus: we talk festival prep, campsite upgrades, and the latest Bonnaroo updates—like sold-out Friday and Saturday day passes, new JamTrak routes, and the stacked SuperJam lineup featuring Hayley Williams, Geese, and a whole lot more. Stick around until the end of the episode when Russ has an unexpected encounter with Chris the Dancing Man—a Bonnaroo and festival icon with a story you won't believe. From surviving homelessness to becoming a symbol of joy and celebration at festivals across the country, Chris shares heartfelt wisdom and positivity that you need to get hyped for Bonnaroo next month! Don't miss Podcast Party with a Purpose! We're doing a live show, Q&A session, and meetup at Planet Roo on Thursday at 4PM that you won't want to miss! We've got some special guests lined up to join us. Find out more at https://thewhat.co/live Listen to this week's episode with Taco's picks here, or watch the video on YouTube. And don't forget to subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. ______ CHAPTERS (00:00:00) Intro (00:05:47) Lunchbox giveaway (00:08:09) Bonnaroo SuperJam update (00:10:03) Magic Man MTG cards (00:11:49) JamTrak update (00:13:24) Ticket sales update (00:17:04) Camping at The Caverns (00:20:20) Live show at Bonnaroo (00:22:35) Taco's picks (00:23:45) Thursday (00:28:25) Friday (00:33:16) Saturday (00:38:15) Sunday (00:41:50) Conclusion (00:45:22) Interview with Chris the dancing man ______ 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast Email: comments@thewhatpodcast.com The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat

    1h 11m
  8. Barry’s Bonnaroo 2025 Picks: What to See, Where to Be

    MAY 21

    Barry’s Bonnaroo 2025 Picks: What to See, Where to Be

    With Bonnaroo 2025 just three weeks away, we dive deep into Barry's picks, including must-see acts like Flipturn, King Gizzard, Olivia Rodrigo, and the SuperJam 70s Pool Party, as well as the importance of flexibility-sometimes the best Bonnaroo moments come from wandering and discovering new artists. We also cover some details about your wristband, and preview the upcoming CaveJam festival at The Caverns this weekend. It's our 250th episode! We also take a look at the updated maps for Centeroo and Outeroo and the placement of key areas such as the new Infinity Stage, the Who Stage, and more. We also tease the upcoming live podcast, Q&A session, and meetup at Planet Roo on Thursday at 4PM that you won't want to miss! We've got some special guests lined up to join us. Listen to this week's episode of The What Podcast right here, or watch it on YouTube. And don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for news, tips, and more every week! ______ CHAPTERS (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:37) Wristbands shipping (00:05:24) Barry's bad mood (00:08:32) Taco on Roo Bus (00:10:13) Bonnaroo weather outlook (00:11:35) CaveJam this weekend (00:15:07) Local shows we saw (00:21:42) The What Podcast live at Bonnaroo (00:27:05) Ticket sales update (00:29:08) The map is out (00:37:46) Shoutout to Pondo (00:38:29) Barry's picks (00:40:56) Thursday (00:44:46) Friday (00:51:40) Saturday (00:56:05) Sunday (01:00:15) Outro ______ 🎧 LISTEN LINKS Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic 📱 SOCIAL LINKS Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast X: https://x.com/thewhat_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewhat.co Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast Email: comments@thewhatpodcast.com The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat

    1h 4m
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
293 Ratings

About

Bonnaroo is more than just a festival, and The What Podcast is your backstage pass to the stories, secrets, and the magic that makes it so legendary. Hosted by two entertainment industry veterans, each week Barry and Bryan will take you deep into festival culture, live music, and behind-the-scenes stories. Since 2018, we've connected with passionate music fans worldwide, sharing personal experiences, expert insights, and exclusive interviews with the musicians and industry insiders who make festivals happen. Whether you're a Bonnaroo veteran or a first-timer, subscribe now to stay in the loop on everything that makes music festivals unforgettable.

Information

  • Creator
    Barry Courter and Bryan Stone
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    258
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Barry Courter and Bryan Stone
  • Show Website
    The What Podcast

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