A weather-shortened 2025 left Bonnaroo fans wondering what this year’s return would feel like. The answer came quick. Even as we set up our camp, you could feel the positive vibes. By the time the music started on the The Farm, one thing was clear: Bonnaroo was back.
Thursday served as less of a traditional opening day and more of a festival-wide welcome party. Unlike years past where the main stage didn’t open until Friday, 2026 saw the first night’s schedule entirely on the What Stage.
The evening opened with Spiritual Cramp, whose punk energy brought a healthy dose of rock energy to a festival that has been increasingly pop and EDM forward. Their set immediately established the celebratory atmosphere that carried through the rest of the night.
Vince Staples followed with the evening’s most engaging performance, delivering his signature mix of razor-sharp lyricism, understated charisma, and effortless confidence. His set felt perfectly suited for the relaxed but excited mood that always defines Bonnaroo’s opening night.
As darkness settled over Centeroo, Four Tet took the festival in a different direction, building a hypnotic electronic set. The veteran producer let the music breathe, creating an immersive experience that set the stage for what came next.
Skrillex closed the official What Stage acts, performing with a technical precision that reminded everyone why there was so much anticipation for his return to The Farm. The packed crowd embraced every drop, turning Thursday’s headlining set into a massive celebration that officially launched Bonnaroo 2026.
But the night wasn’t over yet. The night before Bonnaroo officially started, cryptic posters were hung around The Farm asking if we wanted to know a secret. By Thursday afternoon the rumors of a second, late-night Skrillex set were confirmed. The “surprise” Skrillex set kept the party going well into the early morning hours…and unfortunately well past our remaining energy. But as the music carried us back to our tent, you could feel a shared satisfaction. Bonnaroo had not only returned, but had done so with the communal energy that makes the festival unlike any other.
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