News Summary
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, has been canceled after only one day of performances due to severe weather. Following heavy thunderstorms, organizers prioritized attendee safety and ceased all activities. Luke Combs was the only major artist to perform before the event was halted. Refund policies have been announced, with full refunds for single-day tickets and a 75% refund for four-day pass holders. This is the festival’s first weather-related cancellation since 2021, highlighting the unpredictable nature of recent years.
Manchester, Tennessee: Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival Canceled Due to Severe Weather After One Day of Performances
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, an annual event held in Manchester, Tennessee, has been canceled after just one day due to extreme weather. The festival, which was scheduled to continue from June 12-15, 2025, was impacted by heavy thunderstorms and deteriorating conditions, prompting organizers to issue an evacuation notice and cease all activities on June 13.
On June 12, the festival commenced as planned, taking place on a sprawling 700-acre farm. Notable artists such as Luke Combs, Tyler, The Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, and Vampire Weekend were slated to perform during the event. However, only Luke Combs had the opportunity to take the stage before the festival faced cancellation.
The decision to call off the festival was heavily influenced by forecasts from the National Weather Service, which warned of “significant and steady precipitation” expected to hit the area. Organizers cited the safety of attendees as their top priority amidst the unfavorable weather conditions, which led to a significant deterioration in camping and egress conditions.
To address the situation and ensure the safety of attendees, festival organizers encouraged those with stable camping accommodations or RVs to remain on-site overnight. This was to facilitate a more orderly evacuation process the following day.
Refund Policies and Financial Details
In light of the cancellation, the Bonnaroo organizers announced a refund policy for attendees. Full refunds would be issued for all single-day tickets purchased for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Four-day pass holders and individuals with camping accommodations would receive a 75% refund for their purchases. The festival acknowledged the disappointment of attendees, expressing deep regret over the necessity to cancel.
Historical Context of Cancellations
This year marks the first cancellation of the Bonnaroo festival due to weather conditions since 2021, when Hurricane Ida influenced the event. Additionally, in 2020, the festival was canceled entirely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the turbulent nature of recent years for the popular music event.
Future Performances and Local Talent
Among the acts that were set to perform following the cancellation was the Charleston funk band, The Psycodelics, who were scheduled for June 14, 2025. The group had just released their debut album titled “Please Keep Off the Grass” in April 2025 and had a documentary, “The Psycodelics The Movie,” highlighting their journey. In previous years, bands from Charleston like Stop Light Observations and Shovels & Rope have also graced the Bonnaroo stage.
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is renowned for its eclectic lineup and vibrant atmosphere, drawing music lovers from all corners of the country. The festival’s loss this year is sure to resonate within the community, reflecting the challenges that both organizers and attendees face in unpredictable weather conditions.
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Additional Resources
- Variety: Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival Canceled
- CNN: Bonnaroo 2025 Canceled Due to Severe Weather
- The Weather Channel: Bonnaroo Cancelled
- Hollywood Reporter: Bonnaroo Festival Canceled
- Billboard: Bonnaroo 2025 Cancelled
- Wikipedia: Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
- Google Search: Bonnaroo 2025 canceled
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
- Google News: Bonnaroo 2025 canceled
- Google Scholar: Bonnaroo 2025
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