Bonnaroo lineup 2023 boasts Foo Fighters, Lil Nas X, Kendrick Lamar, more
Foo Fighters have announced three huge festival headlining gigs as the band picks up the pieces after drummer Taylor Hawkins’ tragic 2022 death.
The Foos will close out this year’s Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, set for June 15-18 in Manchester, Tenn. Other 2023 Bonnaroo headliners include rapper Kedrick Lamar (June 16), and electronic music acts Zeds Dead, Liquid Stranger (June 15) and Odesza (June 17).
Foo Fighters also top Boston Calling on May 26 in Massachusetts and Sonic Temple on May 28 in Columbus, Ohio. More info via foofighters.com/tour-dates.
The band’s led by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl on vocals and guitar. Their hits include “Everlong,” “Learn to Fly,” “Best of You,” “Monkey Wrench,” “Big Me” and “My Hero.” The Foos have released 10 studio albums, the most recent being 2021′s “Medicine at Midnight.”
Bonnaroo tickets start at $299 for four-day general admission and go up to $899 for VIP and $3,500 “platinum.” Tickets on sale 10 a.m. June 12 via bonnaroo.com/tickets.
Undercard Bonnaroo artists of note include: ‘90s pop-rock star Sheryl Crow; alt-rockers Pixies and My Morning Jacket; rapper Lil Nas X; bluegrass phenom Molly Tuttle; blues guitarist Christone “Catfish” Ingram; rockers Paramore; jam-bands Umphrey’s McGee and STSP; Americana singer Tyler Childers; and Paris Jackson, the daughter of pop legend Michael Jackson.
On March 25, 2022, Hawkins, a dynamic and beloved member of Foo Fighters, was found dead in his room at a Bogota, Columbia hotel. He was 50. Toxicology tests later indicated multiple drugs, including opioids were in his system at the time.
In September, two massive tribute concerts were held to honor Hawkins, in London and Los Angeles. The London show in particular was an epic affair, on par with the 1985 Live Aid mega concert event.
Musicians who performed to honor Hawkins included members of Led Zeppelin, Rush, AC/DC, Metallica, The Pretenders, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Van Halen. Grohl and the remaining Foos, bassist Nate Mendel, guitarists Pat Smear and Chris Shiflett and keyboardist Rami Jaffee, served as the backing band for the tribute concerts. One of the most poignant moments came when Hawkins’ teenage son Shane Hawkins sat in on drums with Foo Fighters on “My Hero.”
On New Year’s Eve, the band released a statement announcing their intention to continue as a band following Taylor Hawkins’ passing. They’ve yet to announce who will be their drummer.
Foo Fighters last performed Bonnaroo in 2021. Held on a 700-acre farm, the festival is a 90-minute or so drive from Huntsville, Ala., and debuted in 2002.
Launched as a jam-band affair, the festival’s popularity mushroomed as it widened its bookings. Past headliners include Beastie Boys, White Stripes, Jay-Z, Phish, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Dave Matthews Band, Nine Inch Nails, Kanye West, The Police, Radiohead, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder and Metallica.
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