Saturday at Bonnaroo was another dusty, scorching day as the massive heat wave over the region continued unabated. Yet, the relentless heat couldn't deter a sold-out crowd from flooding the Centeroo in the early afternoon. Big-name rock acts like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Cage The Elephant drew the largest audiences, while the Emo Superjam offered the day's most captivating set. Thousands packed into the This Tent stage, joining a nonstop sing-along frenzy of Emo hits.
Earlier in the day, some phenomenal jam-oriented performances motivated large, sweaty crowds into dance frenzies. The Teskey Brothers, an Australian blues rock band from Melbourne, took to the main stage early in the afternoon. Named after the two brothers who formed the group in 2008—Josh and Sam Teskey—the band delivered a magical set blending retro blues with modern rock.
Following their performance, Brittany Howard and her veteran group of musicians took the Which stage by storm. Brittany Howard, an American musician from Athens, Alabama, who rose to prominence in the early 2010s as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter of Alabama Shakes, captivated the crowd with her powerful vocals and exquisite guitar-picking skills.
Later on the main stage, Jon Batiste led his Louisiana band in a swamp-drenched, dance-infused frenzy of a set that incorporated jazz, rock, blues, R&B, and other Americana sounds, leaving the crowd in awe.
In the evening, Gregory Alan Isakov led his group in a folk-drenched set of classic Americana music. Isakov, a South African-born American singer and songwriter currently based in Boulder, Colorado, brought a unique and captivating performance, perhaps influenced by his African roots. The entire tent of music fans danced through most of the set, fully immersed in the experience.
After the big rock shows on the main stage and the Emo Superjam (covered in a separate review), pop music fans were treated to a late-night theatrical performance by pop star Melanie Martinez. The show featured dazzling special effects and a dance troupe that could rival most Broadway productions. The young New York crooner is fast becoming a pop superstar, slated to headline an upcoming festival in Mexico City alongside Paul McCartney and Green Day.
The day showcased the power of live music, with diverse performances that left the audience exhilarated despite the relentless heat.
