Centeroo opened to record crowds at the Bonnaroo Music Festival on Thursday morning, June 12, 2025. A warm breeze and passing clouds made for a perfectly pleasant day. An earlier forecast for rain evaporated in the summer sun, and fans flocked to the expanded festival grounds for sets that began at 3 p.m.
The new Infinity Stage—a triad of outdoor, 360-degree sound systems encircling a DJ platform—was an immediate hit. Its arrival brought the number of dedicated EDM stages to three, joining the massive Other Stage and the Where in the Woods stage in Outeroo.
First up in Centeroo was the Austin-based quartet Die Spitz. The four young women looked shy and demure as they sauntered onstage, but a few measures in, their powerhouse brand of metal-tinged rock was unmistakable. By the second song, lead singer Ellie Livingston had coaxed the crowd into opening a massive mosh pit—and Bonnaroo’s most energetic opening set in recent memory was off and running.
Across the festival grounds, The Droptines inaugurated the That Tent stage with a memorable performance. Formed in Concan, Texas, in 2019 and led by charismatic frontman Conner Arthur, the band fuses traditional country roots with a fresh, contemporary edge. With a self-titled album and several EPs under their belt, they have earned a reputation for compelling storytelling and authentic musicality. Their Bonnaroo set—equal parts timeless country and modern flair—resonated deeply, drawing widespread praise.
Among the day’s standouts were The Kitchen Dwellers, whose blend of bluegrass, jam-band improvisation, and genre-defying creativity left the crowd craving more. From the opening tune, the fiddle riffs danced around banjo and guitar melodies, keeping the audience entranced. A fiery rendition of “Hometown” inspired spontaneous sing-alongs, and an extended jam stretched the song into an experimental voyage beneath the warm Bonnaroo sky.
Sofia Isella followed with a performance that was nothing short of electrifying. Her dark, enigmatic sound—infused with gothic undertones and alternative flair—was matched by a raw, visceral stage presence. Switching effortlessly between instruments and vocals, her mud-smeared face and body seemed to conjure otherworldly forces, making for a strange, seductive, and utterly captivating set.
For the first time, Bonnaroo opened its giant What Stage on Thursday, and Arkansas indie-rockers Wilderado seized the moment. From the opening chords of “Siren,” their tight harmonies and heartfelt lyricism resonated. Balancing favorites like “Surefire” and “Cosmic” with newer material, the band shifted seamlessly from mellow introspection to explosive crescendos before closing with the anthemic “Hold On,” leaving the crowd hungry for more.
Under the mid-afternoon blaze, the Lemon Twigs offered a shimmering oasis of lush melodies and vintage charm. Intricate vocal harmonies enveloped the crowd, and their tender tribute to the late Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys sent listeners into a wistful daydream.
Atlanta-area emo-folk duo Hey Nothing—best friends Tyler Mabry and Harlow Philips—delivered a raw, intimate set that underscored their meteoric rise. Tracks from their 2023 debut, We’re Starting to Look Like Each Other, such as “Mirror Image” and “Close Enough,” had the audience hanging on every word. When they closed with breakout hit “Same Old Story,” it was clear they had carved a unique space in the indie world.
Later, Marcus King turned the main stage into a master class in soulful Southern rock. Opening with a heart-wrenching “Goodbye Carolina,” joined by his wife Briley King, he paid homage to Sly Stone and Brian Wilson, then tore into a blistering cover of the Allman Brothers’ “Ramblin’ Man.” King’s guitar solos were liquid fire, translating emotion into sonic waves that swept the audience.
First-timers Dogs in a Pile followed with a multifaceted jam-rock journey, blending improvisational rock with electronic textures. Their devoted “Dog Pound” fan base danced to every groove, confirming the band as one to watch.
Wisp’s Natalie R. Lu bathed That Tent in dreamy shoegaze soundscapes, captivating fans with “See You Soon” and “Your Face.”
Bonnaroo broke new ground as Luke Combs became its first-ever country headliner. His 23-song set was steeped in authenticity and surprise guests. Miranda Lambert joined for “Outrunnin’ Your Memory” before igniting the crowd with “Kerosene,” while cameos from Jon Bellion and Marcus King added extra sparkle. The night ended in a jam-heavy “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” with King lending fret-board fireworks.
Rising star 2Hollis transformed the grounds into a euphoric celebration with a genre-blending set packed with high-energy tracks, vibrant visuals, and an impressive live remix of “Echoes.”
Daniel Donato & Cosmic Country fused psychedelic explorations with down-home roots, Donato’s virtuosic guitar soaring through extended jams that pushed into the stratosphere.
In the early hours of Friday, Insane Clown Posse unleashed a carnival of horrorcore rap, confetti cannons, pyrotechnics, and Faygo showers. Their chaotic set—featuring classics like “Hokus Pokus” and “Miracles,” plus a fan dance-off onstage—proved the Juggalos remain as vibrant and dedicated as ever. The encore, “The Juggla,” capped a performance unlike anything in Bonnaroo’s history.
From EDM innovations to boundary-pushing debuts and surprise collaborations, Bonnaroo 2025’s opening salvo set the tone for a festival that promises to be remembered for years to come.
