The What Podcast
The What Podcast
Podcast Description
The What Podcast is a weekly show by two veterans of the entertainment media universe with a passion for live music and music festivals. They came together over a love of Bonnaroo and found out pretty quickly that they are not alone. In fact, since launching in 2018, they found kindred spirits all over the world who also love the vibe found only at music festivals. Each week they share their own stories and opinions, but they also dig deeper and talk to the musicians and industry insiders who make the magic happen.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on music festivals, live music experiences, and community culture, with episodes covering topics such as festival logistics, lineup announcements, attendee experiences, and artist insights. For example, recent episodes featured discussions on the Bonnaroo 2025 lineup and camping tips, as well as reflections on memorable performances from past festivals.
Bonnaroo is more than just a festival, and The What Podcast is your backstage pass to the stories, secrets, and the magic that makes it so legendary. Hosted by two entertainment industry veterans, each week Barry and Bryan will take you deep into festival culture, live music, and behind-the-scenes stories. Since 2018, we've connected with passionate music fans worldwide, sharing personal experiences, expert insights, and exclusive interviews with the musicians and industry insiders who make festivals happen. Whether you're a Bonnaroo veteran or a first-timer, subscribe now to stay in the loop on everything that makes music festivals unforgettable.
Bonnaroo just made several big changes: some cuts, some returns, and some updates that will affect everyone going in 2026. In this episode, we break down everything we know so far: JamTrak disappearing, the app shifting to Festiverse, questions around the Who Stage, Radio Bonnaroo returning, wristband warnings, ticket updates, and more. We also talk about our live show at Bonnaroo, this year’s giveaway, and what these changes mean for your weekend on the Farm.
After the Bonnaroo block, stick around for fun extras: Volkswagen stories, VIP upgrades at The Caverns, Rock the Country news, Ticketmaster rulings, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame updates, and Roo Bus/Bob Dylan talk.
Listen to this week's episode here or watch it on YouTube. As always, subscribe to The What Podcast wherever you get podcasts for weekly updates on Bonnaroo and festival news!
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(00:00) Intro
(00:49) The What Podcast Live
(01:15) Bonnaroo Prep and Recap from Last Week
(03:53) Giveaway with Lunchbox
(06:28) Wedding Update
(07:46) Wristbands are shipping
(11:20) Schedule Conflicts and Reactions
(14:34) JamTrak is not returning
(17:55) "Magic Man" not returning
(20:21) No more Bonnaroo App
(21:35) No Who Stage
(23:08) The Return of Radio Bonnaroo
(25:27) Music Genre Venn Diagram
(28:05) Bug-a-Paluza Recap and Bus History
(34:16) VIP Upgrades at Venues
(44:49) Rock the Country
(46:38) Live Nation/Ticket Master Judgement
(50:12) Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees
(54:25) Roo Bus in town for Bob Dylan
(55:24) Outro
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
How Bonnaroo Changed Manchester Forever: Live from Planet Roo
2026 Bonnaroo Schedule Deep Dive with John (EDM, Conflicts, Must-Sees)
Riot Fest, CaveFest, and Catching Up with flipturn at Moon River Festival
Bonnaroo 2026: Thursday Headliner Confirmed + Our Corona Capital 2025 Breakdown
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🎧 LISTEN LINKS
Website: https://thewhatpodcast.com
Spotify: https://thewhat.co/spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://thewhat.co/applepodcasts
YouTube Music: https://thewhat.co/youtubemusic
Amazon Music: https://thewhat.co/amazonmusic
📱 SOCIAL LINKS
Discord: https://discord.gg/zShHTeCYGn
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewhatpodcast
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhatpodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewhatpodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewhatpodcast
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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thewhatpodcast
The What Podcast theme: "Aquarius" by *repeat repeat, used with permission.
Other music provided by Midist and used with permission.
We love to hear from you! Send us an email at [email protected] or call (423) 667-7877 and leave us a voicemail. We might just feature it on the show.
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Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.