13 Acts to see at Bonnaroo | Ben & Jerry’s

Our pints are packed and we’re ready to hit the road. Festival season is here, bands are playing late into the night, and Bonnaroo is calling! There are more acts than you can shake a scoop at, so it’s important to have a game plan going in. Who are your must-see performers? Here are ours:

1. Elton John

Some say it’s cheating to pick the headliner, but this guy is a legend. Plus he had his own Ben & Jerry’s flavor. How can we say no?

2. Phoenix

Did you see them kill their sunset show back in 2010? We did. And we promised we’d be there the next time they took to the Bonnaroo stage.

3. Skrillex Superjam

Skrillex made us a believer with his late night set in 2012. Now you’re telling us he’s going to get on stage with Damian Marley, Robbie Krieger from the Doors, and Mickey Hart from The Grateful Dead? Yeah. We’ll take some of that, please.

4. The Flaming Lips

There’s something about a band whose lead singer walks atop the crowd in his own man-sized plastic bubble that just screams COME PLAY WITH US.

5. Cake

These guys from Sacramento stole our hearts when they burst onto the scene with their first album in 1994. Their lyrics may have a tinge of sarcasm, but their trumpet is absolutely charming.

6. Capital Cities

Not all indie pop bands are created equal. These guys got their start writing jingles, so you know they’ve got what it takes to cut a catchy tune. And they love to hop. So there’s that.

7. Die Antwood

It’s not pronounced Die Antwood. It’s Dee Ahnt-Voord. And as you can see in their video for “Enter the Ninja,” this South African rap duo puts on a show like you’ve never seen.

8. Ice Cube

Ok, Mister Cube. This is your chance to prove you’ve still got it. Remind us of just how good a day with you can be.

9. The Naked and Famous

Double the singers equals double the fun when you’re talking about synth-fueled alt rock bands. And if there’s one thing we like, it’s fun!

10. Fitz and the Tantrums

Is there a genre called Infectious Pop? If so, the Tantrums’ high-energy soul-inspired pop hooks belong in that category.

11. The Bots

Close your eyes and picture a punked-out mixture of Jimi Hendrix and Questlove. Do you like the sound? Then you’ll love this sibling power duo.

12. High & Mighty Brass Band

Two trumpets, two trombones, and a sousaphone. A SOUSAPHONE. Don’t you want to tell your grandkids that you once danced to one of those?

13. St. Paul and the Broken Bones

This 7-piece soul band out of Birmingham has the energy to pick you up when you’re feeling down. Not that anyone could ever feel down at Bonnaroo!

That’s our list. We won’t see any other acts.

Ha! Right! Could you imagine how ludicrous that would be? We want to see everything worth seeing but we need your help. Come find our tent, say hello, and give us a heads up on who else we should check out!