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Bonnaroo

A Quick History

By , About.com Guide

Bonnaroo, held each year in Manchester, Tennessee, is one of North America's largest music festivals. The Bonnaroo precursor was 1999's Itchycoo Park Festival which drew nearly 80,000 fans to middle Tennessee. However, the festival ran out of money and could not continue the following year. In 2002 Bonnaroo was born. It has sold out tickets in every year of the festival's existence with crowds in the 70,000 - 80,000 range. Bonnaroo was originally best known for focusing on jam bands. However, the music presented has diversified considerably in recent years and has included a number of classic rock acts as headliners.

2012

Bonnaroo 2012 was held June 7-10, 2012.

2011

Bonnaroo 2011 took place June 9-12, 2011.

Top 10 Pop Artists to Watch at Bonnaroo 2011

2010

Bonnaroo 2010 took place June 10-13, 2010. Much of the festival was streamed for viewing on YouTube.

Folk Artists to Watch at Bonnaroo 2010

2009

Snoop Dogg livePhoto by Getty Images

Bonnaroo 2009 took place June 11-14, 2009. Thunderstorms preceded the festival resulting in copious amounts of mud.

Watch Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band play "Glory Days"

2008

Jack Johnson livePhoto by Rob Loud / Getty Images

Bonnaroo 2008 took place June 12-15, 2008. Kanye West insisted on moving his performance to the main stage and then appeared two hours late resulting in his set taking place well into the early hours of the next morning.

Watch Jose Gonzalez play "Smalltown Boy"

2007

Sting live with the PolicePhoto by Jeff Gentner / Getty Images

In 2007 Bonnaroo Festival organizers purchased over 500 acres of land where the festival is held. Bonnaroo 2007 took place June 14-17, 2007 and sold out all 80,000 tickets. Local drought plagued the festival with excessive amounts of dust in the air.

Watch Regina Spektor play "Real Love"

2006

Tom Petty livePhoto by Jeff Gentner / Getty Images

Bonnaroo 2006 expanded to four days June 15-18, 2006. The sold out crowd numbered 80,000. Genres of music represented continued to expand with the inclusion of the UK's Radiohead as a headliner

Watch My Morning Jacket play "The Bear"

2005

Dave Matthews livePhoto by Scott Gries / Getty Images

Bonnaroo 2005 was another rainy festival. It took place June 10-12 and drew a crowd of 75,000. A 24-hour cinema tent was introduce, and wireless Internet was made available to those attending the festival.

Watch Trey Anastasio and Matisyahu play "Close My Eyes"

2004

Bob Dylan livePhoto by Dave Hogan / Getty Images

Bonnaroo 2004 took place June 11-13, 2004 and was the victim of torrential rains. However, it drew a crowd of over 90,000. The festival's performers included living legend Bob Dylan.

Watch Dave Matthews and Friends play "Save Me"

2003

Neil Young livePhoto by Jonathan Wood / Getty Images

Bonnaroo 2003 was held June 13-15, 2003. It drew 80,000 music fans. The range of music presented began to expand including the classic rock of Neil Young and Crazy Horse as well as the soul and hip hop of The Roots.

Watch Neil Young and Crazy Horse play "Cinnamon Girl"

2002

Norah Jones livePhoto by Robert Mora / Getty Images

The first Bonnaroo was held June 21-23, 2002. More than 70,000 tickets sold out in advance. The festival had a strong focus on jam bands.

Watch Widespread Panic play "Tall Boy" and "Testify."

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