Superfly & AC Entertainment confirm that a whos who of musicians across a striking number of genres will travel to Manchester, TN this June for the 7th annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. Confirming numerous rumors, Pearl Jam will headline the event for the first time, along with heavy-metal titans Metallica and longtime Bonnaroo staple Jack Johnson, who has slowly grown into a headlining spot since his first appearance in 2002, the festivals inaugural year. As previously reported, Bonnaroo will take place from June 12-15, on the same 700-acre farm that has served as its home since the events inception.

Other marquee acts scheduled to appear include Kanye West, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Phil Lesh & Friends, My Morning Jacket, The Allman Brothers Band, The Raconteurs, Willie Nelson and Death Cab for Cutie. While this marks The Raconteurs first Bonnaroo appearance, the groups guitarist, Jack White, made his Bonnaroo debut in 2007 along with the White Stripes. Lesh has been a Bonnaroo staple since 2002, performing with his solo band in 2002 and 2006, as well as The Dead in 2003 and 2004. Of all the bands on this years bill, perhaps My Morning Jacket has become most synonymous with the festival itself, moving from a humble tent performance in 2003 to the festivals second largest Which Stage from 2004-2005 to one of Bonnaroos coveted late-night shows in 2005. After taking 2007 off from Bonnaroo, the group is expected to play one of the festivals most prominent slots, just days after the release of its forthcoming studio album, Evil Urges.
As in years past, Bonnaroo has booked a number of legendary roots performers, including blues veteran B.B. King, soul great Solomon Burke, seminal African collective Orchestra Baobab, reggae stalwarts Israel Vibration and Band icon Levon Helm, who will arrive with a traveling version of his Ramble Sessions band, dubbed the Ramble on the Road. Abigail Washburn will lead an all-star version of her Sparrow Quartet featuring Bela Fleck, while Lesh and his current ‘friends’ Larry Campbell and Jackie Greene will offer a bonus acoustic performance. Fleck will also join Luke Bulla, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer and Bryan Sutton for a set dubbed The Bluegrass Allstars.
In the indie-rock realm, Bonnaroo promises appearances by the reunited Broken Social Scene, Sigur Ros, Iron & Wine, Gogol Bordello, The Fiery Furnaces. Minus the Bear, Jose Gonzalez, Battles, Two Gallants, Ghostland Observatory, Rilo Kiley and emerging buzz-bands like the Black Kids, Nicole Atkins, MGMT and Vampire Weekend. Of course, Bonnaroo will retain its roots in live, improvisational music with performances by Umphrey’s McGee, Yonder Mountain String Band, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschis Soul Stew Revival, Little Feat, Robert Randolphs Revival, Ozomatli, Steel Train, Dark Star Orchestra and The Lee Boys.
As in years past, the festival will also nod to organic pop (Ben Folds, O.A.R., Mason Jennings, Jakob Dylan, Donavon Frankenreiter, Aimee Mann and Dispatch offshoot State Radio), hip-hop (M.I.A., Talib Kweli and Lupe Fiasco), trad-rock (Drive-By Truckers, The Avett Brothers, Back Door Slam and The Felice Brothers), soul revival (Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings), world music (Grupo Fantasma), acoustic-based music (Swell Season, Serena Ryder, Tegan & Sara), country (Pat Green), New Wave (Against Me!), electronica (Ladytron) and metal (Mastodon, The Sword). While long-rumored headliner Led Zeppelin will not appear, all girl tribute act Lez Zeppelin is on the bill.
Bonnaroos Comedy Tent will return at full force, with appearances by David Cross, Janeane Garofalo, Zach Galifianakis, Jim Norton, Brian Posehn, Mike Birbiglia, John Mulaney and Michelle Buteau. Cross’ performance is billed as Bonnaroo Late Time Chat About, ‘an original midnight talk show complete with a house band, comic skits and special guests.’
A handful of additional acts will be announced in the coming weeks. In total, Bonnaroo will feature over 100 performances throughout 13 stages.