Bonnaroo 2020 lineup: Beyond the headliners, here's what makes this year a hit

The reviews are in: Bonnaroo's 2020 lineup is a good one.

We should elaborate, though.

Anchored by headliners Lizzo, Tool and Tame Impala, this year's eclectic blend of breakout acts and returning favorites — with a healthy disregard for genre borders and "star power" — is classic Bonnaroo. 

But that also means you can't skim the top to know what this year's all about — and why its audience is worked up in a good way. Beyond the headliners, here's what you should take note of. 

Headlining is overrated

As great as those three or four acts can be at Bonnaroo — and they'll get the lion's share of attention from outsiders — if you actually go, you know the headliners will provide about 10 percent of your non-stop, 96-hour Bonnaroo experience. 

For the festival's actual audience, the next dozen or two acts listed on the lineup are just as crucial, and by all accounts, Bonnaroo nailed it this year. 

Among the names fueling those four days, nights and all points in between: Miley Cyrus, Lana Del Rey, Vampire Weekend, Bassnectar, The 1975, Flume, Oysterhead, Run The Jewels, Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby, Tenacious D, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, Leon Bridges, Young Thug and Grace Potter.

Lizzo leads a historic year for women

The "Truth Hurts" singer will be Bonnaroo's first-ever solo female headliner — and 19 years in, that's long overdue. 

But beyond that, we'd argue that the three biggest names on this lineup are female: Lizzo, Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey. They're also among the most relevant.

Lizzo's breakthrough year is culminating at this month's Grammys, where she's the top nominee. Lana Del Rey's 2019 album was hailed as her best yet, and topped several year-end lists. Cyrus continued to score global hits (and capture headlines) throughout 2019, as well, and her latest album is due this year.

No way, boomer

Considering how much the rest of this lineup feels like classic Bonnaroo, we're guessing this wasn't too intentional — but where are the "legends?"

Sure, it's been years since Bonnaroo last had a star of the '60s or '70s as a headliner (see Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, etc.).

But we're also missing the veterans you'd typically find a little further down the bill, like John Prine last year and Mavis Staples in 2018. Of course, Prine was pretty much the only act in that league last year, and the festival sold out for the first time in six years — so perhaps those Bonnaroo bookers know what they're doing.

Besides, we're betting the Thursday edition of the Grand Ole Opry can provide a living country legend or two on opening night. 

Long time no see

This will be Tool's second Bonnaroo, having previously headlined in 2007. That 13-year gap is the longest for a returning headliner in Bonnaroo history.

But a non-headliner has actually them beat: Jam supergroup Oysterhead has reunited and will play Bonnaroo for the first time since 2006.

It's also been a clean decade since Jack Black's duo Tenacious D last played in 2010, and Primus (fronted by Oysterhead's Les Claypool) is returning for the first time since 2011.

With last year's booking of Phish, Bonnaroo made it abundantly clear that they still wanted their original, jam-friendly audience on the farm. Bringing all of these acts back is a powerful signal, too. 

That was unexpected

Nothing will ever top the time Jimmy Buffett and a busload of Parrotheads rocked Bonnaroo's lunch-hour with a surprise show, but there are a handful of quirky surprises on this year's bill.

First and foremost, hip-hop hitmaker Nelly, performing his smash 2000 debut "Country Grammar," apparently, and the aughts nostalgia continues with emo giant Dashboard Confessional.

Looking a little further back, Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Talking Heads' "Remain In Light."

Ironically, the artist who's granted the least privacy — Miley Cyrus — was one of this year's biggest Bonnaroo surprises. Perhaps she can give us one more, and bring her godmother Dolly Parton down the road to Manchester. 

If You Go

The 2020 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival takes place June 11-14 at Great Stage Park in Manchester, Tenn. 

Tickets will go on sale starting at 11 a.m. Central Thursday, Jan. 9 at bonnaroo.com/tickets.

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