The What Podcast

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Billy Strings Reopens Chattanooga's Restored Tivoli Theatre

Billy Strings is reopening the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga, a 105-year-old landmark that just finished a $75 million restoration. We sat down with Nick Wilkinson of the

Oct 20
55 min

CaveFest 2026 Recap: Live From The Caverns

Live from The Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee, we recap CaveFest 2026 with our ticket winner, plus the venue, the music, and the camping. Barry and Russ are joined by Bryan

Oct 14
29 min

Bourbon & Beyond 2026 Recap From Two Festival Veterans

Two festival veterans break down Bourbon & Beyond 2026 in Louisville: the crowd, the hotels, the VIP setup, the beer prices, and the weather. Barry and Russ are joined b

Oct 7
46 min

The Musician Who Plays Mushrooms

How do you play a mushroom? This week we're joined by Tarun Nayar of Modern Biology, a Vancouver-based musician who uses bioelectric signals from mushrooms, plants, and o

Sep 30
40 min

We Got Evacuated at Shaky Knees 2026

The rain and heat at Shaky Knees 2026 did not stop Russ from having a good time in Atlanta! We catch up live from the hotel on Saturday morning and then the full recap in

Sep 23
44 min

Inside Bumbershoot: Where Music Meets DIY Art (and Wrestling)

Our bicoastal correspondent Elizabeth Thorpe is back, and this time she's breaking down Bumbershoot, the Seattle festival where music meets DIY art, animation, a fashion

Sep 16
48 min

Two Festivals We're Hitting This Fall: Shaky Knees & CaveFest

Bonnaroo may be taking 2027 off, but festival season isn't over. This week Barry and Russ break down the two festivals they're hitting this fall, Shaky Knees in Atlanta a

Sep 9
34 min

After Bonnaroo: How to Choose Your Next Festival

No Bonnaroo in 2027? Here's how to figure out where to go instead. With Bonnaroo taking a fallow year, a lot of us are asking the same question: what festival do we go to

Sep 2
46 min

Bonnaroo's Cancellation: A City Official on the Long-Term Vision for The Farm

Bonnaroo is taking 2027 off, and we wanted to dig into what's next. This week we're joined by David Bruce (I Am Bonnaroo) and Ryan French, a Manchester city councilman an

Aug 26
1 h 15 min

Bonnaroo Cancels 2027: Our Live Reaction

We officially have confirmation on Bonnaroo's 2027 cancellation. We got together to share our initial reaction, and Barry literally pulled over on the side of the road to

Aug 21
22 min

Is Hulaween Everything Bonnaroo Used to Be?

Is Hulaween everything Bonnaroo used to be? We put the question to John, our EDM and jam-scene correspondent, and his answer says a lot about how both festivals have chan

Aug 19
1 h 09 min

How Has Bonnaroo Changed? A Festival Photographer's View

How has Bonnaroo changed over the years? We asked someone with a rare vantage point — Elizabeth Thorpe, festival photographer and our West Coast correspondent, who's been

Aug 12
1 h 09 min

What Bonnaroo Fans Actually Want From a Podcast

What do Bonnaroo fans actually want from a podcast? We surveyed our listeners — and 89% agreed on the answer. In this episode of The What Podcast, Barry, Bryan, and Russ

Aug 5
56 min

Bonnaroo Radio Takeover ft. Noah Kahan, String Cheese Incident & More

The What Podcast took over Bonnaroo Radio in 2026! We present a two-hour special that aired during the festival, bringing together Noah Kahan, RÜFÜS DU SOL, String Cheese

Jul 29
2 h 00 min

Bonnaroo's Lineup Secrets, From a Booking Agent Named Keith Richards

We had the chance to sit down with Keith Richards this week. Not that Keith Richards — let's get that out of the way early. Our actual guest is the newly-named Head of Fe

Jul 22
52 min

We Filled Out Bonnaroo's 2027 Music Census

Bonnaroo puts out an official music census every year asking fans what they want to see next — so this year, we sat down together to answer every single question. We walk

Jul 15
1 h 10 min

The Bonnaroo Yearbook Guy Is Now Bonnaroo Famous

Meet the man who's become a Bonnaroo legend, one signature at a time. Caleb Arias, creator of the Bonnaroo Yearbook, joins us for the third time to break down how his pas

Jul 8
56 min

How Bonnaroo 2026 Survived the Storm (And Became Unforgettable)

Bonnaroo 2026 might have been the best one yet, and we are here to break down the entire weekend for you! We recap a festival full of serendipity: a surprise wedding in T

Jul 1
1 h 30 min

How Bonnaroo Gives Back: Live from Planet Roo 2026

We're back from The Farm! First, Barry and Russ give a quick recap of an unforgettable Bonnaroo 2026 (our full deep-dive recap is coming soon!). Then we bring you our liv

Jun 24
1 h 08 min

It's Bonnaroo Week! Hype, Stories & Last-Minute Tips

It's Bonnaroo Week! We all got together at Lo Main in Chattanooga to get hyped, swap stories, and run through our last-minute tips before we all head to the farm. Joining

Jun 8
50 min

Chart trend

Position in the Music Commentary chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#99#196JulAugSepOct

all-time peak

days in the top 10 since Dec 2024

Chart positions

Where The What Podcast ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 22, 2026).

#142 ▼ 54 Music Commentary US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

If you are new to Bonnaroo or a long time veteran, this podcast podcast will pull the veil (or tapestry) back to show you everything that is Bonnaroo. Listening through episodes it’s clear they’re dedicated to the farm and to the magic that happens as Bonaroovians roll into Manchester and through the gates to stake their spots for the week. Great guests, seriously helpful information, insight on production and a lot of laughs is what makes the show. Listening almost feels like you’re all hanging out together, a group of old friends having a conversation. I’m new to The What podcast this year but plan on listen along to whatever these guys are putting out there. They are a fun group of guys who have a great time. Highly recommend!

Momof4teens · Jun 2025

Definitely my go to for Bonnaroo news. The guys encapsulate the roo energy and keep me excited all year long. Definitely recommend to first timers or roo vets. Can’t wait to catch the live show on the farm, HAPPY ROO!

Hamson Station · Jun 2025

This podcast is a cornerstone of our Roo experience! We listen every year! Even if you don't plan on going to Bonnaroo but like music or festivals in general, it's a great listen'

Jessica Brooker · Jun 2025

The first Bonnaroo I ever went to was last summer, I did it very much in a run and gun fashion and it was still without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life. This time around I’m headed with 3 of my best friends and meeting up with some pals I made last years. Obviously after falling in love with The Farm and all the positivity it radiates, I am always looking for ways to feel connected to such a special event throughout the rest of the year, The What Podcast allows me to do that. With tremendous guests, great hosts, and content I really enjoy, I look forward to any chance I get to watch/listen! Can’t wait to be back in 2 weeks! If you love Bonnaroo, you should tune in because these guys do too.

ESloves · May 2025

We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.