Heartbroken at Bonnaroo: Artists, fans react to abrupt cancellation, 'this was gonna be a special one'
Bonnaroo 2025 will forever go down in the books by a new name: Bummeroo.
Due to severe weather and flooding at The Farm, Bonnaroo officials posted on social media at 7:40 p.m. June 13 that the remainder of the festival would be canceled.
"We have put our hearts and souls into making this weekend the most special one of the year, and cannot express how crushed we are to have to make this decision," they said in their statement. "Thank you in advance for your patience, your positivity and your unfailing Bonnaroovian spirit."
Around 1 p.m. on June 13, festival officials suspended shows and evacuated Centeroo, the main festival grounds. Over the next six hours, 'Roo-goers were asked to shelter in their vehicles as weather oscillated between gentle showers and thunderstorms.
About an inch of rain fell on Manchester, according to the National Weather Service, causing swampy and muddy conditions in Centeroo and the surrounding campgrounds in Outeroo.
After news broke about the festival's cancellation, artists on the bill started to post their reactions.
"Bonnaroo cancelled :(" DJ John Summit posted on his Instagram story. "So bummed for everyone who came, this was gonna be a special one but u can't control Mother Nature.. stay safe til next time fam." Summit was scheduled to perform on June 13.
"Bonnaroo...one of the best festivals in the world," Glass Animals said on their story. "We were so d*** excited and had some special stuff for you... I'm sorry, be safe, and we'll be back."
Rock band Goose also posted on their story. "So sorry for all those in the campground and anyone who made the effort to come see us and all the other amazing acts this weekend," they said.
The band said they would be premiering a set from their second night of shows in Colorado at 9:30 p.m. CST on Youtube on June 13 for free.
"This is for anyone who is heartbroken at the Bonnaroo news right now, hope to make it back to the farm sometime soon," Goose said.
Music producer Of The Trees was slated to perform on June 13 at midnight. On their story, they announced a Nashville show in place of the Bonnaroo set at Cannery Hall from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.
So did EDM trio Levity, who said they will now be performing with Inzo at The Pinnacle in Nashville for a June 14 show. They said that tickets will be on sale tomorrow, and you can sign up at a link in their Instagram story.
"Roo set canceled due to weather. I'm so f***ing sad," electronic artist Effin said on Instagram. He was one of the first sets canceled before the festival was officially called off.
Punk band Mannequin Pussy was in a similar situation. "MPs set has been cancelled due to severe thunderstorms," they posted on Instagram. "Really truly deeply hope we get to come back next year ... we were READY TO GO."
"Everyone please stay safe," said pop band Post Sex Nachos on Bonnaroo's cancellation post, a group that was slated to perform at Bonnaroo on Sunday night at the new Infinity Stage.
Yes, the festival will offer refunds.
In a post on X, Bonnaroo posted their updated refund policy for this year:
All 1-Day Friday, Saturday and Sunday Admission Tickets purchased via Front Gate Tickets and 1-Day Friday, Saturday and Sunday Day Parking purchased via Front Gate Tickets will be refunded.
All 4-Day Admission Tickets purchased via Front Gate Tickets will receive a 75% refund.
All 4-Day camping accommodations purchased via Front Gate Tickets will receive a 75% refund.
The festival posted on social media that all refunds will be processed in as little as 30 days to the original method of payment.
Festival attendees have had mixed reactions about the cancellation, but the overall consensus is disappointment.
Over 2,300 comments have flooded the cancellation post on Instagram, some expressing anger about the 75% refund the festival has offered for 4-Day passes.
"100% refund. We spent hella on transportation, food, etc. 'rain or shine,'" one person said. "Literally spent THOUSANDS of dollars flying from Hawaii……. first roo and most likely my last," another person said.
Other commenters disagree. "They could give 200% refund and yall still wouldn't be happy they're prioritizing your safety," a commenter wrote.
"This breaks my heart for all the vendors who spent thousands of dollars to be there and are losing over two days of projected sales and their entire vending fee," said another. "Y'all have the audacity to be mad about a 75% refund… but vendors don't get refunds AT ALL in these situations. Be grateful."
Some festival attendees have taken a lighter approach to the cancellation.
"HOW WILL I RELEASE MY INHIBITIONS AND FEEL THE RAIN ON MY SKIN NOW," one person said, nodding to Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten." Bedingfield was set to perform at The Farm on June 15.
"Friday the 13th hitting hard this year," one commenter wrote.
And one concise comment sums it up the best: "It's ROOined :("
More: Bonnaroo 2025 canceled due to weather. Will the festival offer refunds? What to know
Audrey Gibbs is a music journalist with The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How Bonnaroo fans, artists reacted to abrupt cancellation: 'So bummed'
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