For the past two decades, thousands of people have flocked to Manchester, TN to soak in the sun, music, and good vibes at Bonnaroo. As one of the largest music festivals in the U.S., Bonnaroo wrapped up its four days of non-stop music and activities this past Sunday. I was lucky enough to attend, and not only was the event environmentally conscious, but it was also impressively tech-forward.
The Website
Bonnaroo’s website serves as the central hub for attendees, providing lineup info, tickets, news, videos, and even a post-festival “lost and found” powered by Crowdfind. This year, Bonnaroo teamed up with PROD4ever and WPEngine to create a sleek and functional site with all the essentials to ensure the festival ran smoothly.
Powered by WordPress, the site was hosted and optimized by WPEngine, managing everything from speed to support. This collaboration proved to be a success, with the site handling the high traffic and delivering a smooth user experience across devices.
Mobile App
While the website was great on both desktop and mobile, some experiences are better suited for native apps. Enter the Bonnaroo app, developed by Aloompa, a Nashville-based company specializing in festival apps. The app mirrored much of the website’s content but with mobile-only features like a trip planner for the drive to the festival.
RFID Wristbands
One of the standout tech integrations at Bonnaroo over the past few years has been their RFID wristbands. Acting as tickets, these wristbands were scanned every time you entered “Centeroo” to attend shows, making it nearly impossible for people to sneak in or use fake tickets.
These wristbands also enabled interactive experiences. Attendees were encouraged to register their wristbands and connect them to their social media accounts before the event. This allowed them to check in at stages or photo booths, automatically updating their statuses to Facebook or Instagram, helping spread the Roo vibes to their friends back home. Check-ins were simple, just a quick scan at an RFID station, and you were good to go. Last year’s experiment generated over 200,000 check-ins!
Streaming Video
Streaming is now a staple of major festivals, and Bonnaroo is no exception. Partnering with YouTube this year, Bonnaroo broadcasted multiple channels so you could catch live performances from home. This strategy continues to build excitement for the next year’s festival. High-quality video footage will also be released throughout the year to keep fans engaged.
In addition to YouTube, Bonnaroo teamed up with ChirpVision to stream live shows directly to attendees’ mobile devices. All you had to do was download the app, connect to their free Wi-Fi, and enjoy the show from anywhere on the grounds.
Honorable Mention
While not a Bonnaroo feature, it deserves a shout-out: Waze. Most attendees drive from all over the country to get to Manchester, and this year, we relied on Waze for directions. It’s an app that crowdsources real-time traffic data, alerting you to accidents, road closures, and even speed traps. It was a lifesaver, helping us avoid delays and get to the festival as quickly as possible.
Wrapping It Up
Bonnaroo is more than just a music festival. It’s a seamless blend of music, art, and cutting-edge technology, creating an experience that goes beyond the stage. With RFID wristbands, live streaming, and interactive features, Bonnaroo allows you to enjoy every moment without feeling tied to your phone. It’s a festival that continues to evolve, and I can’t wait to return next year.