Though it started with a focus on jam bands — and still has a reputation as a jam festival — the lineup at is tipped predominately away from that scene these days. In fact, good luck finding a jam band in the first chunk of names topping the lineup of Bonnaroo 2013. Hip-hop, classic rock, folk, pop, R&B, indie-rock and more are the headlining acts at Bonnaroo. With this diversity, we’ve decided to compile a list of five acts not to miss at Bonnaroo 2013. Now, these aren’t all the buzzing bands or headlining acts, we’ve picked some of the artists that you might not catch anywhere else this year.
Here are the five acts you shouldn’t miss at Bonnaroo 2013:
5) Superjam with RZA, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Schoolboy Q, Earl Sweatshirt, Solange and more — Friday, midnight
Picture this: RZA and DJ Jazzy Jeff mixing beats and singing choruses while and trade verses. Actually, that sounds like the makings of a pretty killer album right there. But at Bonnaroo you can catch this group live — an opportunity that might not come again. With this superjam you get the old time hip-hop legends and the youngsters with something to prove together on one stage.
4) ö — Saturday, 7 p.m.
A show is almost guaranteed to be a spectacle. Sure she won’t have the luxury of a long setup time at a festival like Bonnaroo, but she’ll still bring mystical costumes, props, instruments and more. It will be a cool show, but the main reason she is on our list of artists to catch is because there aren’t many chances to see her this year — unless you’re in California. ö has a brief West Coast tour scheduled in 2013 with the only other stop in the U.S. being the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago.
3) R. Kelly — Saturday 11:30 p.m.
is in the midst of a comeback, with high-profile spots at a few festivals this summer. At Coachella in April, his surprise performance with Phoenix was both strange and one of the highlights of the festival. He only has four shows scheduled for this entire year, making each appearance somewhat of an exclusive event.
2) Wu-Tang Clan — Friday 7:30 p.m.
It’s a momentous year for . The iconic hip-hop group is celebrating the 20th anniversary of “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).” As such, the entire crew is performing a few shows together, which is not so common of an occurrence. They do have a tour set for this year, but an entire festival crowd holding up the Wu “W” is hard to pass up. And who knows when these guys might perform together again? The 20th anniversary of “Wu-Tang Forever” isn’t until 2017…
1) Paul McCartney — Friday 9 p.m.
Need we say anything more than, “He’s “? OK we’ll add a bit more than that. He’s a living legend and he’s only playing six shows in the U.S. this year. While he by no means acts his age, McCartney is 70 and he probably won’t be out on an extensive tour any time soon. Any chance to see the former Beatle live is a chance to take. Plus, the guy can still bring it.
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