Bonnaroo Main Stage Roundup: Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters, My Morning Jacket, Bassnectar, Alabama Shakes, Childish Gambino

Just like last year and the year before, we’re making it our mission to help you get acquainted with every single band on Bonnaroo‘s impressive 2015 lineup. We started from the bottom and have been working our way up, paying special attention to the smaller and lesser known acts on this year’s bill with daily, dedicated Bonnaroo Band of the Day and Bonnaroo Club Stage Band of the Day posts. Now that ‘Roo is fast approaching, and we’re adminttedly playing catch up through the rest of the fest’s lineup in the form of group posts. Keep reading for your Bonnaroo Band of the Day Main Stage Roundup!

ROBERT PLANT & THE SENSATIONAL SPACE SHIFTERS

Sunday | Which Stage | 7:45pm

We are well past the point in these previews where we really have to introduce you to new bands anymore. If you’re a music fan, and, if you’re heading to Bonnaroo, chances are you surely are, then you definitely know legendary rock group Led Zeppelin, even if you haven’t kept a close eye on the solo exploits of frontman Robert Plant. One of the greatest rock vocalists in history and an eclectic songwriter, Plant has doubled down on his folk and blues tendencies in recent years, and his latest band, The Sensational Space Shifters, adopt this sound, as well as reimagine Zeppelin standards. Since forming in 2012, the band have released one live album and last year’s studio LP, Lullaby and… The Ceaseless Roar. Billy Joel might be the big headliner on Sunday, but Robert Plant is arguably the bigger legend.

LISTEN | “Black Dog” (live)

WATCH | “Turn It Up” live)

CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

MY MORNING JACKET

Saturday | What Stage | 8pm

No strangers to performing in and around Music City, Louisville psychedelic/alternative/roots rockers My Morning Jacket have been festival staples for a number of years, and return to ‘Roo after a countless number of prior appearances. One of the best live bands in the world, their mass appeal stems from their unwillingness to pigeonhole their sound into any one genre, and the band’s latest album, The Waterfall, shows that they still know how to play to their strengths while exploring new, progressive sounds. With such long-standing Bonnaroo associations and such a sound reputation, we really shouldn’t have to talk you into watching what is sure to be one of the weekend’s best sets (and, since frontman Jim James knows, like, everybody, he’s pretty likely to pop up during a number of other sets).

LISTEN | “Wonderful” (The Way I Feel)

WATCH | “Big Decisions” (Visualizer)

CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

BASSNECTAR

Saturday | Which Stage | 1am

Another Bonnaroo veteran, acclaimed DJ Bassnectar, real name Lorin Ashton, is an innovator in the EDM world, pioneering subgenres like dubstep, breakbeat, drum and bass, and drumstep. While fellow superstar DJ Deadmau5 might have slightly higher billing, Bassnectar enjoys just as much fame in the EDM world, and his annual New Year’s Eve shows at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena have become something of legend in recent years. Known for his intense live show, Bassnectar employs all manors of lights, energy, and interactivity to bring to life his 15+ years worth of sounds, and he’s got just the frenetic presence you’ll need to keep you up and dancing late into Sunday morning.

LISTEN | “Bass Head”

WATCH | “Vava Voom” ft. Lupe Fiasco (Official Music Video)

CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

ALABAMA SHAKES

Friday | What Stage | 7:30pm

Proudly hailing from Alabama, though often shacked up in Nashville these days, rootsy, southern, blues and soul rock outfit Alabama Shakes have had an unbelievable past few years. Exploding onto the national scene in 2012 with their amazing debut, Boys & Girls, and propelled by the strength of breakout single “Hold On” (listen below), the young band found themselves racking up awards nominations, touring the world, making national television appearances, and showing up at prominent fests like Bonnaroo in what seemed like a span of no time, becoming one of the preeminent success stories of the regional scene in recent times. After soaking it all in and pushing forward, the Shakes are back with another grand slam record, Sound & Color, and their return to ‘Roo, this time with much higher billing, is sure to be one of this year’s high points. It wouldn’t be Bonnaroo unless frontwoman Brittany Howard made some guest appearances in other artists’ sets too, so keep an eye out!

LISTEN | “Hold On”

WATCH | “Sound & Color” (Official Music Video)

CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

CHILDISH GAMBINO

Saturday | Which Stage | 9:15pm

Since first appearing at Bonnaroo in 2012, Childish Gambino, the hip hop alias of actor/writer/comedian Donald Glover, has had an evolutionary, rewarding, and sometimes tumultuous few years. In addition to releasing his best, most high-concept, and most fully realized album to date, Because the Internet, Glover exited his fame-making NBC sitcom Community, signed on to create and star in a new show for FX, popped up in a variety of new film roles, and, still, managed to tour the world as Childish Gambino. Combing glossy, synthy, and experimental production with smart, witty, sometimes nerdy, and, lately, high-concept and self-reflective lyrics, Childish has proven to be one of the most interesting, alternative rappers to emerge in recent years, the musical duality of an enigmatic creative persona, and one that should absolutely be taken as seriously as the rest of his endeavors. Live, Gambino is a force to be reckoned with, and we’re sure his return to the Farm will be one to remember. He also has new music in the works, so maybe we’ll get to hear it first!

LISTEN | “3005”