Bonnaroo Main Stage Roundup: Billy Joel, Mumford & Sons, Deadmau5, Kendrick Lamar, Florence + The Machine

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 final Bonnaroo Band of the Day Main Stage Roundup!

BILLY JOEL

Sunday | What Stage | 9pm

In typical Bonnaroo fashion, this year’s event closes with one impressive big name legacy act, and, like last year (Elton John), it’s a legendary piano man, Billy Joel. It was more than 40 years ago that the singer, songwriter, and composer first found national fame with his resounding hit “Piano Man,” and, in the decades since, he’s scored countless chart-topping singles, achieved worldwide superstardom, and cemented his legacy as one of rock’s best songwriters. It’s been nearly 15 years since Joel last released a proper LP, but, hey, we’re showing up for the hits anyway and we’re sure you are too- finish your ‘Roo right with epic sing-alongs of classics like “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”

LISTEN | “Piano Man”

WATCH | “We Didn’t Start the Fire” (Official Music Video)

CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

MUMFORD & SONS

Saturday | What Stage | 11pm

Arguably the catalyst for the folk rock explosion of the last few years (for better or for worse), English act Mumford & Sons, who were scheduled to play ‘Roo two years ago but were forced to cancel last minute, burst onto the scene in 2009 with their incredible debut album, Sigh No More. Quickly climbing the ranks to worldwide acclaim, the band have released two killer followups since, their most recent, Wilder Mind, abandoning the folk sound they helped popularize in favor of a more electronic and experimental direction. Staples of the festival circuit, Mumford are a force to be reckoned with live, and their Bonnaroo re-do is sure to be unforgettable.

LISTEN | “I Will Wait”

WATCH | “Believe” (Live on SNL)

CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

DEADMAU5

Friday | What Stage | 12am

There’s no denying that EDM is all the rage lately, and Bonnaroo has followed suit with other fests, incorporating more and more DJ sets and high-profile electronic artists into the lineup. The fact that Deadmau5 has headliner billing this year, despite playing a late set, is telling, and, with his unpretentious approach to progressive house music and electronica, the acclaimed Canadian producer and DJ (real name Joel Thomas Zimmerman) is sure to keep you dancing into the early hours of Saturday with his immersive, flashy live show and decade worth of music to pull from.

LISTEN | “Some Chords”

WATCH | “Ghosts N Stuff” feat. Rob Swire

CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

KENDRICK LAMAR

Friday | What Stage | 9:45pm

Since first appearing at Bonnaroo in 2012, Los Angeles rapper Kendrick Lamar has transcended from buzzworthy newcomer to certified savior of hip hop. Finding unprecedented success with his near-perfect ’12 effort Good kid, M.A.A.D City, Lamar found himself touring with Kanye West, nabbing Grammys, and stepping up to the plate with the pressures of crafting a worthy followup. Released to universal acclaim, Lamar’s latest, To Pimp a Butterfly, totally bucks hip hop conventions, incorporating elements of funk and jazz, all backed by glossy old school production and tied together with Kendrick’s socially conscious lyricism and smooth, west coast derived delivery. Easily one of the best rappers alive, Kendrick is poised to give us the set we were hoping to get from Kanye last year.

LISTEN | “Swimming Pools (Drink)”

WATCH | “King Kunta”

CONNECT | Site | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify

FLORENCE + THE MACHINE

Sunday | What Stage | 7pm

Headed up by gifted English songstress Florence Welch, indie pop rock outfit Florence + The Machine are back after a bit of a break with their highly anticipated third album, How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. Rising to fame with the success of infectious single “Dogs Days Are Over” in the late ’00s, Florence found a global audience through their diverse, substantive, and pop accessible sound, plus the insane talent of Welsh, Isabella Summers, and everyone else involved. The group are unbelievable live, so, old fan or new, you’re missing out if you don’t add them to your final day of festivities.

LISTEN | “Howl”