No Country’s Guide to Bonnaroo 2017: 20 Can’t Miss Friday Performers

Bonnaroo week is upon us, and, as we prepare to head down to Manchester this weekend, June 8-11, for what is shaping up to be a stellar 16th year for the nearby event, and as we wind down our Band of the Day individual artist spotlight series, we wanted to help you get ready by taking it a step further, with a guide to our most-anticipated performers for each day of fest. Complete with times, stages, and song previews, we’ve exhaustively done our homework and picked out artists we think should top your list, so if you’re scrambling to pack and still in the dark on making your schedule, give the 20 Friday performers below a preview (and be sure to check out our Thursday list)! See you on the farm!

#20: ODETTA HARTMAN

Friday | Snake & Jake’s Christmas Club Barn | 9:15pm

New York’s Odetta Hartman brings her experimental, bedroom pop-drenched folk sound to one of the most unconventional spots at Bonnaroo- the usually more dance-party geared Christmas Barn- but we promise her set will be worth venturing in.

LISTEN | “Creektime”

WATCH | “Dreamcatchers” (Official Music Video)

#19: KEVIN MORBY

Friday | That Tent | 3:45pm

Former Woods bassist and The Babies frontman Kevin Morby has been cultivating an impressive solo career for the past few years, with a moody, retro, artsy punk bent. Read more about him in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Come to Me Now”

WATCH | “I Have Been to the Mountain” (Official Music Video)

#18: TWIN LIMB

Friday | This Tent | 1:15pm

Louisville trio Twin Limb, who both opened and backed Jim James at his recent Ryman outing and recently released their debut LP, Haplo, play a dreamy, psych drench style of indie pop that we absolutely can’t get enough of.

LISTEN | “Red Sun”

WATCH | “Don’t Even Think” (Official Music Video)

#17: PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND

Friday | That Tent | 9:45pm

Founded in the early ’60s and named for the New Orleans live music institution that serves as their home base, jazz traditionalists the Preservation Hall Jazz Band are a testament to Bonnaroo’s ongoing commitment to expansive genre representation.

LISTEN | “Bourbon Street Parade”

WATCH | “That’s It” (Official Music Video)

#16: KLANGSTOF

Friday | Which Stage | 2:00pm

Based in Amsterdam and helmed by Norwegian frontman Koen Van De Wardt, poppy, indie newcomers Klangstof are quickly becoming a foreign important to watch. After a well-received debut at Coachella, their Bonnaroo set is a must-see.

LISTEN | “We Are Your Receiver”

WATCH | “Hostage” (Official Music Video)

#15: BLOSSOMS

Friday | Who Stage | 3:45pm

Swiftly becoming one of the UK’s buzziest new imports, Manchester’s Blossoms fuse psychedelia, indie rock, and synthpop for a dependable, intriguing Club Stage option. Read more about them in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Cut Me and I’ll Bleed”

WATCH | “Charlemagne” (Official Music Video)

#14: GLASS ANIMALS

Friday | Which Stage | 10:00pm

Accomplished festival performers and English indie rock mavens Glass Animals are still going strong in support of last year’s critically acclaimed sophomore effort How to Be a Human Being, and return to Bonnaroo buzzier than ever.

LISTEN | “Gooey”

WATCH | “Youth” (Official Music Video)

#13: TOVE LO

Friday | Which Stage | 7:45pm

Back already after a triumphant Bonnaroo debut in 2015, Swedish electropop singer Tove Lo is riding the buzz of her confident, sexual, polished 2016 sophomore effort Lady Wood. With a prime Friday night slot, she’s poised to be a weekend highlight.

LISTEN | “Cool Girl”

WATCH | “Talking Body” (Official Music Video)

#12: NIGHTLY

Friday | Who Stage | 7:45pm

Nashville alt pop duo Nightly are relatively new to the scene, but all already lighting up the blogosphere thanks to buzzy breakout tracks like their debut single “XO.” Read more about them in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Talk to Me”

WATCH | “XO” (Official Music Video)

#11: ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO’S REMAIN IN LIGHT

Friday | That Tent | 7:45pm

Acclaimed, Grammy winning Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo recently debuted her live rendition of Talking Heads’ classic album Remain in Light, which, itself, was inspired by similar West African music; look for the possibility of special guests and surprises.

LISTEN | “The Great Curve” (Live)

WATCH | “Once in a Lifetime” (Live)

#10: SPRINGTIME CARNIVORE

Friday | New Music On Tap Lounge | 2:45pm

The solo outfit of The Hush Sound’s Greta Morgan, Springtime Carnivore’s hypnotic, lush, and intimate style and folky, indie pop bent makes her a must-see undercard act. Read more about her in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Name on a Matchbook”

WATCH | “Midnight Room” (Official Music Video)

#9: FRANCIS AND THE LIGHTS

Friday | What Stage | 4:45pm

The solo pop outlet of musician and producer Francis Farewell Starlite, Francis and the Lights has risen to acclaim over the past few years thanks to associations with high profile artists like Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, and Bon Iver.

LISTEN | “Like a Dream”

WATCH | “Friends” ft. Bon Iver & Kanye West (Official Music Video)

#8: MAJOR LAZER

Friday | Which Stage | 12:45am

The most high-profile act of Bonnaroo’s 2017 electronic slate, dancehall-inspired EDM trio Major Lazer, featuring superprouder Diplo, are poised to deliver one of the most polished and memorable late night sets in festival history.

LISTEN | “Run Up” ft. PARTYNEXTDOOR & Nicki Minaj

WATCH | “Lean On” ft. MØ (Official Music Video)

#7: JAY SOM

Friday | New Music On Tap Lounge | 6:45pm

The live alias of Bay Area multi-instrumentalist Melina Duterte, Jay Som’s buzzy, DIY, hyper-personal, intimate, and eclectic bedroom pop is an absolute must-see. Read more about her in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Peach Boy”

WATCH | “Baybee” (Official Music Video)

#6: D.R.A.M.

Friday | The Other | 6:15pm

With the recent release of his debut LP, Virginia rapper D.R.AM. is fast becoming one of the most exciting names in hip hop, debuting at Roo before a tour with Kendrick Lamar. Read more about him in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Gilligan” ft. A$AP Rocky & Juicy J

WATCH | “Broccoli” ft. Lil Yachty (Official Music Video)

#5: THE XX

Friday | What Stage | 8:45pm

Returning to Bonnaroo on the heels of their first album in five years, English electro/indie pop trio The xx are one of the most stunning and unique acts on the bill. Read more about them in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Angels”

WATCH | “On Hold” (Official Music Video)

#4: GALLANT

Friday | This Tent | 8:45pm

Thanks to his powerful, soulful voice and incredible, Grammy nominated debut, Ology, alt-r&b singer Gallant has become a show-stealing festival powerhouse. Read more about him in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Weight in Gold”

WATCH | “Talking to Myself” (Official Music Video)

#3: CAR SEAT HEADREST

Friday | This Tent | 4:45pm

A true DIY success story, Car Seat Headrest began as a solo, lo-fi outlet for frontman Will Toledo, and has since blossomed into one of the most promising new indie bands in the world. Read more about them in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “America (Never Been)”

WATCH | “Vincent” (Official Music Video)

#2: PORTUGAL. THE MAN

Friday | This Tent | 12:45am

Among the most experienced ‘Roo veterans on the bill, alt/psych rockers Portugal. The Man will play both a late night set and host a new LP listening party at 3:15pm at The Grind in Pod 7. Read more about them in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “People Say”

WATCH | “Feel It Still” (Official Music Video)

#1: U2

Friday | What Stage | 11:00pm

U2 alone are a monumental get for Bonnaroo- perhaps the most legendary since Paul McCartney- but the fact that this is their single festival appearance of the year, where they’ll perform The Joshua Tree in full, makes the rock legends indispensable.

LISTEN | “With or Without You”

WATCH | “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (Official Music Video)

Tags: Angelique Kidjo Blossoms Bonnaroo Bonnaroo 2017 Car Seat Headrest D.R.A.M.Francis and the Lights Friday Gallant Glass Animals Jay Som Kevin Morby Klangstof major lazer Nashville Music Blog Nashville Music Calendar nightly Odetta Hartman portugal. the man Preservation Hall Jazz Band springtime carnivore The XX Tove Lo Twin Limb U2

No Country’s Guide to Bonnaroo 2017: 20 Can’t Miss Friday Performers

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