No Country’s Guide to Bonnaroo 2017: 20 Can’t Miss Saturday 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 Saturday performers below a preview (and be sure to check out our Thursday and Friday lists)! See you on the farm!

#20: RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE

Saturday | Which Stage | 3:45pm

Harboring an alt/indie rock sound and anthemic sensibilities, Boone, NC natives Rainbow Kitten Surprise have impressed us with their Nashville stops over the last several years, and their Bonnaroo debut, on the big stage no less, is sure to be stellar.

LISTEN | “Cocaine Jesus”

WATCH | “Devil Like Me” (Official Music Video)

#19: JOSEPH

Saturday | That Tent | 5:45pm

Portland folk trio Joesph, made up of three sisters, have seen a steep rise in prominence since their 2014 self-released debut, Native Dreamer Kin, and with last year’s I’m Alone, No You’re Not, perfected their sound and captured a sweeping, poppy masterpiece.

LISTEN | “Cloud Line”

WATCH | “White Flag” (Official Music Video)

#18: BAD SUNS

Saturday | That Tent | 7:45pm

LA alt/indie rockers Bad Suns draw from classic post-punk to inform their contemporary indie sound, and over two strong full lengths and countless high profile tours and festival appearances, they’ve honed an unbeatable, polished live show.

LISTEN | “Daft Pretty Boys”

WATCH | “Cardiac Arrest” (Official Music Video)

#17: CLOVES

Saturday | New Music On Tap Lounge | 8:45pm

Young Australian pop singer Cloves only released her debut EP last fall, but with a string of singles that have managed to light up the blogosphere, she’s already becoming a formable musical force. Catch her Club Stage debut, before she inevitable graduates to the big stage.

LISTEN | “California Numb”

WATCH | “Don’t Forget About Me” (Official Music Video)

#16: REUBEN BIDEZ

Saturday | Who Stage | 2:00pm

Atlanta bred, Nashville based folk rock singer-songwriter Reuben Bidez is a must-know new name, buzzing from his strong debut EP, last year’s Turning to Wine. Read more about him in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Learning to Love You”

WATCH | “Intruder” (Live)

#15: FUTURE ISLANDS

Saturday | What Stage | 6:45pm

Hailing from Baltimore, synthpop outfit Future Islands have been going strong now for a decade, and, after years of increasing cult success, have been widely buzzed about since 2014 fourth album Singles, and lauded most recent effort The Far Field.

LISTEN | “Tin Man”

WATCH | “Ran” (Official Music Video)

#14: BIG JESUS

Saturday | This Tent | 1:15pm

In a year a little light on hard-hitting rock and punk, Atlanta’s Big Jesus, who pull from hardcore roots to craft grungy, ’90s-inspired alt rock, are a welcome addition. Read more about them in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Oneirica”

WATCH | “Lock & Key” (Official Music Video)

#13: JON BELLION

Saturday | What Stage | 4:45pm

Upcoming New York rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer Jon Bellion picked in steam in 2015 after appearing on a Zedd track, and hit the road in support of twenty one pilots, with whom he shares a unique and genre-bending sound, earlier this year.

LISTEN | “Luxury” ft. Audra Mae

WATCH | “All Time Low” (Official Music Video)

#12: MICHAEL KIWANUKA

Saturday | This Tent | 6:45pm

British folk and soul singer Michael Kiwanuka crafts music akin to greats like Otis Redding and Bob Dylan, and possesses an unbelievable voice and emotional weight. Read more about him in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Home Again”

WATCH | “Cold Little Heart” (Official Music Video)

#11: CREATURE COMFORT

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

Winners of this year’s Road to Roo competition, eclectic local indie rock outfit Creature Comfort hold the dissection of being fan voted into their slot at Bonnaroo. Read more about them in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Teeth for Days”

WATCH | “Am I Dreaming?” (Official Music Video)

#10: COIN

Saturday | Which Stage | 2:00pm

Local indie pop band COIN have seen a stellar ascent over the past few years, and with their brand new sophomore LP, How Will You Know If You Never Try, they seem to have finally fully settled into their hook-laden, polished, and hypnotizing sound.

LISTEN | “Talk Too Much”

WATCH | “Run” (Official Music Video)

#9: WARPAINT

Saturday | This Tent | 8:45pm

Los Angeles art/indie rock outfit Warpaint found widespread acclaim after their 2014 eponymous sophomore LP, and with their latest, last year’s Heads Up, the band turner hone their dreamy, poppy, psych-tinged, and eclectic sound.

LISTEN | “Love to Die”

WATCH | “New Song” (Official Music Video)

#8: MALCOLM LONDON

Saturday | Who Stage | 7:45pm

Poet, artist, activist, educator, rapper, Chicago native, and community organizer Malcolm London was called the “Gil Scott-Heron of this generation” by Dr. Cornel West. Read more about him in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Northstar” ft. Vic Mensa & Maceo Haymes

WATCH | “Charlie” (Official Music Video)

#7: DEAP VALLY

Saturday | That Tent | 3:45pm

LA garage rock duo return Deap Vally to Bonnaroo after a show-stealing debut in 2013, this time with a badass, unabashedly feminist new LP, Femejism, in town. Read more about them in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Baby I Call Hell”

WATCH | “Smile More” (Official Music Video)

#6: THE FRONT BOTTOMS

Saturday | What Stage | 2:45pm

New Jersey indie rockers The Front Bottoms have achieved unprecedented success thanks to their poppy, punk-infused, and earnest style. A recently staple in the festival circuit, their Saturday set brings a great emo element to this year’s Bonnaroo.

LISTEN | “Help”

WATCH | “Twin Size Mattress” (Official Music Video)

#5: TEGAN AND SARA

Saturday | Which Stage | 5:45pm

Twin sister duo Tegan and Sara last played Bonnaroo nearly a decade ago, and in the time since, have become massive, renowned indie pop stars and radio staples. Read more about them in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Closer”

WATCH | “Boyfriend” (Official Music Video)

#4: LUCY DACUS

Saturday | That Tent | 2:00pm

Virginia indie rocker Lucy Dacus wowed us with her incredible 2016 debut, No Burden, and her breezy, emotional style makes her one of the year’s most compelling new acts. Read more about her in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Strange Torpedo”

WATCH | “I Don’t Wanna Be Funny Anymore” (Official Music Video)

#3: SUPERJAM

Saturday | This Tent | 1:00am

Chance the Rapper, Jon Batiste, Sam Cohen, George Porter Jr., Lecrae, Margo Price, Joseph, Rayland Baxter, Jason Huber of Cherub, Tank and the Bangas, Lukas Nelson, Nicole Atkins, Boyfriend, Flint Eastwood make up this year’s epic SuperJam.

LISTEN | Jon Batiste – “Express Yourself (Say Yes)”

WATCH | Sam Cohen – “Let the Mountain Come to You” (Official Music Video)

#2: CAGE THE ELEPHANT

Saturday | Which Stage | 10:00pm

Any time you have a chance to see Cage the Elephant, you see Cage the Elephant. Harboring an unbelievable live show, the local alt rockers are unmatched in their intensity. Read more about them in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Trouble”

WATCH | “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” (Official Music Video)

#1: CHANCE THE RAPPER

Saturday | What Stage | 8:45pm

The rise of Chance the Rapper has been astounding, swift, and well-deserved, leading to multiple Grammys for his DIY triumph of a mixtape, last year’s Coloring Book. Read more about him in our Band of the Day feature.

LISTEN | “Favorite Song” ft. Childish Gambino