Bonnaroo 2023 Artist Spotlight: Paramore

Like we’ve been doing for many years now, we’re making it our mission to help you get acquainted with many of our favorite acts from Bonnaroo‘s 2023 lineup. After roaring back to life last summer, after two years off due to Covid and weather, this year marks Bonnaroo’s 20th installment (and 22nd anniversary), boasting not only another great and varied lineup, but also more changes and improvements then we’ve seen in years, with more flexibility in ticketing and camping, a reimagined “Outeroo” campground area, new activations, and further new ways to Roo. Back once again in its usual June 15-18 timeframe, we’re counting down the days until another great weekend on the farm.

As we dig through the entire schedule, we’ll highlight a spread of performers spanning across genres and stages, big and small, new and old, to bring you some of the most interesting, lesser-known, and most highly-recommended among this year’s crop of artists. And as our time at ‘Roo approaches, we’ll also be bringing you some special features and full list-style daily lineup guides, to help you plan your weekend ahead of the fest. While these previews won’t span every artist, and might omit some more obvious must-see acts, we hope they’ll serve as a way to help you navigate Bonnaroo’s gargantuan lineup, and to make the most of your busy weekend at the fest!

Grab your tickets right here if you haven’t already, and read on for our Bonnaroo Artist Spotlight!

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Formed in 2004 in nearby Franklin while still in their teens, Paramore played their first real show at The End, and, on the strength of their early material, landed a major label deal with tastemaking pop punk imprint Fueled By Ramen, who released their debut, All We Know Is Falling, in 2005. After fast becoming rising stars of the pop punk, emo, and Warped Tour scene (which, in the mid ’00s, was a mainstream force), by 2007’s Riot! and thanks to breakout hit “Misery Business,” Paramore were a bona fide, mainstream success, earning platinum certifications, chart-topping hits, and becoming a huge touring force. 2009’s brand new eyes marked a shift towards a more mature, alternative sound, earning critical acclaim, though, the following year, the band were dealt a blow when founding members Josh and Zac Farro abruptly exited, leaving the band to regroup as a trio, and lean into guitarist (and last to join original member) Taylor York as a primary songwriter. 2013’s eponymous self-titled fourth effort cemented Paramore’s transition away from pop punk, to a style more reflective of their adult tastes and artistic sensibilities, while still maintaining a rock edge, pop hooks, and earnest and relatable thematic focus. Notably, the album won the band their first Grammy (“Ain’t It Fun” for Best Rock Song), and spawned a series of crossover hits which widened their reach and positioned them as a group increasingly lauded for their growth and evolution. Despite themed cruises, festival stops, and commercial hits, however, inner-band turmoil and external personal factors nearly caused the group to split by the time their tour cycle had concluded. Managing to regroup, a then-duo of Williams and York slowly found the inspiration to work on what would become After Laughter, their best, most personal and honest, most musically adventurous, and most uninhibited album to that point, pulling influence from everyone from Talking Heads to Tame Impala, and welcoming the return of drummer Zac Farro, bringing along the retro, cool, worldly etherial indie pop sensibilities he’d honed with his solo outlet, HalfNoise. After a whirlwind tour cycle, which included local shows everywhere from Exit/In to their own festival, Art + Friends, at Municipal Auditorium, the band took a breather for a few years, during which time singer Hayley Williams released a pair of solo records in the midst of the pandemic. And after springing back to life for some live shows last year, Paramore made their triumphant return with sixth LP This Is Why back in February, channeling both the groovy, post-punk of After Laughter, while also throwing back to some heavier, rock and roll bite of their earlier work. The group were a major highlight of Bonnaroo 2018, and as one of Nashville’s most beloved musical success stories, their return is one of our most-highly anticipated performances of the entire festival.

WATCH | “This Is Why” (Official Video)