Bonnaroo 2025 Artist Spotlight: Destroy Boys

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 2025 lineup. A festival that feels like it’s ever evolving (especially with some big tweaks and improvements in the past few summers post-pandemic), this year marks Bonnaroo’s 22nd installment (and 24th anniversary), boasting not only another great and varied lineup, but also some exciting additions like the brand new, high-tech Infinity Stage, billed as “the world’s largest 360-degree, immersive sound experience” and unlike anything that’s ever been showcased in North America. Back once again in its usual June 12-15 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!

We’re told tickets are very low and on track to sell out, so grab those right here if you haven’t already (and don’t forget the camping or parking pass), and read on for our Bonnaroo Artist Spotlight!

LEARN

Formed in 2015 when vocalist and guitarist Alexia Roditis and guitarist and backing vocalist Violet Mayugba were just 15- a pair of friends passionate about music and entrenched in their local Sacramento, California scene- genre-bending rockers Destroy Boys have grown into of the punk scene’s most exciting rising talents in the years since, pulling from elements of punk and pop punk, garage rock, indie rock, hardcore, riot grrrl, and more to forge their unique, propulsive, and youthful sound. After a couple of promising early EPs, their full-length debut, Sorry, Mom, arrived in 2016, earning the band regional buzz as they began to attract and more widespread audience, and after 2018 sophomore record Make Room– notably, released while still in their teens- Destroy Boys were touring the nation with bands like The Regrettes and Mannequin Pussy, while increasingly being met with critical acclaim from the punk community and beyond. Rounded out by drummer Narsai Malik and bassist David Orozco, the group inked a deal with famed label Hopeless Records ahead of their 2021 third album, Open Mouth, Open Heart, which helped them pick up momentum following Covid cancelations and setbacks. The rockers have been on an impressive tear throughout the 2020s, continuing to tour regularly, including stints with big artists like Alkaline Trio and Taking Back Sunday, appearing at fests like Coachella and Riot Fest, and releasing a smattering of new singles in the years following Open Mouth. Last summer, Destroy Boys released their highly-anticipated fourth album Funeral Soundtrack #4, produced by Carlos De La Garza (Paramore, The Linda Lindas), and featuring their biggest musical departure to date, both with more adult and earnest lyric themes, and also more expansive, pop-accessible production. Without a doubt one of the torchbearers for Gen Z punk- just don’t try to only put them in the punk box- Destroy Boys also rip live, and have played some memorable Nashville shows in recent years. Their Saturday set is early, but we can’t think of a more fan way to kick off the day!

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