Rephonic
Artwork for The What Podcast
Bonnaroo
Music Festivals
Camping
Festival Culture
EDM
Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Chattanooga
C3 Presents
Bonnaroo 2025
Shaky Knees
The Caverns
Live Nation
Manchester
Moon River Festival
Soberoo
South Star
Bandana
Ticket Sales
Church Boners
Lollapalooza

Bonnaroo is more than just a festival, and The What Podcast is your backstage pass to the stories, secrets, and the magic that makes it so legendary. Hosted by two entertainment industry veterans, each week Barry and Bryan will take you deep into festival culture, live music, and behind-the-scenes stories. Since 2018, we've connected with passionate music fans worldwide, sharing personal experienc... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes319Founded9 years ago
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Music CommentaryMusicMusic Interviews

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Artwork for The What Podcast

Latest Episodes

Is Bluegrass getting younger? We walked the IBMA red carpet in Chattanooga and asked the players who would know: James Kee of East Nash Grass, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Molly Tuttle, and Sierra Hull. The same theme kept coming up: a new generation is ... more

Billy Strings is reopening the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga, a 105-year-old landmark that just finished a $75 million restoration. We sat down with Nick Wilkinson of the Tivoli Foundation to find out how it happened, why a city spends that kind of m... more

YouTube

Live from The Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee, we recap CaveFest 2026 with our ticket winner, plus the venue, the music, and the camping.

Barry and Russ are joined by Bryan, back on the show after a couple of months, our bicoastal correspondent Elizabe... more

YouTube

Two festival veterans break down Bourbon & Beyond 2026 in Louisville: the crowd, the hotels, the VIP setup, the beer prices, and the weather.

Barry and Russ are joined by our senior and junior correspondents, Trevin Bernarding and David Champion, wh... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Elizabeth Thorpe
Bicoastal correspondent and photographer attending her third CaveFest.
Episode: CaveFest 2026 Recap: Live From The Caverns
Trevin Bernarding
Senior correspondent
Episode: Bourbon & Beyond 2026 Recap From Two Festival Veterans
David Champion
Junior correspondent
Episode: Bourbon & Beyond 2026 Recap From Two Festival Veterans
Scott Miller
Artist performing at Cave Fest, guest on this episode
Cave Fest / Caverns
Episode: We Got Evacuated at Shaky Knees 2026
David Bruce
I Am Bonnaroo project founder, Bonnaroo photographer
I Am Bonnaroo
Episode: Bonnaroo's Cancellation: A City Official on the Long-Term Vision for The Farm
Ryan French
Manchester city council member, tourism professional
City of Manchester / South Central Tennessee Tourism Association
Episode: Bonnaroo's Cancellation: A City Official on the Long-Term Vision for The Farm
Noah Kahan
Singer-songwriter
Episode: Bonnaroo Radio Takeover ft. Noah Kahan, String Cheese Incident & More
Tim Smith
Director of Festivals and Strategic Initiatives for C3 Presents (Tuba)
C3 Presents
Episode: Bonnaroo Radio Takeover ft. Noah Kahan, String Cheese Incident & More
Ken Weinstein
Founder of Big Hassle Media
Big Hassle Media
Episode: Bonnaroo Radio Takeover ft. Noah Kahan, String Cheese Incident & More

Hosts

Barry Corder
Co-host of The What Podcast; Bonnaroo Radio 101.5 FM contributor
Bryan Stone
Co-host of The What Podcast; longtime festival storyteller
Russ
Co-host and archivist; provides historical context and backstage anecdotes

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 400 ratings
  • What Podcast is Back!

    Im so glad to hear from yall again :)! Here listening from Alabama so I have a much closer drive than y’all which Im very glad about lol. As much as it’s been a set back since last year, just hearing y’all discuss the topics of Bonnaroo makes me want to go back so much more than I already do! I’m so grateful for the joyful discussion and talks y’all have of multiple things like clues, lineups, and other important things. Thank yall so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ahahahsfjdi
    United Statesa year ago
  • Bryanisannoying

    Would be super great besides the guy who talks over everyone and tries to one up every single thing the good hosts bring up. Bryansux

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Bryansux
    United Statesa year ago
  • They’re like my friends

    I really enjoy listening to these guys. I have since my first Roo in 2021 when I was scared and didn’t know what to expect and was looking for some guidance. I didn’t expect to find such a funny group of guys who literally know EVERYTHING about Bonnaroo. Please never stop doing this. I hope one day I can run into you on the Farm. Happy Roo!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lhsjacket55
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great guys to lead the music festival community!

    If you are new to Bonnaroo or a long time veteran, this podcast podcast will pull the veil (or tapestry) back to show you everything that is Bonnaroo. Listening through episodes it’s clear they’re dedicated to the farm and to the magic that happens as Bonaroovians roll into Manchester and through the gates to stake their spots for the week. Great guests, seriously helpful information, insight on production and a lot of laughs is what makes the show. Listening almost feels like you’re all hanging... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Momof4teens
    United Statesa year ago
  • No bonnablues with these guys

    These guys are the real deal! Love listening them throughout the year to get excited and get prepared for Roo!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shorstu
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience appreciates consistent guest diversity and behind-the-scenes value.
Listeners praise insider access and entertaining hosts.
Some critics note occasional host dynamics but still value the content.
Fans describe the show as a go-to for Bonnaroo insights and community vibe.
Feedback highlights the show as informative and addictive for festival prep and culture.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

CaveFest 2026 Recap: Live From The Caverns
Q: What are your thoughts on The Caverns as a music festival and audio venue experience?
Elizabeth praises the venue and its lighting, says the gray weather made for colorful photos, and explains that she returns each year despite the long trip.
CaveFest 2026 Recap: Live From The Caverns
Q: What do you think of CaveFest?
Abby likes its small size and independently run feel, and says her campground neighbors have been exceptionally friendly and helpful.
Bourbon & Beyond 2026 Recap From Two Festival Veterans
Q: What drew you to Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville, and what made you commit to the trip this year?
Trevin explains that a strong recommendation from friends and prior positive experiences with the festival made it an easy pick, and that planning early allowed coordinating with partners and family.
Bonnaroo Radio Takeover ft. Noah Kahan, String Cheese Incident & More
Q: How did Bonnaroo's infrastructure changes begin after 2019?
Tim Smith describes a proactive, brand-respecting approach to evolving infrastructure, prioritizing fan flow, parking, gate management, and safe, efficient site operations, all while preserving Bonnaroo's identity and legacy.
What Everyone Forgets to Pack at Bonnaroo — and Where to Get It
Q: How many staff does the operation require at Bonnaroo, and how is it staffed?
The team relies on a core crew of six to eight regulars plus a management team, with a larger contingent brought for Bonnaroo and other events, totaling around 25-30 people during peak times.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The What Podcast

What is The What Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently centers on festival culture, live music, and behind-the-scenes operations, with frequent deep dives into lineup strategies, production logistics, and community-driven initiatives that surround large-scale events. Guests span festival operators, publicity veterans, booking insiders, and artists, creating a mix of insider anecdotes, practical tips for attendees, and broad industry context. A notable edge is the long-running focus on Bonnaroo's ecosystem—its evolution, community programs like Planet Roo, and the year-round fan engagement—paired with candid discussions about the practical realities of festival planning and execution. The format often pairs informal banter with substantive interviews, making it useful for l... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The What Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The What Podcast:

1. Story Time at the Roo Bus
2. The Roo Report
3. Rob Has a Podcast | Big Brother, Survivor & Reality TV - RHAP
4. This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
5. Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

How many episodes of The What Podcast are there?

The What Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 319 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The What Podcast?

Recent guests on The What Podcast include:

1. Elizabeth Thorpe
2. Trevin Bernarding
3. David Champion
4. Scott Miller
5. David Bruce
6. Ryan French
7. Noah Kahan
8. Tim Smith

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