A Reddit user on r/jambands shared a pristine ticket stub from the inaugural Bonnaroo Music Festival, held June 21–23, 2002, in Manchester, Tennessee, priced at just $100. The post ignited a wave of fond memories across the community, reflecting on the festival’s early charm and legendary lineups.
The 2002 edition was a landmark for jam bands, featuring Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio, Ben Harper, The String Cheese Incident, and more. Notably, the very first Superjam brought together Michael Kang (The String Cheese Incident), Béla Fleck, Jeff Raines, and Robert Randolph — a powerhouse collaborative moment that set Bonnaroo apart from the start.
Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade also left a strong impression with their quirky, funk-laden performance, highlighted by theatrical military-inspired costumes and an eclectic sound that perfectly captured Bonnaroo’s adventurous spirit.
Longtime attendees in the thread recall how intimate and musically diverse the festival felt back then, creating a vibe many say has been hard to recapture. This nostalgia underscores why Bonnaroo’s roots in community and musical innovation remain an essential chapter in festival history.
Source: r/jambands