Though Bonnaroo 2025 was canceled due to rain, some ‘Roo attendees got to experience their own niche festival moment: Johnaroo.
After severe weather and flooding at The Farm, Bonnaroo officials called off the remainder of the festival on June 13, the second day of Bonnaroo’s four.
But the rain, mud and swampy conditions didn’t stop DJ John Summit, who was scheduled to perform at the festival’s What Stage the same night.
The Bonnaroo entrance is closed due to heavy rains with festival attendees hoping to resume the four-day party during the second day of Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival at The Farm in Manchester, Tenn., Friday, June 13, 2025. The festival was canceled by organizers a short time later.
Watch John Summit perform impromptu Bonnaroo RV set
“Bonnaroo cancelled :(” DJ John Summit posted on his Instagram story after news of the festival’s cancellation. “So bummed for everyone who came, this was gonna be a special one but u can’t control Mother Nature.. stay safe til next time fam.”
Soon, festival attendees began posting videos on social media of DJs John Summit and Levity bringing some bass-filled tracks to The Farm during a high-energy performance at an RV tent somewhere on the festival’s campgrounds.
According to social media videos, a version of “Sweet Caroline” graced the campgrounds, as well as other thumping tracks.
As the tunes pulsed, the crowd waved glowsticks and danced to the beat while lights flashed and lasers beamed.
“@John summit @Levity giving the people what they wantttt,” one TikTok user said in a video caption.
“John Summit B2B Levit, Just Dropped the Unreleased Griz ID Mamazita at @bonnaroo RV renegades,” another poster said on a post of Levity’s livestream.
Bonnaroo may have been a bust, but a select few got an intimate set from some of the most prominent DJs on the scene.
Bonnaroo artists are playing make-up shows in Nashville after cancellation
Artists including Remi Wolf, Royel Otis, Hot Mulligan, Jack’s Mannequin, Natasha Bedingfield, Mt. Joy, and Levity are playing make-up Bonnaroo shows at various locations around Nashville.
Read more HERE to see when and where they are playing.
More: With Bonnaroo canceled, here’s where artists are playing make-up shows in Nashville
Why was Bonnaroo canceled?
In the midst of severe weather, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee canceled the remainder of the festival.
“We are beyond gutted, but we must make the safest decision and cancel the remainder of Bonnaroo,” the festival posted on social media around 7:30 p.m. on June 13.
The festival cites “significant and steady precipitation that will produce deteriorating camping and egress conditions” as the reason behind the cancellation.
Two Bonnaroovians, Monet Dunham, left, and Clayton Hogins, both of Virginia Beach, Va., wait in the rain for the festival to resume during the second day of Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival at The Farm in Manchester, Tenn., Friday, June 13, 2025. It was later announced the festival would be canceled for the remaining two days due to the heavy rains.
Will Bonnaroo offer refunds?
Yes, the festival will offer refunds.
In a post on X, Bonnaroo posted their updated refund policy for this year:
All 1-Day Friday, Saturday and Sunday Admission Tickets purchased via Front Gate Tickets and 1-Day Friday, Saturday and Sunday Day Parking purchased via Front Gate Tickets will be refunded.
All 4-Day Admission Tickets purchased via Front Gate Tickets will receive a 75% refund.
All 4-Day camping accommodations purchased via Front Gate Tickets will receive a 75% refund.
The festival posted on social media that all refunds will be processed in as little as 30 days to the original method of payment.
Audrey Gibbs is a music reporter at The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: John Summit, Levity play impromptu Bonnaroo campgrounds sets after festival cancellation