Manchester, Tennessee, might be known for its farm life, but Bonnaroo has become the city’s cash cow after leaving a $339 million footprint on businesses and jobs.
That’s according to a recent report from Austin-based economic impact consulting firm AngelouEconomics, who found that the 2023 Bonnaroo festival generated $339.8 million in revenue for the local economy. The event’s infrastructure also facilitated the creation of over 4,000 full-time job equivalents and $105.5 million in labor incomes paid to regional employees, per the study.
The report marks the first time Bonnaroo’s regional impact has been studied by organizers in over a decade, according to the Tennessean.
Alive Coverage
The 2023 festival drew approximately 80,000 people to Manchester’s Great Stage Park, which Bonnaroovians fondly call “The Farm.” Considering the event’s sheer scale, its proprietors reportedly paid or reimbursed the city, county and state of Tennessee for any additional resources they commissioned to execute it.
The $339.8 million sum may rise—or fall, depending on the cost of goods sold—in 2024 after Bonnaroo’s organizers increased ticket prices for the first time in more than 10 years, citing inflation. To put that figure into perspective, Coachella, the nation’s biggest music festival, is now estimated to provide an annual boon of roughly $400 million to the local economy of Indio.
Scheduled for June 13-16, the 2024 Bonnaroo festival will feature headlining sets by Pretty Lights, Fred again.. and FISHER, among performances by many other electronic music stars. You can purchase passes here.
Follow Bonnaroo:
X: x.com/Bonnaroo
Instagram: instagram.com/bonnaroo
YouTube: youtube.com/bonnaroo
Facebook: facebook.com/bonnaroo