The 60s had Woodstock. Today, we have Bonnaroo.
Until you’ve experienced the magic of the farm, it’s impossible to fully understand its cultural significance. More than just a festival, it has become a beacon of community, love, and positivity that just so happens to host some of music’s greatest performers. But, if you ask any bonnaroovian, it’s not about the music. It’s about the connections you make.
Every year, in the middle of June, the 750-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, becomes one of the State’s biggest cities as festival goers from around the country make the pilgrimage for 3-6 days of camping, dancing, expression and an indescribable sense of freedom. From the wonderland that is Centeroo to the unparalleled campgrounds filled with plazas and stages of Outeroo there is no community quite like Bonnaroo.
In the heart of that community lies the Roo Bus. A former jail bus turned hippie haven on wheels; the Roo Bus has become a staple on the farm thanks to its colorful appearance, the infamous Wednesday day pre-parties, and, of course, its owners, Daniel and Sharla Horton.
The two of them, alongside a collective of friends, have committed themselves to spreading that Bonnaroo positivity reaching places far beyond the festival itself. Now, with the launch of their new non-profit, TOTEM (The Opportunity To Experience Music), they’re taking their commitment to Bonnaroo and the festival community to another level.
Through mentorships, scholarships, and an international exchange program, TOTEM aims to not only introduce a new generation to the Bonnaroo community but also provide an opportunity for disadvantaged fans and bands alike to experience the magic of Roo.
Ahead of this year’s festivities, The Daily Frequency caught up with the Roo Bus to discuss Bonnaroo, the TOTEM Foundation, and more.
Check out the exclusive interview with Roo Bus below.
DF: Let’s start from the beginning! When was your first Bonnaroo, and what was it about the Farm that made you come year back after year?
Daniel: Sharla and I first came back in 2013. We had intended to come for a few years before that, but life got in the way, or we got otherwise distracted. When Paul McCartney was on the poster, it finally got us to go. The shows were one thing, but the absolutely welcoming community was another. The two of us have never really been the types to really fit in, and this was one of the very few times in our life where we walked into a place and felt entirely welcome and accepted.
Sharla: 2013 was our first year on the farm. We originally came for Paul McCartney, but we stayed for the community. I remember desperately wanting to go to the beach. I was so underwhelmed with the thought of a music festival. Dan and I even got into an argument halfway through the fest that year. I was sitting alone beneath a tree when a kind soul lifted his hand and asked me if I was okay. That was when I knew Roo was exactly where I needed to be.
DF: Not only did you return every summer but you created your own community with the now iconic Roo Bus. What inspired you to start your community within the overall community that is Bonnaroo?
Daniel: Honestly, it just kind of organically happened. After a few years, we started running into some of the same people time and time again. When COVID happened, and we missed a few years of Roo, that social circle kept expanding as we connected with more people online. When we all finally returned in 2022, it felt like things were supercharged, and for better or worse, we put a group camp together.
Sharla: We were inspired by the communities that already existed at Roo – The Parachute People, Reddaroo, SooperGroop, and so many more. We thought a few people would come sign the bus, and that would be it. We never expected to start a podcast or a nonprofit. The love shared has been truly amazing.
DF: You first brought the bus to Bonnaroo in 2018! Fast forward to 2023, and you’re hosting the Roo Bus party at Where In The Woods, and y’all are on the official lineup! Did you ever anticipate it growing this much when you purchased the bus in 2017?
Daniel: We never anticipated things getting to that level in a million years. We just kind of got to the point where we’d gotten to be able to work with some of the Roo crew behind the scenes, and we have a lot of friends who helped support things like that, too. I can honestly say that having one of my favorite bands, Cherub, play at Where in the Woods for all of us was one of the biggest highlights of my life. Unless somehow Tame Impala miraculously agreed to play for us, there’s simply no way we could possibly even try to top it.
Sharla: No way! I thought nothing would top when Repeat, Repeat played the bus. Then it got so big we had to start having a stage, then an entire area. Never, ever in a million years.
DF: If you could relive one Roo Bus party, which year would it be and why?
Daniel: The easy answer is Cherub because that was such a blast, but so was the very first one with Repeat Repeat back in 2017. We had some amazing help from places like Camp Reddaroo and did it almost entirely without Bonnaroo’s official support. It felt so punk rock and DIY and such a fun time.
Sharla: Oh, it would be Repeat, Repeat, for sure. They were so cool. They came in the bus and hung out with us. We all just had such a blast with them that night. That was such a true “underground” party with Camp Reddaroo, and I still have no idea how any of us pulled it off.
DF: Will Roo Bus still have a presence on the farm in 2024?
Daniel: The Roo Bus will be in the Groop area again this year and most likely next year as well. We love having everyone stop by and visit to get their picture or sign it; it honestly is just the perfect way for us to meet people and make new friends. We’ll also have a tent for our new TOTEM Foundation there as well.
Sharla: We’re scaling back somewhat this year to focus on the nonprofit, The TOTEM Foundation. We’ll still be there, though, in our usual spot. (I’ve also heard rumblings of some cool Wednesday stuff from some of our friends).
DF: In October, you officially launched the TOTEM Foundation! What’s the inspiration behind the organization, and what are you hoping to achieve?
Daniel: The idea behind what we wanted to do with TOTEM has been in the works for three or four years. We always knew that we were starting to get a little too old to be the leaders of the party and that we needed to pass the torch onto the next generation, and this seemed like the logical way for us to try and do some good behind the scenes. Being able to make sure that the next generation is able to continue everything and make something positive out of this whole community is extremely important to us, and we want to work with friends and colleagues to make that happen.
Sharla: We wanted to ensure there are future community leaders at Bonnaroo. The current community is amazing, but none of us are getting younger. We have to ensure the next generation knows how to step up and lead groups, put on campsite shows, and so much more. Not only that, but it’s imperative that young people living in underserved communities get to experience music festivals. Daniel and I both grew up in very rural areas; I didn’t even know about Bonnaroo until my late 20s. If I’d had this kind of community earlier, my life would’ve been way different.
DF: I love the idea of mentorships and festival veterans guiding first-timers. What would be the characteristics of the ideal mentor?
Daniel: Ideally, a mentor is going to be a big brother or big sister type. They want you to succeed, they want to have your back, and they want to have a blast with you. I want mentors to be able to help rookies with advice on everything, but I want them to take their mentees under their wing and have a rager of a weekend, too. Hopefully, they’ll pass on all of our beloved Bonnaroo traditions as well!
Sharla: A mentor should have good communication skills and be a big brother or big sister to their mentee.
DF: What’s one thing you wish somebody had told you before your first Bonnaroo?
Daniel: I wish I had known not to take it too seriously. The whole long weekend isn’t one show, and it isn’t any day’s schedule. I didn’t realize my first time that the best stuff on the Farm happens when you least expect it and that magic can be around any corner. It’s not a concert; it’s not even a festival; it’s a platform where just about anything can happen if you just let go of your preconceptions and let it. If I could go back over ten years and tell myself that at the beginning, I think I would have made the best of it far sooner.
Sharla: The people you’ll meet will be far more important than any show you’ll ever see. Relax and enjoy it, don’t stress, and don’t be uptight. Also, comfortable clothes!
DF: While those of us in the scene get it, people who have never experienced a festival may not understand the importance of helping someone go to something like Bonnaroo. In your eyes, what makes festivals more than just an excuse to party and something that everyone should get the chance to experience?
Daniel: One thing that makes Bonnaroo, in particular, extremely special to me is that it’s a long weekend away from reality. Once most people are there, the everyday stresses of the world just melt away and we’re all just there to spend a great time with one another. When everyone adopts that kind of attitude, you suddenly find that it’s easier to make friends, to experience new things, to push your boundaries, and just in summary, have the time of your life. For a short week, you get to experience life as you ideally want it to be, and that’s not something you can do just about anywhere else.
Sharla: I grew up in a small, rural community with no red lights and one stop sign. I still see extreme poverty every time I drive back home. Most people are born there, and they’ll die there because there is a fear of the unknown. Everyone deserves the chance to get out into the world and see what’s beyond their community, beyond their hometown. Everyone deserves to meet new people and see things from an entirely different world perspective. Bonnaroo is a perfect place to do that.
DF: Not only are you helping people get to Bonnaroo, but you are also working on a program to get bands from disadvantaged countries an opportunity to play on the farm. Do you have any artist recommendations people should check out?
Daniel: TOTEM’s international exchange program is something I am extremely excited to get going. It will take a few years because we will need to raise funding and do it right, but I hope to continue to not only bring world music to Roo but also have an international exchange of culture and ideas. This year, I feel like the band that perfectly embodies that is Mdou Moctar. They have not only a fantastic guitar-driven sound but also an amazing backstory as well. More than anyone else at Bonnaroo 2024, I am advocating that everyone show up and bring their best energy to their set.
Sharla: Sid Sriram! He came up on one of my Bonnaroo playlists. His music is a collaboration of Western and Indian Carnatic music.
DF: In what ways can people who maybe wouldn’t want the responsibility of being a mentor contribute to the cause?
Daniel: As we grow, we’ll have many other roles that people can fill. We also want this to be a communal effort, which means we are more than happy for people to make up their own roles if they’d like to be involved. If there’s something we’re not doing or that you think we can do better, you will not hurt our feelings at all if you tell us that. This first year is a “beta” year for us in many ways, and we welcome any and all participation from Bonnaroovians who want to help our cause of passing the leadership of this amazing community on to the next generation.
Sharla: Spread the word about TOTEM! Anything people can do to share – online or in person. We want to reach as many people as possible, especially during our first couple of years. Also, just reach out and send us a message. There’s always something we can collaborate on!
DF: Lastly, if you could describe Bonnaroo in just three words, what would they be?
Daniel: Earth’s Greatest Party – That’s not a joke; I genuinely and fully believe it is, in fact, the greatest party on the planet.
Sharla: Home, Preordained, Family
Keep up with the Roo Bus HERE!
Check out the TOTEM Foundation HERE!
Check out more exclusive interviews with The Daily Frequency HERE!