Bonnaroo 2026 Artist Spotlight: Passion Pit

May 24, 2026

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Like we’ve been doing for many years now, we’re making it our mission to help you get acquainted with many of our favorite acts from Bonnaroo‘s 2026 lineup. A pivotal year for the fest, this summer’s ‘Roo will see some significant changes after last year’s unfortunate rainout, including infrastructure improvements, a scaled-back capacity, and a smaller lineup (notably, cutting down Thursday’s programming the most). We’ll have to wait until we’re on the farm to feel the full extent of the changes and tweaks, but we’re cautiously optimistic that it will benefit the fest in the long-term, especially in helping make the site more resistant to weather. This will be Bonnaroo’s 23rd installment and 25th anniversary, and even with a more compact lineup, it packs a pretty stellar, eclectic slate of artists, per usual. Back once again in its dependable June 11-14 timeframe, we’re counting down the days until another great weekend on the farm.

As we dig through the entire schedule, we’ll highlight a spread of performers spanning across genres and stages, big and small, new and old, to bring you some of the most interesting, lesser-known, and most highly-recommended among this year’s crop of artists. And as our time at ‘Roo approaches, we’ll also be bringing you some special features and full list-style daily lineup guides, to help you plan your weekend ahead of the fest. While these previews won’t span every artist, and might omit some more obvious must-see acts, we hope they’ll serve as a way to help you navigate Bonnaroo’s gargantuan lineup, and to make the most of your busy weekend at the fest! Be sure to grab your tickets (available in weekend or single-day, with various upgrade levels and add-ons) and camping or parking pass (also available with a lot of flexible options and levels), and read on for our Bonnaroo Artist Spotlight!

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Formed in 2007 in Boston, Mass., by creative constant and sole official member Michael Angelakos (who’s been joined by many contributors and backing players over the years), Passion Pit was initially just a small, personal creative outfit for Angelakos while at Emerson College, penning the project’s earliest material as a Valentine’s Day gift for his then-girlfriend. Soon picking up traction around school though, he released an EP, Chunk of Change, in 2008, put together a band, and began to amass wider buzz around Boston and beyond, leading to opening slots with artists like Death Cab for Cutie, and a record deal with Frenchkiss, ahead of 2009 debut album Manners. Propelled by infectious breakout single “Sleepyhead” (which has also appeared on the EP), Passion Pit became a swift success, earning tons of critical praise, landing lots of high-profile song placements, playing to increasingly larger crowds and at fests, and earning some commendable chart success for early singles. By 2012 sophomore album Gossamer, which produced the group’s biggest hit to date, “Take a Walk,” Passion Pit were an integral part of the booming, culturally resonant indie rock explosion of the 2010s, renowned for synth-heavy, upbeat, high-energy blend of indie pop, electropop, and indietronica, propelled by Angelakos’ signature falsetto. From SNL to Twilight soundtracks to further big festivals spots, the early to mid-2010s were a pretty huge moment for the project, and third LP Kindred arrived in 2015, as yet another shimmering example of the kind of unique electropop they make so well. Somewhat surprisingly, after 2017 fourth album Tremendous Sea of Love, an independently released, stripped down, and more raw work than its predecessors, momentum seemed to slow quite a bit, with Angelakos only occasionally returning under the moniker for an odd single or collaboration, experimental residency, anniversary tour, or festival (Angelakos has been candid about his struggles with mental health and the toll the music industry took on him- and surely the pandemic and the sociopolitical turmoil in recent years couldn’t have helped). With a new EP, Pretty Penny, on the way, Passion Pit seems to be channeling their 2010s, full band ethos once more though, and after some really memorable ‘Roo appearances back in the day (most recently in 2013), we’re thrilled to see them back on the Farm!

WATCH | “Take a Walk” (Official Video)