Headliner Rüfüs Du Sol delivers euphoric 90-minute Bonnaroo set

MANCHESTER, Tenn. − Rüfüs Du Sol transformed the Farm into a euphoric dance floor.

For 90 minutes, the Sydney-born electronic trio delivered a hypnotic June 13 set on Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival's What Stage, pairing soaring vocals, pounding bass and dazzling visuals in one of the festival's most immersive experiences.

As lasers sliced through smoke billowing from the stage, frontman Tyrone Lindqvist's silky falsetto floated over a sea of festivalgoers stretching far, far, far beyond the soundboard.

"Bonnaroo, how you feeling out there tonight?" he asked before launching into favorites such as "You Were Right."

The crowd answered with movement.

Illuminated jellyfish drifted above thousands of heads. A backpack-sized Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants bobbed above the audience. The muddy ground squished beneath dancing feet as hands reached toward the night sky.

During "Inhale," bubbles floated across the crowd. As Lindqvist sang, "I want to feel all that you are," the atmosphere drifted into a dreamlike haze.

Shirts came off. Sticky skin glistened from a long day spent bouncing between stages, making every cool breeze feel like a small gift.

The energy surged during "On My Knees," when heavy bass rattled the stage. Throughout the set, lasers, strobes and flashes enchanted the audience, visuals dancing alongside the music.

"So good to be here," keyboardist Jon George said before the band played "Pressure." "Hope you're having a good weekend. We came here to give you some extra vibes, some extra energy and send it into the Sunday morning together. You guys ready to dance?"

The obvious answer was shouted back, "Yes."

Fans continued swaying, jumping and singing along as the trio − Lindqvist, George and James Hunt − demonstrated why they have become one of the biggest live electronic acts in the world. Unlike many electronic performers, Rüfüs Du Sol build their shows around live instrumentation, with drums, synthesizers, guitars and vocals, creating a multisensory experience that feels more like a dance floor rock concert than a DJ set.

Bonnaroo vets Rüfüs Du Sol return after missing out in 2021

Lindqvist told the crowd the group was grateful to finally return after weather prevented a planned Bonnaroo appearance in 2021.

"Love you guys so much. It's so nice to finally be back," he said. "We were supposed to play here in 2021. The weather gods had other plans for us. Finally, they smiled down upon us."

Less than an hour before Rüfüs Du Sol took the stage, rain showers rolled through Manchester during Teddy Swims' set. Festivalgoers scrambled for ponchos and shelter beneath tents and trees.

Lindqvist also reflected on the band's long history with the festival, telling fans "Underwater" carried special significance because Bonnaroo was where they first performed it live eight years ago.

The crowd roared.

By the time the trio closed out its set with an intense drum climax that could have rivaled thunder, thousands were still dancing beneath the lasers, smoke and stars, reluctant to let the night end.