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Friday, October 30, 2026Oct 30

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Bonnaroo becoming multigenerational festival

photo Fans used the mushroom fountain inside Centeroo to cool off well into the night.

MANCHESTER, Tenn. – Like a lot of people, Ashley Capps has those panic-attack moments of doubt and fear when planning a big event. But not everybody gets to invite 80,000 people to a party that will include Paul McCartney on the guest list.

Capps is the AC in AC Entertainment, co-producers of the Bonnaroo Music & Art Festival, which wrapped up Sunday night in Manchester, Tenn., with a performance by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. Capps founded the Knoxville-based company in 1991.

On Friday night, McCartney played a 21/2-hour set of hit after hit from his days with The Beatles, Wings and his solo career. For most of the crowd — including Capps — it was an emotional experience.

“I cried a couple of times,” he said.

Chattanooga radio personality Brad Steiner shared his feelings.