Michael Caulfield/WireImage.com It's going to be a red hot June if the promoters of Bonnaroo have anything to say about it.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, Best New Artist Grammy winner Bon Iver, electro dance master Skrillex, and a reunited Beach Boys, are among the eclectic mix of artists tapped to headline the famed four-day festival on June 7-10.
Taking place in the same spot it's used since its humble beginnings over a decade ago—a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee—the 2012 edition promises to be one of the best yet.
Here's a rundown of the must-see performers.
1. Red Hot Chili Peppers: Anthony Kiedis, Flea and company are back after a long layoff with Josh Klinghoffer taking over for longtime guitarist John Frusciante, who exited the band for the second time following 2009's Stadium Arcadium tour. The group released its tenth studio album I'm With You last August and the Roo is the perfect staging ground for them to recapture that old Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik.
2. Radiohead: The band's year-old album, The King of Limbs, let down a few critics and fans with its laid-back style and esoteric dubstep elements, but Radiohead breathed fresh life into the tracks upon performing them live on the UK's From the Basement and the Glastonbury music fest. Expect them to do the same at Bonnaroo as well play some of their vintage tunes during their return engagement, having headlined here to wide acclaim in 2008.
3. The Beach Boys: Reuniting in honor of their 50th anniversary, the Beach Boys are true American originals who helped popularize SoCal youth culture for the masses. And what better place to play their harmonizing hits than a headlining slot at Bonaroo? Good vibrations indeed.
4. Phish: Back on the train after reuniting in 2009, the jam titans sound tighter than ever and will no doubt give the Phaithful something to talk about at the Roo, their second stint as headliner after performing on the main stage three years ago (where they got a helping hand from the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen).
5. Bon Iver and Skrillex: Fresh off their surprise Grammy victory for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album (beating out Radiohead), indie folksters Bon Iver are riding a wave of success all the way to Rocky Mountain farm country. The Justin Vernon-led group has already performed in front of huge crowds at Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza and Glastonbury so the Roo should be a piece of cake. They aren't the only Grammy winners performing here. Laying down a few sick electronic grooves will be Skrillex, aka Sonny John Moore, who nabbed three Gramophones Sunday night for his dance album, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites, and his remix of "Cinema."
Other notable performers among the 125 acts on the 2012 bill include heavy metal icons Alice Cooper, The Shins, The Avett Brothers, Black Star, Feist, Flogging Molly, Ben Folds Five, The Roots, Bad Brains, Mogwai, Young the Giant, Flying Lotus, Alabama Shakes, Punch Brothers, Das Racist, Big Freedia and Phantogram.
Tickets for Bonnaroo 2012 go on sale this Saturday at noon ET at bonnaroo.com.