Bonnaroo Tries To Embrace Jack Johnson After Mumford Cancellation

Bonnaroo makes an effort to provide excellent entertainment. On the festival’s opening day, the band Paper Diamond provided a light show. Credit: Bonnaroo

It will be Hawaiian folk-rocker Jack Johnson standing in at Bonnaroo for headliner Mumford & Sons, who cancelled at the last minute. The band’s bassist has been in the hospital with a blood clot on his brain.

The London-based foursome announced Thursday the band’s facebook page they would not make it to the Manchester farm or two other U.S. shows this summer.

Fans at Bonnaroo say they’re disappointed. Patrick Chappell of Nashville is one of the 80,000 camped out. He’s understanding but says it’s tough to fill-in for a band at the peak of popularity, coming off recent Grammy wins.

“We really feel for the folks who kind of came to Bonnaroo for Mumford and now are having to see Jack Johnson instead.”

In 2008, Johnson headlined the festival. He just happened to be among the masses Manchester this weekend to perform a small, secret show for reporters. Johnson has kept a fairly light tour schedule this year. Now he “has a lot of lyrics and chords to relearn before Saturday night,” according to a statement.

Bonnaroo goers took to Twitter. Some are more understanding than others.

For those not at Bonnaroo this year, the festival has a live webcast.

Leah Terry contributed to this post.