In the spring of 2002, the Bonnaroo Music Festival surprised the music world by selling out all 70,000 tickets in days, relying only on email and word of mouth – a remarkable feat for a first-time event in rural Tennessee. Given the turbulent history of Woodstock '99, the success of Bonnaroo raised questions about the demand for such a large gathering. Held on Tennessee farmland from June 21-23, 2002, Bonnaroo represents the culmination of a decade-long, quietly growing movement that has cultivated its own distinct music culture.