Dave Paulson

dnpaulson@tennessean.com

Who’s joining U2 at Bonnaroo?

Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Weeknd and Chance the Rapper, along with more than 100 other music makers.

On Wednesday, organizers revealed the performer lineup for the 16th annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, which takes place June 8-11 in Manchester, Tenn.

Attendance for the festival hit an all-time low last year, so it's probably not a surprise that organizers have moved in a different direction for 2017.

What are the biggest changes, and what's been preserved? Let's dive in.

The acts are younger than ever

While the bill is topped by two bands in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this year’s Bonnaroo looks to be setting its sights on the young festival crowd. Beyond U2 and the Chili Peppers, it's hard to find another performer who was active in the 20th century.

Leading the undercard: electronic dance music stars Major Lazer and Flume, followed by indie-pop trio The xx and “Royals” hitmaker Lorde. There’s rising rapper Travis Scott, Nashville-based rockers Cage the Elephant and anonymous knob twiddler Marshmello. The longest-running act in this bunch is The xx, founded in 2005.

You might notice a baby boomer-sized hole in the lineup — a spot that Dead & Company, Billy Joel and Elton John occupied over the last three editions. Before this year, you'd also typically see a few veteran acts sprinkled throughout the Bonnaroo lineup: Lionel Richie, Robert Plant and ZZ Top were lower-tier highlights in recent years. There's no similar name to point to on this year's bill.

Electronic music is taking over

The most immediate takeaway from this year's lineup: a ballooning presence of electronic acts. There isn't a headliner like Deadmau5 in 2015, but computerized music makers are slathered all over the bill, from top to bottom.

Major Lazer, Flume and Marshmello are the big draws along with a bunch of acts with more modest audiences: Nghtmre, Getter, Borgore, Yellow Claw, Illenium, G Jones, Rezz, Ganja White Knight and Haywyre, among many others.

Rock and rap on the fringe

Beyond the headliners, are these genres on the retreat in 2017? The next biggest rock acts are Cage the Elephant and Tegan & Sara, and they're joined by the more niche likes of Future Islands, Car Seat Headrest, Portugal.The Man and Cold War Kids.

Rap is a similar story this year. Chance the Rapper has a headlining spot, and Travis Scott (who had a No. 1 album last year) isn't far behind, but their modest company includes Tory Lanez, D.R.A.M., Russ and Flatbush Zombies — acts that have all emerged in the past five years.

The Superjam (and other traditions) survive

Still, Bonnaroo is holding to its traditions. The annual “Superjam" — an all-genre, one-night-only collaboration featuring dozens of performers — is still on the agenda. The Bluegrass Situation Superjam (with host Ed Helms) will return as well. The festival's "jam-band" roots are acknowledged with the inclusion of Umphrey's McGee, and its longtime support of roots and jazz music prevails through bookings like Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Greensky Bluegrass. Nashville country/Americana acts Cam, Margo Price and Aaron Lee Tasjan are among those heading up the road to Manchester.

Where are the wildcards?

One of the most surprising things about this year's Bonnaroo bill — a lack of surprises. Where are the left-field bookings like Weird Al, Alice Cooper or Daryl Hall with Chromeo? Chris Rock opening for Metallica on the main stage? There's not much in this initial bill that sparks the imagination, but Chance the Rapper's headlining set is brimming with potential, as he's a Bonnaroo superfan who frequently calls on collaborators.

Bonnaroo takes place June 8-11 in Manchester, Tenn. Four-day passes are on sale at www.bonnaroo.com, starting at $299.50 with fees.