This year’s Bonnaroo Festival takes place in Manchester, Tennessee, on June 13-16 and the lineup is boasting some pretty heavyweight talent, with the likes of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Mumford & Sons and Sir Paul McCartney stealing the headline slots. Beyond the draw of the top billing, though – who should you go and see if you manage to bag a ticket to Bonnaroo 2013? Here’s our Top 5 Bonnaroo Bets.

1. Bjork – We can’t remember the last time there was an opportunity to see Bjork in such a superb festival setting (okay, we probably could, if we cast our minds back a little but it’s far from a frequent occurrence). The eccentric Icelandic songstress always puts on a fabulous show, both visually and sonically, setting fire to all of your senses, whether you are a hardened Bjork fan or simply wandering past the stage, wondering what the hell might be going on.

2. Cat Power – OK. This one comes with a warning. When she’s on form, Cat Power (aka Chan Marshall) will provide you with one of the most emotionally charged, cathartic live music experiences that you’re likely to experience. On a bad day, though, it can be torturous to witness. All part of the Cat Power charm, of course, but a gamble, nonetheless.

3. ZZ Top – Need we say more? ZZ Top are playing! With their beards flying in the wind, on the open air stage, all trussed up in denim, like it was 1983, singing ‘Gimme All Your Lovin’’ as you chug on a warm lager, lick the BBQ rib sauce from your fingers and practise your head-banging. What more could you possibly want from your summer festival experience?

4. Kendrick Lamar – We suggest you catch Kendrick Lamar, simply so that you can say to your mates that you checked out Kendrick Lamar at Bonnaroo, 2013, before he went interstellar and hit the big time. Having said that, hip-hop’s brightest young star might not be at Jay Z levels of infamy just yet but if his rep continues to grow at its current pace, you might find it’s a struggle to work your way to the front barriers for this one.

5. Baroness – For those of you after something a little heavier, the highly acclaimed hardcore punk / metal band are a definite recommendation. Having recently survived a near-fatal bus crash whilst they toured the UK, baroness appear to be soldiering on and continuing to blaze a trail across the festival circuit. 

Bjork

Bjork - the kooky Icelander will be apearing at Bonnaroo 2013