In the summer of 2023, WUTC covered Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, TN. Although the festival was in its 19th year, this was WUTC’s first time attending. Finally on the farm, we were excited to wander the large festival grounds, battle the scorching Tennessee summer heat, and speak with a few artists from Bonnaroo’s incredible lineup.
One of the best conversations we got to have that summer was with Portugal. The Man, an alt-rock band founded in 2004 by Alaskan-natives John Gourley and Zach Carothers. Alongside Gourley and Carothers, the band now consists of Zoe Manville, Kyle O’Quin, and Eric Howk.
On the first full day of the festival, we had a chance to speak with John and Zoe shortly before they took to Bonnaroo’s main stage.
In our interview, John and Zoe talked a little about this project, the meaning behind the title, and the movement they’ve started because of it. They also shared about their daughter, Frances, a wonderfully quirky and fearless child who has recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare neurodegenerative disease for which there is currently no cure and no treatment.
To learn more about their daughter Frances and to support the journey their family is on to research and develop treatment for her disease, visit franceschangedmylife.com
To watch John and Zoe’s interview with Hoda Kotb of the TODAY Show visit https://www.today.com/video/portugal-the-man-couple-talk-about-their-daughter-s-health-journey-200629829537
