Hey there, Memphis! Week after week, great acts come through our lovely city by the Mississippi River. With few exceptions, are we able to enjoy the majestic view of such a powerful body of water in tandem with amazing entertainment.
Well folks, if you’re familiar with Memphis music culture, you’ll know that the end of April brings Memphis in May—a month-long celebration of a culture from the other side of the world. This year will be an extended look into the beauty of The Philippines. In good Memphis fashion, music will kick off the celebration with a weekend-long festival of some amazing live performances by the river.
Over 50+ acts will be playing this year’s MusicFest, featuring some current chart toppers as well as some legends of years past. With so much to choose from, we’ve carefully examined the schedule to give you our picks for this year’s MusicFest.
Friday (5/4) will begin your weekend of wild music fun. We’re starting out with the southern rock and jammy goodness of the North Mississippi All Stars (6:10 at the Bud Light Stage). Up next, Memphis rap legends (and Academy Award winners) Three 6 Mafia (7:35 at the Orion Stage). Metal heads Megadeth (9:00 at the Orion Stage) offer up some saw raw rock, while Florence + the Machine (9:15 at the Bud Light Stage) give their indie cred a test run, playing tons of new and old material.
Mash-up mastermind Girl Talk (10:30 at the Horseshoe Casino Stage) will drop some heat, and we strongly suggest seeing My Morning Jacket give it their all and close out the night (10:55 at the Bud Light Stage).
Saturday (5/5) will start rolling heavy as the sun is setting. Ironic rapper Childish Gambino will be spitting puns (5:45 at the Budlight Stage) just before the Cold War Kids remind us why they made such an impact upon entering the music scene a few years ago (7:15 at the Orion Stage). Dr. Dog will be folking it up as well (7:20 at the Horseshoe Casino Stage), right before we throw some deep southern rap your way with Yo Gotti a little later in the evening (8:50 at the Orion Stage).
Up next, R&B legend Al Green will be dropping so much soul on you, you might spontaneously call your last ex and sing her “I’m Still In Love With You” (9:00 at the Horseshoe Casino Stage). To cap the evening, alt rock icons Jane’s Addiction will be giving you a fix with what “Jane Says” and how they’ve “Been Caught Stealing” (10:50 at the Bud Light Stage).
Sunday (5/6) begins with a line-up switch. Although Jerry Lee Lewis was originally billed, he will be unable to play. No worries though, as Little Richard fills his spot with some material from the birth of rock & roll (5:25 at the Horseshoe Casino Stage). Civil Wars and their irresistible chemistry will immediately follow Little Richard (6:55 at the Horseshoe Casino Stage). If you’re up for some alt-rock instead, you can get your fill with ’90s rock outfit Bush (7:00 at the Bud Light Stage).
Alison Krauss & Union Stage will come bearing their amazing catalog and will be joined on stage by the musicianship of Jerry Douglas (8:30 at the Horseshoe Casino Stage). Overtly creative “rock” (err, they’re rock, right?) act Primus will also be performing (8:40 at the Orion Stage). Finally, stoner rap wizard Wiz Khalifa will blow your minds (and maybe a few smoke rings) to cap the evening (8:50 at the Bud Light Stage).
With an overload of amazing music coming through Memphis, it’d be stupid to avoid such a good time. Come out and rock out by the river with us!