Guide to Beale Street Music Festival

One of the most exciting times of the year for many music lovers is The Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis, and this year promises to be one of the best yet! Over 50 legendary, up-and-coming, and Academy Award winning performers are showing up to perform. An entire range of musical talent will be showcased, with the Allman Brothers Band, Three 6 Mafia, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Daughtry to highlight a few of the bigger stars.

Even though there are more performers than most people will see in their lifetime, there is still quite a bit of other activities to become involved with during the festival. Everywhere throughout the downtown area and Beale Street, travelers will find street vendors offering everything from grilled corn on the cob to deep fried hamburgers and gyros. Travelers who want to eat away from the crowds would probably enjoy the Hard Rock Cafe or Blues City Cafe. But also, travelers will enjoy other aspects of what major news networks have labeled the "Mardi Gras of the Mid-South", such as the extensive street parties that extend for blocks. Staying at Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel is a great way to bring this entire music festival to a close for the night.

Performers

May 4

The Allman Brothers Band
Three 6 Mafia
Koko Taylor
Gym Class Heroes
Gov't Mule
Social Distortion
Richard Johnston
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Jerry Lee Lewis
Chevelle
Hubert Sumlin & Willie Big Eyes Smith
Plain White T's
The Derek Trucks Band
North Mississippi Allstars
Popa Chubby

May 5

Steely Dan
Godsmack
George Thorogood
Bobby "Blue" Bland
The Bar-Kays
Wolfmother
The Ohio Players
Walter Trout & the Radicals
Kenny Wayne Shephard
Taking Back Sunday
Taj Mahal
Ryan Shaw
Kelley Hunt
Old Crow Medicine Show
Jack's Mannequin
The John Butler Trio
Alvin Youngblood Hart
Eddie Floyd
One Less Reason
The Duhks
Daddy Mack Blues Band

May 6

Counting Crows
John Legend
Hinder
Elvin Bishop
Barenaked Ladies
Corinne Bailey Rae
Daughtry
Tab Benoit
Guster
Edwin McCain
Project Pat
Backdoor Slam
Umphrey's McGee
Ann Peebles
Papa Roach
Watermelon Slim
Billy Lee Riley
Egypt Central
The Lee Boys
James "Super Chikan" Johnson