Beale Street Music Festival, Home of Blues and Rock n Roll
Music lovers gathered in Memphis, Tennessee this past weekend for Beale Street Music Festival, located in Tom Lee Park on the Mississippi River. Fans lined up at the gates everyday, waiting for what was in store for them. Food trucks and merchandise stands were lined up and down the park, surrounding the three music stages. Everyone walked through the gate with a smile on their face, excited to enjoy live music all weekend.
Day One
Despite having sound issues, rock band Toadies came on stage ready to play. Beginning with ‘I Come from the Water’, the band immediately got the crowd involved. With a performance full of classic rock riffs and booming bass and drums it’s one you don’t want to miss.
After the sunset, The Lumineers came on stage promptly at 9:00 pm. The drummer rises from a platform, introducing the first song, ‘BRIGHTSIDE’. The crowd was instantly responsive. A cloudy night, a disco ball, and fireflies created the perfect vibe for the show. The band stopped to explain the deep meaning behind some of the songs making it a more touching performance. The Lumineers put their hearts and souls into the show and make it one to remember.
Photo: Blake Crandall
Day Two
Starting the day on Saturday, Sleep Theory entered the stage with an exciting vibe, diving right into the first song. Lead singer Cullen Moore jumps around the stage getting the crowd hyped up. Sleep Theory offers the perfect mix of metal and r&b.
Mac Saturn came on stage fired up and ready to perform, even after experiencing sound issues. Front man Carson Macc knows how to perfectly entertain the audience, effectively getting the entire crowd to join in on the fun. Even with the sweltering humid weather, it didn’t stop fans from dancing and having a good time. Mac Saturn offers elevated bass lines, stunning guitar riffs, and lyrics guaranteed to be stuck in your head. The band played unreleased songs ‘Mint Julep’ and ‘Get on the Phone’, then closed out the performance with ‘Plain Clothes Gentleman’.
From left to right; Mike Moody (Lead Guitar), Carson Macc (Vocals), Evan Mercer (Keys), Angelo Coppola (Drums), Jive Moses (Bass), and Nick Barone (Rhythm Guitar)
Photos: Madison Avery
At sunset on the Volkswagen stage, Colony House took the stage. The band stepped in at the last minute to replace White Reaper after one of the band members broke their collarbone. Colony House didn’t come to mess around. The drummer had already broken the snare drum after the second song. Song after song, the intense energy continued to increase. Playing a fan favorite song ‘Cannonballers’, the crowd went crazy. Colony House knows exactly how to grab the audience's attention and keep it.
Continuing to amp up the energy at the Volkswagen stage, British rock band The Struts, took the stage. The Struts have an indescribable aura that naturally draws you in. Front man Luke Spiller, moves animatedly around on stage, interacting with the crowd and stealing the attention of anyone walking by. Introducing a new song and playing a popular song ‘Body Talks’, the crowd just couldn’t get enough of The Struts.
“Greta! Greta! Greta!”, the audience chanted for headlining band Greta Van Fleet on Saturday. Fans traveled from all over for this performance and stayed at the barricade all day just to see Greta Van Fleet. From the second the band walked on stage, they were immediately feeding off the crowd's energy. After announcing their third studio album ‘Starcatcher’ earlier this year, Greta Van Fleet played two songs from the album. The band has this force that is so genuinely entrancing. Greta Van Fleet breaks gender norms, wearing makeup and rhinestones on their faces, sparkling under the stage lights. Wrapping up the night with ‘The Weight of Dreams’, Greta Van Fleet puts everything into the final song. The crowd was buzzing with adrenaline, fire and explosives going off on the stage, it wouldn’t be a Greta Van Fleet show without it.
Greta Van Fleet
Photo: Madison Avery
Day Three
Opening on the last day of the festival, pop rock band Beach Weather came out ready to party. The band performed songs from their recently released first studio album ‘Pineapple Sunrise’. Lead Singer Nick Santino, was cracking jokes and talking with the crowd in between each song. Beach Weather offers the perfect summer vibe with their set, especially with songs ‘Hard Feelings’ and ‘Unlovable’.
From left to right; Nick Santino (Vocals, Rhythm Guitar), Reeve Powers (Bass), Sean Silverman (Lead Guitar), Alex Silverman (Keys), and Jeremy Wolda (Drums)
Photos: Madison Avery
Indie-alternative rock band Moon Taxi, entered the stage with a heavy bass intro. The crowd was immediately hyped up, singing, and dancing. Moon Taxi provides snazzy guitar riffs and beautiful use of the synthesizer. The band announced their new album and played a new song as well.
As the sun was setting, quite the crowd had gathered for rock band Young the Giant. Opening their set with ‘Wake Up’, the song has a deep, heavy bass line and a light, airy guitar riff. Their performance was the first stop in their tour for the summer. Sameer Gadhia belted out incredible vocals while dancing and playing the tambourine. Young the Giant had everyone on their feet dancing for their entire set.
Fans of all ages had gathered for one of the last performances of the festival on Sunday night. People bouncing on their feet in anticipation for Robert Plant and Alison Krauss to come on stage. These two have incredible chemistry together after releasing two albums together. Playing new and old music, and even ‘Rock and Roll’ by Led Zeppelin, the pair glided flawlessly through their performance. Krauss pulled out a violin and Plant on the maracas for one song too.
Photos: Madison Avery