Memphis Music Festival Transforms Last-Minute Shake-Up into Exciting New Lineup
Memphis is buzzing with excitement as it prepares for the upcoming Mempho Music Festival, scheduled to take place from October 4 to October 6 at the beautiful Radians Amphitheater nestled within the Memphis Botanic Garden. As the festival’s seventh iteration draws near, festival producer Jeff Bransford shares the surprising twists that have led to an electrifying headliner change.
Queens of the Stone Age Canceled, Jack White Steps In
This year’s festival was initially set to feature the iconic Queens of the Stone Age as one of its main attractions. However, the excitement turned into a challenge when the band had to cancel its performance just a few weeks ago due to lead singer Josh Homme’s health issues. Bransford received the cancellation notice just three days before the announcement was made to the public. This left the festival team racing against the clock to find a replacement.
But fear not, as fate had other plans! They quickly turned to their talent buyer and, within just 72 hours, managed to sign Jack White as a last-minute headliner! Bransford explained that White’s current tour format embraces the idea of “pop-up” shows, which made it easier for Mempho to book him on such short notice.
Adapting to Change
In light of losing Queens of the Stone Age, the festival had to quickly adapt numerous aspects of their planning. This meant updating marketing materials and merchandise that had already been printed with the original headliner’s name. Bransford noted, “We were extremely happy that Jack White was available to play. The situation was challenging, but the outcome was great.” It seems that not only is the festival team excited, but fans are already buzzing with enthusiasm about the surprise headliner.
An Eclectic Lineup Awaits
With Jack White now signed on, the festival promises an impressive lineup filled with diverse musical acts. Festival-goers can look forward to performances by Cody Jinks on Friday, Trey Anastasio & Classic Tab on Saturday, and, of course, Jack White taking the stage on Sunday.
Other artists rounding out the festival include renowned names such as The Roots, Goose, Sublime with Rome, and many more. There’s even a special annual Sunday gospel celebration, featuring the Legendary Jubilee Hummingbirds that festival-goers won’t want to miss!
VIP Experience and Charitable Opportunities
This year’s festival is not just about great music; it’s also an opportunity to give back to the community. The festival is partnering with Positive Legacy to host a charity auction benefitting the Stax Museum Academy and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Up for grabs will be signed guitars, posters, and other exclusive memorabilia. Bransford expressed his excitement, mentioning, “There’s going to be a lot of great elements within that auction that’ll go to benefit those worthy causes.”
For those looking for a more luxurious experience, VIP options are available, providing access to exclusive amenities like gourmet food from award-winning chefs, private lounges, and even air-conditioned restrooms. Prices for tickets vary, with single-day general admission starting at $120 and three-day VIP packages priced at $770.
Looking Ahead to More Music in Memphis
As a community, Memphis has shown its love for music and events like the Mempho Music Festival. This year’s festival blooms in the light of other recent events such as the SmokeSlam barbecue contest and RiverBeat Music Festival, which both enjoyed great success this past May. Those events are set to return in May 2024, providing even more reasons for music lovers to look forward to the Memphis music scene next spring.
As the countdown to October begins, music fans across the region are gearing up for a weekend filled with unforgettable performances, community spirit, and, of course, plenty of good vibes!
