Is there really a limit to how many times you can see MGMT, Snoop Dogg, and Wiz Khalifa? If you’re a regular attending Beale Street Music Festival, like me, the limit probably doesn’t exist.
This year’s lineup had mixed reactions, but for the most part, like my experience, it was a very pleasant one. I’ve attended this festival since I was about a junior in high school and normally I have had my fair share of complains. Usually, it’s just because someone sloshed mud on my new rainboots so, nothing too dramatic.
So I guess we should start with getting there? Yeah? Parking is accessible everywhere – it ranges from $5-$25. Just what you’re into, I guess. BSMF takes place in Tom Lee Park off Riverside Drive. Lucky for natives and visitors, the street is blocked off for everyone to safely cross. Once you get there, lines are designated. One for media and the rest are for patrons. Once you’re in, it’s time to find the stage.
Once we got in, it was time for us to strategically plan who we wanted to see. Some of the acts had overlapping times and in order to get a good spot, you had to go accordingly.
Friday
Ah, the first day of Music Fest is always exciting. The adrenaline rush you get from entering the gates. We got to see MGMT, Snoop, GroupLove, and new favorites, The Strumbellas. Also, my inner punk 18 year old self was LIVING when Taking Back Sunday and Sum 41 hit the stage.
Saturday
Kings of Leon has been a band I’ve dreamed of seeing for years. They’ve come to the Memphis/Nashville countless times, but due to scheduling conflicts, I never managed to see the act perform. I guess they weren’t lying when they said patience is a virtue, because this was well worth the 4 years I gave up seeing the group perform. Other highlights included our New Nine favorites, KONGOS, who killed it on the stage. I’ll forever love John Paul White, but so much of me also misses The Civil Wars. Because set times were really close, we got to peep a few songs from X Ambassadors and Death Cab for Cutie. Of course, we also made time to see Wiz Khalifa and 2 Chainz because you just have to.
Sunday
Once I fully recovered from Saturday’s activities, I was ready for the final day of BSMF. I had always heard how legendary Chriss Cornell’s performances were, so of course I had to go check out Soundgarden. I didn’t know this would have been one of Cornell’s performances, but I’m glad I went and got to experience this in person. We also saw our new California obsession, Bahari. We caught a bit of Machine Gun Kelly’s set, too. Kind of in my feelings he didn’t bring Little Mix so they could perform “No More Sad Songs” together, but I guess the girls are busy getting ready for their own tour. You can’t have everything, I suppose. Finally, the main act I was ready to see was Tori Kelly. Yes, she’s as amazing as you’d expect.
