Mempho Music Festival, brought to you by Big River Presents, has announced the lineup for its second edition, which will return to Memphis, Tennessee, on October 6th and 7th, 2018. Nestled in the heart of Shelby Farms Park, Mempho Fest blends today’s top performers with Memphis’ rich musical history, creating a festival experience filled with music, food, and nature for people of all ages. This year, for the first time ever at Shelby Farms Park, camping and “glamping” options will be available.
The second-annual Mempho Fest will feature headlining performances from Grammy Award winners Beck and Phoenix on Saturday. On Sunday, modern hip-hop supernova Post Malone and the legendary MC, Nas, will head the bill. The full 2018 lineup proudly boasts Grammy-nominated funkstress and Prince protégé Janelle Monáe, indie-rock prince Mac DeMarco, German folk rockers Milky Chance, Atlanta-based rapper Rich The Kid, and iconic funk-music collective George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic. Also joining the 2018 lineup are nationally recognized acts Larkin Poe, Sam Lewis, The Como Mamas, and psychedelic-bluegrass supergroup Danny Barnes’ Space Program, featuring banjo virtuoso Danny Barnes, drummer Jeff Sipe, guitarist Mike Seal, and bassist Eric Thorin.
Here is a look at the best moments from 2017:
Derived from Memphis’ vibrant music scene, fans will be treated to legendary hometown get-downs from Juicy J, Project Pat, Lucero, Eric Gales, The Bar-Kays, Don Bryant & The Bo-Keys, Big Ass Truck, John Nemeth & The Love Light Orchestra, Boo Mitchell & The Kings, Talibah Safiya, and Cory Branan.
Additionally, world-renowned keyboardist and The Rolling Stones’ musical director Chuck Leavell will host a very special “Stones Throw” set. The performance will explore the extensive catalog of The Rolling Stones and feature current and former backing band members of the pioneering rock act, including Bernard Fowler (vocals), Darryl Jones (bass), Tim Ries (sax), and Karl Denson (sax).
Following the festival’s inaugural Memphis tribute set last year, which honored Stax Records, the 2018 festival will honor its Memphis heritage with a tribute set dedicated to Royal Studios, one of the most iconic music recording studios in the world. Led by Grammy Award-winning producer Boo Mitchell—son of Willie Mitchell (1928-2010), the founder of Royal Studios who hosted notable sessions with Al Green, Chuck Berry, and more–the Royal Studios Tribute will feature Grammy Award winners William Bell and Bobby Rush, Oscar Award winner Frayser Boy, and Grammy Award-nominated Hi Rhythm Section.
“We are thrilled to be back at Shelby Farms Park for year two of the great Mempho Music Festival,” says Mempho Music Festival founder, Diego Winegardner. “We couldn’t be more excited to announce this year’s lineup, which includes an extraordinarily diverse roster of today’s hottest artists, legends of rock, funk, and soul, as well as a healthy dose of local Memphis talent.”
Mempho Music Festival is the first major music festival held in the natural splendor of Shelby Farms Park, which plays host to a diverse range of outdoor activities including biking, canoeing, zip lining, horseback riding, and more. Building off Mempho Fest’s inaugural year, in 2018, the festival will offer multiple live music stages and an interactive dome that melds together the worlds of music, art, science, and design.
Mempho Music Festival and Mempho Matters, Mempho’s non-profit organization, remain committed to creating a lasting and positive impact in Memphis through “Learn To Rock”, a philanthropy-based arts education and funding initiative. Working with Memphis area businesses and community leaders, we are providing many Memphis area music teachers and their students admission to Mempho at no cost.
New to 2018, Mempho Music Festival is partnering with the Memphis Area Women’s Council to promote the Memphis Says NO MORE campaign—aimed at raising awareness for domestic violence and sexual assault—by providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all attendees. Mempho has also jumped on board the #BringYourSoul movement, celebrating the originality, soul, and change that Memphis is known for. Additionally, Mempho Music Festival has teamed up with the Oceanic Global Foundation—a non-profit that educates individuals on issues impacting our ocean through art, music, and emerging technologies—and is proud to take the pledge to go completely straw-free!
This year, Mempho Music Festival has partnered with CID Entertainment to provide VIP and Super VIP experiences, including on-site camping and glamping options. For more information on packages, click HERE.
Here is a look at the daily line up:
On Saturday, October 6th, Mempho Music Festival will see headlining performances from Grammy Award winners Beck and Phoenix, as well as Grammy-nominated funkstress and Prince protégé Janelle Monáe, German folk rockers Milky Chance, and Three 6 Mafia co-founder Juicy J with his fellow Memphis rapper and brother, Project Pat. The Saturday lineup continues with Lucero, Eric Gales, Big Ass Truck, Larkin Poe, Cory Branan, Talibah Safiya, Boo Mitchell & The Kings featuring URiAH Mitchell, Lil Al & G Reub, and The Product. Saturday will also see a tribute set dedicated to Royal Studios–led by Grammy Award-winning producer Boo Mitchell—featuring Grammy Award-winners William Bell and Bobby Rush, Oscar Award-winner Frayser Boy, and Grammy Award-nominated Hi Rhythm.
On Sunday, October 7th, Mempho Music Festival’s lineup is topped by modern hip-hop supernova Post Malone and the legendary MC, Nas, and will see performances from indie-rock prince Mac DeMarco, Atlanta-based rapper Rich The Kid, and iconic funk-music collective George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic. Also joining the Sunday lineup are The Bar-Kays, Don Bryant & The Bo-Keys, Sam Lewis, John Nemeth & The Lovelight Orchestra, and Danny Barnes’ Space Program. “Stones Throw”, led by world-renowned keyboardist and The Rolling Stones’ musical director Chuck Leavell and featuring current and former backing band members Bernard Fowler (vocals), Darryl Jones (bass), Tim Ries (sax), and Karl Denson (sax), will explore the expansive catalog of The Rolling Stones on Sunday as well.
15-year-old guitar phenom Brandon “Taz” Niederauer will serve as the weekend’s artist-at-large. More artists TBA.
For More Information, Tickets, and VIP Packages for Mempho Music Festival 2018, visit: memphofest.com.
Mempho Fest on the Web:
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Twitter: twitter.com/memphofest
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