The full lineup is out for this year’s Beale Street Music Festival, which takes place Friday, May 4th through Sunday, May 6th at Tom Lee Park.
Following last year’s more contemporary bent, this year’s festival skews young with probably the largest contingent of hip-hop artists ever (Wiz Khalifa, Pitbull, Lupe Fiasco, Childish Gambino, Big K.R.I.T., etc.).
Along with the festival’s familiar blend of strong local, blues, jam-rock, and hard-rock acts, the 2012 lineup also showcases emerging stars in blues (Gary Clark Jr.) and folk (the Civil Wars).
Three-day passes for the festival are $75 and are available through April 22nd. Single-day advance tickets are $32.50 and are available through May 3rd. General admission will be $40. See MemphisinMay.org for more info.
The Line-Up:
Friday
Bud Light Stage: My Morning Jacket, Florence + the Machine, Needtobreathe, North Mississippi Allstars
Early Read: An interestingly diverse and contemporary pairing at the top highlights this lineup, with experimental Kentucky roots-rockers My Morning Jacket joining London art-pop thrush Florence + the Machine.
Orion Stage: Evanescence, Megadeth, Three 6 Mafia, Volbeat
Early Read: Headbanger heaven in the form of ’80s metal heavyweights Megadeth, led by early Metallica member Dave Mustaine. And local legends Three 6 Mafia, who have been pretty quiet the last couple of years, make a return.
Horseshoe Casino Stage: Girl Talk, Lupe Fiasco, Sponge Cola, Breathe Carolina
Early Read: One-man party Girl Talk brings a new look to Music Fest with his hip-hop-fueled mash-ups, and gets a strong warm-up act in young Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco.
FedEx Blues Tent: Johnny Winter, Bernard Allison, Will Tucker, Jimbo Mathus & the Tri-State Coalition
Early Read: A lineup that runs the gamut, from veteran blues-rock legend Johnny Winter to young Memphis up-and-comer Will Tucker.
