Beal Street Music Festival...

yellowwho

Anybody been or thinking about going?

And for those that have been please share you experiences of the festival

I'm thinking about traveling to go and just wanted to get some opinions on the festival, places to stay, things to do etc....while there.

Thanks.

Yellow Ledbelly

There was a time that I went to the festival five or six years in a row and always had a good time. The last time was probably 2001-02 I think. As i said it was always a good time, but it almost always rains at least a little bit and by Sunday it is a stinking mud pit...i can't remember ever going without it raining anyway. I live in central Mississippi and love Memphis. Probably the most economical options for hotels would be the comfort inn or the double tree but if you're looking for upscale go with the Peabody or the Westin. The Westin is across the street from the Forum and right behind Beale Street,which of course is the place to be for night life. BB Kings, Silky O'Sullivans, the Rum Boogie Cafe and on down the line are all cool bars to hang out in and there's plenty of food options to suit anyone on Beale. Do yourself a favor and go to Rendezvous for some barbeque. If you want to do some touristy stuff there's a gibson factory right there and Sun Studios is an interesting tour if for no other reason than the history of it....even if you're not a fan of any of those guys I mean. And of course there's Graceland if that's your thing....pretty interesting. During the festival there was always plenty of bands playing outside on Beale Street and sometimes its just as cool to grab a Big Ass Beale Beer and a seat in the park to listen instead of battling the festival crowd. Maybe i've been of some help. I would say you should definitely go spend a few days in Memphis though

yellowwho

Thanks for the info.
Probably going to try and book a room today

Yellow Ledbelly

No problem. I saw the schedule....this might actually be the year I need to go again.
Did you get a room?

yellowwho

I finally reserved a room today after calling about 25 of them, most of which are all booked up already. Was going to go with your pick at the comfort inn but no luck there. I'm staying at the best western gen x which is about 2 miles away, but at least I got a room. Where did you find the schedule? I've seen a few rumored ones but nothing official.

Yellow Ledbelly

Hell I'm sorry....what I looked at said 2012 but it was actually last year's lineup.
I guess it isn't finalized yet.
Enjoy yourself...the trolleys are your friend too by the way

yellowwho

Ya, I wanted to wait until the lineup came out to get a room, but the way its going I probably would be left without if I waited any longer. I'm sure it will still be a good time though. Another city to cross off the list. I also heard good things about that bbq place too.

The rumors I've heard so far are...Janes addiction, My Morning Jacket, Bush, megadeth, and florence and the machines so far........and maybe Ed will do his solo show there...he does have a big gap in his schedule around that time..

Yellow Ledbelly

Yeah it was always that way when I was a yearly goer. That lineup would be great for sure.
I can confirm Buddy Guy for Saturday via his website and that alone would be worth the price of entry for me

DewieCox

Pretty sure the lineup is usually announced first week of February.

Had some friends go back in HS, but never made it down. It seen some lean years as the lineup goes, but it's really picked back up the past few years.