Even if it doesn’t get the credit it deserves, the city of Memphis is truly one of the great music cities in the country. Year after year, one of the highlights of the Memphis music calendar is the Beale Street Music Festival. Taking place in the heart of the city, the Beale Street Music Festival is held the first weekend of May, which has been the case since the inaugural festival in 1977. While Memphis is mostly known for its roots in blues, the Beale Street Music Festival hosts artists from all genres, including some of today’s most popular recording artists. Since the festival lasts three days, there is something for everyone, making Beale Street Music Festival tickets a hot commodity for music fans from all over the country.

Memphis in May

Part of the reason that the Beale Street Music Festival is such a big deal is that it helps kick off the month-long Memphis in May International Festival. Every year, Memphis honors a different country for an entire month full of events, using the Beale Street Music Festival to help launch the celebration. The month-long celebration is filled with food, music, and countless special events. But it’s all centered around the Beale Street Music Festival, which always brings a great crowd and amazing performers.

A Storied History

The best way to understand just how special the Beale Street Music Festival is every year is to look at the long list of past performers. From the first years of the festival in the late 1970s, it has attracted some major artists, a trend that has continued to this day. In recent years, the list of artists has become even more prominent. Dating back to the early 90s, the likes of Ray Charles, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Al Green, Bob Dylan, Dave Mathews Band, Steely Dan, Santana, James Taylor, Neil Young, Ed Sheeran, Aretha Franklin, and many others have headlined the Beale Street Music Festival. The list goes on and on and changes every year, giving both festival regulars and newcomers a musical experience they’ll never forget.