Beale Street Music Festival - Beale Street, Memphis, 6/5/2017
by L. Paul Mann
published: 27 / 5 / 2017
intro
On the second day of the Beale Street Music Festival L. Paul Mann enjoys sets from amongst others John Paul White of Civil War, blues guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks, Wiz Khalifa and Death Cab For Cutie
Day 2 of the Beale Street Music Festival began on a beautiful, sun-drenched afternoon with the mighty wind of the days before, subsiding. Just after 2 PM, early concert-goers were treated to the first set of the day in the Blues tent by the Daddy Mack Blues Band. The Memphis blues veterans are lead by singer-guitarist, Daddy Mack Orr, who has been compared to Albert King in sound and style. The band is a fixture on Beale Street and an authentic taste of local blues music. The Blues Tent features its own full-service bar and an IPA beer, and a shot of premium whiskey could be purchased for about the price of a ballpark Budweiser. The tent opens onto the bank of the Mississippi river, and some concertgoers choose to lounge in the sun on the grassy bank. The shelter offers up an impressive view of the shipping traffic along the river and the spectacular bridges connecting the city to Arkansas across the waterway. Next on the Blues tent stage to play was another Memphis treasure, Blind Mississippi Morris, who sings and plays a smoking harmonica. He was followed by an extraordinary set by Carlos Elliot Jr. and his band. The singer-guitarist, who describes his sound as Columbian Hills Blues music, has much in common with Carlos Santana in guitar style, but with a Columbian roots music twist. While the band jammed, the animated Elliot would frequently jump into the audience and spend time around the crowd, even playing on his back. The set sent much of the crowd into a dance frenzy. Virginia-based Corey Harris and his band took over the stage next with an intense blues sound mixed with tinges of Reggae music. Chicago blues prodigy Ronnie Baker Brooks played next. Ronnie is the son of the legendary musician, Lonnie Brooks, who just passed away a month before the festival. Ronnie showcased his singing and guitar talent and brought out some special guests who appeared on his new album. These included Memphis rapper, Al Kapone, and rocker, Big Head Todd. The awesome set featured Brooks playing his guitar all throughout the tent. The schedule Saturday featured 26 performances crammed into the five stages, so music fans had to choose which performances to watch, as many of them were conducted simultaneously. The River Stage opened with Memphis rockers, Dead Soldiers. Their clean, southern rock sounds have been compared to rock greats, The Band. In a nod to Cinco de Mayo, which was the day before, the next band to play the stage appeared in Mexican ponchos and sombreros with a bottle of Tequila. The Cape Cod Indie rockers, Highly Suspect, played an irreverent and totally fun set, jumping into the crowd and crowd surfing with abandon. The Los Angeles rockers, Silversun Pickups, took over the stage at sunset and played a blistering set of guitar-drenched rock, led by charismatic singer-guitarist, Brian Aubert. With a vibe not unlike the Smashing Pumpkins, the band is well known for their ferocious, live performances and they did not disappoint the Memphis crowd. As night fell, the New York Indie rockers, X Ambassadors, took over the stage, immersed in a stunning light show. The ever-growing crowd surged towards the stage, as the talented quartet rocked into the night. The Bellingham Alternative rockers, Death Cab For Cutie, closed the stage with a set, that was much more intense than they usually play. The large adulating crowd seemed to be entranced by the vocals of lead singer, Ben Gibbard. The Bud Light Stage featured a jam-packed diverse, line-up for Saturday. Memphis rapper, Lil Wyte, opened the stage with an energetic set. The Kongos played next. The group of four South African brothers may be the heir apparents to the African-tinged pop rock sounds of Johnny Clegg and Savuka. That band brought the unique South African rock music to the world in the late 70’s. The brothers have taken the sound into new territory with a much more sophisticated beat. The only act to cater to EDM fans at the festival played the stage next, with a well-received set by Griz. The experimental sax player played alongside his DJ, who mixed dance-inducing beats to the delight of a young crowd in the afternoon sun. Rap wizard, Wiz Khalifa, closed the stage in front of a huge crowd with a jaw-dropping set, along with a tight band of backing musicians. The main Fedex Stage featured a diverse line up as well throughout the day. Memphis musician, Amy Lavere, opened with a set tinged with classical music and other incorporated genres. The charismatic John Paul White of Civil Wars fame brought his biting and introspective southern rock lyrics to the stage next. Los Angeles Indie rockers, Dawes,.played a pleasing set next. The Drive-By Truckers brought their Athens southern roots music to the stage as the sun began to set. They were followed by an animated set by The Revivalists. The seven-piece, New Orleans band are also music festival veterans who know how to wow the crowd. The Kings of Leon closed the stage with their intense rock sound in front of a large crowd. But for many, the closing sets by Wiz Khalifa and Death Cab For Cutie, which was occurring simultaneously on the other stages, were much more appealing. The musical choices on Saturday seemed to be overwhelming, but most everyone in the audience seemed to find a niche that they enjoyed.
Band Links:-
http://www.memphisinmay.org/events/beale-street-music-festival/https://www.facebook.com/bealestreetmusicfestival/
https://twitter.com/bealestmusicfes
Picture Gallery:-
live reviews |
Beale Street, Memphis, 4/5/2018....6/5/2018 |
L. Paul Mann enjoys the blues-oriented annual three-day Beale Street Music Festival at Memphis in Tennessee. |
Beale Street, Memphis, 5/5/2017 |
Beale Street, Memphis, 7/5/2017 |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #5 - ‘We all have good intentions/ But all with strings attached’: Music and Mental Health Part 2
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Madeline Bell - Interview
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesBill Wyman - Drive My Car
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Philip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Deep Purple - =1
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart