Mempho Music Fest brings The Black Crowes, My Morning Jacket, more to Botanic Garden

Mempho Music Festival returns this week, with the sixth edition of the fall concert event set for Friday-Sunday at Radians Amphitheater at Memphis Botanic Garden.

The 2023 lineup will be led by The Black Crowes, My Morning Jacket and Turnpike Troubadours, while another 20-plus artists will perform on three stages over the course of three days for total crowds expected to exceed 30,000.

Here are five things to know before you go to Mempho.

Mempho Music Festival's history

Originally conceived as something of a fall counterpoint to Memphis in May's Beale Street Music Festival, Mempho Music Festival was launched in 2017 at Shelby Farms Park, returning music to the scenic outdoor setting for the first time in nearly two decades.

The fest continued at Shelby Farms through 2019, with a fairly impressive array of headliners over the years, including Post Malone, Wu-Tang Clan, Jack White's group The Raconteurs and Anderson .Paak.

The 2020 festival, however, was canceled due to COVID-19. In 2021, Mempho came back with a new home at the Radians Amphitheater at the Botanic Garden. The move was a success, both in terms of attendance and logistics, and the Garden remains homebase for the fest.

“The Botanic Garden has proven to be a great partner, and Radians is a terrific facility,” says Mike Smith, Mempho co-producer and veteran music booker. “The bands appreciate it when they drive in and see how well things are set up — the infrastructure side of it is a huge benefit.

“And it feels good there, particularly for the type of artists we bring in and the vibe we’re setting. The nature, the water, the trees — it fits and accents the whole feeling we want to create with this festival.”

Mempho's headliners

This year’s headlining acts at Mempho fall into a few categories: big name indie rock bands, beloved jam-oriented outfits and emergent roots rockers.

The biggest name of the fest, reunited Southern rockers The Black Crowes, will top the bill on Friday’s opening night. Indie-roots explorers My Morning Jacket will be the featured act Saturday night. While Oklahoma country ramblers Turnpike Troubadours will close things out Sunday evening.

Go a little bit lower on the bill, and you’ll still find plenty of worthwhile acts including Philly cult rockers Ween, alt music veterans Dinosaur Jr. and indie pop outfit Band of Horses (all playing Saturday night).

Smith says the big-picture thinking in terms of the fest’s booking is to create a lineup, “that fans would be interested seeing all the artists,” Smith said. “Sometimes you come to a festival with dozens of acts, but you only see one or two. With Mempho we’ve strived to create a lineup that you might be interested in seeing every band, or at least multiple bands.

“Over the years, our booking has stared to build itself," Smith notes. "Now, because we’ve been doing this for a number of years with positive results, we get acts reaching out to us. So, we’re able to pick and choose who we want to be part of the fest.”

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Mid-South favorites at Mempho

The festival will also offer up plenty of local and regional flavor. Old school Oxford, Mississippi, roots favorites Kudzu Kings will be among anticipated acts appearing at Mempho. Other notable locals performing include premier post-punk band Aquarian Blood and eclectic R&B crew Hope Clayburn’s Soul Scrimmage, as well as multiple sets from the Sacred Soul Review, featuring gospel groups the Dedicated Men of Zion and Faith & Harmony.

“Local music has always been a big component for the festival, and for me personally, going back to when I was booking Young Ave Deli,” Smith said. “I love the idea of the festival showcasing talent from around Memphis.

“A fan of The Black Crowes or My Morning Jack who's coming to Mempho will also get a chance to see some great bands they’ve never seen before. It’s a good way to connect local audiences with local music.”

Incendia offers 'awe-inspiring experience'

One of the other popular features of the festival is Incendia — which Mempho organizers describe as a “a mobile, modular artistic installation and interactive event space designed to create a unique and awe-inspiring experience for all those who enter."

Essentially a silent disco event, it's played out beneath a geodesic structure that shoots out a mesmerizing propane flame effect across its ceiling. Attendees can stand and look or dance as they watch the night sky lit up while live DJs spin, creating an unforgettable multi-sensory experience.

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Tickets to Mempho Music Festival

Three-day passes, for both general admission and VIP access are still available. General admission passes are $195, while VIP are $660. VIP ticket packages include access to a front stage viewing area, complimentary parking, food and beverages credit, and access to various on-site amenities. Single-day general admission tickets are $95 each. Single-day VIP passes are $310. Tickets and passes are available at Memphofest.com.

Mempho Music Festival schedule

Doors open at 2 p.m. Sept. 29 and Sept. 30 and 1 p.m. Oct. 1

Friday, Sept. 29

Adams Keegan Stage

4:15 p.m. Kudzu Kings

6:30 p.m. Larkin Poe

9:30 p.m. The Black Crowes

Zyn Stage

3 p.m. Zach Person

5:30 p.m. Lucius

7:45 p.m. Joe Russo’s Almost Dead

Shell on Wheels Stage

2:30 p.m. Hope Clayburn’s Soul Scrimmage

3:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. Runaway Grooms

Saturday, Sept. 30

Adams Keegan Stage

4:15 p.m. Dinosaur Jr.

6:45 p.m. Band of Horses

9:30 p.m. My Morning Jacket

Zyn Stage

3 p.m. Courtney Marie Andrews

5:45 p.m. Paul Cauthen

8 p.m. Ween

Shell on Wheels Stage

2 p.m. Lucky 7 Brass Band

2:30 p.m. Aquarian Blood

3:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.: Sgt. Splendor feat. Kate Vargas and Eric McFadden

Sunday, Oct. 1

Adams Keegan Stage

3:15 Devon Gilfillian

5:45 p.m. Tash Sultana

8:15 p.m. Turnpike Troubadours

Zyn Stage

2 p.m. Billy Allen & The Pollies

4:30 p.m. The War & Treaty

7 p.m. Lake Street Drive

Shell on Wheels Stage

1:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m.: Sacred Soul Review, feat. Dedicated Men on Zion and Faith & Harmony

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Mempho Music Festival 2023: Lineup, schedule, tickets and more