When Forbes takes a long, thoughtful look at Memphis and declares it “one of the best live music destinations of 2026,” we pay attention and then we take notes.
In a recent feature, “A River City Revival for Live Music in Memphis,” Forbes mapped out the people, places, and institutions powering a very real Memphis music renaissance.
Here’s a who’s who of what Forbes says is helping Memphis set the stage for what’s next.
The Places Powering the Sound
These are the spaces where Memphis music lives, breathes, and keeps evolving:
- Crosstown Concourse: A creative ecosystem housing radio, archives, art, and community under one massive roof
- WYXR 91.7 FM: Independent radio keeping Memphis sounds loud, local, and fearless
- Memphis Listening Lab: A free, world-class music archive preserving the legacy (and future) of sound
- Central Station Memphis: Hilton’s iconic Downtown Memphis hotel at Memphis’ Amtrack station where hospitality meets vinyl culture
- Eight & Sand: A custom-built record lounge pulling global DJs into Downtown Memphis at the Central Station Hotel
- Big S Grill & Lounge: A no-frills South Memphis juke joint where legends casually show up
- Overton Park Shell: Rock ‘n’ roll’s launchpad, celebrating 90 years of history in Midtown Memphis
- Shell on Wheels: Taking live music directly into Memphis neighborhoods
- FedExForum: Home of arena-sized moments (and the Memphis Grizzlies)
- Grind City Amphitheater: A new 4,500-seat venue anchoring Uptown Memphis’ future
- Live Nation Satellite Music Hall: A major new room filling the mid-size venue gap across the street from Crosstown Concourse
- Beale Street: Memphis’ most well-known street where the blues was born. Still seven days a week, still the blues heartbeat
- Sun Studio: A legendary recording studio known as the “Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll”
- Stax Records: One of the most popular soul music record labels of all time
- American Sound Studios: Hit factory of the ‘60s and ‘70s
- Hi Records: Home of the Memphis soul sound
The Festivals & Promoters Bringing It All Together
These folks are making sure Memphis stays on national tour maps:
- Mempho Presents: Local promoters bringing big acts home
- Mempho Music Fest: A modern Memphis music tradition
- Riverbeat Music Festival: Reclaiming the riverfront as a live music destination
The Memphians Carrying the Torch
Memphis music is built by its people both past and present.
Today’s Scene Shapers
- Jared “Jay B. / DJ Bizzle Bluebland” Boyd: WYXR program manager, DJ, historian
- DJ Nico: Blending house, techno, trap, and classical elements
- Qemist: Pushing electronic music forward with Memphis roots
- Chad Weekley: Memphis Listening Lab steward & Eight & Sand curator
- Chris Duncan: Founder of Where’s the Music Memphis
- Nick Barbian: Barbian Entertainment founder, Grind City Amphitheater visionary
- Daryl Andrews: Walking Pants Curiosities owner on Beale Street
- Singa Bromfield: “Prince of Blues,” advocate for nurturing local artists
The Legends (Because Memphis Never Forgets)
- Elvis Presley
- Ike & Tina Turner
- Johnny Cash
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Carl Perkins
- B.B. King
- Junior Parker
- Howlin’ Wolf
- W.C. Handy: Father of the Blues
- Robert Church: Built Beale Street’s foundation
- Otis Redding
- Wilson Pickett
- Booker T. & the M.G.’s
- Booker T. Jones
- Isaac Hayes
- Carla Thomas
- John King: Ardent Records co-founder
Modern Icons
Why This Matters
Forbes framed Memphis as a living, breathing music city. One where history fuels innovation, and where new venues, new artists, and deep-rooted authenticity are colliding at exactly the right moment.
As the article notes, Memphis may not always get the credit, but it always leaves the imprint.
And if Forbes is telling the world that Memphis is on the brink of a live music revival? We’ll just say what we always say:
The music never left. The world is just catching back up.
