How Grind City Amp plans to expand live music in Memphis

By , Daily Memphian Updated: November 13, 2025 6:25 AM CT | Published: November 13, 2025 4:00 AM CT

When Nick Barbian snuck out of his parents’ house in rural Wisconsin to go see Green Day as a teenager, it changed his life. 

A music promoter with more than 20 years of experience, Barbian is now helping to lead Grind City Amp toward its opening in the spring. 

Barbian joined me on “The Sidebar” to talk about the goals for the outdoor venue located at Grind City Brewing in North Memphis, the kinds of acts they are pursuing, and how Grind City Amp fits into a growing list of local concert venues. 


Sound Bites: The evolution of Grind City Brewing Co.


Take a listen.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

“The Sidebar,” which airs every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. on WYXR 91.7 FM, is also available as a podcast here on the website or wherever you get your podcasts.

Note: WYXR is a partnership between Crosstown Concourse, the University of Memphis and The Daily Memphian. As part of that partnership, I serve on the board of Crosstown Radio Partnership, which owns and oversees WYXR.

Topics

The Sidebar Grind City Amp Grind City Brewing
Eric Barnes

Eric Barnes

Eric Barnes is CEO of The Daily Memphian, host of Behind the Headlines on WKNO-TV, host of The Sidebar on WYXR 91.7, and the author of four novels.


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