The Central High jazz band did it. They defeated bands from across the country — and around the world — to win the Essentially Ellington contest in New York. And, yes, there were many tears.

A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and a trio of R&B singers hit the Orpheum stage, hot New Orleans rappers come to the FedExForum, a plethora of gospel singers come to the Landers Center, and a satirical heavy-metal band travels to Minglewood Hall.

A pope movie returns to the big screen, GloRilla is throwing a bash and Memphians look ‘superfine' for a Met Gala party. 

Two concert bookers from Growlers join Minglewood Hall, precipitating changes at both venues. 

Ollie Liddell, the director of bands at Central High, wasn’t sure how his jazz band would get to the Essentially Ellington contest at Lincoln Center. Then Memphians came through for him.

Something for the rain and something for flair. At a music festival where fashion meets function, here’s what attendees were wearing. 

The third day of Riverbeat Music Festival included performances from Benson Boone, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Anderson .Paak and more.

Related content: 

Gallery: See photos from Riverbeat Music Festival Day 1

Gallery: See photos from Riverbeat Music Festival Day 2

The second day of Riverbeat Music Festival included performances from Cage the Elephant, Public Enemy, The Killers and more. 

Related content: 

Gallery: See photos from Riverbeat Music Festival Day 1

Calvary Episcopal Church will celebrate the reconstruction of its 1935 Aeolian-Skinner organ, which was nearly silenced by the 2023 theft of its pipes.

Friday marked the first day of Riverbeat Music Festival’s second three-day festival in Memphis as hundreds of attendees descended onto Tom Lee Park.

The first day of Riverbeat Music Festival saw performances from Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, Steve Aoki and more.

Related content: 

Gallery: See photos from Riverbeat Music Festival Day 2

During Riverbeat, be on the lookout for cameos from R&B group GAWD, composed of Los Angeles native Alana Linsey and Memphis native Alayna Rodgers.

GloRilla last performed at FedExForum last year as part of Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hot Girl Summer” tour.

Don’t know every band on the Riverbeat lineup? Daily Memphian staffers did the cold hard research into each artist performing at the Downtown Memphis music festival.

Sunday at Riverbeat includes psychedelic-rock band Jombi, Memphis instrumental group Salo Pallini, 2025 Best New Artist Grammy nominee Benson Boone and headliner Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals.

This guide is for Riverbeat’s Saturday lineup — day two.

Riverbeat is a three-day music festival held at Tom Lee Park on May 2-4, 2025. 

The lineup includes Flaming Lips, Sierra Ferrell, Mavis Staples, Father John Misty, Charley Crockett and The Pharcyde.

The Overton Park Shell’s free summer concert series opens and closes with local acts.

The president of the DeSoto County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which recently became part of a story about alleged racism in the firing of its executive director, says a broader “shakeup” will take local tourism to another level.

“We’re incredibly excited to celebrate the 25th season of Live at the Garden,” said the director.

Potts has 13 platinum singles and one platinum album.

Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium is hosting its first major music concert in nearly three decades.

The festival is held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, situated in the Coachella Valley.