The Beale Street Music Festival brings in more “teen favorite” artists

Memphis has more to offer than good barbecue and blues around the month of May. That is when the yearly Memphis in May celebration kicks off with the Beale Street Music Festival April 29 to May 1. While the Music Festival is not a place for children, it is a place for teenagers and adults alike hoping to see their favorite performers.

Memphisinmay.org announced the line up for 2011 on March 3, and the topic has been buzzing since. Teen favorites Ke$ha, Jason Mraz, MGMT, and B.o.B. will be joining in the ranks this year. A taste of these famous, music sensations will leave one anticipating the day they take the stage in Memphis, Tennessee.

“I’m actually excited for the Beale Street Music Festival this year. Usually I don’t know any of the bands playing!” said junior Jordan Young.

While some may be aware of these new additions and their music, others may feel in the dark. These four musicians are in completely different genres, have different sounds, and perform on different levels.

Ke$ha Ke$ha hit 2010 with a bang by producing 3 #1 songs on the Billboard charts and in 2011 her “Get $leazy” tour was completely sold out. Her songs are full of techno/pop beats and her distinct voice. “Tik Tok” was her break out song in 2010, and the catchy lyrics along with the upbeat music quickly reached #1 on the Billboard charts. Another song that found itself #1 on the Billboard charts was “Your Love is My Drug” which featured more of Ke$ha’s unique voice and then came “We R Who We R” which catapulted into success quickly. The words of the song are, if possible, catchier then those in “Tik Tok,” and the producers put a lot more stop and go beats into this song. She has sold 18 million tracks altogether in the United States alone and 23 million worldwide, including her smash breakthrough single “TiK ToK” which has sold over 8.5 million tracks and ringtones.

Jason Mraz

As a roots rock/pop rock/alternative/blue-eye soul genre musician, Mraz stands out amongst the other famous musicians that will be at Music Fest. Best known for the song “I’m Yours,” a soft love ballad that holds t

he record for the longest running song on Billboard’s “Hot 100”, was ASCAP 2010’s “Song of the Year,” and is the first song ever to top four different pop radio formats. He has since used his fame to talk about his environmental views, which helped him receive honors from the Environmental Media Association. He has recently received two Teen Choice Awards and received the Hall of Fame’s highly honored Hal David Starlight Award. His music usually contains a soft guitar, piano, and drums. His songs are usually slow, and ballad-like. He expresses his feelings of love, and his hope for peace through his music.

MGMT

Differing completely from most of the bands climbing onstage at the Music Festival, MGMT offers a genre of music called psychedelic rock. This type of music has combined the softness of hippie music with the edgier sound of rock. They were pegged as one of the “Artists to Watch” in 2008 by Rolling Stone, and so far they’ve been watched climbing higher on the music ladder.

B.o.B.

A performer who is most known for his collaboration “Airplanes” parts one and two which featured rapper Eminen and lead vocalist Hayley Williams from Paramore,B.o.B. is an artist and producer straight from Atlanta and is now debuting his new album, “B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray.” His lyrics not only hold deep meaning but also help a listener paint a picture and enjoy the performance as much as he does.

“I’m excited to see the bands I do know and the ones I don’t even know,” said parent Laura Martin.

While Memphis and May draws all sorts of crowds, the music festival draws those who enjoy different sounds. With such a ride range this year, young and old can be exposed to new genres and their favorite artists. The Beale Street Music Festival goes on another year, bringing in completely different sounds to attract different crowds.

News Brief: Memphis in May returns

The 33rd annual Memphis in May International Festival kicks off the month with the Beale Street Music Festival on April 30.

Four stages will be filled with over 60 musical artists, including Mutemath, Colbie Caillat, Goo Goo Dolls, The B-52s, Boys Like Girls, and 3 Doors Down. Tickets purchased at the gate cost $37.

Also, Memphis will be honoring the country Tunisia May 3-9. Tunisia is located in Northern Africa, and many members of the country will present lectures of the lifestyle there.

Then, on May 13, the annual Championship BBQ Contest begins where over 200 teams will compete for over $110,000 in prizes and ultimate bragging rights. The event will take place in Tom Lee Park.

To end this spectacular festival, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra will be performing at the Autozone Sunset Symphony on May 29. Beginning at 6 p.m., families and friends will gather by the Mississippi River to enjoy great music and fellowship.