After 18 months of planning and construction, Memphis’ latest concert venue, Satellite Music Hall, will officially open its doors this week.
Operated by the Beverly Hills, California, entertainment giant Live Nation, Satellite Music Hall is located at 1291 Autumn Ave. adjacent to Crosstown Concourse, which owns the property. The 35,000-square-foot indoor venue is expected to book between 80 and 100 shows annually. Memphis-rooted group The Band Camino will serve as the venue's inaugural act, performing a two-night stand on Sept. 4 and 5, with an additional 30 concerts and events planned before the end of the year.
Satellite — which features a oversized stage, state-of-the-art sound and light system and plush backstage amenities for artists including
an enclosed patio area — will have a max capacity of 1,300, with a fully seated capacity of 500. The venue includes a three-tiered balcony area, and a VIP room in the style of a Japanese listening lounge.
“Memphis has a rich music history,” Live Nation executive Ted Heinig said, “and we saw an opportunity to honor that history while contributing to its next chapter in music.”
For Heinig, Vice President of Live Nation Southeast, the development of Satellite Music Hall offers “the kind of venue that today's touring artists want to play.”
“When you have the right room, it changes what's possible for a market," he said. "The 1,300 capacity fills a gap in the market for a purpose-built venue of this size. We’re looking to bring more national touring acts to Memphis."
Todd Richardson, the president and CEO of Crosstown Concourse, said the entry of Live Nation into the local market promises to be a major boon.
“It’s a fantastic addition to Memphis’ musical ecosystem,” he said, noting the instant credibility Live Nation brings to the venture. “You've got an organization in Live Nation that can bring in a hundred shows a year. Not just anyone can do that, or do it as well as they can. We have the luxury of pointing to the calendar as proof of concept.”
Richardson added that the synergy between Satellite and Crosstown Concourse will offer a unique experience for touring artists. “They can come play this amazing new venue,” said Richardson, “and they can go to the Memphis Listening Lab, they can go do an interview or play live on WYXR as promotion, record at Southern Grooves studio, experience the arts at Crosstown Arts and all the restaurants and amenities and then afterwards just walk across the street to an apartment and stay overnight. We have a lot to offer in that sense.”
Live Nation’s Heinig noted that Crosstown is “already a thriving creative community with arts organizations, music programs, recording studios and a real culture of collaboration."
"With the accessible location in Midtown, all of the nearby restaurants and entertainment, and an environment where fans feel comfortable spending the evening, it checked every box for us," he said. "We wanted Satellite Music Hall to seamlessly become part of the neighborhood and add to the Crosstown experience when Memphians stop by to experience a show.”
Ultimately, for Richardson the presence of Satellite Music Hall should help further boost awareness of Crosstown Concourse. “We’re constantly trying to get more people here,” he said. “Downtown and Midtown people know and love Crosstown, but once you get into East Memphis or the suburbs or even the more general Mid-South region, it's a much lower percentage. Maybe people have heard of Crosstown, but they don't really understand what it is. We really hope that Satellite will be a big draw for the entire Mid-South, and that a lot of new people will be discovering Crosstown for the first time in the process.”
Having signed a long-term lease, Live Nation has clearly made a strong commitment to Satellite and the Crosstown neighborhood.
“We recently hired over 100 employees in the area to staff the venue,” said Heinig, who noted that Live Nation has has also partnered with the Stax Music Academy to give local students hands-on experience in the music industry with Satellite serving as a launchpad for their careers. “We’re eager to continue to contribute to the fabric of Memphis.”
Richardson observed that success for Satellite Music Hall “isn’t going to be about this week or next month or even the next year, but 10 years from now,” said Richardson. “Funnily enough, next year is Crosstown Concourse’s 10-year anniversary, and we believe Live Nation is looking at Satellite Music Hall the same way. They've doubled down on their commitment to Memphis. They've come out of the box swinging with a fantastic lineup of bands.
“Now, we as Memphians have to buy tickets and show up and go to the shows. A lot of that will be down to our operations, and we expect to provide a seamless, easy, safe, wonderful live music experience for everyone.”
Bob Mehr is the music writer at The Commercial Appeal. Contact him at bob.mehr@commercialappeal.com.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Satellite Music Hall ready to usher in 'next chapter' in Memphis music
