Southern jam band Widespread Panic and electric pioneer Pretty Lights will headline the 2026 Mempho Music Festival. The ninth edition of the fall music fest will see some 40 acts and DJs perform Oct. 9-11 at the Memphis Botanic Garden’s Radians Amphitheater.
Launched in 2017 and produced by Forward Momentum and Mempho Presents, the festival is another highlight for the concert promoters, who also stage the spring RiverBeat Music Festival at Tom Lee Park.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of this year’s Mempho Music Festival.
Who's playing Mempho this year?
Pretty Lights will headline Oct. 9, while Mempho perennials Widespread Panic will return to headline on both Oct. 10 and 11.
Other notable artists
set to appear include Austin alternative band Spoon, blues-rocker Gary Clark Jr., reggae artist Ziggy Marley and instrumental outfit STS9, while Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell will bring his band The Dirty Knobs to perform.
Canadian indie outfit Broken Social Scene, swamp rockers JJ Grey & Mofro and veteran Los Angeles combo Fishbone will also appear alongside New York rap greats De La Soul — who were set to appear at the RiverBeat Music Festival in May but canceled at the last minute.
Additional acts playing the festival’s three stages include Grammy-winning bassist and Memphis native MonoNeon, Maggie Rose, Dumpstaphunk, Sierra Hull and Randall Bramblett Band, plus a special guest appearance by Rolling Stones/Allman Brothers Band keyboardist Chuck Leavell. Memphis locals set for the fest include Devil Train, Zoë Dominguez and Degenerate Breakfast.
What else is happening at Mempho?
Mempho will once again bring back its popular Incendia Dome, which will feature the festival’s signature silent disco, along with numerous DJs performing.
The festival will also host a charity auction in partnership with the nonprofit Positive Legacy. Fans can bid on autographed memorabilia, rare merchandise, show tickets and one-of-a-kind artist experiences, all benefiting local Memphis nonprofits.
How much are tickets to Mempho?
Mempho introduced two new tiers for tickets this year. In addition to General Admission and VIP access, there is a GA+ category, which boasts upgraded comforts and amenities, and a Platinum ticket, which offers a limited number of luxury suite-level passes at the Main Stage.
Three-day General Admission passes are $269, three-day GA+ passes are $399, three-day VIP passes cost $859 and three-day Platinum passes run $2,200.
Single-day General Admission passes cost $139, with single-day GA+ passes going for $179. Single-day VIP passes are $329 and single-day Platinum passes will run $900. All prices include applicable fees.
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to Memphofest.com.
Where can I park for Mempho?
Mempho Fest offers various parking options. There will be a designated parking area for VIP ticket purchasers and a free general admission parking area.
VIP parking is included in the purchase of a VIP pass. The VIP lot is located off Cherry Road, just outside the main VIP entrance at Gate C.
General admission ticket buyers have the option to park for free in the GA lots off Perkins Extended, or they can purchase Premium Parking, which is located near the VIP lot, across from the main GA entrance at Gate A.
What can you bring to Mempho?
- Government-issued ID
- One clear plastic water bottle, must be empty
- Clutch purses no larger than 6 inches by 9 inches (do not have to be clear)
- Clear bags not exceeding dimensions of 14 inches by 17 inches by 6 inches
- CamelBak hydration packs 2 liters or less in volume (do not have to be clear)
- Earplugs
- Sunglasses and hats
- Sunscreen lotion (no aerosol cans allowed)
- Blankets 8 feet by 10 feet max size
- Cellphones
- Non-professional cameras
Is Mempho a cashless event?
Yes, Mempho Music Festival is a cashless event.
Bob Mehr is the music writer at The Commercial Appeal. Contact him at bob.mehr@commercialappeal.com.
Mempho Music Festival 2026 schedule
FRIDAY, OCT. 9
Doors open at 3 p.m.
Garden Stage
6:30 p.m. STS9
9 p.m. Pretty Lights
Bud Light Stage
5:30 p.m. Broken Social Scene
7:45 p.m. Spoon
Mempho Presents Stage
3:30 p.m. Zoë Dominguez
4:45 p.m. Degenerate Breakfast
Incendia Dome
3:30 p.m. DJ Grand Piano
5 p.m. Cel Shade
6:30 p.m. South Memphis Jeff
8 p.m. DJ Digitaltech
9:30 p.m. DJ Alpha Whiskey
SATURDAY, OCT. 10
Doors open at 1 p.m.
Garden Stage
4 p.m. Maggie Rose
6:15 p.m. Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
8:30 p.m. Widespread Panic (two sets)
Bud Light Stage
3 p.m. Dumpstaphunk
5:30 p.m. De La Soul
7:15 p.m. Gary Clark Jr.
Mempho Presents Stage
2 p.m. Randall Bramblett Band
4:45 p.m. Randall Bramblett Band with Chuck Leavell
Incendia Dome
2:30 p.m. DJ Siphne A.
4 p.m. DJ Lola
5:30 p.m. Lil’ Coffdrop
7 p.m. DJ Rhinestonee
8:30 p.m. DJ Livin’
10 p.m. DJ Gee Honey
SUNDAY, OCT. 11
Doors open at 1 p.m.
Garden Stage
3 p.m. Sierra Hull
6 p.m. JJ Grey & Mofro
8:30 p.m. Widespread Panic (two sets)
Bud Light Stage
3:45 p.m. MonoNeon
5:15 p.m. Fishbone
7:15 p.m. Ziggy Marley
Mempho Presents Stage
2 p.m. Devil Train
4:30 p.m. Devil Train
Incendia Dome
2:30 p.m. Katie Loopz
4 p.m. DJ Dancealone
5:30 p.m. Dreamlake
7 p.m. DJ Larry
8:30 p.m. Scotty B
10 p.m. DJ Nico
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Mempho Music Festival schedule, tickets and artists to watch
