The RiverBeat Music Festival kicked off another year with a rather damp start in Memphis, Tennessee, last Friday for a three day weekend of incredible music, food and activities. Taking place in Tom Lee Park right on the banks of the Mississippi River, fans from across the state and the country donned their rain gear and braved the elements for a humid first day. Atlas was in the middle of the action all weekend- check out our favorite moments of day one!
Big Beats and Chilly Afternoon Vibes
It’s unusual to see DJ Steve Aoki performing while the sun is still up but the iconic electronic artist played RiverBeat into the sunset on Friday afternoon. His set included a mix of familiar favorites for the crowd and his masterful mix got everyone dancing. Of course, it wouldn’t be an Aoki set without cake being thrown and one eager fan took frosting to the face courtesy of Aoki’s perfect aim. Towards the end of his performance, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard made a surprise appearance, adding vocals to his new collaboration with Aoki and delighting the fans in the process. The music could be heard across the park and drew more and more people into the excellent energy of this sunset production.
Over at the Bud Light Stage, Mike. drew a crowd of diehard fans- affectionately known as Steves- to his set where the good vibes could be found in abundance. With songs about how “life got crazy” and drinking at the dive bar with everyone you know, Mike. cultivated an atmosphere of positivity, drink in hand. The fans reciprocated that love all the way through and plenty of new Steves had joined the family by the end of the set.
Hip Hop Legends Roll Out
The main theme on RiverBeat’s main stages- Orion Financial Stage and the Bud Light Stage- was hip hop royalty. Drawing acts like Busta Rhymes, Ludacris and the queen of hip hop herself, Missy Elliott, attendees were treated to some of the biggest hits of this era of the genre.
A little rain couldn’t stop Busta Rhymes from absolutely tearing up the main stage with 60 minutes of hit after hit. Joined onstage by Spliff Star in coordinating red and white fits- and iced out with plenty of sparkling chains and rings- the duo blasted through part rap show, part comedy routine that had the audience laughing and engaged throughout. Armed with a devious grin that morphed into the biggest genuine smile, no one was having more fun than Busta himself as he showed off his impressive rap skills- most notably on the tongue-twisting verse for “Look at Me Now”.
Fans waiting for Ludacris at the Bud Light Stage could still catch Busta’s performance broadcasted live on the stage’s screens and they cheered along when the lights went down on Orion and up for Ludacris’ grand entrance. Repping Memphis on his jersey and in his constant shoutouts, the audience was all in to celebrate 25 years of record-breaking songs. Ludacris has never shied away from the spotlight and he’s kept his rhymes tight over two decades in the game, making his RiverBeat set look effortless in its execution.
The crowd certainly did their part, shouting along to “Area Codes” and “Yeah!” while Ludacris determinedly kept the Friday night party going. Eventually he brought his headliner to a close with “Move Bitch” and “All I Do is Win” to make way for the queen to wrap up day one.
Missy Elliott is fresh off double weekend headliners at Coachella and she brought that same alien production to RiverBeat’s stage. Flanked by scores of decked out dancers and a custom stage build that lifted her into the air on multiple occasions, Elliott showed out, proving that she’s still very much at the top of her game. Hundreds of fans pushed close to dance to “Pass that Dutch” and got their freak on to “Work It”. Just like Ludacris and Busta Rhymes before her, Elliott was armed with a contagious smile and a host of wild and wacky outfits to complement each segment of the show.
As the beat faded away, it was replaced by a massive fireworks show and drones proclaiming Elliott’s RiverBeat love as the waterlogged audience made their way home from a long first day in the park. With even more performances happening throughout the day, there was something for every type of music lover- and the weekend was just getting started. Stay tuned for days two and three along with all the photos!
