Satellite Music Hall, Live Nation’s newest music venue, is on track to open in Memphis this September, as anticipation builds for an inaugural season that’s still expanding with more shows. Passersby of late have seen the final touches being put on the structure across the street from the Crosstown Concourse, the construction fences come down, the marquee go up. Come September 4th and 5th, local favorites The Band Camino will take to the stage as the two-night inaugural act, after which the venue’s season will be upon us.
Opening the season with hometowners seems to signal Live Nation’s commitment to all things unique to Memphis, as does the very name of the 1,300-capacity venue, explained on its website: “Named after Satellite Records, the birthplace of Memphis soul, this new space will host 100 shows a year and will create 150+ local jobs.” Furthermore, Satellite Music Hall will be “partnering with Stax Music Academy for an apprenticeship program, giving local students hands-on experience in the music industry.”
“Our inaugural lineup reflects the energy and culture of Memphis,” said Ted Heinig, vice president of Live Nation Southeast, in a press release. “Opening with The Band Camino will be a special moment for the community and sets the tone for Satellite Music Hall as a place where artists and fans come together.”
Finally, having a venue tied to a booking behemoth like Live Nation will be bringing bigger acts to town that have, in recent years, generally avoided Memphis on national tours. That alone will be a boon to the city’s music economy, all local bookings aside.
Case in point, the schedule of acts coming this fall. It’s already packed with celebrated bands from a head-spinning array of genres, and yet the venue is still adding names, as with today’s announcement that September 25th will feature “the music, moves, and magic of the King of Pop at Club ’90s Presents: MJ Night” for the 18+ crowd. Furthermore, the venue announced in a press release that more shows will be “announced on a rolling basis. Beyond concerts, the venue also will host comedy shows, community gatherings, corporate meetings, and special events.”
Such forthcoming events will be added to an already stellar lineup:
Sept. 4th & 5th – The Band Camino
Sept. 8th – Chance The Rapper – Coloring Book 10 Year Anniversary Tour
Sept. 11th – Isaiah Rashad: Lil Sunny’s Awful Road Trip
Sept. 12th – Bop To The Top
Sept. 17th – Valerie June
Sept. 18th – Judah & the Lion
Sept. 22nd – GWAR
Sept. 25th – Club ’90s Presents: MJ Night
Sept. 26th – Project Pat
Sept. 30th – ZZ Top
Oct. 1st – Umphrey’s McGee
Oct. 11th – Ravyn Lenae Presents: Blue Island
Oct. 12th – Modest Mouse
Oct. 18th – Mastodon
Oct. 23rd – We Came As Romans
Oct. 27th – Iron & Wine
Nov. 4th – Prof
Nov. 7th – Fetty Wap: Nostalgia Tour
Nov. 9th – Bowling for Soup
Nov. 12th – Medium Build Presents The King of Having Fun on Tour
Dec. 1st – Pouya
