Carter Billingsley and Brittney McVey, both from Champaign, Illinois, were among the 30,000 people who attended this year’s RiverBeat Music Festival, held May 2nd through 4th in Tom Lee Park.
They go to as many festivals as they can, but this was their first RiverBeat, Billingsley says. Getting to and from the festival was “a breeze,” the check-in process “efficient and secure,” Tom Lee Park was “a great venue,” crowd size was “perfect,” and the people were “awesome.”
The lineup was “eclectic,” Billingsley adds. “Not many festivals can boast headlining Missy Elliot, the Killers, and Anderson .Paak in the same weekend.”
A highlight? “Khruangbin’s more chill energy and careful choreography was ethereal. And the band posted a picture of me on their Instagram page with my hands open to receive their jams.”
RiverBeat producer Mike Smith says RiverBeat 2025 was “a total success.” And, he adds, “Growing a music festival takes time, but, honestly, we’re overwhelmed by all the support from the Memphis music lovers and everyone who traveled to enjoy our amazing city with us.”
