The Moon River Music Festival is a special two-day event that celebrates the best of Americana, bluegrass, folk, blues, alternative rock and country. It sometimes incorporates R&B, soul, indie rock and other genres as well. With deep roots in the Tennessee area, the Moon River Music Festival showcases both old and new artists from across the United States.
The Moon River Music Festival is the brainchild of alternative rock artist and Tennessee native
Drew Holcomb
and his band The Neighbors. First held in 2014, the one-day festival was staged at the historic
Levitt Shell
in Memphis, Tennessee, as a showcase for the city. Located near Overton Park, this open-air amphitheater was the site of Elvis Presley's first paid concert in 1954. The inaugural event featured a lineup of Drew and Ellie Holcomb, Apollo Mighty, Myla Smith,
Holly Williams
,
Will Hoge
and more. In 2016, the event expanded to encompass a second day and began showcasing more musicians. However, due to the rising popularity of the festival, it soon began to outgrow the modest size of the amphitheater. In 2018, the festival officially moved to
Coolidge Park
in the city of Chattanooga. Located on the banks of the Tennessee River, the park offered ample green spaces, a community atmosphere and enough space for two stages.
If you are interested in attending the Moon River Music Festival in person, then you can purchase tickets at the online vendor StubHub. Both VIP and general admission tickets are available. VIP tickets include a dedicated entrance, access to prime viewing areas, air-conditioned restrooms, a VIP bar, a commemorative gift package and a unique hang area with free massages and styling stations.
The 2018 Moon River Music Festival was headlined by
The Avett Brothers
and
The Head and The Heart
. The rest of the lineup included
I'm With Her
,
Judah and The Lion
,
Durand Jones
,
Boy Named Banjo
,
Mandolin Orange
,
The Dirty Guv'nahs
, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors and many more. It also featured a special appearance by legendary Grammy-winning soul singer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer
Mavis Staples
, who began her music career with her family band The Staples back in the '50s.
The Moon River Music Festival is currently planned for Saturday, September 7th, and Sunday, September 8th.
All of the performances are split between the Poplar stage and the Iris stage. The events are staggered, so a performance on the Poplar stage will end just as a performance on the Iris stage begins, and vice versa. Each stage is located on opposite ends of the park and won't interfere with each other.
On several occasions, the festival has featured a special performance by the husband and wife Americana duo Drew and
Ellie Holcomb
. Ellie Holcomb was once a touring member of The Neighbors, but departed the band to pursue her own solo musical career. The two occasionally reunite to perform their latest music together.
The beginning of the festival is christened with a special Friday night performance featuring Drew Holcomb and friends at the nearby
Walker Theatre
. Tickets to this event are included with VIP weekend passes and certain general admission weekend passes. During the festival itself, the event will feature the Lookout Lodge with a sports bar and television sets, the Tennessee Tavern with specialty cocktails and craft beer and an REI Outdoor Experience with rock climbing and a guided kayak or paddleboard tour.