Mud Island Amphitheater feels like one of those places where the echoes of music hang in the air long after the last chord fades. Tucked along the edge of the Mississippi River, it's got that worn-in, lived-in kind of charm--like it's seen decades of dancing, swaying, and summertime memories stitched together by guitars and city lights. Getting there is half the experience. You either walk the bridge or ride the monorail, and suddenly you're on this little river island with downtown Memphis glimmering behind you and the water drifting slow and wide in front. Then the amphitheater opens up--a humble, open-air stage with rows of concrete seats that somehow feel more personal than plush. It's not fancy. It's real. It's the kind of place where you don't just watch a show--you feel it. The music bounces off the river and wraps around the crowd, and whether you're there for blues, rock, or something in between, the view and the vibe do something to you. It's not about perfection. It's about presence. Sure, it could use a little love--maybe some renovations, maybe better concessions--but there's something beautiful about how it holds onto its soul. It's Memphis through and through: gritty, honest, and still singing. read more

This is downtown and part of the Memphis River Parks which is one of five district waterfront parks. Here they have the Mississippi River Museum that's open on Fridays and Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Friday - Noon-4PM and Saturday - 10AM-4PM. Admissions are $10 Adults 12 & Over, $8 Children ages 4 to 11, Free for Children under 4. Mud Island Park is still open daily from dawn to dusk. Free and open to joggers, bikers, dog-walkers, etcm with summer hours - 6AM-8PM and winter hours - 6AM-6PM. The big draw her, beside the fireworks, is the 5,000 seat concert amphitheater. Access the Amphitheatre on foot from Island Drive or by walking across the skybridge from downtown which is open and can be accessed at 125 N. Front St. with tickets are sold by event on Ticketmaster. Paid parking available on the island or in the River Parks Garage. Entrance to the garage is at the corner of Front St. and Poplar. Fees range from $3-$10, depending on the event. We've watched the fireworks here but concerts are the reason we come here year after year. Our last show was James Taylor and it was terrific. The acoustics are quite nice and the view is outstanding but it gets pretty hot on the Mississippi in the summer so beware. The bathroom and booze lines are worse than most sports venues I've been to so that can be a bit of a problem but other than that, and the shclep across the bridge, it's a pretty cool place to see a show. Bottom line: it's uniquely Memphis! read more

Mud Island Amphitheatre - Sweet baby James! - Music Venues Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

IMO, this is the best place to see a concert in the city of Memphis! The setting is just perfect. You have the river on both sides of you and downtown Memphis in the background. Amazingly, the sound has always been great for each and every show I have seen there. My very first concert was the band "Europe" at this very venue. I can't remember how old I was but I remember that the "The Final Countdown" was played at least twice. Funny... Anyway, I have seen at least 30 shows here over the years including Spin Doctors, Smashing Pumpkins, Eric Clapton, Train, Robert Plant, Beck, The Black Crows, INXS, Doobie Brothers, and on and on... My only gripe is the damn bathroom situation! Why would you build a 5000 seat venue and put one bathroom with maybe 15 urinals and 6 stalls? What kind of sense does that make? Tip: there are bathrooms one floor down from the venue floor. They are almost always empty and are air conditioned. It is a bit of a walk but if you gotta go... read more

Mud Island Amphitheatre - Never seen a line like that - Music Venues Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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This is a fabulous place to see a concert. It's a small, outdoor venue right on the banks of the Mississippi River. Years ago we saw Sting, INXS, Seal, and Chicago to name a few. Some great acts come here. This season hosts Sheryl Crow and Maroon 5 to end the season. Check out the season in advance on their website and if you like the artist go, go, go. It makes for a great nice in a wonderful location. read more

4 star venue for being on an island in the middle of the Mississippi River which was amazing. Someone said the bugs would be bad but it wasn't bad at all, brought a bug spray wipe just incase. Maybe worse in other months. Incase you didn't know you have to take the little metro car or walk across a small bridge from poplar and front street. My friends just put mud island on their GPS and a man told us where to go along with others since past times they were allowed to walk over but haven't for a while. Once we got across to the venue we realized that they accepted cash only for drinks. They had domestic beers for 5, imported for 7, wine and coolers for 7, 3 for soda and water. There was one ATM right when you walk in and everyone was getting cash since it's not advertised on their website not was it on Yelp. So I'm making the PSA to bring cash unless you want to miss seeing your favorite bands. Luckily Gavin Degraw didn't come and I'd never heard of the other band they got to play before needtobreathe, so I wasn't super sad to miss. Also 2nd in line for the ATM which took 15-20 minutes a employee accidentally unplugged it from behind the bar and it said out of service. So we just went to find our seats. We had lower level seats and unfortunately our row was packed and was super tight. My friend and I squeezed into our seats and was super uncomfortable especially for how hot it was outside. After 3 songs we couldn't take it and went back to try the ATM again since we were super dehydrated. Finally got money out to get something and decided to sit a row lower since it was almost empty. No one said anything and got to see needtobreathe who are awesome live. So first half of the experience was very difficult but got better. Views were awesome and someone said there isn't a bad seat in the venue and they are correct! read more

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I went here Sept 4 2013 to see carnival of madness we were center stage row 18 and it was awesome carnival of madness show lasted about 5 hrs temp was like 90 when it started I think at 5. There are alit of stairs. Long lines to get food. But its a great intimate venue to see a show I don't regret going the show was great and you can see no matter where u sit. But as always at all concerts there's always the person standing in front of you that your dodging back and forth to try to see the show that's the only thing I didn't like about show So cons are stairs slow food lines drink lines. Be ready to get some exercise. Bathrooms are mostly clean. Overall its a great place to see a show read more

Mud Island Amphitheatre - Papa Roach Sept 4 2013 - Music Venues Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Awesome night, weather is perfect JOURNEY Never seen so many older white people in one place in Memphis in a long time. Crowd looks like it's going to be great. Sharing this event with my wife Jeannette and our son and daughter n law, Paul and Emily Sutton. I've been missing these events due to my physical limitations, maybe I'll catch a football game next. read more

Mud Island Amphitheatre - Music Venues Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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Ahhh finally a place for an outdoor concert...but with seats. Seats you don't have to bring! And on Mud Island! I LOVE Mud Island! You're downtown, you have to take the little airway over (shuttle or walk...don't wear heels, i.e. wear REALLY comfortable shoes), the view is spectacular, they always have good entertainment, there isn't a bad seat, your outdoors, I could go on and on. If you have a chance to see someone/something here, don't pass it up! read more

So I've seen many Widespread Panic concerts here over the years which were all fantastic experiences. This past weekend's Widespread Panic show was an epic disaster. The beer lines were hours long and the bathrooms were overflowing disgusting messes. The entry lines to get into the place were insanely backed up and the flow of people took far too long to get inside. I had such a miserable and frustrating time I left the concert soon after arriving as it was just a huge nasty mess and I've seen my share of huge nasty messes at Jazz Fest but was still able to handle those fine while this mess was such a level of huge and nasty above those that the only solution was escaping this hell hole of a poorly executed venue plan. read more

I've seen the Beach Boys here, the Spin Doctors, Meat Loaf, Lenny Kravitz, Air Supply, 311and so many more. The Amphitheatre is a great venue for concerts, and there's really not a bad seat in the house. The place is small enough that even the top rows have a decent view of the stage. Mud Island has the knack of snagging impressive acts to grace their stage, and the atmosphere is not nearly as stuffy as other venues (meaning you can get a little rowdy here and it's acceptable). The only downside? It can get hot in Memphis, and spending an entire evening outside even to see your favorite band sometimes seems unbearable. If you go, get there a bit early as you'll have to take the monorail over to the Island, and the crowds will be thick. read more

I just heard the Black Crowes are coming here and I'm thinking of buying tickets. I love jam bands, and I really like seeing concerts on the island. With the river on one side and the lights of downtown on another, it's just so nice. They staff up pretty heavily for the shows here, so the bathrooms are kept clean and you don't typically have to wait forever in line to get a beer or glass of wine. Yes, they sell wine. Nice perk. The seats are all good - because the place is small and you can still see the stage very well, even from the back rows. A great venue! read more

Absolute worse beer/water lines and restroom lines I've ever seen. If you're in your seat with a drink and the band is playing it's great but waiting through 3 songs in line is unacceptable. Needs restructuring. Wish I could give it 1/4 star. read more

I love this venue, but I don't love how hard it was to figure out the best way to get there during a concert. Your best bet is to park near the bridge in the city and either take the monterail or the bridge to the island. No one will tell you this and I couldn't find any info on Mud Island's web site. If you're going to a "will call" concert, you must pick up your tickets in the area where you buy monterail tickets. Who would know this? I assumed that the tickets would be picked up on Mud Island. The $4.00 monterail ticket is included with the purchase of a concert ticket. The monterail is completely awesome. Try to get as close to the front as you can to experience the surreal ride. read more

5 star venue as far as the actual concert goes. Especially on a pretty weather evening. Have seen some incredibly bad ass shows here. Willie Nelson, Beck, etc. The problems come with the not well run beer sales and lack of bathrooms. They added a bunch of school gym bleachers up top which make it really cramped to move around and get drinks etc. They were so close when they built this place. Typical government construction. read more

Went to see Maroon 5, Kris Allen and VV Brown here and I thought it was a great place to see a show. Not a bad seat in the house, felt very intimate no matter where you sat and because its right on the river, there was a nice breeze most of the night. It was nice to be able to stay downtown near Beale and take the trolley for a buck down to the riverfront for the show. read more

The setting is great. The sound is great. The concessions, bathroom and overall crowd flow has to be the single worst place to see a show that exist. The fact that the city hasn't invested to upgrade the place just shows what a crap hole Memphis really has become over the years. It simply is pathetic place. read more

I have been to lots of concerts here over the years. Small enough so you can see the stage without binoculars. River behind you and the lights of downtown over the harbour in front of you. Parking is convenient. Great place for a concert - I saw Bob Dylan, Leon Russell, Lynard Skynard, Jimmy Buffet to name a few. Going to see Nora Jones in June and James Taylor in July - Woohoo! read more