Pitchfork

Like a lot of these big weekends, the Beale Street Music Festival sports plenty of the sorta milquetoast jammy/rootsy stuff that moves tickets and gets the hippie sorts who frequent these things a-noodlin' (especially, it would seem, in Tennessee).

But there's lots to love about the 2008 incarnation of the Memphis festival named for the city's favorite drag, going down May 2-4 at Tom Lee Park.

Take, for instance, an appearance from Mr. Lou Reed. Or Ms. Chan Marshall, perhaps better known to you and me as Cat Power. Or how about the Roots, Tegan and Sara, local legend Project Pat, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Memphis underground sensation Al Kapone, that Ben Folds fella, and, it must be said, My Chemical Romance?

Being Memphis and all, there's plenty of great blues, R&B and soul as well-- I mean, Aretha Franklins's gonna be there, along with Bettye LaVette, Buddy Guy, Muddy/Wolf sidemen Pinetop Perkins and Hubert Sumlin, and a whole lotta others. There will also be appearances from Santana, Fergie, Matisyahu, Disturbed, and both Sheryl Crow AND the Black Crowes.

A little careful planning, and you sure could have a real fine time down there in the Bluff City before it gets too hot.