Gonerfest

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MusicMemphis
Dates24–27 September 2026Confirmed listing
Duration4 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsGonerfest is run not by a festival
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Gonerfest in Memphis

Gonerfest is an annual multi-day underground music festival in Memphis, Tennessee, organized by the independent record store and label Goner Records. Held around late September at small clubs across the city, it began in the mid-2000s and has grown into one of the country's best-known gatherings for punk, garage rock, and other raw, independent guitar music, drawing bands and fans internationally.

Gonerfest grew directly out of Goner Records, an independent Memphis record store and label built around punk, garage rock, and outsider American music that had, since its founding, cultivated a small but devoted national and international following through mail order and its own releases.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Gonerfest is run not by a festival production company but by a working record store and label, which shapes both its lineup and its atmosphere: bookings favor the scrappy, DIY, and genuinely obscure over major-label crossover acts, and the festival functions as a yearly reunion for a specific international scene of garage rock, punk, and outsider music fans

02

The mystery stays covered

Its numbering, now into the twenties, marks two decades of consistent programming that has made it a pilgrimage event for collectors and musicians who might otherwise have no reason to visit Memphis, layering a scene built on raw guitar music over a city already famous for blues and soul

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Bands frequently return to play multiple editions over the years

Water and renewal

Living ritual

and reunions of long-dormant regional punk and garage acts booked specifically for the festival have become a recurring

The sacred route

Living ritual

informally expected feature

The local code

Living ritual

Attendees and touring bands treat a visit to the Goner Records shop itself

Tradition 5

Living ritual

buying records

Tradition 6

Living ritual

browsing the collection

Tradition 7

Living ritual

as part of the ritual of attending

Tradition 8

Living ritual

blurring the line between the retail business and the festival it hosts

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

24–27 September 2026

Getting around

Gonerfest is easier when the venue, route and way back from Memphis are chosen before the day starts.

What to wear

Casual and unpretentious is the norm: band t-shirts, jeans, and comfortable shoes for standing in crowded club rooms. Memphis stays warm into late September, so breathable layers work well...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Memphis.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map35.15 N, 90.05 WOpen in Google Maps

Memphis, TN

Nearest airportMEM — Memphis
TransportGonerfest is easier when the venue, route and way back from Memphis are chosen before the day starts.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Memphis.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Memphis via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Memphis, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual and unpretentious is the norm: band t-shirts, jeans, and comfortable shoes for standing in crowded club rooms. Memphis stays warm into late September, so breathable layers work well for humid outdoor waits between venues, with something warmer for air-conditioned indoor rooms.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Gonerfest?

Gonerfest is listed for 24–27 September 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Gonerfest take place?

The festival is listed in Memphis, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

4 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Memphis, TN

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLgoner-records.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates24–27 September 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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