The Mummies, The Gories and Alien Nosejob: Gonerfest is back with more garage rock mayhem

It's hard to believe given its rather humble roots, but Gonerfest — Memphis' scrappy rock 'n' roll concert extravaganza — is marking its 20th event this year.

Presented by Cooper-Young-based record label and retail store Goner Records , Gonerfest 20 will take place Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at Midtown's Railgarten . The multiday festival will bring together acts from Memphis and across the globe for one of the Bluff City's unique cultural events.

Here are five things to know before you go.

Gonerfest: An accidental festival

Back in 2005 Goner Records  co-owners Eric Friedl and Zac Ives were planning an album release for one of their artists, The King Khan & BBQ Show. They intended to book a small show at the Buccaneer Lounge, but so many people asked to play on the bill, the one-night concert quickly grew into four days of music featuring more than a dozen bands.

The pair dubbed this accidental festival "Gonerfest." The festival would go on to become one of the Bluff City's unique and perennial cultural events. Eighteen years and 19 events later — there were two separate fests in year one — Gonerfest is still going strong and will mark its 20th edition next week.

Over the years, Gonerfest has become a signature Memphis event that draws hundreds of fans from around the world. Musically, the event has grown and morphed expanding beyond its trash and garage rock roots. It's also gained the support and sponsorship of companies ranging from FedEx to Apple Music while retaining its singular artistic spirit and communal vibe. After a pandemic pause in 2020 — during which a limited version of the event went on as a streaming-only proposition — Gonerfest returned in 2021 as an in-person event (while also being streamed, an option available again this year).

For much of its history, Gonerfest's main nightly bills had taken place indoors at the Hi-Tone Café. But given the pandemic, Ives and Friedl elected to find a new outdoor venue in Midtown's  Railgarten , which will once again serve as homebase for this year's fest.

Veteran acts set to headline Gonerfest

The year's headliners include a mix of veteran acts, garage legends and contemporary favorites.

Sept. 28's top-billed performance will be a set from San Francisco's Osees. On Sept. 29, Detroit greats The Gories make a return to Memphis more than a decade after their last local show. On Sept. 30, theatrical garage-punks The Mummies will close out the main portion of the fest.

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Gonerfest acts from down the street and all over the world

As usual, Gonerfest serve as a destination event for international acts who otherwise might not play in the United States.

This year's global contingent includes Belgium's The Kids, French/Swiss combo Jack of Heart, and the brilliantly monikered Alien Nosejob from Australia, all performing on Sept. 28. Sept. 29's international acts include a quintet of highly rated Aussie groups: CIVIC, C.O.F.F.I.N., Tee Vee Repairmann, 1-800-MIKEY, Vintage Crop. U.K. outfit Vivron Vavron will also perform. On Sept. 30, Danish stars Courettes, Dutch rockers Lewsberg, Australians Dippers and Japanese crew The Smog will perform.

At the same time the festival will, as always, highlight plenty of homegrown talent, with a selection of Memphis and Mid-South favorites also slated to appear.

Memphis' Laundry Bats will kick things off on Sept. 28, while locals Ibex Clone and Optic Sink will be part of the proceedings on Sept. 29. Cool Jerks will play on Sept. 30 and Turnt, featuring Gibson Bros. vet Monsieur Jeffrey Evans will be part of Oct. 1's finale.

Free music and more

After three days and nights of ticketed events, on Oct. 1, the festival's official closing performance will be a free show starting at 2 p.m. at Railgarten. There will be performances by the aforementioned Turnt/Monsieur Jeffrey Evans, Washington state combo Morgan and the Organ Donors, and the legendary Mississippi ensemble Rising Star Fife and Drum. Record producer Scott Bomar (of the Bo-Keys) and Mississippi music historian Scott Baretta will DJ in between acts.

Afterward, a "Comedown Dance Party" will commence at 8 p.m. at Cooper-Young's Bar DKDC, 964 S. Cooper. The event is also free.  

For those traveling, Gonerfest has partnered with  Central Station Hotel , a Hilton property, again this year, offering festivalgoers special discounted rates on lodging. Gonerfest is also teaming with  Memphis Made Brewing , its longtime beer sponsor, to create a special Goner-themed beer, Golden Pass Pilsner, which will be available at the festival.

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Gonerfest tickets and streaming passes

Gonerfest golden passes — which provide entry to all events —  have sold out. A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door at Railgarten each day. Cost is $60 per night Sept. 28-30. Admission to Oct. 1's events is free.

For those who can't travel to Memphis to attend or wish to watch from the comfort of their own homes, Goner will do a livestream of all the performances. Viewing tickets for that are $20 and can be purchased at  Gonerfest.com .

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Gonerfest 20 in Memphis: Bands, tickets, streaming, schedule and more