The Return of Music Midtown?

Remember Music Midtown?

I do. 

The festival was held 12 times from 1994-2005 -- all throughout my teenage and college years. 

It was a great event for me, at the time. Midtown, after all, was a far cry from the suburbs of Roswell where I grew up. 

The best part? The big-name musicians -- Tom Petty, Widespread Panic, Joan Jett, The White Stripes, Kid Rock.

So I was intrigued when Twitter and Facebook started buzzing with rumors that the festival would return this year. 

There's a Twitter hash tag (#musicmidtown) and a "BRING BACK MID-TOWN MUSIC FESTIVAL!" Facebook page that has almost 7,000 followers.

Through social media, I've heard about the line-up, dates and location. Rumor is the festival will be held Sept. 23 and 24 at Piedmont Park. Musicians such as Coldplay, Black Keys, Prince and Mumford & Sons could headline.

So what's the deal? Will Music Midtown return?

It seems a resurrection is in the works.

At the beginning of June, I reached out to Live Nation, the concert promoter I heard signed on for the event. 

Liz Morentin with Live Nation replied: "No comment on rumors."

But after pressing some more, Tara Murphy with public relations firm 360 Media emailed me on Monday. Murphy said she was handling Music Midtown inquiries and would invite me to a press conference next week. But she wouldn't confirm or deny the rumors when asked.

It seems organizers have filed for a special event permit with the city of Atlanta. The application is up for discussion on the July agenda of Neighborhood Planning Unit-E, which makes recommendations to City Council.

But there could be challenges ahead for festival organizers. 

Greg Guhl, president of the Midtown Neighbors Association, said the neighborhood group hasn't seen the application. Typically, the NPU-E asks applicants to seek the opinion of the neighborhood first. 

The neighborhood association has been vocal about the impact of Piedmont Park's festivals on the neighborhood. In May, NPU-E the special event permit for the Atlanta Jazz Festival due to contentions from residents about the closure of 10th Street. 

And just today, Guhl said he was in the Mayor's Office discussing ways to for Midtowners.

I guess time will tell. 

Would you like to see Music Midtown return to Piedmont Park?