Since being taken over by local media mogul Rachel Hurley, the talent booking at longstanding local watering hole The Poplar Lounge has noticeably become both more diverse and ambitious. The club has hosted a steady stream of regional and national touring acts on Hurley’s watch, and there’s been a greater frequency of all-local bills as well.
“For years I have been approached by musicians asking me to help them get gigs in Memphis,” says Hurley. “We are booking national touring acts and local acts with an established following. That can mean anyone from Glossary or Little Tybee to the Bluff City Backsliders or Hope Clayburn. We also have some great residencies like our Thursday night shows with Kait Lawson and Mark Edgar Stuart, or our Songwriter Sundays with Star & Micey. I book the shows, so the music definitely leans toward my tastes, but I’ve made my entire career from sharing my taste in music with people and turning them on to things.”
A prime example of Hurley’s new vision for the club can be found in tomorrow night’s (Friday, March 29) show featuring Austin, TX indie-rockers Quiet Company.
