While many have been celebrating the return of indoor concerts for some time now, open-air concerts haven’t gone anywhere. They have an inherent appeal with or without the pandemic, especially from spring to fall in Memphis. In recent days and weeks, many of the key venues for outdoor concert series have released their planned line-ups. Here’s a roundup of all the acts to expect under the sun, moon and stars, from this weekend until October. Be sure to watch for our in-depth guide to the Beale Street Music Festival in next week’s issue of the Memphis Flyer.
Click the link for each concert series to learn more.
Cooper-Young Porchfest
This Saturday, April 23rd, from noon til 6 p.m., the Cooper-Young neighborhood will run riot with live music as the Cooper-Young Community Association revives its annual Porchfest. This all-volunteer event will feature an eclectic mix of bands playing on residents’ front porches and at the Cooper-Young gazebo, not to mention a community yard sale that morning.
Please see the Cooper-Young Porchfest website for a full listing of names, times and locations, but some of the highlights include Greg Cartwright, J.D. Reager, Bailey Bigger, Jeff Hulett, the Church Brothers, Los Psychosis, Alice Hasen, San Salida, Flamenco Memphis, the Turnstyles, and Model Zero.
The River Series
With an amphitheater boasting an incredible view of the Memphis skyline, as well as naturally superior acoustics, Harbor Town’s Maria Montessori School has made its bi-annual fundraising series a touchstone of musical happenings. Curated by Goner honcho Zac Ives, the artists are always intriguing, even as they depart from typical Goner fare.
This spring’s line-up features: Greg Cartwright’s Whelk Stall with Aquarian Blood (Saturday, April 30th), Jeremy and the Drip Edges with Tm. Prudhomme’s FAKE (Saturday, May 14th), and Mouserocket with Ibex Clone (Saturday, June 4th). All shows begin at 4 p.m.
Overton Park Shell
The newly rechristened Shell has not missed a beat as it moves into its next chapter, a fully Memphis-based nonprofit once more. Just as in the Levitt Shell years, the stage will host the Orion Free Music Concert Series through the summer and fall, along with a few ticketed Shell Yeah! events to serve as fundraisers.
The latter will include Durand Jones & The Indications (June 16th), St. Paul & The Broken Bones (July 16th), Almost Elton John Masquerade (September 15th), and an as-yet undisclosed fourth artist on September 23rd. As Overton Park Shell executive director Natalie Wilson notes in a statement, “In order to provide accessibility to our free concerts and events, we rely on revenue raised from Shell Yeah! Benefit Shows and generous donations from the Memphis community.”
As usual, the Shell will bring national and international artists to Overton Park, alongside many notable local acts. Memphis-related groups include the Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s Sunset Symphony (May 29th), which opens the season, followed by the Sensational Barnes Brothers (June 9th), Reigning Sound (June 10th), the Stax Music Academy (June 25th), Cameron Bethany (July 2nd), Don Lifted (September 16th) and the North Mississippi Allstars (October 14th). See the Overton Park Shell website for the full line-up.
Gonerfest
With Gonerfest 18 taking place entirely at Railgarten last year — a first for the festival — Goner Records is taking the same approach in 2022. Gonerfest will once again be centered on Covid safety, and while many slots still need to be filled, the marquee names have been announced and tickets are now on sale for the event, which takes place September 22nd through 25th.
Headliners will include Bay Area garage/soul weirdo masters Shannon & the Clams, wild lo-fi R&B rockers King Khan & BBQ Show, pre-Oblivians/Reigning Sound Memphis legends Compulsive Gamblers, lo-fi punks Gee Tee and garage rocker Michael Beach, both from Australia, and Nashville’s own Snooper. The complete festival will be live-streamed for those unable to attend.
Mempho Music Festival
Just as we are about to enjoy one major event, the Beale Street Music Festival, we’re also hearing about the finalized line-up for another, the Mempho Music Festival, scheduled for September 30th through October 2nd. Different ticket packages can already be found here, and, given the quality of the performers slated for the event, early ticket purchases might be prudent.
The Memphis Botanic Garden will thrill to the sounds of The Black Keys, alternative rock mainstays Wilco, and decorated Americana outfit Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, as well as a double-dose of Athens-based ensemble Widespread Panic returning to the lineup by popular demand. Appearances by Portugal. The Man, Fantastic Negrito, Tank and the Bangas, Allison Russell, and Celisse will also be a highlight. Local favorites Bobby Rush, Big Ass Truck, Amy LaVere and Elizabeth King will also share the spotlight’s glow.
