Goo Goo Dolls (Photo: Courtesy Live at the Garden)
Memphis Botanic Garden has announced the lineup for this summer’s annual Live at the Garden concert series at the Radians Amphitheater.
Country superstar Dierks Bentley kicks off the series on June 6th, followed by ’90s rock band Goo Goo Dolls on July 12th, classic rock legend John Fogerty on August 9th, Grammy-nominated country music singer-songwriter Sam Hunt on August 23th, and a co-headline concert with rock icons Styx & Foreigner on September 20th.
“The Memphis Botanic Garden provides Mid-South music fans with an engaging entertainment experience unlike any other,” said David May, Memphis market executive for Regions Bank, the title sponsor for the concert series.
This will be Memphis Botanic Garden’s 24th summer of Live at the Garden, said Sherry May, co-director of Live at the Garden, in a press release. “We have a lot of great music planned this season, including a few newcomers to the Live at the Garden series, as well as some of our all-time fan favorites.”
All season passes and individual show tickets will go on sale Monday, April 29th, 10 a.m. Individual show TruGreen lawn tickets start at $65 and can be purchased here.
Season Lawn Passes for Live at the Garden are $345. Also offered is a Season Pit Pass, which is a general admission lawn ticket with access to the standing-room-only Pit located directly in front of the stage. Season Pit Passes are $500 per person. Season passes can be purchased here.
For the concert series, patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers. Food trucks and bars are also located onsite, as well as pre-order catering. Free shuttles will run from Hilton Hotel Corporate Headquarters to the venue from 5 p.m. to midnight for each concert.
Lady A (Photo courtesy Lady A / Memphis Botanic Garden)
Memphis is swinging into summer, and that means plenty of live music on the horizon. The Memphis Botanic Garden announced its 2023 Live at the Garden lineup Wednesday, including familiar faces such as Lady A, alongside acts appearing for the first time such as Matchbox Twenty who will take the Radians Amphitheater stage.
“Summers in Memphis wouldn’t be the same without Live at the Garden” said Sherry May, co-director of Live at the Garden. “We have a lot of great music planned, including a couple of newcomers to Live at the Garden, as well as some all-time fan favorites.”
The schedule is as follows:
June 3: Lady A June 24: Matchbox Twenty July 14: Brothers Osborne August 25:Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald September 8:Train
“The Memphis Botanic Garden provides Mid-South music fans with an engaging entertainment experience unlike any other,” said David May, Memphis market executive for Regions Bank, which continues its support as title sponsor. “In addition to the enjoyment this concert series brings to thousands each season, we’re especially proud that our investment supports educational and outreach programs that connect students with nature and elevates awareness and appreciation of our environment.”
Tickets go on sale starting April 24. Season Lawn Passes are available for $325, while Season Pit Passes run $400. Individual TruGreen lawn tickets start at $65. Food trucks, bars, and pre-order catering are available on-site. This year, free shuttles will run from Hilton Memphis Headquarters at 755 Crossover Lane to the venue from 5 p.m. to midnight for each performance.
The Doobie Brothers celebrate their 50th Anniversary with Michael McDonald on September 3 (Photo courtesy Memphis Botanical Garden).
One hardly needs to add luster to the idea of “Live at the Garden,” as the very prospect of hearing world class music under the moonlit trees of the Memphis Botanic Garden is inherently delightful. Yet this year stands out with an impressive roster of A-list stars. Musical stars, that is.
It’s an astonishing distillation of pop radio icons, creators of the earworm melodies of our lives. Consider: The Live at the Garden series kicks off June 11 with jazz-pop fusion band Steely Dan, followed by country superstar Darius Rucker on July 15, country vocal trio Lady A on August 20, The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour with Michael McDonald on September 3, and American pop-rock band Chicago on October 20.
It’s a bit awe-inspiring, imagining the collective memories mingling among the audiences for these shows, so enmeshed are those artists’ hits with our lived experience. That takes on a special meaning in the shadow of the pandemic, after which every new concert season is a gift, not to be taken for granted.
“We are excited to announce this year’s lineup and finally get back to what feels like a normal concert season, post-Covid,” Sherry May, Co-Director of Live at the Garden, said in a statement. “We have a lot of star power and fan favorites on this lineup. Collectively, these artists have sold over 175 million albums. This is the kind of lineup where you know every word to every song.”
With all that musical power, it’s easy to forget that these concerts actually help maintain the very site where they’re held, which has repercussions in the entire community. David May, Memphis market executive for title sponsor Regions Bank, notes that “In addition to the enjoyment this concert series brings to thousands each season, we’re especially proud that our investment supports educational and outreach programs that connect students with nature and elevate awareness and appreciation of our environment.”
Speaking of the environment, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers as they gather around the Radians Amphitheater. Food trucks and bars will also be onsite, as well as pre-ordered catering. Free shuttles will run from Laurelwood to the venue from 5 p.m. to midnight for each concert.
There are a number of ways to buy tickets to the concerts. Season Lawn Passes are $255 for a regular-season lawn pass and $300 for a Premium Season Lawn Pass, which allows patrons in 15 minutes prior to general gates opening. Also new this year is a Season Pit Pass, which is a general admission lawn ticket with access to the standing-room-only Pit (directly in front of the stage). Season Pit Passes are $375 per person. Individual TruGreen lawn tickets start at $60 plus fees. All Season Lawn Passes and individual show tickets go on sale Monday, May 2, at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster.
Season passes can be purchased here; individual show tickets can be purchased here.
If the upcoming festival season was a road sign, it would read “Road Work Ahead.” After the year we’ve all endured, reconstruction of public events is underway. Some annual fairs and festivals are putting the brakes on events until 2022. Others are proceeding with caution by announcing a TBA festival date. Still, others that were to be inaugural 2020 events are pulling out of the parking lot in 2021.
This list of those that gave the green light should help with planning. Buckle up, you’re now in the fairs and festivals carpool lane. Full speed ahead!
If you like that new car smell, you won’t want to miss a couple of breakout festivals this year. The Mighty Roots Music Festival in unincorporated Stovall, Mississippi, near Clarksdale, is one of them. Though the festival is just sprouting, the roots are deep, according to festival producer Howard Stovall.
And not just the roots of the Delta region’s music, but the roots in the soil, too. That’s one of the unique features of this festival: It’s agri-centric. In fact, the festival is taking place at a long-defunct cotton gin.
“We’ve spent a year and a half converting an old cotton gin on 18 acres of land for this festival,” says Stovall. “There hasn’t been power in that gin for 40 years.”
Stovall has invited 150 young farmers from the Delta Council’s Future Delta group. They’ll meet near the main stage before the first act performs and stay for the entertainment.
It’s also the only festival that has a reading list. Check out the website, mightyrootsmusicfestival.com, and you’ll find not only a suggested reading list highlighting the music, art, and culture of the Delta, but also the history of the Stovall Cotton Gin, the Stovall Store, and former tenant Muddy Waters.
Waters lived on the property for nearly 30 years. The house, in which he lived with his grandmother, is where his music was first recorded in 1941 by Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress. Long after Waters moved, the house was restored and resides at the Delta Blues Museum to this day.
The festival is not just blues music; it’s roots music: reggae, bluegrass, country, and Americana, as well blues. In fact, when Stovall calls his production partner the “ambassador of music in Mississippi,” he’s not kidding. Co-producer Steve Azar was appointed by Governor Phil Bryant as Music and Culture Ambassador of Mississippi in 2017. Azar is a country-music singer and songwriter with a dozen albums under his belt. He also founded the Mighty Mississippi Music Festival in his hometown of Greenville in 2013.
According to Stovall, Azar’s festival had all the right components except for the location. It was just too far from Clarksdale, and way too far from Memphis. Once that fact sunk in, Stovall and Azar worked together to produce a similar concept for Mighty Roots. This time they think they’ve hit the right note with timing and location. It’s sure to be a hit. Check them out.
$30-$65. Friday-Saturday, October 1-2. Stovall Gin Company, mightyrootsmusicfestival.com.
Another breakout fest that should be on your radar: the Carnival of Creativity.
Organizer and founder Yvonne Bobo refers to it as an “innovative art experience.” She promises “big and crazy” events from some of the most creative minds in Memphis. In addition, the carnival is a community builder. Off the Walls Arts has partnered with some familiar South Memphis neighbors — Girls Inc., Vance Youth Development Center, and Streets Ministries.
The artist incubator and exhibition space already hosts workshops from STEAM projects with Dunbar Elementary and Girls Inc. to continuing education and creativity classes for all ages. The carnival is just another way for the collaborating artists to showcase their talents. One of the most interesting features will be a parade of puppets — Second Line-style. Lucky 7 Brass Band will perform. There will be dancing, art exhibits, and classes. The carnival is a free, family-friendly event.
Saturday, October 2, noon-5 p.m. Off the Walls Arts, offthewallsarts.org
While some festivals are just getting started, others are well into their journey. It’s time to set the cruise control and let those drive themselves.
Gonerfest is a fun festival if you like music on the edgy side. The music lineup describes every dude in the ’80s at the Antenna Club — Spits, Nots, Cool Jerks. Fans of punk, garage rock, the bizarre, and unconventional should find their way to this music festival that is old enough to join the armed forces but not old enough to drink.
30 bands in four days, streaming or in-person. $30, $100 for four-day festival pass. Thursday-Sunday, September 23-September 26. Railgarten, goner-records.com
River Arts Fest (Photo: Mike Baber)
Did you know that River Arts Fest began under another name in 1984? At its inception, River Arts Fest was called Arts in the Park and held in Overton Park. I happened to be a vendor in one of the last years the festival operated under the old name. I even won an award for the best decorated booth. I also got a slap on the wrist from code enforcement because part of my winning decorations were hay bales. Something about how someone could drop a cigarette and catch the whole park on fire. Arts in the Park made its way to South Main with a new name in 2006.
A street celebration of the visual, performing, and culinary arts with attractions and activities for all ages. Saturday-Sunday, October 23-24. Riverside Drive along the bluffs, riverartsmemphis.org
The Pink Palace Crafts Fair is the largest fundraising event for the Museum of Science & History and one of the largest volunteer-run events in Memphis. Funds from the fair support museum exhibits, planetarium shows, Mallory-Neely tours, and the Lichterman Nature Center. The crafts fair started nearly 50 years ago in 1973. It’s grown from about 30 craftsmen to more than 200.
Shop for arts and crafts including woodwork, leatherwork, pottery, jewelry, paintings, sculpture, woven goods, and more. $10, $20 for weekend pass. Friday-Sunday, September 24-26, 10 a.m. Audubon Park, memphismuseums.org
Mid-South Fair (Photo: Courtesy of Obsidian Public Relations)
A lot of fairs and festivals in Memphis have staying power, though most haven’t exceeded the 50-year mark. Two come to mind: the Memphis Greek Festival, in its 62nd year; and the longest-running celebration by a mile — the Mid-South Fair.
In its 165th year, it might not surprise you that the Mid-South Fair was created for business networking purposes. Long before the internet or even phones, farmers and merchants struggled to find ways to communicate and meet one another. The first fair in 1856 was held so that the best in agricultural produce and the latest in machinery and inventions could be showcased to the public.
Shortly after the success of the first fair, fun and games were added for more appeal. The event weathered the Civil War, the yellow fever epidemic, the Depression, and two world wars. At the Centennial Fair celebration in 1956, Elvis made a surprise appearance. A time capsule was buried, to be opened in 2056.
Featuring a petting zoo, fair food, rides, attractions, contests, and more. $10. September 23-October 3. Landers Center, midsouthfair.com
Though it’s been a rough road this past year for festivals, it’s in our rearview mirror. Let’s take the rest of the year to celebrate the things that matter most — art, culture, music, heritage, history, and each other.
AUGUST
Memphis Film Prize
A film festival and contest featuring 10 short films made by filmmakers in and around Memphis. Audience votes for the winner of the $5K cash prize. Friday-Saturday, August 6-7. $30.
Malco Studio on the Square, memphisfilmprize.com
Elvis Week 2021
A lineup of events to celebrate the music, movies, and legacy of the King of Rock-and-Roll. August 11-17.
Graceland, graceland.com
Memphis Summer Cocktail Festival
Enjoy summer-inspired cocktails from more than 30 of your favorite spirits, local food, an epic dance party, and more. $39. Friday, August 13, 6-9 p.m.
Overton Square, memphisfestivals.com
Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival
A celebration of blues and gospel music in the Delta. Headliner James “Super Chikan” Johnson opens the festival. VIP tickets include food and beverages. Free. Friday-Sunday, August 13-15.
Clarksdale, Mississippi, sunflowerfest.org
Live at the Garden (Photo: Mike Baber)
Live at the Garden
• Brad Paisley, Friday, August 13, 7:30 p.m.
• REO Speedwagon, Friday, August 27, 8 p.m.
• Sheryl Crow, Friday, September 17, 8 p.m.
• Earth, Wind & Fire, Thursday, October 21, 7:30 p.m.
Summer music series featuring country, rock, pop, and soul-funk superstars. $55-$131.
Memphis Botanic Garden, radiansamp.com
Memphis Chicken & Beer Festival
Chicken, beer, yard games, live entertainment, and more. Benefiting Dorothy Day House. $40. Saturday, August 14, 6-10 p.m.
Liberty Bowl Stadium, memphischickenandbeer.com
Beale Street Artcrawl Festival
Family-friendly event featuring artists on Beale Street. Free. Saturday, August 21, 1-7 p.m.
Beale Street, dearmusicnonprofit.org
Memphis Fashion Week
Take a tour of Arrow Creative’s new Midtown space, join a class for fashionistas, meet designers and local makers, and watch a runway show. $50-$150. Wednesday-Saturday, August 25-28.
Sample wings from more than 70 competition teams vying for the hot wing world championship title. Benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis. $15. Saturday, August 28, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Liberty Bowl Stadium, worldwingfest.com
SEPTEMBER
901 Day: Exposure
City-wide celebration featuring live entertainment, giveaways, local bites, and several organizations representing the Memphis landscape of social, civic, recreational, and entertainment offerings. Wednesday, September 1, 5-6:30 p.m.
FedExForum, newmemphis.org
Delta Fair & Music Festival
Features carnival rides, fair food, live music, attractions, vendors, livestock shows, cooking contests, and more. $10. Friday, September 3-12.
Agricenter International, deltafest.com
River City Jazz & Music Festival
Features Damien Escobar, Karyn White, Con Funk Shun, Kenny Lattimore, and Julian Vaughn. $60. Sunday, September 5, 6:30 p.m.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, thecannoncenter.com
Memphis Chevy Show (Photo: Mike Baber)
Memphis Chevy Show
The largest car show in the Mid-South region and a thrilling Pro Show featuring Larry Dixon’s Top Fuel Experience, fire-breathing Jet Funny Cars, and Open Outlaw Racing. $20. Friday-Saturday, September 10-11, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Memphis International Raceway, racemir.com
Memphis Rox Yoga Festival
Features a variety of local and regional studios and vendors, lectures, workshops, film screenings, yoga classes, live music, food trucks, and kids activities. $35-$55. Saturday, September 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Featuring bacon-inspired dishes from Memphis restaurants, plus an array of distilled spirits. $39. Friday, September 24, 6-9 p.m.
Metal Museum, memphisbaconandbourbon.com
Latin Fest
Kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with a family-oriented festival featuring live Latin music, Latin food and drinks, crafts for kids, and vendors. Free. Saturday, September 25, noon-6 p.m.
Overton Square, cazateatro.org
Soulful Food Truck Festival
Featuring more than 100 vendors, 35 food trucks, game zone, and music by J. Buck, Keia Johnson, Courtney Little, DJ Zoom, and DJ Alpha Whiskey. $5. Sunday, September 26, noon-6 p.m.
Tiger Lane, cdcoevents.com
OCTOBER
Mempho Music Festival
Three days of performances, Pronto Pups, art pop-ups, and tunes. $80, $185 for three-day pass. Friday-Sunday, October 1-3.
Memphis Botanic Garden, memphofest.com
King Biscuit Blues Festival
Featuring blues legends and up-and-coming acts to preserve and promote the music of the Delta. $45, $85 for three-day pass. Thursday-Saturday, October 6-9.
Featuring the 2021 Beerfest mug, unlimited samples of beer, and local food trucks. Saturday, October 9, 1-5 p.m.
Midtown Autowerks Inc., cybeerfest.org
Harvest Festival (Photo: Courtesy of Agricenter)
Harvest Festival
Pumpkin-painting, kid’s activities, arts and crafts, hayrides, and educational stations. Saturday, October 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Agricenter International, agricenter.org
The Tambourine Bash
Featuring 30+ musicians performing for the benefit of Music Export Memphis. Funds go directly to the artists. $25. Thursday, October 14, 7 p.m.
Levitt Shell, musicexportmemphis.org
Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival
Highlights stories of the people, music, and history along the Mississippi River through discussion, performances, and presentations. Thursday-Saturday, October 14-16.
Various locations and online from Clarksdale, Mississippi,deltawilliamsfestival.com
Brewfest and Brunchfest
Local food trucks, live music, games, vendors, and unlimited beer samples from 40+ breweries from around the world. $45. Saturday-Sunday, October 16-17.
Liberty Bowl Stadium, facebook.com/memphisbrewfest
Indie Memphis Film Festival
Brings a range of independent features, documentaries, and short films to Memphis from all corners of the world. Wednesday, October 20-25.
Playhouse on the Square, indiememphis.org
Mushroom Festival
Camping festival dedicated to mushrooms. Features classes and demonstrations, live music, tastings, wild food forays and dinners, identification tents, guided hikes, and more. Thursday-Sunday, October 21-24.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, memphismushroomfest.com
Dia de los Muertos Parade and Festival
Enjoy a reverse parade where families are invited to honor ancestors and celebrate the cycle of life and death. Free. Saturday, October 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Memphis Brooks Museum, cazateatro.org
Vegan BBQ Cook-off & Festival
This Halloween edition will feature a cooking contest, food samples, fitness information, and costume contest, plus candy for the kids. Free-$20. Saturday, October 30, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Tiger Lane, missfitnessdiva.com
Crafts & Drafts Holiday Market
Showcases independent local artists, makers, and crafters. Enjoy shopping, family activities, and local brews. Thursday, November 11, 10 a.m.
Crosstown Concourse, memphiscraftsanddrafts.com
Whiskey Warmer
Features 40 labels of whiskey, bourbon, and Scotch, plus local food trucks, a cigar lounge, and bluegrass music. Benefiting Volunteer Memphis. $39. Friday, November 12, 6-9 p.m.
Overton Square, whiskeywarmer.com
Craft Food & Wine Festival
Celebrate culinary magic, benefiting Church Health. $65. Sunday, November 21, 3 p.m.
The Columns, craftfoodandwinefest.com
DECEMBER
Memphis Israel Festival
Enjoy all things Israel, including food, culture, market goods, and activities. Sunday, December 5.
Agricenter International, memphisfoi.org
Holiday Spirits Cocktail Festival
Sip cocktails, listen to music, and wave to the big man in red himself. Each ticket includes 12 sample-sized yuletide cocktails. Food and full-sized drinks will be available for purchase. $39. Friday, December 10, 6-9 p.m.
Illinois-based rockers REO Speedwagon will complete the 2021 lineup for Memphis Botanic Garden’s Live at the Garden concert series. This morning’s announcement said the band will perform on August 27th.
The 2021 lineup will be the 20th season of Live at the Garden, sponsored this year by Regions Bank. Performers include Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, and Sheryl Crow. Earth, Wind and Fire will close out the season with a performance on October 21st.
Season Lawn Passes for Live at the Garden are $250 for a regular season lawn pass and $300 for a Premium Season Lawn Pass, which allows patrons entry to the venue 15 minutes prior to general gates opening. Individual TruGreen lawn tickets start at $50 plus fees.
Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers to the concerts. Food trucks and bars will be onsite, as well as pre-order catering.
For more information on Live at the Garden, call 636-4107 or visit liveatthegarden.com.
Earth, Wind & Fire (photo courtesy Live at the Garden)
Music can be heard among the flowers once again this summer, as Memphis Botanic Garden announces the return of its Live at the Garden summer concert series. In what was supposed to be a 20th anniversary year, Live at the Garden was forced to cancel last summer because of COVID-19 and social distancing restrictions, making the return of the music series all the sweeter.
Live at the Garden will begin on July 13th, with a performance by country stars Little Big Town, in the recently renamed Radians Amphitheater. Brad Paisley will perform on August 13th, and Memphians can “Soak Up the Sun” with singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow on September 17th. Soul/fun superstars Earth, Wind & Fire will headline on October 21st, and a fifth concert is yet to be announced.
“We were devastated, as was everyone in the event business, to have to cancel last season’s plans. It was supposed to be our 20thanniversary. Due to generous fans and sponsors, we were still able to commemorate the anniversary with the permanent Can’t Stop the Music donor wall, which is located on the west side of the stage,” says Sherry May, co-director of Live at the Garden. “We are so excited to bring Live at the Garden back this July.”
Sheryl Crow (photo courtesy Live at the Garden)
As the bands strike up again, a new “Title Sponsor” will be supporting the concert series: Regions Bank. The Title Sponsorship role follows Regions’ support as the Can’t Stop the Music Kick-Off Sponsor in 2020.
Season Lawn Passes for Live at the Garden are $250 for a regular season lawn pass and $300 for a Premium Season Lawn Pass, which allows patrons entry to the venue 15 minutes prior to general gates opening. Individual TruGreen lawn tickets start at $50 plus fees. Both Season Lawn and all individual show tickets go on sale Friday, June 11th, at noon.
Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers to the concerts. Food trucks and bars are also located onsite, as well as pre-order catering.
For more information on Live at the Garden, call 636-4107 or visit liveatthegarden.com.
Of course, it all pales before tonight and tomorrow’s International Goat Days in Millington. There will be a classic “battle of the bands” and other live music, along with other family fair fun…plus goats! Meanwhile, if you really want to see dancing in the streets, check out the Orange Mound Parade, this Saturday morning at 8:00, where marching bands give it their all from Melrose High School to the Lamar-Airways Shopping Center. It’s the grandest preamble that the Southern Heritage Classic could hope for.
Memphis Pride Fest
Other fairs and parades ensue through the month, culminating in the 15th Annual Memphis Pride Fest, sure to bring a host of bands out to Tom Lee Park. For even more music with that street carnival flair, check out the diverse lineup of the Mid South Fair, September 20-30, now held at Landers Center in Southaven.
Los Kumbia Brothers
This year’s fair boasts a special celebration of Latino music, presented by Radio Ambiente, with six bands playing from noon til 10:00. And let’s not forget Memphis legends 8 Ball and MJG. That show, like most others, comes free with your fair admission.
Meta and the Cornerstones
Meanwhile, back to the present, the weekend is exploding with sit-down outdoor shows. Not long ago, we gave you a rundown of the full fall lineup at the queen of outdoor venues, the Levitt Shell. If you missed last night’s Devon Gilfillian, there’s still time to plan on this weekend’s especially international sounds, with Havana’s Orquesta Akokán tonight and the Afro-pop/reggae/soul blend of Meta and the Cornerstones tomorrow. Reba Russell closes down the weekend on Sunday.
Earlier that day, there’s even more music, including a special pop-up sunset jazz event at Court Square with the Bill Hurd Jazz Ensemble. Meanwhile, the River Series at the Harbor Town Amphitheater, aside from being smartly curated, also boasts one of the most beautiful vistas of any outdoor music experience. Perched on the steps of an amphitheater in the style of Ancient Greece, you gaze on shores of the city and the hyper-reality of our gigantic metallic pyramid.
Harlan T. Bobo
Both of the artists jump-starting the River Series season on Sunday, Harlan T. Bobo and Paul Taylor, evoke the city very specifically in their music. Bobo, who recently captivated an audience at the Memphis Music Mansion, might even sing his instant classic, “Must Be in Memphis,” as the city floats out in the night; and Taylor may treat audiences to his new, and very groovy, Old Forest Loop music. The River series then continues with Cameron Bethany & Kid Maestro on September 23, and Teardrop City and the Limes on October 14.
Elsewhere around the city, the Live at the Garden series continues tonight, with the big, rich tones of Big & Rich echoing through the sublime environs of the Memphis Botanic Garden. Although that show will mark the end of the summer series, look for CMT Music Award winners Dan + Shay with special guest Michael Ray at the end of the month.
Of course, Midtowners are already readying for next weekend’s Cooper-Young Festival, and the event’s three stages will feature some choice performers. Highlights on the main stage include FreeWorld with the legendary Dr. Herman Green, followed by Fuzzie Jefferies. The other stages are great ways to check out the many and diverse sounds coming out of Memphis these days, from Laramie to the Switchblade Kid to the current
kings of Memphis hardcore, Negro Terror. Michael Donahue
Negro Terror at Our Scene United
And finally, we can’t forget Gonerfest 15. While much of the music will happen in clubs around town, the festival does offer some choice opportunities for open air listening. Indeed, it’s bookended with performances at the Cooper-Young Gazebo, with D.M. Bob on Thursday, Sept. 27, and R.L. Boyce on Sunday, September 30. And, as usual, both the Murphy’s Bar interior and patio will be hopping with far out sounds all afternoon on September 29, culminating with a show by Robyn Hitchcock. Laura E. Partain
Robyn Hitchcock
Fast on the heels of Gonerfest, of course, we’ll wake up and it’ll be October. Check the Flyer that weekfor a special report on the Mempho Music Festival, which will play host to the likes of Beck, Post Malone, Phoenix, Nas, and Janelle Monáe. But heck, that’s a whole month away. For now, dust off your camping chairs, pack your coolers, break out the bug spray, and get ready. The nights grow cool and the musical creatures are coming out to play.
It’s hardly your typical picnic. With blankets and chairs scattered across the lawn, people of all ages gather to hear musicians rock the picturesque Memphis Botanic Garden. Such an alluring environment has made Live at the Garden, now in its seventh season, a classic Memphis concert series, and this year’s opening act, Chicago, has music lovers especially enthused.
“Chicago is an act we’ve talked about every year but have never been able to get,” says Sherry Misner, co-director for Live at the Garden. “It’s such a natural fit. Getting Chicago epitomizes what we’ve tried to do creating the outdoor setting.”
Live at the Garden is a chance not only to hear great music but also to visit with friends and family. “Lots of people come an hour early just to mix and mingle,” Misner says. And because of the affordable ticket price and the garden’s central location, Misner adds, anyone can go.
While Misner is excited about Live at the Garden’s entire lineup — which includes Natalie Cole, Al Green, Chris Isaak, and Michael McDonald — she’s really thrilled about the Chicago concert. The horns-driven band has been pleasing audiences with their energetic blast of songs and sweeter-than-sweet ballads for 40 years.
“When we announced that Chicago was coming, I was getting phone calls all the time,” Misner says. “I was even stopped in the grocery store with people saying, ‘I can’t believe you got Chicago!'”
Live at the Garden presents Chicago at the Memphis Botanic Garden, Saturday, June 9th. Gates open at 7 p.m.; show begins at 8:30 p.m. $35 for general lawn admission. For more information, go to www.liveatthegarden.com.
Michael Donahue 
Laura E. Partain