River Series at Harbor Town

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.

Cooper-Young Porchfest (Photo courtesy of CYCA).

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.

Motel Mirrors at the River Series (Photo courtesy of Maria Montessori School)

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.”

1972 album cover by Trapeze, featuring an Overton Park Shell audience (courtesy of Overton Park Shell Archives).

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.

On good nights, the cool air of autumn is already whistling in. And other tones are floating in the air as well, with the fall outdoor concert season, already underway, really hitting its stride this weekend. Not only do we still have the Delta Fair & Music Festival, this weekend will see the launch of the fall season’s River Series at the Harbor Town Amphitheater and the Levitt Shell Orion Free Music Concert Series.

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 week for 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.