As #901Day becomes more and more established as a Mid-South tradition, it’s increasingly clear that music plays a central role in celebrating what Memphis is about. This year, September 1st falls on a Thursday, making it the perfect kickoff to an entire weekend of touting the Bluff City’s greatness. And if you’re hip to the unique sounds of our local musicians, this weekend is for you.
The most obvious starting point is the proudly Memphis-centric weekend at Railgarten, aka 901 Fest. The second annual staging of the festival, which runs from the 1st to the 4th of September, brings back a few familiar faces from last year, along with some newcomers. Lord T & Eloise, the Dead Soldiers, and the Lucky 7 Brass Band were featured last year. Now, the first two headline again, along with Star & Micey and North Mississippi’s recent Grammy-winner, Cedric Burnside. The Lucky 7 Brass Band, Marcella & Her Lovers, Neighborhood Texture Jam, Devil Train, and the Wilkins Sisters fill out the festival’s lineup.
It’s a powerful reminder of the diversity and eclecticism of the talent that thrives in this region. And the same could be said for the music and beats that will emanate from the Overton Park Shell as it begins its fall seasons of the Orion Free Music Series and the Shell Yeah! Benefit Concerts. While not technically starting on September 1st, the Don Ramon show kicking off the season on the 2nd dovetails neatly with other music reverberating through the weekend. And on Saturday, September 3rd, the past, present, and future vibes of Memphis soul will be in full effect with the WLOK Stone Soul Picnic, created in partnership with the Gilliam Foundation.
The picnic’s lineup highlights groups that often don’t get the attention they deserve: O’Livya Walker, The Spiritual Soldiers, Vincent Tharp & Kenosis, Charisse’, Stevenson Clark, The Mellowtones, MBMC, Annie & the Caldwell Singers, Melodic Truth, Uncle Richard’s Puppets, Roney Strong & the Strong Family, Josh Bracy & Power Anointed, the Sensational Wells Brothers, and Zacardi Cortez.
Finally, with September 4th’s Occupy The Shell event, a festival celebrating Black Memphis artists and creatives, local heroes Al Kapone & Don Trip will headline at the Shell. Of course, there’s no one more “901” than Kapone, whose “Whoop That Trick” is practically the Memphis city anthem, at least during Grizzlies games.
And perhaps Bar DKDC‘s September 3rd birthday bash for Frank McLellan, seen in the Sheiks, the Tennessee Screamers, and Model Zero, will be the most Memphis event of all, bringing that big family vibe to the fore in honor of one of the city’s most prolific musicians. The Obruni Dance Band, specializing in West African highlife music, further ramps up the diversity ante the night before.
And if recorded music is your bag, Memphis has you covered. Shangri-La Records and River City Records will both offer discounts on records by Memphis artists past and present this Thursday. And the Memphis Listening Lab will partner with WYXR 91.7 FM on a record swap and zine fest on September 3rd and 4th. While not necessarily Memphis-focused, there are sure to be some local gems buried in those stacks.
September 1st will clearly be a time to get out there and start vibrating to the local grooves. The sound waves will reverberate throughout the 901 all weekend.