The best outdoor concerts in Memphis
The weather is warming, and open-air venues throughout the Memphis area are gearing up for the outdoor concert season. h From the Overton Park Shell in Midtown to The Grove in Germantown, the Bankplus Amphitheater in Southaven to the Maria Montessori School Amphitheater in Harbor Town, there will be plenty to see and hear in the coming months while enjoying the fresh air. h Here’s a look at some of the venues and shows worth checking out.
Historic Midtown venue the Overton Park Shell has announced its annual Orion Free Concert Series. The summer and fall series — which runs May 17 through Oct. 12, with a break in the middle — will showcase 34 free performances.
"This year, we are crossing all genres and creative programming to give access to The Shell’s mission boldly and without barriers, with special emphasis on Memphis artists,” Overton Park Shell Executive Director Natalie Wilson said. “We are truly honored to be a safe, joyous place for all walks of life in Memphis and Shelby County as we celebrate the incredible talent of our Memphis arts and music scene.”
The regular slate of shows — which run Thursday through Sunday, with doors opening at 7 p.m. — will include concerts by nationally known acts like Sister Hazel, Cowboy Mouth and Shamarr Allen, among others.
In addition, the Orion Series will also feature special events like Sunset Symphony in collaboration with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Country Blues Festival, the annual Stax Music Academy Showcase, Powerpop Festival, Shakespeare at the Shell with Tennessee Shakespeare Company, Opera Memphis, the Dreamfest Weekend, the Memphis Black Arts Alliance Gospel Night featuring Tennessee Mass Choir, and BODYWERK, the first electronic dance event The Shell has showcased.
The Orion Series at The Shell will also pay tribute to Memphis’ rich music history, with Stax legends The Bar-kays scheduled for a 60th anniversary performance, along with appearances by other notable locals including Mononeon, Cyrena Wages and more.
The Shell has also announced one of its annual ticketed benefit concerts, featuring rising Americana star Sierra Ferrell, who will perform Aug. 24. Tickets for that are available at Ticketmaster.com.
In the meantime, this week, The Shell will host the ticketed Shell Daze Concert on April 19 and 20. A Mempho Presents event, Shell Daze Music Festival features a funk-filled lineup led by JJ Grey & Mofro and Oteil & Friends featuring Steve Kimock, Jason Crosby, Johnny Kimock, Tom Guarna and Lamar Williams Jr. Also confirmed for appearances at the third annual gathering are Colorado-based jam/roots spectacle The Runaway Grooms, plus regional favorites Kudzu Kings and Devil Train. Single-day tickets and two-day passes are available at Ticketmaster.com.
Here is a schedule of the Orion Free Concert Series for both the summer and fall. For more details, go to Overtonparkshell.org.
Summer schedule h May 17-19: Dreamfest Weekend h May 24: Lukah with Hope Clayburn & The Fire Salamander h May 26: Sunset Symphony h May 30: Black Opry h May 31: BODYWERK with Takuya Nakamura h June 1: Laura Denisse h June 6: Sister Hazel h June 7: King & Associates h June 8: Perpetual Groove h June 13: Cedric Burnside h June 14: Lamont Landers h June 15: Black Hippie h June 20: Magnolias h June 21: Talibah Safiyah with Madamefraankie h June 22: Sweet Lizzy Project h June 27: Shamarr Allen h June 28: Cowboy Mouth h June 29: Annual Stax Academy Summer Showcase
Fall schedule h Aug. 30: Mononeon h Aug. 31: Powerpop Festival: Matthew Sweet h Sept. 7: Cyrena Wages h Sept. 13: Healy h Sept. 14: Memphis Black Arts Alliance Gospel Night: Tennessee Mass Choir h Sept. 20: Canti Records h Sept. 27: Aaron James (Unapologetic) h Sept. 28: The Bar-kays h Sept. 29: Opera Memphis: Opera Goes to Broadway
h Oct. 4: Stax Museum Presents: Los Yesterdays h Oct. 5: Memphis Harvest Band h Oct. 12: Memphis Country Blues Festival
h Oct. 20: Shakespeare at The Shell: Comedy of Errors
Bankplus Amphitheater
The Bankplus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove will offer a selection of big name shows in Southaven this summer and fall. So far, only a handful of concerts have been announced, with next week's highly anticipated concert by Irish rocker Hozier already a sellout. More shows are expected to be announced soon. For tickets, go to Ticketmaster.com.
h April 25: Hozier with Allison Russell (sold out) h Aug. 9: Lainey Wilson h Sept. 10: Smashing Pumpkins
MMS River Series
The Maria Montessori School Amphitheater in Harbor Town will once again play host to the annual River Series. The River Series was created in 2014 by Goner Records co-owner Zac Ives. For almost 10 years, concerts highlighting original and authentic music have been enjoyed outdoors at the Maria Montessori School Amphitheater in the heart of Harbor Town. The River Series — which takes place monthly in the spring and fall — generates funds and resources for the school, and also offers an opportunity for patrons to experience the campus and local community. Admission is a requested donation amount of $10 per adult and $5 per child. For details, go to Riverseries.org.
h April 27: Avid Violin, Ensemblex, Deep Roots Memphis h May 11: The Soul Ingredient h June 8: Chris Bell's "I Am The Cosmos"
50th Anniversary Show Grind City Brewing
On the heels of its successful Grind City Music Festival, Grind City Brewing will continue to do more concerts this summer at its amphitheater in the Uptown neighborhood of Memphis. So far they have announced an Aug. 20 performance by prog-jam titans Primus. For tickets or more information, go to Grindcitybrew.com.
h Aug. 20: Primus
Germantown Performing Arts Center's The Grove
Starting in early May, Germantown Performing Arts Center will present a weekly concert series at its outdoor venue, The Grove. The Concerts in The Grove program will include performances from locals like Marcella Simien and Alice Hasen and Josh Threlkeld, as well as appearances by national artists, including Tommy Prine. The nine-week series — which includes a free show on May 23 with Chinese Connection Dub Embassy — will kick off May 2. Tickets for individual shows are available, but a series pass can also be purchased for $32 per person or $96 for a table pass for the season. For tickets and more information, go to Gpacweb.com.
h May 2: Jerome Chism and the Royal Studios House Band h May 9: Marcella Simien h May 16: Almost Elton John h May 23: Free Family Night in the Grove with Chinese Connection Dub Embassy
h May 30: Germantown Symphony Orchestra's Pops Concert h June 6: Tommy Prine h June 13: Hope Clayburn's Soul Scrimmage h June 20: Cyrena Wages h June 27: Alice Hasen and Josh Threlkeld