From Lizzo to Buddy Guy, 14 Memphis concerts to look forward to in 2023

With things winding down in 2022, the concert schedule for 2023 is just starting to ramp up. Music fans in Memphis and the Mid-South will have much to look forward to in the coming months.

So far, a heavy slate of big name shows have been confirmed for the winter and spring, including farewells from blues legends, concerts by classic rockers, performances from pop divas and appearances by alt-country singers to Australian guitar pickers and more.

Here are a dozen shows worth getting excited about in 2023.

Tommy Emmanuel

Tommy Emmanuel kicks off 2023 with a show at the Germantown Performing Arts Center.
Tommy Emmanuel kicks off 2023 with a show at the Germantown Performing Arts Center.

Jan. 13 at Germantown Performing Arts Center

Tommy Emmanuel, one of the greatest acoustic guitarists of all time, kicks off 2023 with a show in the Memphis area. The dazzling Australian guitar picker will make a rare local appearance, headlining a concert at GPAC’s Duncan-Williams Performance Hall. Tickets: $30 to $75. On sale at GPACweb.com.

Music news:'A story of redemption': Guitar great Eric Gales caps remarkable comeback with Grammy nom

Memphis music history:'The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll': New book explores Sun Records' legacy, Sam Phillips' impact

Neko Case

Alt-country singer Neko Case will appear at GPAC in February.
Alt-country singer Neko Case will appear at GPAC in February.

Feb. 4 at Germantown Performing Arts Center

Alt-country singer and songwriter Neko Case returns to the Memphis area for a show at the Germantown Performing Arts Center. Case will headline GPAC’s Duncan-Williams Performance Hall on Feb. 4. Tickets: $31 to $76. On sale at GPACweb.com.

Kem and Ledisi

Feb. 25 at Landers Center

Contemporary R&B stars Kem and Ledisi co-headline the Soul II Soul Tour. The package — which will also feature singer Musiq Soulchild — will stop at Southaven’s Landers Center on Feb. 25. Tickets: $64 to $255. On sale at Ticketmaster.com.

Chris Botti

March 3 at Graceland Soundstage

Grammy-winning trumpeter and composer Chris Botti comes to Memphis for a show at the Graceland Soundstage. Botti will headline a March 3 concert at the venue. Tickets: $39.50 to $119. On sale at Gracelandlive.com.

New Edition

New Edition will return to Memphis for a March 12 show at FedExForum.
New Edition will return to Memphis for a March 12 show at FedExForum.

March 12, FedExForum

Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum-selling R&B supergroup New Edition bring "The Legacy Tour" to Downtown's FedExForum in March. New Edition will headline a bill that includes a New Jack Swing reunion with Keith Sweat and the original members of Guy (Teddy Riley, Aaron Hall and Damion Hall) and Tank. Tickets: $59-$129. Available at Ticketmaster.com.

Buddy Guy

Blues legend Buddy Guy will bring his farewell tour to downtown's Orpheum in March.
Blues legend Buddy Guy will bring his farewell tour to downtown's Orpheum in March.

March 14 at the Orpheum

Blues legend Buddy Guy brings his "Damn Right Farewell Tour" to Downtown’s Orpheum on March 14. Tickets: $55 to $120. On sale at Ticketmaster.com.

Jeffrey Osborne

March 18 at Cannon Center for the Performing Arts

Jeffrey Osborne, the Manhattans and Chick Rogers present the “Can You Woo Woo Woo” tour March 18 at the Cannon Center. The concert — headlined by Osborne — will feature "nothing but the hits" from this veteran group of musicians. Tickets: $65 to $120. On sale at Ticketmaster.com.

Patti LaBelle

R&B great Patti LaBelle will play the Orpheum in March.
R&B great Patti LaBelle will play the Orpheum in March.

March 18 at the Orpheum

R&B diva Patti LaBelle returns to the Bluff City for a March 18 concert at the Orpheum. Tickets: $54 to $150. On sale at Ticketmaster.com.

Big Head Todd & the Monsters

March 19 at Minglewood Hall

Colorado pop-rockers Big Head Todd & the Monsters play Midtown Memphis' Minglewood Hall on March 19. Tickets: $35. On sale at Ticketmaster.com.

Young Dolph:Looking back on the life and legacy of Memphis rapper a year after his death

Memphis rap:Memphis rapper GloRilla brings a female voice to the city's hip-hop renaissance

Journey

April 1 at FedExForum

Classic rockers Journey bring their 50th Anniversary Celebration Freedom Tour 2023 to FedExForum on April 1 along with special guests Toto. Tickets: $36 to $195. Go to Ticketmaster.com.

John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp comes to downtown's Orpheum for a two-night stand in April.
John Mellencamp comes to downtown's Orpheum for a two-night stand in April.

April 24-25 at the Orpheum

Heartland rocker John Mellencamp comes to the Orpheum for a two-night stand on April 24-25. Tickets: $49 to $299. On sale at Ticketmaster.com.

Lizzo

Pop star Lizzo will headline FedExForum in April.
Pop star Lizzo will headline FedExForum in April.

April 26 at FedExForum

Three-time Grammy- and Emmy Award-winning, multi-platinum certified pop star Lizzo brings the second North American leg of her widely successful “The Special 2our” to FedExForum on April 26. Latto will also appear. Tickets: $36 to $136. Available at Ticketmaster.com.

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson will visit Memphis on April 29 for a show at FedExForum.
Janet Jackson will visit Memphis on April 29 for a show at FedExForum.

April 29, FedExForum

Grammy-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Janet Jackson will play Downtown's FedExForum in late-April as part of her "Together Again" tour. The show is as part of Jackson's highly anticipated return to the road after four years. Jackson will be joined on the bill by recording artist and "Fast & Furious" actor, Ludacris. Tickets: $69.50 to $396.50. Available at Ticketmaster.com.

Anita Baker

R&B songstress Anita Baker will headline FedExForum, part of a concert that will also feature Babyface, in the fall.
R&B songstress Anita Baker will headline FedExForum, part of a concert that will also feature Babyface, in the fall.

Nov. 22 at FedExForum

Anita Baker brings her "The Songstress" tour to FedExForum on Nov. 22. The show will also feature hitmaking songwriter, producer and performer Babyface. Tickets: $56 to $166. Available at Ticketmaster.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What concerts are coming to Memphis in 2023: Lizzo, Journey, Buddy Guy