What outdoor concerts are coming to Memphis? Sister Hazel, Smashing Pumpkins, Primus & more
The weather is warming, and open-air venues throughout the Memphis area are gearing up for the outdoor concert season.
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.
Here’s a look at some of the venues and shows worth checking out.
Overton Park Shell
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
May 17-19: Dreamfest Weekend
May 24: Lukah with Hope Clayburn & The Fire Salamander
May 26: Sunset Symphony
May 30: Black Opry
May 31: BODYWERK with Takuya Nakamura
June 1: Laura Denisse
June 6: Sister Hazel
June 7: King & Associates
June 8: Perpetual Groove
June 13: Cedric Burnside
June 14: Lamont Landers
June 15: Black Hippie
June 20: Magnolias
June 21: Talibah Safiyah with MadameFraankie
June 22: Sweet Lizzy Project
June 27: Shamarr Allen
June 28: Cowboy Mouth
June 29: Annual Stax Academy Summer Showcase
Fall schedule
Aug. 30: MonoNeon
Aug. 31: PowerPop Festival: Matthew Sweet
Sept. 7: Cyrena Wages
Sept. 13: Healy
Sept. 14: Memphis Black Arts Alliance Gospel Night: Tennessee Mass Choir
Sept. 20: Canti Records
Sept. 27: Aaron James (Unapologetic)
Sept. 28: The Bar-Kays
Sept. 29: Opera Memphis: Opera Goes to Broadway
Oct. 4: Stax Museum Presents: Los Yesterdays
Oct. 5: Memphis Harvest Band
Oct. 12: Memphis Country Blues Festival
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.
April 25: Hozier with Allison Russell (sold out)
Aug. 9: Lainey Wilson
Sept. 10: Smashing Pumpkins
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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.
April 27: Avid Violin, EnsembleX, Deep Roots Memphis
May 11: The Soul Ingredient
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.
Aug. 20: Primus
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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.
May 2: Jerome Chism and the Royal Studios House Band
May 9: Marcella Simien
May 16: Almost Elton John
May 23: Free Family Night in the Grove with Chinese Connection Dub Embassy
May 30: Germantown Symphony Orchestra’s Pops Concert
June 6: Tommy Prine
June 13: Hope Clayburn’s Soul Scrimmage
June 20: Cyrena Wages
June 27: Alice Hasen and Josh Threlkeld
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: The best outdoor concerts in Memphis in 2024: Hozier, Lainey Wilson
