Reasons to Love Memphis #19: Rock’n'Romp

There are a lot of opportunities to see local music in Memphis. Unfortunately for many parents, many of those opportunities come after 9 p.m. on a school night.

Enter Rock’n'Romp, a series of kid-friendly afternoon concerts held in backyards and willing outdoor venues in Midtown. The shows feature some of the most notable bands Memphis (think Harlan T. Bobo, Mouserocket, Vending Machine, River City Tanlines and the Warble) playing well before midnight. Picnics are welcome and there’s beer for the grownups.

There’s one catch – you have to have a kid to get in.

Hot Pink Paperclips at Rock'n'Romp Memphis

The most recent Rock’n'Romp was held Saturday afternoon on the grounds of the  National Ornamental Metal Museum. The weather was perfect, the venue was perfect, and the kids were having fun dancing to Mouserocket, Sector Zero, Star and Micey and the Hot Pink Paperclips.

I loved the Hot Pink Paperclips’ set. They’re an all-girl rock’n'roll band that formed at Delta Girls Rock Camp. They’re still in school and they play original songs, and they sound a bit like Sleater Kinney. I wish I had been this cool when I was in middle and high school (who am I kidding – I wish I could be that cool now).

If you’d like to Rock’n'Romp, add your name to the R’n'R email list. The awesome team of parents behind the shows will let you know when events are coming up.