Listen Up: 9 Shows To See in Memphis in December 2014
Listen Up: 9 Shows To See in Memphis in December 2014
Here's my monthly guide to live music in Memphis in December.
Giveaway alert: I've only listened to St. Paul and the Broken Bones a little, but y'all love them. If you want to win a pair tickets to St. Paul and the Broken Bones show tomorrow (12/3) leave me a comment on this post telling me which SP&TBB song I should listen to introduce me to the band's music. I'll draw a winner randomly at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.
**Giveaway update 12/3: Congrats to Nick G. who won the St. Paul and the Broken Bones Tickets!**
Minglewood Hall is being awesome and has given me a pair of tickets to give away for 3 more shows this month. Be sure to follow me on Twitter or Facebook, or check the blog every day to find out which shows and how to win.
St. Paul and the Broken Bones is at Minglewood Hall on 12/3.
This edition of Listen Up is special because it's mostly Memphis musicians. Is it just me, or is now an exciting time in the local music scene? Seems like between new venues and album releases, talented folks who've been playing for years are coming into their own, it's just a great time to love Memphis music.
Please keep in mind that this is not meant to be a comprehensive guide to every live music act coming to Memphis, just an variety of shows big and small I think you'll like and my little comments on them.
1. St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Minglewood Hall, Wednesday December 3, 6 p.m., $20+ fees, all ages
Y'all loved St. Paul and the Broken Bones so much when they were at the Levitt Shell this fall that they're back this week at Minglewood Hall for a Wednesday night show.
2. Dead Soldiers, Bar DKDC, Saturday December 6, $7, 21+
Dead Soliders at their show at the Hi-Tone back in August. This month they're at DKDC on 12/6.
They're grumpy, they're full of feelings, they're Southern, and they rock. Pack in to Bar DKDC on Saturday night to hear Dead Soldiers play their tales of love and death and Memphis and whiskey. I'm a sucker for it (the music and the whiskey).
3. Mighty Souls Brass Band, Lafayette's Music Room, Sunday December 7, music starts at 7 p.m., $10, all ages
If you went to the I Love Memphis B-day Party back in August, you got to hear the completely awesomely fun musicians of the Mighty Souls Brass Band play their NOLA-style, Memphis-flavored big brass band music all afternoon. Well, they are finally releasing an album and this is the party for it. They'll be about a dozen horn players, saxes, drums and more. Caleb Sweazy plays at 7 p.m. and the Mighty Souls start at 8 p.m. Be there.
Is it a tacky sweater Christmas party? Is it an album release show? Is it a chance to buy Faith's new album on vinyl? Yes. Singer-songwriter Faith Evans Ruch puts on a great show to promote her forthcoming second album "After It's Said & Done". The best (worst?) holiday outfit wins a prize, there will be a photo booth to document the occasion, and beer and spiked nog are included in your cover. For $10 you get the vinyl, too.
5. Graham Winchester Album Release Show Part One, The Buccaneer, Friday December 12, 10 p.m., $7
Over the years, I've had the pleasure of catching shows with Graham on drums or singing for all kinds of acts like the Maitre D's, the Sheiks, for John Paul Keith…or Copper Possum way back at the old Neil's when all of us were definitely old enough to be there. I'm so happy he's finally releasing a solo album. Go to his album release show Part 1 on the 12th at the Bucc or Part 2 at DKDC on Dec. 19.
6. Santa Claus Presents: Hip Hop Toy Drive, Hi-Tone Cafe (412 N. Cleveland), Dec. 13, doors at 7 p.m., $5 or a new, unwrapped toy, 18 and up
Memphis hip hop artist Knowledge Nick (read my interview with him here) hosts the 3rd annual Hip Hop Toy Drive for Toys for Tots. There's a big lineup of Memphis hip-hop and rap artists including Iron Mic Coalition, S.O.U.L., Dick Solomon, Da Ladie, Ricache', Nina 9, Sleepy J Barksdale, Bartholomew Jones, and DJ Wyzlyfe Go here for links to sample their music.
7. Lucero Family Christmas, Minglewood Hall, Friday December 19, doors at 7 p.m., $22 adv./$24 day of show, all ages
Join the Lucero family for their annual Christmas party at Minglewood Hall. The band will be joined by Mighty Souls Brass Band. $1 of the show's proceeds will benefit a local charity.
8. The City Champs w/ Marcella & Her Lovers, Hi-Tone Cafe, Friday December 26, $10, 18+
The Hi-Tone's website says of The City Champs, "one of the best Memphis bands ever. Period." I tend to agree, and you should take our word for it. With zydeco songstress Marcella opening for them in the wake of her new album, this is gonna be a good one.
9. The Bo-Keys New Year's Eve Show, Lafayette's Music Room, Wednesday December 31, 10:30 p.m., cover TBD, 18+
Memphis legends who have been entertaining the Bluff City for more than 40 years will help you ring in the new year at the newest oldest place to hear music in Memphis. It's New Year's Eve so I have a feeling the Roo is gonna be crowded after this one.
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