Live Music In Memphis This Month: February 2023

IMPORTANT

• This is just a sampling of shows in Memphis this month. For more, check out: I Love Memphis Music Calendar and the Memphis Flyer Music Listings.
• Submit your show to the blog's calendar HERE. 
• It's flu / covid / everything season. Get your shots and wear your masks and don't go out if you're sick.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2

James and the Ultrasounds with Turnstyles at Bar DKDC

9 p.m. / $? (it’s DKDC so you’ll find out when you get there)

Even though Memphian James Godwin has been tearing up stages in this town (and across the world) for many years now, his band James and the Ultrasounds are still a Memphis rock tentpole. Turnstyles, not to be confused with hardcore band Turnstile, is a two-piece from Memphis musicians and former Reigning Sound members Graham Winchester and Seth Moody.

Tonya Dyson and the Aintitmanes at Crosstown Arts

Doors at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 / $15 advance, $20 day of show

Memphis musician Tonya Dyson returns to the Green Room with the excellently-named The Aintitmanes with another soulful evening for your enjoyment.

Saturday, february 4

TANGELA with Spek (Was Here) and STH MEMPHIS JEFF at Crosstown Arts

Doors at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 / $15 advance, $20 day of show

Memphis-based R&B artist TANGELA is heady and sensual and, from what I’ve heard on her Soundcloud, has a “vibes first” approach to production and songwriting which I think will be a positive thing for a show in the Green Room. Bring a date to this one and y’all might walk out with a newfound purpose for the evening.

Neko Case at GPAC

8 p.m. / $31+

Neko Case has enjoyed a nearly three-decade-long career as one of America’s eminent singer-songwriters thanks to her relatable songwriting and unforgettable, unmistakable voice. She also guest starred in a season 5 episode of the Adult Swim animated sitcom Aqua Teen Hunger Force as a siren who captures John Kruk, first baseman of the Philadelphia Phillies from 1989-1994, to use for “arcane sexual purposes.” What a great show that was.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Surfwax / Lipstick Stains / Seize and Desist / Spacer at the Hi Tone

Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 / $10

This is an interesting lineup of regional bands with three Memphis-based groups (Lipstick Stains, Seize and Desist, and Spacer) and one from Jackson, MS (Surfwax). Surfwax and Spacer both make use of dreamy pop melodies while Lipstick Stains and Seize and Desist are pure punk. Don’t ever say Memphis music fans don’t have layers!

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

The Black Opry Revue at Crosstown Arts

Doors at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 / $20

Tae Lewis (North Carolina), Layna (Ohio), and Tylar Bryant (former MMA fighter?!) are coming together to bring the Black Opry Revue—a celebration of the Black artists and Black fans of country, blues, folk, and Americana music—to Memphis. It’s ridiculous that we have to make space for ourselves in the country, blues, folk, and Americana scenes since we invented all of those genres, but that’s America for you!

An Evening with Don Bryant and the Bo-Keys at the Halloran Centre

7:30 p.m. / $37.50

Legendary Memphian Don Bryant will be performing some of his most soulful music from across his long and illustrious career at the Halloran Centre. The Bo-Keys, Memphis’ tailor-made soul band, will be backing him up.

Highly Suspect with Dead Poet Society at Black Lodge

7 p.m. doors / $36

Since their debut album dropped in 2015, the Massachusetts-based rock band Highly Suspect has always felt like they were on the verge of stardom, but couldn’t quite make it out of the atmosphere. Maybe that’s why people love them, though. If you want to be as big as Imagine Dragons, you have to sound like Imagine Dragons.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Leyla McCalla at Crosstown Arts

Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 / $30

The Haitian heritage of New Orleans-based singer-songwriter Leyla McCalla is at the center of her music, which is evident in her multilingual songwriting and radical, powerful lyrics. Her latest album, Breaking the Thermometer, is a collage of Haitian folk music and English and Creole.

Memphis Fest at the Hi Tone

Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 / $15 advance, $20 day of show

If you like metal and rap (like, separately—not Mindless Self Indulgence-type junk), then Memphis Fest is where you wanna be. Seriously though, you should go. I don’t see how anyone on this bill is getting paid at $20 a ticket. Yeesh!

Mad Zach with Qemist and Night Park at Growlers

8 p.m. doors / $15 advance, $20 day of show

The mixes will absolutely be heady at Growlers on the 17th. Electronic musician Mad Zach will be doing two sets, with Future-Everything artists Qemist (who is great) and Night Park (who is also great) performing as well.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Making Movies at Crosstown Arts
(Wesley’s Top Pick for February)

Doors at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 / $20

Making Movies is an international band of activists who also make some really cool music. It incorporates psych rock with Americana with son cubano and it all just works. 

For more, check out: I Love Memphis Music Calendar