Live Music In Memphis This Month: July 2022
Here are Wesley's top picks for live music events, concerts, and shows in Memphis this month.
Got a show to promote? Add it here.
Here are Wesley's top picks for live music events, concerts, and shows in Memphis this month.
Got a show to promote? Add it here.
IMPORTANT
- Get vaccinated, get boosted, don't go out if you're sick, and wear a mask if you do go out, a KN95 or N95, please.
- If you’re requiring a negative test or proof of vaccination for your show, let us know because we’d love to promote it.
- 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.
EVERY FRIDAY IN JULY
Soulin’ on the River at Fourth Bluff Park
Gates at 6:00 p.m., music from 7-9 p.m. / free
Soulin' on the River is a collection of free shows curated by the Memphis Slim Collaboratory presented by the Memphis River Parks Partnership. You can experience the newest generation of Memphis soul in Fourth Bluff Park every Friday in July. Bring your friends, family, partners, spouses, even the situationships. Check the schedule below:
- July 1 Jonte Mayon
- July 8 Courtney Little
- July 15 Cassie Bonner
- July 22 Candy Fox
- July 29 Black Cream
FRIDAY, JULY 1
Kingdom Tour: Maverick City Music with Kirk Franklin at FedExForum
6:45 p.m. / $17.50+
You heard that new Kirk Franklin? I miss Vine so much.
SATURDAY, JULY 2
Betor Fest 2022
1 p.m. (Saturday), 12 p.m. (Sunday) / $12 advance, $20 day of show, $20 two-day pass
This two-day mini-music festival benefits A Betor Way, a Memphis-based nonprofit whose mission is to be a source of assistance to addicts and those affected by addiction, to advocate for improved treatment options and to erase the stigma associated with substance abuse. There are over two dozen bands playing throughout both days, so prepare for an all-day affair. Check the full lineup using the link above—there’s a little something for everyone.
MONDAY, JULY 4
AJJ with Open Mike Eagle at Growlers
7 p.m. / $18 advance, $20 day of show
AJJ’s been one of the most prominent folk punk bands since forming in 2004, and they have maintained a hugely-dedicated fanbase even through a total rebrand which included “changing” what was probably the cringiest band name of all time. At least they realized it!
SATURDAY, JULY 9
TANGELA with DJ set by 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.
El Da Sensei, DJ Hush, Virghost, and Duke at Growlers
8 p.m. / $12 / 21+
Does “The Elements” refer to the four elements of hip hop—DJing, rapping, graffiti, and breakdancing? El Da Sensei and Virghost are both emcees, DJ Hush’s job is obvious, so maybe Duke is a graffiti artist and a b-boy. Who knows! Googling “Duke” with any available context yields nothing and “Duke memphis” is all Duke Deuce. Either way, this show is a must-see for any rap fan who cut their teeth in the 80s and 90s.
THURSDAY, JULY 14
The Mountain Goats at Minglewood Hall
Doors at 7:00 p.m., show at 8 / $33+
The Mountain Goats made an indelible mark on Gen X and elder millennial indie and folk music listeners, which makes them one of those bands who have been around long enough to have canonized “eras” among generations of fans who all claim a favorite. They’ll all be at Minglewood on July 14 displaying their “I hope we both die” tattoos with pride.
FRIDAY, JULY 15
The Glenn Miller Orchestra at the Orpheum Theatre
7:00 p.m. / $66+
Years and years ago, I worked at a much-beloved Memphis cafe. One day, a customer complained about the music on the Pandora station we were playing. It was a hip hop station and our customer base included a bunch of wealthy suburban-types, so I suppose that was to be expected. Word came down that we were only supposed to play manager-approved stations, and management had only approved one. I swear to God it played Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller over and over and over again. It’s like a PTSD trigger.
The Smartest Man in the World at Crosstown Arts
Doors at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 / $15 advance, $20 day of show
Michael Jasud, vocalist and guitarist for beloved Memphis band Dead Soldiers, is The Smartest Man in the World when he shares his solo songwriting talents. He’s also a friend of mine, and after listening to this project, I felt very guilty for not having heard it before now. It’s really good!
Darius Rucker at Radians Amphitheater (Live at the Garden 22)
8:00 p.m. / $60
As Memphis’ resident Hootie & The Blowfish apologist, I realized that I can’t hold that title if I’ve never actually heard any of Darius Rucker’s solo stuff. So, I watched three Darius Rucker music videos before writing this, and all of them were 60 percent shots of Rucker walking towards the camera down an alley or some other corridor throwing his fist back to use his thumb to gesture at whatever’s behind him and 40 percent shots of a racially-ambiguous woman. Neat?
Yo Gotti & Friends Birthday Bash 8
8:00 p.m. / $26.50
Y’all already know how this works! Let’s turn up for Memphis’ own Yo Gotti. This year’s lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but I’m sure it’ll be just as stacked as it usually is.
SATURDAY, JULY 16
Joybomb / Future Misters / Rosey at Hi Tone
Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 / $10
I’ve written about Joybomb and Rosey here before—both great and they could probably be charging more than 10 bucks for this show for just them—and they’ll be playing with Detroit-based post-punk band Future Misters.
Wednesday, July 20
PJ Morton at The Cannon Center
8 p.m., $26 - $61
PJ Morton’s "Watch The Sun" Tour will be LIVE in Memphis July 20 at 8 p.m. in downtown Memphis. The show will open with DJ Arie Spins. Last summer, y'all TURNED OUT for the PJ Morton concert in Handy Park, so I expect this one will be packed out and a ton of fun.
THURSDAY, JULY 21
Apollo Mighty at Crosstown Arts
Doors at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 / $15 advance, $20 day of show
Apollo Mighty is Chicago-based but Memphis-born, and the combination of Memphis soul and Chicago swagger is evident in his particular style of R&B.
THURSDAY, JULY 28
Arlie at Growlers
7 p.m. / $15 advance, $18 day of show
You know what’s funny? I kept getting ads for this album on Facebook and Instagram, and it’s the first time I can remember being shown an ad over and over again for a band I’ve never heard of. I thought it was another rising star that went way over my head because I’m not as plugged in as I used to be, but no, it’s just some dude from Nashville doing his best Harry Styles impression. It’s a good impression, though. This’ll be a fun show. Shout out to Arlie’s agent for really putting in the work.
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