With the Summer finally approaching, venues and outdoor stages are finally opening up with a variety of shows that include a little bit of something for everyone. Despite the star-studded touring acts making up Beale Street Music Fest, the local scene can still hold their own with a wide mix of shows and genres. Here is a list of only some of the spectacular live performers you can catch this month:
Rachel Maxann with Louise Page
Friday, May 6 at 7:30, The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
$15
Singer-songwriter Rachel Maxann has already been making commotion in the Memphis indie scene for a while now. She has lived in a variety of places (Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Los Angeles, to name a few), and has incorporated these diverse experiences into her own sound. Everything from classic indie-rock to ‘post-modern’ folk music, Maxann blends it all together with the heartfelt strum of a nylon guitar string. She is joining with Louise Page, a Memphian who has specialized in indie chamber folk akin to the likes of Fiona Apple or Regina Spektor. The two will be performing in the spacious Green Room at Crosstown Arts, fit for an intimate acoustic experience.
Soul Glo
Wednesday, May 11 at 7PM, Growlers
$12
Modern punk heavy-hitters Soul Glo are shaking up the modern heavy music scene with their creative mix of hardcore, rap rock, and screamo. The group is known for their abrasive concoction of metalcore fury with the manic delivery of hardcore hip-hop. Including themes about race, anarchy, and anger through their hybrid punk-rap delivery. Riding off the high of their 2022 release Diaspora Problems, the group is heading to Growlers May 11 with Memphian punk acts Negro Terror and Anemoia for an incredibly intense performance.
The Who
Friday, May 13 at 7:30, FedEx Forum
$38
Legendary rock band The Who are travelling across the Atlantic to perform in Memphis at the FedEx Forum. Front man Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend are performing for the first time in the US in two years, since their Moving On! tour, which had countless sold-out dates. While the status of “legend” may be thrown about a bit too loosely these days, its hard to argue that The Who aren’t one of the world’s greatest and most influential bands. So, if you wish to catch this iconic rock band in the historic venue that also holds the Memphis Grizzlies, make sure to get tickets while they’re still hot!
Bastille
Saturday, May 14 at 7:00, Soundstage at Graceland
$35
Acclaimed pop rock act Bastille are returning to touring after being dormant for a few years. The group is making their first performance back in Memphis as the Soundstage at Graceland. Their latest record, Give Me the Future, is a concept album based around virtual reality rife with synthwave panache and catchy hooks. Whether you know them for their modern synthpop songs or their smash hit “Pompeii”, they will undoubtably be a joy to see live.
Take Me to the River All-Stars
Thursday, May 19 at 7:00, Railgarten
$20
Take Me to the River All-Stars LIVE is a collection of some of the best New Orleans’ musical talents, including Ivan Neville and Ian Neville from Dumpstaphunk, the legendary pianist Jon Cleary, Rob Mercurio from the iconic band Galactic, and drumming extraordinaire Terence Higgins. If there’s one thing New Orleans knows how to do, its having a great time with a killer soundtrack and this super group is guaranteed to get you up and moving.
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