Believe it or not, December is here and a new year is on the horizon. Before we welcome 2023, though, there are lot’s of great live music options in the coming weeks, including several notable holiday shows. Here are 5 to circle on your calendar!
Kenneth Whalum Experience 2.0: Home For The Holidays
December 23rd, 8:15 PM & 10:15 PM
Tailor’s Union/ The Pocket
$40
We caught up with Kenneth Whalum this past summer for this interview exploring his successful career as a top Saxophonist, and latest projects as a contemporary soul and R&B artist and composer. By the way, since that interview, Whalum announced his work and accolades on Beyonce’s latest album (Yes, we said Beyonce). Anyway, because we rarely get a performance from Whalum in his hometown, I expect this show to be very intentional. Whalum’s emotional, sometimes sweetly melancholy style of vocals lend themselves well to the holiday vibe, and Tailor’s Union provides a perfectly cozy place for it. All of that makes this show my #1 pick for December. Tickets with seating are $40 and are available on Tailor’s Union website- and you have two show times to pick from. Have high expectations, expect untraditional holiday, and expect some of the best musicians in the city.
Pentatonix: A Christmas Spectacular
December 10th, 7:00 PM
FedExForum
$25 – $150
We are witnessing peak acapella groups, and Pentatonix are on top of the genre. The five piece group known for their acapella harmonies, beatboxing, and pop music style song arrangements of every genre are bringing their arena Christmas show to FedEXForum this year. Since they won 2011’s season of NBC’sThe Sing Off, Pentatonix has become a household name embarking on several world tours, three Christmas tours, and winning three Grammy Awards. Pentatonix’ stage show is backed by state of the art light show, and production to enhance your holiday warm and fuzzies. This one is a must to get in the spirit of the season, start your own acapella group, or go caroling. At the very least, you should be inspired to wear your favorite holiday sweater and be merry. See you then!
Ho Ho Ho Show w/ Reba Russell & Susan Marshall
December 16th, 7:00 PM
Hernando’s Hideaway
$20
This show’s description says to expect “sincerely sweet to bawdy and naughty, and EVERYTHING in between”.,, and we’re in! non-traditional is on brand for Hernando’s Hideaway, a venue that hosts everything from neo traditionalist country bands, to top notch soul and R&B songwriter and artist collaborations, to something called “Chicken Sh#@t Bingo”. But, if Susan Marshall’s 2018 Christmas release, Decorations of Red, is any indication of this show– it’ll be a hit! Reba Russell & Marshall are both cornerstone’s of the Memphis vocalist and songwriter community and I, for one, cannot wait to see how they mix up this Ho Ho Ho Show to let a little steam off nine days before Christmas.
Drew & Ellie Holcomb’s Neighborly Christmas
December 21st, 7:30 PM
The Orpheum Theatre
$36 – $90
Drew & Ellie Holcomb might be Memphis’ favorite Americana-ish couple/duo. A Memphis native, Drew and his wife Ellie have been making music as part of Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors for over a decade. Since Ellie’s solo career as a Christian music singer-songwriter has bloomed, this is a rare chance to see her back on stage with The Neighbor’s and what better time for a family reunion than Christmas? Expect family friendly classy-hipster Christmas vibes, fun stage banter, and some pretty lovely music.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
December 29th, 7:30 PM
The Orpheum Theatre
$45 – $95
Chris Davis, Mannheim Steamroller’s founder, is a composer, songwriter, and percussionist who has been making hits for over 50 years with his various projects such as Fresh Aire– self described as “18th Century classical rock”, collaborations that won him unlikely accolades in the country music genre, spoken word projects, and more. But it is Davis’ Mannheim Steamroller Christmas project that most know him best. In 1984 Mannheim Steamroller released a successful record simply called Christmas which by 2004 had sold six MILLION copies. Fifteen Christmas themed records later Mannheim is as recognizable, and highly associated with the holidays as Bing Crosby or Mariah Carey. By the time Chris Davis brings Mannheim to Memphis, much of the pressure of the holidays is over– which will make this show that much more enjoyable!
You might also be interested in: Famous Memphis Musicians | Memphis Singers
