From global superstars to underground favorites doing things their own way (as always), 2025 was another defining year for Memphis music. Yet again, the city’s artists, venues, and audiences reminded the world why Memphis remains one of the most vital—and stubbornly original—music cities anywhere. We think that these 25 albums, shows, and moments help to capture the year that was in the Bluff City and are an important reminder that not everything was bad. Cheers to a great year gone by, and here’s to a great 2026! Without further ado…
New Albums
HEELS – We Look Happy Here
Memphis punk-folk band HEELS had a banner year in 2025, welcoming a new bassist into their lineup and releasing the gritty, roots-infused We Look Happy Here, an album that sharpened their sound without losing its raw, communal edge.
Joe Restivo – A Beautiful Friendship
Jazz guitarist Joe Restivo’s A Beautiful Friendship is a lovingly precise homage to classic 1950s and ’60s guitar records, channeling deep Memphis friendships, working-class swing, and the easy joy of musicians playing purely for the love of it.
Lukah – A Lost Language Found
Memphis rapper Lukah continued his remarkable ascent in 2025 with yet another standout release, reinforcing his reputation as one of the city’s most intellectually fearless voices and an artist clearly poised for a broader mainstream breakthrough.
Lawrence Matthews – Between Mortal Reach & Posthumous Grip
Fans patiently awaiting new music from multi-hyphenate Lawrence Matthews (formerly Don Lifted) were rewarded with Between Mortal Reach & Posthumous Grip, his most ambitious project to date and a bold statement from one of Memphis’s most compelling creative forces.
Above Jupiter – Abscission
Still in high school, Memphis art-rock band Above Jupiter leveled up with Abscission, a concept-driven, analog-recorded album that deepened their beat-forward, guitar-and-synth sound with striking maturity.
Dead Soldiers – CivilWarLand
On their third album, CivilWarLand, Memphis Americana band Dead Soldiers confronted the lingering effects of the Civil War amid a volatile moment in American history, earning apt comparisons to Southern rock icons like The Band.
Frank McLallen – Extra Eyes
After years helping power Memphis rock outfits such as The Sheiks and Ex-Cult, Frank McLallen stepped into the spotlight with Extra Eyes, a lush, psych-tinged solo debut shaped by loss, healing, and rediscovery.
KIRBY – Miss Black America
After four years away, KIRBY returned triumphantly with Miss Black America, a deeply personal love letter to the rural South that blends blues, soul, and gospel to vividly evoke the Mississippi Delta.
Southern Avenue – Family
The Grammy-nominated soul and blues powerhouse Southern Avenue released Family, a genre-spanning celebration of roots and resilience that quickly became one of Memphis’s most acclaimed local albums of the year.
Key Glock – Glockaveli
Memphis rap star Key Glock further cemented his dominance with Glockaveli, a hard-hitting, trap-driven album that balanced streetwise swagger with polished production, reinforcing his place at the forefront of the city’s hip-hop scene.
Shows
Unapologetic’s 10-Year Anniversary Party
On a balmy day in late August, hundreds gathered at Memphis Made Brewing Co. and The Ravine to celebrate a decade of disruption from Unapologetic, the music, media, and apparel collective that has reshaped Memphis music culture.
Missy Elliott at RiverBeat
Choosing a single standout performer at RiverBeat was no small task, but Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Missy Elliott’s larger-than-life career-spanning set emerged as a defining highlight of the festival’s third year.
Memphis Rap OGz on Halloween Night
Memphis Rap OGz—featuring legends Tommy Wright III, DJ Spanish Fly, DJ Zirk, and Gangsta Pat—delivered a spooky, celebratory night of hometown hip-hop history at Minglewood Hall that won’t soon be forgotten.
Talibah Safiya and Marcella Simien at Crosstown Theater
Two local favorites joined forces for a stunning co-billed performance at Crosstown Theater, backed by the immersive visuals of Infinity Stairs. Their soaring vocals and commanding stage presence captivated a sold-out crowd.
Kraftwerk at the Overton Park Shell
Electronic pioneers Kraftwerk brought their Autobahn anniversary tour to the Overton Park Shell, pairing immersive visuals with pristine sound. More than five decades after reshaping modern music, they still sounded like the future.
Herbie Hancock at GPAC
Few artists truly merit the title “living legend,” but Herbie Hancock is undoubtedly one of them. His GPAC performance traced the evolution of jazz from acoustic traditions to funk and fusion, underscoring his enduring influence.
W.I.T.C.H. at Gonerfest
Any concerns about Gonerfest’s move to Wiseacre Brewing vanished once Zamrock legends W.I.T.C.H. took the stage. Their hypnotic Friday-night set stood out as a highlight of an already exceptional weekend.
Kurt Vile and Stephen Malkmus at Raised By Sound Fest
WYXR’s Raised By Sound Fest raised the bar once again as Kurt Vile and Stephen Malkmus transformed Crosstown Theater into a master class in laid-back virtuosity, blending wry lyrics and tangled guitar lines with effortless confidence.
Moments
Central High School Wins Big
Central High School’s jazz band made history by winning first place at the Lincoln Center’s prestigious Essentially Ellington Competition in New York City, besting elite ensembles from around the world. Kudos again to band director Dr. Ollie Liddell and all of the Central High Warriors!
8Ball & MJG at Shangri-La Records’ Lo-Fi in Hi-Fi Series
Shangri-La Records’ ongoing Lo-Fi in Hi-Fi series reached a high point with an intimate conversation featuring 8Ball & MJG, marking the 20th anniversary of On Top of the World and reflecting on their global impact and Orange Mound roots.
Havenhaus Opens Downtown
Havenhaus—an intimate venue tucked behind Earnestine & Hazel’s—opened its doors this year, expanding from DIY house-show origins into a community-focused space dedicated to supporting underground and touring artists.
Inaugural Glo Bash at FedEx Forum
Following a massive 2024, GloRilla celebrated her hometown success with the first-ever Glo Bash at FedEx Forum, a star-studded event that drew fans nationwide and featured Big Boogie, Sexyy Red, Moneybagg Yo, and more.
Saying Farewell to Local Legends
Alongside moments of celebration, Memphis also mourned the loss of beloved music figures including Steve Cropper, Sam Moore, Luke White, Earl the Pearl Banks, Todd Snider, William Bell, and Terry Manning. Their legacies remain foundational to the city’s sound.
Sinners Soundtrack Recorded at Royal Studio
Music played a vital role in the hit vampire film Sinners, set in the Mississippi Delta. Director Ryan Coogler partnered with Boo Mitchell and Royal Studio to capture authentic, blues-infused sounds for the soundtrack.
A 9-Year-Old Joins Project Pat on Beale Street
Alaynna Doty, the Mississippi pre-teen who went viral for her flawless rendition of Project Pat’s “Chickenhead,” joined the rapper onstage during Memphis’s 901 Day celebration—a joyful, distinctly Memphis moment of civic pride.
