Despite the setbacks imposed by an untimely ice storm and overall dreary weather, the live music scene is slowly ushering its way back into Memphis. Things are starting to heat up as local bands and touring acts are making their rounds across the city, so make sure to check them out while you can! March gives a variety of options for live music fans: country, metal, classical, etc. So if you’re looking for something to do for this month, keep these shows in mind!
Lily Afshar
Wednesday, March 2nd at 7:30 pm, Crosstown Arts
$20
Lily Afshar is a phenomenal classical guitarist and is currently a tenured professor at the University of Memphis. She incorporates elements of classical music into her performance while also drawing inspiration from Persian and Azerbaijani folk music. Whether she is with a chamber orchestra or performing solo, you will without a doubt be amazed by her skill with guitar, sitar, or whatever it may be.
Deterioration
Wednesday, March 9th at 7 pm, Hi Tone [Small Room]
$5
While not for the faint of heart, Deterioration is one of those bands that you just have to see when the opportunity arises. A couple of underground grindcore bands are rearing their heads into the Hi Tone this month, and Midwestern heavy-hitters Deterioration will not be holding back any punches. Alongside Bled to Submission and Memphis’ very own BREAKING/ENTERING, this show is surely to get you down moshing in the pit. Memphis Underground and local extreme label Wise Grind Records are also giving away a free 7’’ or cassette with every paid cover, as if you needed extra motivation. So go nuts, get yourself a free tape, and support local hardcore music.
DJ Logic
Saturday, March 12 at 8:30PM, Railgarten
$10
Turntablism legend DJ Logic pushes instrumental hip-hop production to utterly different levels. Logic meshes the worlds of jazz and hip hop into a hazy dreamscape, etching his soul into the wax records. The DJ is also one of the most innovative producers of his time, often credited for bringing jazz to the New York hip-hop scene. He has worked from both sides of the genre-fused spectrum, from jazz artists like Christian McBride to rap emcees like Mos Def. DJ Logic gives a vibrant and expressive take on one of music’s most inventive and creative genres.
Elizabeth Cook w/ Wade Sapp
Friday, March 18 at 7PM, Growlers
$15-20
While being one of the more overlooked figures in Nashville currently, Elizabeth Cook brings her own distinct style of traditional country. Full of attitude, wit, and charisma, Cook has made a name with her sharp and brilliant songwriting. Every track she puts out is filled with enough sugary panache that will stay in your head for weeks to come. If you consider yourself a fan of country music, you would be doing yourself a disservice not checking this out!
Knotfest Roadshow 2022
Tuesday, March 22nd at 6:30, FedEx Forum
$42-307
Masked metal titans Slipknot are making a triumphant return to their iconic Knotfest Roadshow in 2022. Paired with metalcore militants In this Moment and Jinjer, the groups are bringing their classic alternative metal fury to the FedEx Forum. Even if you are not a self-proclaimed ‘maggot’ you can still get a lot of enjoyment from Slipknot, their extreme stage presence, intense theatrics, and absolutely killer choruses. Despite being around for nearly three decades, the band still seems to push their sound even further with each release. Be it the slimy dirge of 2001’s Iowa or the soft melodic moments of 2019’s We Are Not Your Kind, Slipknot has their finger on the pulse of modern nu metal. If you’re looking to get thrashed, go psycho(social) and check out Knotfest 2022.
You might also be interested in: Live Music Memphis Tonight | Memphis Live Music Calendar
