WAMM Recommends: Week of January 30

Each week, the team at WAMM make our picks for the best upcoming live shows for the week. Here are our choices for the week beginning January 30.

Frankie Valli

7:30 PM, Thursday, February 2nd

The Orpheum

$65

Frankie Valli is eighty-eight years old and still performing. What’s more, his iconic falsetto remains as dependable as his moxie, which is good news for anyone itching to catch the legendary Four Seasons crooner in action. That voice is the soundtrack to a bygone America, after all, the wailing engine behind a cavalcade of timeless hits that have become all-time standards. Perhaps no single artist that isn’t named Bruce Springsteen embodies the sound of New Jersey quite as vividly, and Valli remains one of the Garden State’s most visible and charming ambassadors. The old world opulence of The Orpheum is the perfect environment to catch this living musical landmark doing what he does best, so no pay no mind to what the groundhog predicts – for one night, at least, the idyllic summer is endless.

Neko Case

8PM, Saturday, February 4th

Duncan-Williams Performance Hall

$31+

Neko Case has led a deeply fascinating life in music, to say the least. Her auspicious beginnings can be traced to Vancouver twee-punk outfits like Cub and Maiow, and her thrilling side-gig as power-pop chanteuse with The New Pornographers drives that collective to frequent ecstatic heights. Still, its Case’s solo work that has garnered her the most acclaim, and for good reason. Her heart-stopping contralto is a once-in-a-generation voice, and the hard-luck Americana anthems she pens as kindling for that fire more than match such blazing glory. Simply put, catching her in a setting like GPAC’s Duncan-Williams Performance Hall is an unmissable opportunity. Make sure you’re there to listen.

IBEX CLONE Album Release

8:30 PM, Saturday, February 4th

B-Side

$10

Composed of members from Hash Redactor, Nots, and Ex-Cult, Ibex Clone has emerged as one of Memphis’ most innovative and exciting bands. Their sophomore album “All Channels Clear,” which promises even more of their signature jangly new post-punk/power-pop sound, will be released by Goner Records on February 4th and the band will be unveiling the new slate of songs at a can’t-miss show at B-Side. As excellent as their previous projects were, Ibex Clone represents a new creative high for these Bluff City musicians.

Forever Loving Marley

6PM, Saturday, February 4th

Railgarten

$10

While rock, R&B, hip-hop, and Americana still reign supreme in Memphis’ live music scene, reggae has slowly but surely been establishing its place within the ecosystem. On Saturday, local groups and artists CCDE, Kween Jasira, Sypha, JParris, Black Cream, Yubu & the Ancient Youth, and Moses Crouch will be flexing the genre’s newfound power within the city with a massive tribute to reggae icon Bob Marley. While the weather remains dreary, this show will transport you to a sunny island in your mind.

Tangela + DJ set by STH MEMPHIS JEFF

Saturday, February 4th

7:30 PM

The Green Room at Crosstown Arts

$15

Tangela Matthis is a Memphian, a former Stax Music Academy student, and a Berklee College of Music Alum– a recipe for deep creativity, and cultivated talent. Her 2021 “Splendid Mind” EP relies on R&B and pop hooks doused in ethereality.  Tangela’s bio touts creative exploration is first nature to her–and we would be remiss to miss this rare live performance. STH MEMPHIS JEFF will DJ pre show. Be there.

 

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