Outdoor concerts in Memphis: Here are the River Series, Overton Park Shell lineups
The River Series and the Orion Free Concert Series at Overton Park Shell will offer a variety of outdoor musical entertainment in the coming weeks and months.
Here's a look what's planned for each series.
River Series concerts
Music will return to Harbor Town, as the River Series concerts resume this spring.
Launched in 2014 and booked by Goner Records' Zac Ives, the upcoming season will once again take place at the amphitheater across from Cordelia’s Market on the campus of the Maria Montessori School, 740 Harbor Bend Road. Proceeds from the concerts benefit the school.
The series kicks off April 22 with a headlining performance by Memphis garage rock merchants Compulsive Gamblers. They will be joined on the bill by Fake, led by Tim Prudhomme.
The series will continue on May 13 with sets by Bluff City singer-songwriters Mark Edgar Stuart and Aaron James of the Unapologetic collective.
North Carolina’s Spider Bags will top a May 20 bill that will also include a tribute to The Limes, the group fronted by late Memphis musician Shawn Cripps, who died in a 2021 road accident. Those involved in the tribute will include Jack Oblivian, Nick Ray and Chris Owen, among others.
The River Series will conclude June 3 with performances by noise rockers Aquarian Blood and garage-surf duo Turnstyles.
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Gates to the River Series concerts open at 4 p.m., with various DJs spinning. Bands start at 5 p.m. The concerts will feature food from Cordelia’s Market and beer from Wiseacre Brewing Co.
Tickets are $10 per show for adults, and kids' entry is $5. Tickets will be available online and at the door. To purchase or for more information, go to Riverseries.org.
Orion Free Concert Series at Overton Park Shell
Memphis rapper Al Kapone, blues artist Black Joe Lewis and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra big band will be among the acts performing as part of the Overton Park Shell’s free concert series this summer and fall.
The free shows — which run from May to October — are sponsored by Orion Federal Credit Union.
In addition to Kapone, Lewis and the MSO, other highlights of the series include the 12th annual edition of the DreamFest weekend, a night of performances by local arts collective Unapologetic, as well as sets by the Stax Music Academy, Grammy-nominated Latin hip-hop group Los Rakas, Memphis punks Pezz and Broadway star Morgan James.
The Overton Park Shell has also established a new partnership with Deaf Connect of the Mid-South, and most of the concerts will include Certified Deaf Interpreters on stage, providing an inclusive concert experience.
For more information, go to Ovetonparkshell.org.
Here is a complete list of shows for the Orion Free Concert Series:
May 19-21: DreamFest Weekend 12
May 28: Sunset Symphony (featuring the MSO Big Band)
June 1: The Collection
June 3: Magic!
June 8: Tré Burt
June 9: Anand Wilder
June 10: Battle of Santiago
June 15: The Heavy Heavy
June 16: Star & Micey, Dead Soldiers
June 17: Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Bourdreaux Jr.
June 22: AvevA
June 23: Jimmi Kinard presents Muzaic
June 24: Stax Music Academy
June 29: Jenny & The Mexicats
June 30: Buffalo Nichols
July 1: Unapologetic Night
Sept. 1: Los Rakas with special guests
Sept. 2: Memphis PowerPop Presents
Sept. 8: Thee Sinseers
Sept. 9: Black Joe Lewis
Sept. 15: Pezz
Sept. 16: Al Kapone
Sept. 22: Jeremie Albino
Sept. 23: Memphis Country Blues Festival
Sept. 29: Spree Wilson
Sept. 30: Telmary
Oct. 6: Morgan James
Oct. 15: Shakespeare at The Shell.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis concerts: Overton Park Shell, River Series lineups
