Sivad to Mary J. Blige: Memphis concerts you shouldn't miss in October

It’s been a busy season for traveling shows. And while Memphis’ concert calendar will start to slow with the coming of the holiday season, October still offers a nice mix of artists — from folk-punkers to soul queens, power-pop hitmakers to R&B veterans — set to hit local stages.

Here’s a look at our top concert picks for the month.

As always, be sure to check with each venue closer to the event date with regard to health and safety protocols or any vaccination requirements.

Jon Spencer & the HITmakers

Oct. 13, Hi-Tone Café

NYC rocker Jon Spencer brings his new combo, the HITmakers, into the Hi-Tone for a concert in support of the group’s debut album, “Spencer Gets It Lit.” The album features Spencer on vocals and guitar, Quasi’s Sam Coomes on synthesizers and vocals, M. Sord on drums, and Bob Bert playing trash can percussion. The group — with Sleater-Kinney vet Janet Weiss filling in on drums — will play the Hi-Tone’s big room on Oct. 13. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 day of show. Go to Hitonecafe.com.

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The Subteens

Oct. 14 at Hi-Tone Café and Oct. 15 at Wiseacre Brewing Company (Downtown)Memphis rockers The Subteens return with a new album this month. The group will celebrate the release of “Vol. 4: Dashed Hopes and Good Intentions” — which is being put out by local label Back to the Light — with a performance on Oct. 14 at the Hi-Tone Café’s main room. The show will also feature J.D. Reager and Seize and Desist as part of the bill. The Subteens will also play as part of a Back to the Light “Fall Turnout” showcase at Wiseacre Brewing Company’s Downtown location on Oct. 15, alongside with Rosey, J.D. Reager, Loose Opinions, and s p a c e r. Tickets for the Hi-Tone show are $10 and available at hitonecafe.com. Entry to the Wiseacre show is free. For more information go to Wiseacrebew.com.

Mary J. Blige

Oct. 16, FedExForum

One of R&B’s greatest divas, Mary J. Blige will bring her show back to Memphis. Blige will headline the “Good Morning Gorgeous Tour,” which will play FedExForum on Oct. 16. In addition to Blige, the lineup will include Ella Mai and Queen Naija. Tickets: $66 to $146. Go to Ticketmaster.com.

Chicago

Oct. 20, Radians Amphitheater

The annual Live at the Garden concert series comes to a close with a show by rock and roll horn band Chicago. The group — which has a half century of hits, from “25 or 6 to 4” to “Saturday in the Park” to “Hard Habit to Break,” and many others — will close things out at the Memphis Botanic Garden’s Radians Amphitheater on Oct. 20. Tickets: $66 for lawn seats, $250 for special VIP pit packages. Go to Ticketmaster.com.

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Sivad Buries Rock and Roll Record Release Party

Oct. 22, Bar DKDC

It’ll be a spooky celebration and rock ‘n’ roll Halloween dance party at Bar DKDC in Cooper-Young on Oct. 22 in honor of Watson Davis, better known as Sivad, the legendary “Monster of Ceremonies" from "Fantastic Features," broadcast from 1962 to 1972 on WHBQ-TV. Local label Black & Wyatt records is reissuing Sivad's classic 1963 single “Sivad Buries Rock N’ Roll” on a new blood red vinyl edition. The release event will feature live music from Andy V, Senpai Red Moon, and Black & Wyatt recording artists Tyler Keith and the Apostles. DJ Amy Dobbins will spin the Sivad single and other Halloween and rockabilly favorites. Patrons who purchase the record will receive free glow-in-the-dark vampire fangs. Sivad T-shirts, books, posters and other ghoulish goodies will be on sale at the show. Cover is $5 at the door.

John Fullbright

Oct. 28, B-Side

Singer-songwriter John Fullbright returns to Memphis for a performance this month. Fullbright is touring in support of his new album "The Liar." The disc comes nearly eight years since his 2014 effort “Songs.” Prior to an extended professional break, Fullbright had generated critical acclaim for his work, earning Grammy and Americana Music Association award nominations. Fullbright will headline a show, presented by Folk All Y’all, at B-Side on Oct. 28. Tickets start at $5 and are available www.brownpapertickets.com.

Rick Springfield

Oct. 29, Graceland Soundstage

Veteran pop hitmaker Rick Springfield will be in town for a run through his catalog (including favorites like “Jessie’s Girl” and “Don’t Talk to Strangers”). Springfield will headline an Oct. 29 date at the Graceland Soundstage. Tickets: $50 to $124.50. Go to Gracelandlive.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis concerts: Mary J. Blige, Jon Spencer, Sivad and more