Hey Memphis! Last weekend’s Music Fest brought lots of great acts through our town. Although you probably had your agenda set for this weekend for recovery, I’m compelled to tell you why you’re gonna have to scratch those plans. Short and simple, this weekend’s line up will be a refresher course on some of Memphis’s most talented natives. 

Friday (4/11) at The Hi-Tone Cafe, Megan Reilly will be performing tunes all night, featuring a few from her new album The Well. Reilly is notable for heartfelt americana and her voice which has an impressive range and often runs through elaborate lines of decorated melodies.

The Well being her first effort in 6 years, the album has a lot to say in just seven songs making complex arrangements and composition ideas equal weight with poppy sounds and catchy choruses. Also, she’s gorgeous so that alone makes attendance almost compulsory.

Saturday (4/12) has a rare show from one of the Bluff City’s fastest rising acts. Memphis pop upstart Ryan Peel is playing in town at the Midtown location of the Blue Monkey. Although pop acts usually don’t have grassroots or musical talent, Peel is a long time local drummer who has been writing catchy songs for years.

Peel has been Featured on Craig Brewer’s MTV $5 Cover Webisode for good reason— not only is he a great songwriter but he’s also a multitalented musician (Peel sings while he plays the drums flawlessly). Also playing, Chinese Connection Dub Embassy and their uber jammy dub. These guys are heavy on the swing and always put on a good show so it is definitely worth going.

Also, Trace Adkins is playing in town— if you’re into that kind of thing.

Well alright Memphis, there’s your schedule for a great time this weekend. We hope to see you out and about!

Four unique artists will show the audience their take on the blues, from the swamp blues of Kenny Neal to the Afro-Cuban/Chicago-style blues of Eddie Turner, a wide array of the genre will be on display. Dennis Jones and Blues Hall of Famer Lazy Lester will be making appearances as well. Check out a video of Zac Harmon below.

Doors are at 6:30, show at 7pm. All ages. $20. Tickets here.

Hey there, Memphis! Week after week, great acts come through our lovely city by the Mississippi River. With few exceptions, are we able to enjoy the majestic view of such a powerful body of water in tandem with amazing entertainment.

Well folks, if you’re familiar with Memphis music culture, you’ll know that the end of April brings Memphis in May—a month-long celebration of a culture from the other side of the world. This year will be an extended look into the beauty of The Philippines. In good Memphis fashion, music will kick off the celebration with a weekend-long festival of some amazing live performances by the river.

Over 50+ acts will be playing this year’s MusicFest, featuring some current chart toppers as well as some legends of years past. With so much to choose from, we’ve carefully examined the schedule to give you our picks for this year’s MusicFest.

Friday (5/4) will begin your weekend of wild music fun. We’re starting out with the southern rock and jammy goodness of the North Mississippi All Stars (6:10 at the Bud Light Stage). Up next, Memphis rap legends (and Academy Award winners) Three 6 Mafia (7:35 at the Orion Stage). Metal heads Megadeth (9:00 at the Orion Stage) offer up some saw raw rock, while Florence + the Machine (9:15 at the Bud Light Stage) give their indie cred a test run, playing tons of new and old material.

Mash-up mastermind Girl Talk (10:30 at the Horseshoe Casino Stage) will drop some heat, and we strongly suggest seeing My Morning Jacket give it their all and close out the night (10:55 at the Bud Light Stage).

Saturday (5/5) will start rolling heavy as the sun is setting. Ironic rapper Childish Gambino will be spitting puns (5:45 at the Budlight Stage) just before the Cold War Kids remind us why they made such an impact upon entering the music scene a few years ago (7:15 at the Orion Stage). Dr. Dog will be folking it up as well (7:20 at the Horseshoe Casino Stage), right before we throw some deep southern rap your way with Yo Gotti a little later in the evening (8:50 at the Orion Stage).

Up next, R&B legend Al Green will be dropping so much soul on you, you might spontaneously call your last ex and sing her “I’m Still In Love With You” (9:00 at the Horseshoe Casino Stage). To cap the evening, alt rock icons Jane’s Addiction will be giving you a fix with what “Jane Says” and how they’ve “Been Caught Stealing” (10:50 at the Bud Light Stage).

Sunday (5/6) begins with a line-up switch. Although Jerry Lee Lewis was originally billed, he will be unable to play. No worries though, as Little Richard fills his spot with some material from the birth of rock & roll (5:25 at the Horseshoe Casino Stage). Civil Wars and their irresistible chemistry will immediately follow Little Richard (6:55 at the Horseshoe Casino Stage). If you’re up for some alt-rock instead, you can get your fill with ’90s rock outfit Bush (7:00 at the Bud Light Stage).

Alison Krauss & Union Stage will come bearing their amazing catalog and will be joined on stage by the musicianship of Jerry Douglas (8:30 at the Horseshoe Casino Stage). Overtly creative “rock” (err, they’re rock, right?) act Primus will also be performing (8:40 at the Orion Stage). Finally, stoner rap wizard Wiz Khalifa will blow your minds (and maybe a few smoke rings) to cap the evening (8:50 at the Bud Light Stage).

With an overload of amazing music coming through Memphis, it’d be stupid to avoid such a good time. Come out and rock out by the river with us!

Alright Memphians, you know the drill—another week in, another weekend out. Well, this Friday and Saturday are gonna be huge! This weekend hosts not one, but two amazing festivals rich with Memphis culture.

Not only is this the weekend of Stax to the Max: A Soulsville Street Festival, but also the second annual BristerFest! With Friday holding its own with some great material to go out and go see, this weekend is gonna be massive!

Friday (4/27) is going to give you a hefty shot of bluegrass followed by a serving of someone defining the term “multi-instrumentalist.” Leftover Salmon and their quarter century of experience will be playing “Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass” (their words, not mine) at Minglewood Hall. Also billed is one-man band Keller Williams. Williams, who is known for his ability to jam through songs… with himself, will show his advanced super powers in the ways of looping, phrasing, and feeling the vibe enough to unleash some rad solos (err, literally).

With Saturday comes some great festivals for Memphis! Celebrate 11 years of educating young minds with the musical history of one of Memphis’ most historic musical landmarks. Sponsored by ArtsMemphis along with The Commercial Appeal and Clear Channel, the Stax Recording Academy are bringing you Stax To The Max: A Soulsville Street Festival. The string of shows will showcase a list of fantastic performances from Mingo Fishtrap, Memphis Jones, Bo-Keys with William Bell, and many more.

Located outside the Stax Museum at 926 E. McLemore, the event will kick off at 12PM with children’s activities and plenty of food. Come out early to enjoy a full day of some great live performances from some of Memphis’s best.

Next, on to BristerFest! On Saturday and Sunday, the second occurance of BristerFest is going to be launching music of varying styles and cultural backgrounds into the open air of Memphis at the Levitt Shell Pavilion. Both days feature long lists of amazing acts to go out and see, so here’s a short list of our favorite picks for both days.

Saturday (4/28) Has a cavalcade of well-known Memphis talent playing in the Shell’s shelter. Buccaneer Lounge regulars and jazzy bluegrass vets Devil Train have a late afternoon slot. Immediately following, Michaela Caitlin will be playing a set of her dark and melancholic crooner tunes. Up next will be a combo act with the Chinese Connection Dub Embassy backing Colombian jazz singer (and super fine lady) Marcella Pinilla. The night will close with a performance from one of Memphis’ youngest jam bands; Agori Tribe’s ’60s vibrations will be playing extended solos to close out the evening.

Sunday (4/29) picks up with just as much jammy wammy goodness. Legendary Beale Street band Free World are billed, later followed by Copper Possum. The lengthy arrangements won’t stop there, as alternative rock act The Lions Science has a set after the lights have dimmed. Lightajo will blend math rock and jam band vibes to close out the evening on a high note (or a string of forty-seven of them).

Come on—come out. What else are you doing? Resident Evil 4 doesn’t need to be beaten a 13th time. Come out. I’ll see you there.

Their last record Hard Times & Nursery Rhymes was released early last year; a new one is planned for next year sometime, which as Social D fans know, would be a very short wait between albums.

Doors at 7pm. Show at 8pm. The Toadies and Lindi Ortega will open the show. Get tickets here.

Generally speaking, there are not many reasons to like Tuesday. It’s right next to Monday, so it only reminds you that the weekend is far away. Furthermore, the television won’t even offer you respite from your hard day at work. (I mean, who still watches Biggest Loser anyways?)

Well, this past Tuesday, The Conduits, Cymbals Eat Guitars, and Cursive came to the Hi-Tone Cafe, and if you happened to miss out—it was much better than anything NBC had to offer.

What sweetened the pot is that I had the chance to chat with Conduits about touring and music before the show. We spoke of their moody and dark aesthetic and its ability to still sound big. When discussing arrangement and their sense of crescendo, we touched on influences ranging from Jon Bonham to Mogwai.

As I arrived, Conduits had begun their set and were working in a solid groove. Singer Jenna Morrison belted away over the lush soundscapes from swelling pianos and echoey guitars. The Conduits’ sound is a lovely juxtaposition of atmospheric textures and rigidly strict yet ridiculously well-placed drum beats. Whenever Morrison’s voice glides onto a song, it becomes immediately impossible not to become emotionally involved. Her sense of power fits into the empty space between the guitar and drums and drives songs through huge choruses and extended burst of emotion.

Cymbals Eat Guitars was on next and upped the rock ante a notch or two. Although they lacked certain atmospheric qualities that had grown on me from the Conduits, their teethy sound was a welcomed jolt of energy to the crowd. Intellectual grime is a difficult role to fill, but Cymbals Eat Guitars’ extended arrangements and nasty guitar tones were able to deliver the message loud and clear. Singer Joseph D’Agostino’s vocal style contrasted well with the complex and filthy guitar work with crystal clear melodic runs.

As Cymbals Eat Guitars finished their set and began to pack up, everyone made their way to the stage to receive a gritty aural fix. Cursive’s music is the raunchy, educated older brother of the emo scene that puttered out in the latter half of the 2000s. Present are the giganto drumbeats and overdriven guitars playing carefully timed chord stabs—but with a catch. Dissonance is often in play in Cursive’s sound, giving a purposefully sloppier sound that results in an edgier aesthetic. Tim Kasher’s dry lyricism is reflective and densely personal, most often presented in a satirical or dark package.

On stage, this sense of matured frustration easily won over the crowd and produced smiles as if Cursive were giving away free puppies in between songs. “Wowowo” went over especially well, but the evening’s highlight was easily when Cursive broke out “Dorothy At Forty,” and the crowd went figuratively nuts.

Cursive’s well-rounded-yet-still-sharp sound lit up the Hi-Tone like Christmas. In tandem with the thought-rock of Cymbals Eat Guitars and the spacious sounds of Conduits, it made for an amazing show. If you’re reading this from across the pond, be sure to catch Cursive during their upcoming European tour.

Photos by Nicole Robbins

In Celebration of Record Store Day, Blues troubador Eric Hughes will be bringing his saucy sound to Spin Street. Also billed, the Memphis Dawls and their southern folk sounds will be filling the atmosphere.

The Eric Hughes Band have been serving up authentic Memphis blues for over 11 years. Known for their expert musicianship and their amazing showmanship, The Eric Hughes band are sure to put on a damn fine show.

The Memphis Dawls and their take on Americana through a hymnal filter have been building buzz in Memphis over the past year. Offering a wonderful show, the Dawls charm is something not to be missed.

Spin Street (Corner of Poplar & Highland)
3484 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 327-8730 

The Music will start up at 12:00 pm. Come out and support your local goings-on for Record Store Day!

In this week’s The Line Up, we’re spotlighting some fantastic out-of-this-world live music for you to get spacey to.

Today, Friday, (4/20) will launch things out of the atmosphere with some great music all over town. Funk aficionados and deep space experts Galactic will be serving up funky jazz numbers all night at Minglewood Hall with help from Living Colour’s Corey Glover. Also rocking out will be Corey Henry with help from Lightnin’ Malcolm.

Down the street at The Hi-Tone, electronic beats will be the name of the game. The Hood Internet will be making yet another appearance in the Bluff City, bringing tons of awesome remixes and original bangers. BBU will add their rap game to the mix making the evening full of thumping beats to boogie to.

Over at the Buccaneer, The evening has some more far out sounds to offer. Prog rock outfit The Lions Science will be jamming on their lengthy tunes charaterized by complex arrangements and educated composition. Their newest release The First Tonight will be available at the show, so come out and support some great local music!

Saturday 4/21) will keep the momentum with almost to much to do. The Hi-Tone will be ultra busy again, this time with two shows in one night. The early show is full of the rock bravado of hard rock outfit La Armada. Memphis metal heads Hosoi Bros. will also be adding their spice to the mix giving you plenty to go out and see.

Later on in the evening, Dirty Streets and Tiger High will be giving you something fun to do late at night.

If traditional rock & roll isn’t what gets your rock rolling, then head across town to the Buccaneer for a different flavor of sound. The Bucaneer Lounge will play host to the artful instrumental rock of Glorie. Continuing on the trend of other music that may be alien to your ears, Oxford Icebergs is also on the bill, with an analog-based stab at instrumental hip hop-esque beats.

With too much trippy music to shake a stick at, this weekend is sure to bring you far out sounds to compliment whatever cloudy mindset you may find yourself in. Come out and see some great music to space out to!

P.S. Don’t forget to get high.

Headliner The Dirty Streets are kicking off a mini-tour that night. Their album Movements was released back in November of last year on Good For Nothing Records.

Opener Tiger High has been getting some significant press the last several months and their debut Myth Is This was officially released in special edition form earlier this month on Trashy Creatures Records. A new record is to follow sometime this Summer.

Show is at 9pm. $5 / 18+. Rock!

If you ever want to know the proper relationship between color and sound, Shpongle isn’t a bad place to start.

The Shpongle live experience is an assortment of gigantic visuals over hypnotic music. The combination results in a strange mixture that confuses the senses. Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines synesthesia as a subjective sensation of a sense other than the one being stimulated. When one sees Shpongle, it’s hard to avoid this sensation.

This past Wednesday, I was slated to see Simon Posford perform as Shpongle at Minglewood Hall. As I arrived to get Shpongled, Phuture Primitive was jamming out to English psuedo-dubstep grooves as the crowd swayed to the given beat. Phuture Primitive’s sounds were educated and calculated; no gritty or loose beats here. Tracks arranged with surgical precision dropped left and right like bombs on the audience. His tight and commanding sound was defined during the final track of his set, a remix of Massive Attack’s “Teardrop” to which the crowd exploded with energy.

As he cleared the stage, the floor chattered in excitement for the coming Shpongling. It didn’t take long for Posford himself to come on stage. Phuture Primitive’s set broke down revealing Shpongle’s very visual display just as he launched into his first track.

The stage itself was shaped like a distorted king’s crown of projector screens. Images of differing trippy aesthetics were launched onto the screen, giving the off-the-wall music surreal imagery ranging from a psychedelic pinball machine to overtly colorful solar systems.

The music of Shpongle is a macaronic expression of sound. Locked grooves were the vehicle for various styles and genres to drive through the mix. Samples or renditions of Latin, Middle-Eastern, and Eastern music all made choice appearances among the wall of sound. These unexpected aural additions flowed well into the mix and have a symbiotic relationship with the strange and foreign nature of the visuals. The relationship between the music and its ocular counterpart came across as a singular artistic statement in and of itself.

Shpongle rules his crowd like Ash Ketchum commands his loyal pokemon. As important as the massive visual display may have been, Posford was the central focus for most attendees in the audience. The crowd cheered when he raised his arms and danced feverishly when he smiled; they held back when he began to herald a drop, and thusly exploded when he let the beat hit. When “Divine Moments of Truth” was unleashed onto the hungry crowd, uproarious “woots” and “yeahs” flooded Minglewood precursing the following half-dozen minutes of bodies flinging furiously to the music. This attention to the master from the audience seemed less to do with him being an immortal god of “cool” but much more to do with a genuine respect for his art.

It’s fun being at Shpongle. People go simply to have a good time, and the crowd’s energy is probably the most contagious of any show I’ve attended. There are tons of fantastic music, plenty of tasty visuals, and those involved space out on the floor giving you plenty of room to do your own thing. If Posford and his out-of-this-world show come to your town, do yourself a favor and go get Shpongled.

Photos by Nicole Robbins