Rockin’ in the River City: The Best Live Music Venues in Memphis

Welcome to Memphis, the vibrant city that resonates with the soulful sounds of blues, the electrifying energy of rock ‘n’ roll, and the timeless melodies of soul. Known as the birthplace of many iconic music genres, Memphis is a haven for music lovers from around the world. In every corner of this historic city, you can feel the rhythm pulsating through its streets and venues. Join us as we embark on a musical journey through Memphis’ best live music venues, where the spirit of legends like Elvis Presley, B.B. King, and Johnny Cash still lingers. From the legendary Beale Street to the historic Sun Studio, get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies and rich musical heritage of the Home of Blues, Soul, and Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Memphis Music Venues

The Orpheum Theatre Memphis 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Orpheum Memphis (@orpheummemphis)

An officially recognized historic building, the Orpheum Theatre preserves the opulence of its 1928 beginnings. On the corner of South Main and Beale in downtown Memphis, this 2,300-seat theater is the city’s definitive home for Broadway productions like Rent, Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King. Also known as a world-class concert venue, the Orpheum in its early days hosted legends Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, and more recently The Beach Boys, Lauren Daigle and Willie Nelson. The venue has undergone multiple revitalization projects to update its classic interior architecture as well as its nine-decade-old Wurlitzer organ. And in 2015, the adjacent Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education was opened, ensuring that the Orpheum’s story will be passed on for generations to come. 

Radians Amphitheater

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Radians Amphitheater (@radiansamp)

With a stage set amid 96 gorgeous acres of the Memphis Botanic Garden, Radians Amphitheater is the premier outdoor music experience in the city. The yearly concert series features five shows from June to September with capacity for 2,500 people seated at linen-lined tables and another 4,500 on the lawn where you can bring your own chairs and blankets. Memphis legend Isaac Hayes kicked off the inaugural show in 2001, and since, acts like Diana Ross, Lionel Richie and Robert Plant have graced the stage, as well as a slew of country acts in the annual Wolf at the Garden show. Situated within Audubon Park in East Memphis, the venue offers plenty of free on-site parking, and concertgoers can enjoy a warm Memphis evening with a picnic, food truck fare or a pre-ordered meal from on-site catering. 

Cannon Center for the Performing Arts

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuP6TyxA6s-/

Located a stone’s throw from Wolf River Harbor and the iconic Hernando de Soto Bridge in downtown Memphis, the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts is home to the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, plus theatrical shows and performances of rock, hip-hop and soul music. The 2,100-capacity concert hall opened in 2003 and has hosted diverse acts (Jill Scott, Lyle Lovett, Bonnie Raitt). The modern building offers classic three-tier seating, and being that it sits along the Main Street Trolley line, the Cannon Center is a perfect part of any quintessential downtown experience.

Levitt Shell at Overton Park

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5GK4AXAcbm/

A timeless band shell built in 1936 as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal, Levitt Shell at Overton Park famously hosted Elvis Presley opening for Slim Whitman in 1954, for what many historians consider to be the first ever rock ‘n’ roll show. Today, midtown’s Levitt Shell is able to put on 50 free concerts a year through the fundraising efforts of the annual marquee Shell Yeah! concert. Eclectic acts like Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Wilco, and Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit play in front of the stunning, concave, multilayered shell that has top-notch audiovisual capabilities. Parking is free, and both the 50 Poplar and 53 Summer bus lines stop at Overton Park, so bring your own chairs and blankets, pop over to the Shell Eats food truck area and get comfortable on the marvelous lawn.

Browse Memphis Concerts by Genre

Header Image by Heidi Kaden