Hey, Memphis! Here’s another round of shots to keep you partying through the best days of the week.
This weekend features a festival for a good cause, an album release party for a much buzzed-about Memphis trio, and a low-key electropop project from a member of one of your favorite indie rock bands. Get those feet ready; it’s time to groove all weekend.
Friday (6/15) features the album release party of the self-titled debut from Hi Electric at the Poplar Lounge. Todd Bartlett is a young rock composer who’s spent time crafting a full length with drummer Henry Talbot and bassist Alan Yee. Their music is skilled low-key rock and roll with textural flourishes and dry lyricism from Bartlett. Vaun is an ethereal textural pop project from the keyboardist of The Generationals. Also billed is Good Luck Dark Star, The Sultana, and Harlan giving the show lots of Memphis love.
Saturday (5/16) has two festivals that will keep you moving from the early hours of the evening until last call late at night. Todd Snider will be headling the What the Folk Festival in the beautiful setting of the Levitt Shell Pavilion. Hayes Carll, Elizabeth Cook, and Will Kimbrough will also be featured, proving this festival isn’t folking around. With his dry and dark songs (and his dryer darker humor) Carll alone is one hell of an entertaining show; the additions of Kimbrough and Cook are gonna make it one hell of an event.
Across midtown, the Music fortress of Newby’s Memphis features a great show for a good cause. Franckypalooza is the vehicle of a group of friends who are raising money for one of their own who suffered a major brain injury during a rugby match. For a $10 cover, you’ll have your ticket to all the beer you can drink and music from Fallen Angel, Curtis Mason, Po Boy Magic Funk Jam, Aurora, and Artifas. You’ll get to party and know that your contribution will go to good cause so there’s no reason to miss out on this one.
