10 must-see concerts coming to Memphis in October: Stevie Nicks, Kirk Franklin and more

What’s been an exciting, eventful (both good and bad) and busy summer concert season in Memphis has come to a close. But that doesn’t mean the music is stopping anytime soon.

October means the arrival of fall, and plenty of music, comedy and performances all across Memphis and Mid-South stages. This month’s top picks include British pop greats and blues guitar phenoms, hot comedy crews and award-winning Gospel artists.

Here are 10 shows worth seeing this month.

Tav Falco & Panther Burns: Oct. 4, Lafayette's Music Room

Memphis trash rock legend Tav Falco returns to the Bluff City for an Oct. 4 concert at Lafayette’s in Overton Square. Falco, who now lives in Europe, is back Stateside this fall touring in support of the new album, "Nashville Sessions: Live at Bridgestone Arena Studios," on ORG Music. The concert will include songs from across Falco’s career, blending rock ‘n’ roll, Hill Country blues and avant-garde cabaret. Tickets: $19.20 to $30.25, go to Ticketweb.com.

Drive-By Truckers: Oct. 7, Overton Park Shell

The Overton Park Shell will welcome Americana greats Drive-By Truckers to the historic stage of the Midtown venue on Oct. 7. Earlier this year Drive-By Truckers released their 14th studio album, the acclaimed “Welcome to Club XIII." The long-running Southern rock band, led by Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley, will be playing the ticketed show, which is part of the Shell Yeah! Benefit concert series. Tickets: $30, go to Ticketmaster.com.

85 South Show: Oct. 7, Landers Center

The popular 85 South Show podcast comes alive in the Mid-South, bringing three of America's funniest comedians to the stage of Southaven’s Landers Center. 85 South’s DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller and Chico Bean have become a phenomenon with 2 million subscribers on YouTube and 150,000-plus live show tickets sold to date. The trio will headline a performance at Landers on Oct. 7. Tickets: $35.50 to $200; go to Ticketmaster.com.

Morrissey: Oct. 14, Graceland Soundstage

Nearly a decade since his last Memphis appearance, Morrissey returns to town for a show in the Bluff City this month. Morrissey — the iconic British singer, The Smiths front man and solo star — will be playing the Graceland Soundstage. The Pop of Mope will visit the home of the King on Oct. 14, playing songs from across his career as part of the "40 Years of Morrissey" tour. Tickets: $49.50 to $199; go to Gracelandlive.com.

Big Ass Truck: Oct. 14, Minglewood Hall

Reunited Memphis band Big Ass Truck will celebrate the 30th anniversary and reissue of its 1993 LP, “All You Can Handle,” this month. The band will hit the stage of Midtown’s Minglewood Hall on Oct. 14, along with Indefinite Mash O Matic. In addition to the concert, there will be a special ticket package that offers a pre-show listening party, along with a limited edition 180g splatter vinyl LP of the album and poster. Tickets: $36 general admission and $79 for special LP package; go to Ticketmaster.com.

Katt Williams: Oct. 20, Landers Center

The always provocative and hilarious comedy titan Katt Williams is coming back to the Mid-South. Williams will offer up his latest musings as part of his "Dark Matter Tour,” which will stop at Southaven’s Landers Center on Oct. 20.  Tickets: $64 to $255; go to Ticketmaster.com.

MUSIC NEWS: Grammy winner Jason Isbell finishes his degree at University of Memphis. How it happened.

Joe Bonamassa: Oct. 23, Cannon Center for the Performing Arts

One of the most popular blues-rock guitarists working today, Joe Bonamassa will headline a show at the Cannon Center this month. Bonamassa's latest, "Blues Deluxe Vol. 2," is a sequel to his 2003 album of the same name. Mixing a pair of new originals and eight covers, Bonamassa tracks his own evolution and his relationship to the blues genre. He will appear at the downtown venue on Oct. 23. Tickets: $60 to $269; go to Ticketmaster.com.

Kirk Franklin: Oct. 24, FedExForum

Sixteen-time Grammy-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin is back on the road and brining some friends. Franklin will lead The Reunion Tour, featuring Tye Tribbett, The Clark Sisters, David & Tamela Mann and Israel Houghton. The tour will make a stop at Memphis’ FedExForum on Oct. 24. Tickets: $81 to $318; go to Ticketmaster.com.

Raphael Saadiq: Oct. 26, Orpheum

R&B great Raphael Saadiq will be headlining an Oct. 26 concert at Downtown’s Orpheum. Billed as the “Raphael Saadiq Revisits Tony! Toni! Toné! Just Me And You Tour 2023,” the show will celebrate Saadiq’s great hitmaking New Jack Swing group, whose four albums released between 1988 and 1996, each earned gold, platinum or multi-platinum RIAA certifications. Tickets: $65 to $199; go to Ticketmaster.com.

Stevie Nicks: Oct. 28, FedExForum

Singer, songwriter and Fleetwood Mac great Stevie Nicks is headed back to the Bluff City for a solo show. Nicks extended her “Live In Concert” tour, which will make its way to FedExForum this month. Fans can expect plenty of Mac classics and solo gems when Nicks takes the stage of the Downtown venue on Oct. 28. Tickets: $76 to $359; go to Ticketmaster.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Stevie Nicks to Kirk Franklin: 10 must-see October concerts in Memphis