Free music in Memphis: 5 summer concert series worth checking out

Bob Mehr, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·2 min read

The heart of summer in Memphis means music. While there will be a steady run of big-name ticketed arena and amphitheater shows over the next couple months, the city will also offer plenty of shows and concert series for free.

From country music on Beale to happy-hour jams in Germantown and outdoor events in Midtown, fans of live music will have plenty of opportunities to hear some fine sounds without having to spend any money.

Here are 5 free concert series set for July and beyond.

KIX on Beale

Country star Priscilla Block will play the KIX on Beale concert series in July.
Country star Priscilla Block will play the KIX on Beale concert series in July.

Downtown’s Handy Park is hosting a series of free Thursday night shows this summer sponsored by local country stations KIX 106. The KIX on Beale series will continue through July, with concerts by Priscilla Block and George Birge (July 13), Shane Proffit and Ben Gallagher (July 20), and Ryan Griffin and Neon Union (July 27). Go to Kix106.com.

Overton Square Music Series

Overton’s Square will host a run of free live concerts throughout the summer. Music lovers can bring chairs or blankets and rock out under the stars on the courtyard stage, located in Chimes Square, on Trimble Place off Cooper Street. Performers include roots local rock maven John Paul Keith, the Memphis School of Rock and more. Go to Overtonsquare.com.

Happy Hour in The Grove

Every Friday in July the Germantown Performing Arts center will present a weekly free concert event at its outdoor performance space The Grove. Come sit under a canopy of trees and listen to live soul music from Josh Threlkeld and Friends, enjoy beverage specials created by master mixologists, get deals on local beer, and $5 wine. No tickets needed. Go to GPACweb.com.

Main Street Collierville Concerts

The Grove at GPAC will host a free Friday happy hour concert series in July.
The Grove at GPAC will host a free Friday happy hour concert series in July.

Main Street Collierville returns with its 29th annual Summer Concert Series. Held every Thursday night in the Collierville Town Square from 7 to 9 p.m.,  guests are invited to bring blankets and chairs to sit in the grassy areas of the square and listen to the various bands that will take the Gazebo stage. Performers include Bonfire Orchestra (July 13), Southbound (July 20) , and Rustenhaven (July 27). Go to Mainstreetcollierville.org.

Overton Park Shell

Sports themed supergroup The Baseball Project will appear as part of the Overton Park Shell's free concert series in September.
Sports themed supergroup The Baseball Project will appear as part of the Overton Park Shell's free concert series in September.

Late summer will see the return of Orion Free concert series at the Overton Park Shell. The shows – which will continue though the fall – launch on Sept. 1 with a performance by Los Rakas and special guests. Other highlights from the series include Memphis Power Pop Fest presenting The Baseball Project (featuring members of R.E.M.) on Sept. 2, Black Joe Lewis on Sept. 9, Al Kapone on Sept. 16, the Memphis Country Blues Fest on Sept. 23 and more. Go to Overtonparkshell.org.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Free concerts in Memphis: KIX on Beale, Happy Hour in the Grove & more