As one fan at the Paris show later wrote “It was a legendary moment. I came back home covered in sweat and with a crazy smile on my face.”

The trio had touched down in each city not just as touring acts, but as cultural ambassadors who helped transform crunk and horrorcore from a regional sound into a global phenomenon.

The tour first came about as a way to help promote the La Chat-focused documentary The Other Queen of Memphis, a short film directed by Belgian artist Luna Mahoux. “Once the documentary was done, Luna helped me put together a tour so that we could so some shows along with the screenings,” explains La Chat. “We decided to make it a whole Memphis-based showcase, which is where Tommy and Spanish Fly came in.”

The tour kicked off at the historical Bourse de Commerce in Paris, a gorgeous exhibition space built in 1763. “It was high, high energy, man” recalls Spanish Fly. “It was off the chain. Performing in this historical museum in Paris is something that nobody there will ever forget.” Chat shared these sentiments, saying “Paris was great and a perfect way to boost everything off. It gave me that motivation. These folks were really live!”

The fact that a group of self-taught rap artists from the streets of Memphis found themselves being celebrated in front of haute Parisian society may seem a bit crazy (including to the artists themselves), but it was yet another example of the Bluff City’s global impact. Although Tommy Wright III and Spanish Fly had previously toured in Europe, this was La Chat’s first time on the other side of the pond. “It was crazy, because outside of the London show, I of course couldn’t understand the different languages, but they would be singing all of my lyrics during the shows,” she says. “I have to shout out the Barcelona show especially…that crowd was amazing.”

Now, the trio–along with the notable addition of Crunchy Black, Gangsta Pat, and DJ Zirk–will be bringing their globe-spanning show back for a homecoming show on Halloween night. On Friday, October 31st, Shangri-La Records is bringing the Memphis Rap Ogz showcase to Minglewood Hall for an epic hip-hop family reunion.

“As far as what I’m expecting for Halloween night? I’m expecting Memphis, mane. I know my people are gonna show out and show love. It’ll be a night to remember,” says Chat. As for DJ Spanish Fly, he promises “a legendary night…Forreal, we’re planning to show up and to show out.”

The post Memphis Rap Royalty Took Europe by Storm — Now They’re Coming Home for Halloween appeared first on We Are Memphis.

Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Dates & Venue: Thursday, September 25th at the Cannon Center

Hailed as “Memphis Music’s Biggest Night of the Year,” the Memphis Music Hall of Fame is inducting its newest class (Art Gilliam, Cordell Jackson, Robert Johnson, Denise LaSalle, Wendy Moten, and Johnnie Taylor) with the help of some famous friends. John Mellencamp, Martina McBride, and Eric Gales are among the evening’s special guest, but expect many more surprises as well.

Gonerfest 22

Dates & Venue: September 25-28 at Wiseacre Brewing (Broad Avenue), with Sunday’s free grand finale at Overton Park Shell. 

Once a series of unhinged live shows held at several Midtown watering holes, Gonerfest has since matured into a true Memphis institution, gaining a dedicated global following along the way. For their 22nd iteration, Goner has relocated to Wiseacre Brewing and the Overton Park Shell, providing plenty of room for the throngs of people who will surely descend on our fair city to catch an excellent and musically-diverse line-up include Lightning Bolt, Radioactivity, W.I.T.C.H., Tommy Wright III, Snooper, and more. If you’re into gritty, loud, off-beat, and experimental sounds, this is your weekend.

Mempho Music Festival

Dates & Venue: October 3-5, 2025 at Radians Amphitheater at Memphis Botanic Garden

Without disclosing my age, let’s just say that I’m no longer drawn to the discomfort and chaos of large outdoor festivals such as Bonnaroo and Coachella, which is one reason why Mempho Music Fest has become a perennial favorite. Stacked line-ups in a shaded and lush location with plenty of room to lay out and chill? Sign me up. Headliners for this year’s fest include Mempho favorites Widespread Panic, Tyler Childers, Father John Misty, The Flaming Lips, Sierra Ferrell, Lucero, Mavis Staples, and more. You looking for some laid-back outdoor autumn vibes? Well look no further…

Memphist Fest

Date & Venue: October 3-4 at the Hi Tone

Although it shares a similar name to our previous entry, the 2-day Memphist Fest is in many ways the spiritual opposite of Mempho’s feet-in-the-grass vibes. Featuring a heavy-hitting collection of hardcore, punk, metal, and hip-hop, including local favorites such as Lukah and Little Baby Tendencies, this is the weekend choice for those who prefer PBR over patchouli.

Memphis Country Blues Festival Presents Christone “Kingfish” Ingram

Date & Venue: Friday, October 10th at the Overton Park Shell

As part of the ongoing Shell Yeah! Benefit Series–which hosted a great performance from Big K.R.I.T. earlier this month–the good folks at the Shell are bringing Clarksdale, Mississippi native Kingfish Ingram back to the Delta for what promises to be one of this season’s best shows. The modern torchbearer of Delta blues, Kingfish brings jaw-dropping guitar fireworks and a voice steeped in the tradition of the Mississippi Hill Country. An open-air Shell show in early fall is about as perfect as it gets for pure blues magic.

Tambourine Bash (Music Export Memphis)

Date & Venue: Thursday, October 16, 2025 at Overton Park Shell

Now in its fifth year, Tambourine Bash doubles as a community celebration and a fundraiser for Music Export Memphis, a true gem within the local music landscape. As those who have attended the event before can tell you, this night is all about surprise collaborations and all-star jams featuring some of the city’s best and brightest. Highlights of this year’s collaborations include Unapologetic + Future-Everything and Black Cream + Marcella Simien + The Lucky 7 Brass Band.

Chris Brown, Jhene Aiko & Bryson Tiller

Date & Venue: Saturday, October 18th at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium

I will choose to keep my personal feelings about Chris Brown quiet for now (shout out to Jhene Aiko & Bryson Tiller tho!) and instead celebrate the fact that live music is once again returning to the Liberty Bowl after a 28 year hiatus. We’re genuinely hoping that this star-studded event is the beginning of a new era for the venue and many similar acts continue to stream through in the years to come.

Joe Restivo’s A Beautiful Friendship Record Release Show

Date & Venue: Thursday, October 23rd at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts

Local jazz guitar great Joe Restivo will be celebrating the release of his latest album A Beautiful Friendship with a night of soulful, swinging originals and classics. The Green Room’s intimate acoustics will showcase every warm note of Restivo’s band, which is to include a murderers row of top-notch talent.

The Boy Is Mine Tour Ft. Brandy, Monica, Kelly Rowland & Muni Long 

Date & Venue: Thursday, October 30, 2025 at FedExForum

‘90s R&B fans are eating good as some of the biggest stars of the decade hit the FedEx Forum for a night of nostalgic fun. Brandy and Monica share the stage for the first time in years, where they will hopefully finally decide on who the boy belongs to. They’ll be  joined by powerhouse vocalists Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child fame and newer star Muni Long. Expect throw back jams, duets, and plenty of vocal fireworks.

Shangri-La Records Presents Memphis Rap OGz

Date & Venue: Friday, October 31, 2025 at Minglewood Hall

Peanut butter and chocolate. Wine and cheese. Memphis horrorcore and Halloween night. Some things just pair perfectly, which is certainly how we’re feeling about the upcoming Memphis Rap OGz showcase. Featuring some of the most influential artists in Memphis rap history–La Chat, Tommy Wright III, Crunchy Black, DJ Spanish Fly, Gangsta Pat, and DJ Zirk–this is shaping up to be the event for the spookiest night of the year.

The post Your Guide to Live Music in Memphis This Fall appeared first on We Are Memphis.