With the dawn of summer upon us, our responsibilities lessen and our free time greatly increases. But with so much time and so little work, what is there to do, preferably for as cheaply as possible? That’s where the Overton Park Shell Free Concert Series comes in.
At a time when the average concert ticket can often cost hundreds of dollars per person, thanks to being filled with superfluous fees and odd price-scaling options, the Overton Shell offers high quality concerts completely free of charge.
With the artists represented at the concert series, The Overton Park Shell makes an effort to stretch beyond the expected genres of rootsy rock and country, bringing artists from often lesser-represented genres, such as rap, jazz, latin, and gospel. Among the musicians performing during the 2025 concert series are the New Orleans jazz group New Breed Brass Band featuring Grammy-winning trombonist Trombone Shorty, 90s pop rock band BoDeans and punk rocker Alejandro Escovedo. Also performing are local acts, such as the Memphis Symphonic Orchestra and members of the Stax Music Academy.
The Overton Park Shell has had a long history as one of Memphis’s most iconic landmarks. It was originally built in 1936, modeled after similar shells in New York and Chicago, as part of the New Deal economic reforms. For the first twenty years of its life, it mainly hosted orchestral shows and musicals. In 1954, a young Elvis Presley performed at the Shell opening for country singer Slim Whitman, in what many historians call the first ever rock-and-roll show. Throughout the 50s and 60s, the Shell hosted such legendary artists as Johnny Cash, Booker T. and the MGs, Isaac Hayes, Carl Perkins and Mavis Staples.
However, throughout its history, the Shell has been very close to demolishment. In the mid-1960s, the Memphis Arts Center planned to build a $2 million theater. In 1972, the Shell was planned to be replaced by a parking garage, which was again suggested in 1984. However, every time the Shell’s demolition was suggested, the plans were foiled by outcry from the local community, who saw the concert venue as an integral part of Memphis’s culture.
In 2007, as part of a three-year renovation effort funded by the Levitt Foundation, the Overton Park Shell was renamed to the Levitt Shell. The new Levitt Shell was updated with state of the art audio and visual design, and as part of the renovation, the Levitt Shell began hosting their free concert series Over the years, artists such as Gary Clark Jr., Los Lobos and Magic! have performed as part of the series. In 2022, the Levitt Shell was renamed to the Overton Park Shell.
The Shell hosts more than just free concerts. The Shell’s annual fundraiser, the Shell Yeah! Benefit Free Concert Series, has featured artists such as Jason Isbell, Ben Folds, Kraftwerk and Drive-By Truckers, with tickets being sold for around $50 per person. This year, Big K.R.I.T. is scheduled to play during the benefit series this September. The Shell Daze festival has been hosted annually since 2022, bringing together country, folk, blues and rock artists together for a one or two day festival. Shell Daze is presented by Mempho, the promotion company who also runs such local festivals as the Mempho Music Festival, the Riverbeat Music Festival, and most recently, the Smokeslam barbeque competition. The Shell also hosts frequent free health and wellness exhibitions, such as Zumba classes, yoga, and pilates.
The next time you’re bored this summer and in the mood for a fun night out without breaking your budget, bring a blanket, find some food trucks, and listen to a wide array music at the Overton Park Shell.
