December offers a plethora of music for the Memphis concertgoer — holiday and non-holiday alike.

For much more information on the former, click here. For information on the latter, keep reading.

During the first weekend of the month, WXYR returns its annual Raised by Sound Fest on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Crosstown Concourse. 

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The Daily Memphian is a founding partner of the radio station.

Also this month, women’s representation in the arts is highlighted, a celebrated bluegrass singer-songwriter-guitarist plays two nights at the FedExForum, a trio of organizations partner for a Christmas Fiesta and Jhené Aiko’s tour brings heavy hitters to the FedExForum.

The day-long fundraiser aims to bring Memphians a chance to see artists who have impacted the music scene locally, as well as introduce them to rising stars and non-Memphis artists who have been influenced by Memphis. 

It does so while organizing collaborations audiences won’t see elsewhere.

From 1-6:30 p.m., the festival includes a slate of free shows in the Concourse’s Central Atrium. Those artists include University of Memphis’ student-run record label with the BlueTom Revue, Memphis dream-folk artist fosterfalls, Memphis blues-rockers Heartbreak Hill Trio, Brooklyn-based Americana-pop-rock artist Cut Worms and a solo set from indie-roots artist Hooray for the Riff Raff (Bronx, New York-native Alynda Segarra).

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The sold-out headlining performance (read more about it here) features J. Spaceman and John Coxon of British rock band Spiritualized performing a live score to William Eggleston’s “Stranded in Canton” film.

Tickets are still available for the 9 p.m. afterparty which features Ohio blues-rock duo The Black Keys on DJ duty, as well as performances from Memphis hip-hop pioneers Lil Noid and Tommy Wright III. That takes place in the Concourse’s East Atrium.

Iris Collective presents ‘Resonating Herstory: Powerful Women in Art and Music’ at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Thursday, Dec. 5:

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art’s chief curator Rosamund Garrett is behind the ongoing “Power and Absence” exhibition. Equitable representation — and the lack thereof — of women in art in Europe from 1500 to 1680 (the Renaissance and Early Baroque period) is the subject. Most of the exhibition’s pieces are created by men. The women depicted in the works range from monsters, community leaders, accessories, and symbols of faith. The museum points out that this is in contrast to men of the period, who are depicted solely showcasing their power, skills or intelligence.

This concert — featuring female Iris Collective artists — will complement the exhibition with songs from women composers. The event is free for Brooks members; tickets include museum admission.

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. 6-7:30 p.m. $0 (members) - $19.95 (non-members, includes gallery admission). 

Billy Strings at FedExForum, Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7:

December brings Memphis fans two opportunities to see bluegrass star Billy Strings in concert. Born William Lee Apostol, the Michigan musician has lived in Nashville since 2015. He’s been nominated for seven Grammy Awards, winning for Best Bluegrass Album in 2021.

Strings’ latest album, “Highway Prayers,” was released in September 2024. For a preview of the Memphis shows, check out Strings’ first live album, which was was released in July.

Strings’ many accolades include being named Artist of the Year at the 2023 and 2022 Americana Music Awards and Entertainer of the Year at the 2023, 2022 and 2021 International Bluegrass Music Awards.

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The artist’s influences include his father, fellow bluegrass musician Terry Barber; late singer-guitarist Doc Watson; as well as rock icons like Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin.

FedExForum. 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary.

Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre, Opera Memphis and the Dixon Gallery and Garden’s Christmas Fiesta at the Dixon, Saturday, Dec. 14:

Founded in 2006, Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group is a nonprofit theater company in Memphis. It annually hosts the Latin Fest 901 in Overton Square, partners with the Brooks Museum and Overton Square for the annual Día de Los Muertos Parade and Festival, and puts on bilingual (English and Spanish) plays and workshops.

Its first Christmas Fiesta in partnership with the Dixon Gallery and Gardens and Opera Memphis, was held in 2021.

At the free event, attendees are invited to celebrate Christmas traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition to hearing traditional Christmas music in Spanish, guests will have Latin food, can create a paper poinsettia or small piñata and learn about parrandas (Puerto Rico’s version of Christmas caroling), posadas (a nine-day commemoration/reenactment of the Biblical story of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem — being rejected from inns), and piñatas. The event is free.

Dixon Gallery and Gardens. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission.

Jhené Aiko’s ‘Magic Hour Tour’ featuring Jessie Reyes, Sheensea, Umi, Kiana Lede, Tink and Starzza at FedExForum, Saturday, Dec. 14:

Seven-time-Grammy-nominated artist Jhené Aiko brings the third leg of her “Magic Hour Tour” arena tour to Memphis. 

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Born Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo, the Los Angeles-born singer, songwriter and poet is usually classified as R&B or alternative R&B, but also includes elements of hip-hop, pop, even mantras and sound bowls in her music. 

Three of the artist’s full-length albums and one EP have reached the Top 10 in the Billboard Top 200 list. She also has three Recording Industry Association of America-certified platinum albums and more than 15 platinum singles (several of which are multi-platinum). Her most recent single (“guidance”) is up for a 2025 Grammy for Best R&B Performance.

Chilombo recently released a compilation — “The Magic Hour” — comprising 25 songs, which would be great pre-show prep.

The concert lineup is stacked. Along with Aiko’s headlining performance, the concert brings Grammy-nominated Colombian-Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez; Grammy-nominated South Korean-Jamaican dancehall singer Shenseea; Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter UMI; Los Angeles-based singer and actress Kiana Ledé; Chicago singer and rapper Tink; and Jhené Aiko’s tour DJ, Starzza.

FedExForum. 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary.

An Evening with Gregory Porter at the Orpheum Theatre, Tuesday, Dec. 17:

Acclaimed baritone vocalist Gregory Porter began singing in San Diego, California, jazz clubs while attending San Diego State University on a football scholarship.

After injury, he moved to New York to pursue music full-time. Since then, Porter has earned two Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Among his eight Grammy nominations, Porter has been nominated for Best R&B Album, Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

A native of Bakersfield, California, Porter counts Bakersfield Southern Gospel and Nat King Cole among his influences.

Orpheum Theatre. $43.50-$126.50. 6:30 p.m. doors.