The 8 best concerts coming to Memphis in July: Goo Goo Dolls, Champagne Fest, Chevelle & more

Mid-summer brings a slight slowdown in big name concerts to Memphis and the Mid-South, but July will still offer plenty of worthwhile music and entertainment.

From Christian music gatherings to R&B festivals, hard rock veterans to jazz greats, big pop stage productions to soul sessions, there is something on the concert calendar for everyone.

Here are eight shows worth checking out in July.

Light the Way Music Festival: July 5-6, Olive Branch City Park

The annual Light the Way Music Festival will feature two days of music from top Christian artists, local food vendors and an opportunity to “unite as a community in worship.” Performers include Big Daddy Weave, Tasha Layton, Luke Bower and more on July 5, and We the Kingdom, KB, Josiah Queen and more on July 6. Olive Branch City Park is at 8267 Goodman Road. Tickets are free. To register, go to Lightthewayministry.com.

Champagne Fest 2024: July 6, Shelby Farms Park

A selection of top R&B stars will appear as part of Champagne Fest 2024, taking place July 6 at Shelby Farms Park, 6903 Great View Drive. The concert is being headlined by hitmaking group Dru Hill — who made a memorable appearance locally at the 2023 Beale Street Music Festival — and will also feature performances from Chrisette Michele and Sammie. Gates open at 3 p.m. Tickets: $48 to $212 for VIP packages; go to Eventbrite.com.

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Lacey Sturm: July 9, Minglewood Hall

Flyleaf singer and solo artist Lacey Sturm comes to Midtown’s 1884 Lounge, inside Minglewood Hall at 1555 Madison Ave., for a pair of shows on July 9. Sturm — who released her second solo album, “Kenotic Metanoia” last year — will be doing an all-ages show at 5 p.m. and a second concert at 7 p.m. Tickets are $27.60 with VIP meet-and-greet packages available for $87; go to Ticketmaster.com.

Modern Masters Jazz Series: Fareed Haque and The Ted Ludwig Trio: July 10, The Green Room at Crosstown Concourse

Crosstown Arts continues its Modern Masters Jazz Series, with a July 10 performance by Fareed Haque and The Ted Ludwig Trio in The Green Room at Crosstown Concourse, 1350 Concourse Drive. Chicago guitar virtuoso Haque has toured and recorded with Joe Zawinul, Billy Cobham, Dave Holland, Paquito D’Rivera, Sting, Zakir Hussain, Bob James, Joe Henderson and many others, in addition to co-leading groups with Tony Monaco, Paul Wertico, Goran Ivanovic, Garaj Mahal and The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra. His mix of jazz, classical, world music and fusion styles has earned him various honors including Best World Guitarist in Guitar Player Magazine. Local favorites The Ted Ludwig Trio will also perform. Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door and $10 for student; go to Crosstownarts.org.

Stereo Sessions: Robert Clayborne: July 10, Memphis Listening Lab

The Memphis Listening Lab will present another of its "Stereo Sessions" — a listening event and panel series — on Robert Clayborne's 1987 album, “Power To Overcome.” A key figure in The Memphis All-Stars, Clayborne had a subtle but crucial impact on the Bluff City music scene. Clayborne began his career in the mid-‘70s singing and playing in numerous church and gospel groups. Clayborne would go on to back up soul and R&B greats like Denise LaSalle, Tyrone Davis, Rufus Thomas, Yolanda Adams and, most famously, worked with Al Green on later albums like “I Can’t Stop” and “Everything’s OK." The upcoming "Stereo Sessions" event — which is presented in conjunction with radio station WYXR — will focus on Clayborne's own album, "Power to Overcome," which was a local success released through Three Angels Productions. Hailed as a versatile musical affair, the album "shines as a unique treasure in gospel funk and boogie." The event runs from 6-8 p.m. July 10. Admission is free. Go to Memphislisteninglab.org.

Goo Goo Dolls: July 12, Radians Amphitheater

The annual Live at the Garden concert series continues this month with a show by alt-pop hitmakers Goo Goo Dolls on July 12. The 24th edition of the summer concert series takes place at Radians Amphitheater at the Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road. Upcoming performers include Sam Hunt and John Fogerty. Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers to the concerts. Food trucks and bars will be located onsite. Free shuttles will run from Hilton Hotel corporate headquarters, 755 Crossover Lane, to the venue from 5 p.m. until midnight for each concert. Lawn tickets for the Goo Goo Dolls are $84; go to Ticketmaster.com.

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Chevelle: July 22, Graceland Soundstage

Veteran Chicago rockers Chevelle return to Memphis for a concert at the Graceland Soundstage, 3717 Elvis Presley Way. The group has scored seven No. 1 hits, landed 17 songs in the rock charts and sold more than 4 million records. The band — led by brothers Pete and Sam Loeffler — will headline a concert that will also feature performances by Tigercub and Return to Dust. Tickets: $45 and $50; go to Gracelandlive.com.

'Mamma Mia!': July 23-28, Orpheum

The national touring production of the modern classic musical "Mamma Mia!" returns to Memphis for a weeklong run at Downtown’s Orpheum, 203 S. Main St. Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, this tale of love, friendship and identity is told through the timeless hits of pop superstars ABBA. Tickets: $34-$125; go to Ticketmaster.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: July concerts in Memphis: Goo Goo Dolls, Chevelle, Lacey Sturm & more