The sounds of music are beginning to fill up Knoxville’s downtown-area venues with everything from pop to classical to southern indie rock.
The Righteous Brothers kick off the music season at the Tennessee Theatre on Sept. 17 with “You’ve Lost that Lovin Feelin” and other hits. Then on Sept. 23 and 24 the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra launches its 2021-22 season with The Four Seasons masterworks concert. Not far behind on the schedule are 1960s and ’70s favorites Earth, Wind & Fire, the Monkees, and Chicago.
Americana trio Lost Dog Street Band will take the stage at the Bijou Theatre on Sept. 16, right after author and humorist David Sedaris performs on Sept. 12.
Heavy metal band Steel Panther kicks off September’s music calendar at the Mill & Mine on Sept. 7. Upcoming shows include Rumours: a Tribute to Fleetwood Mac.
If there’s any doubt that the shows will go on, the above venues, along with Pilot Light and the Outpost, have instated a policy requiring proof of either COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative COVID test to be admitted to shows. Children under 12 will be required to wear masks.
“If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that we can’t truly know what the future holds,” says Becky Hancock, executive director of the Tennessee Theatre. “In March 2020, the Tennessee Theatre (and countless others in the entertainment industry) had to make monumental decisions in the span of just a few days that had ripple effects lasting more than a year. If circumstances require us to do it again, we will. However, right now, we are doing everything we can to keep our artists, audiences, and staff safer and healthier, all while keeping our doors open presenting the best in touring and local entertainment on the Tennessee Theatre stage. We hope that everyone is doing their part to get the pandemic under control so we can all participate in what our vibrant community has to offer.”