Memphis, get ready to say 'Hello' to Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire at FedExForum show

Judging by the FedExForum calendar, it’s looking like it'll be an unusually quiet summer at the venue, with no major shows scheduled until October.

But the late spring, specifically the end of May, will mark a busy time, as the Downtown Memphis arena will host a trio of events over consecutive nights, including performances by hip-hop hitmaker Megan Thee Stallion (with Memphis' own GloRilla) and standup comedy star Nate Bargatze.

Kicking things off will be an epic double bill of R&B/pop legends, Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire. Their co-headlining Sing A Song All Night Long Tour will make its way to FedExForum on May 29. Here’s a look at what to know before you go.

'Dancing on the Ceiling': Lionel Richie

One of the biggest and most enduring stars in pop music, Lionel Richie’s five-decade career has seen him sell 125 million albums and earn an Oscar, a Golden Globe and four Grammy Awards.

The 74-year-old Richie — who is also a member of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, a recipient of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library Congress and a Kennedy Center Honoree — continues to serve as a judge on ABC’s “American Idol” having returned for his seventh season on the show this year.

Richie was also one of the stars of the recent Netflix documentary “The Greatest Night in Pop,” about the effort to record “We Are the World,” the humanitarian anthem that Richie co-wrote.

If recent history — including his last two stops in town at the Memphis Botanic Garden and FedExForum — is any indication, Richie’s Bluff City set should be filled with familiar hits from his ‘80s solo heyday including “Endless Love,” “Lady,” “Truly,” “All Night Long,” “Penny Lover,” “Stuck on You,” “Hello,” “Say You, Say Me” and “Dancing on the Ceiling.” Richie — who started out playing as a member of R&B outfit The Commodores — will also honor that legacy, with songs like “Three Times a Lady,” “Still” and “Easy.”

'Shining Star': Earth, Wind & Fire

Joining Richie on the tour and for the Memphis stop will be Earth, Wind & Fire. The group — founded by late Memphis native Maurice White in 1969 — is still going strong, continuing an illustrious career that has seen the band inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, sell more than 100 million records and earn six Grammy Awards, to go along with 18 nominations (including one earlier this year for Best Traditional R&B Performance as a featured artist on Victoria Monét’s song "Hollywood”).

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The group, which has played Memphis regularly over the years, most recently headlined the 2023 Beale Street Music Festival. The veteran band is led by White’s brother, bassist Verdine White, singer Philip Bailey and drummer Ralph Johnson.

Fans can expect a show filled with Earth, Wind & Fire hits and classics from “Shining Star” to “Boogie Wonderland” to “September.”

Sing A Song All Night Long Tour

The Richie/Earth, Wind & Fire team-up in 2024 is a continuation of last year’s highly successful Sing A Song All Night Long Tour, which saw them make their way through several major North America markets including Chicago, Boston, Toronto, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

In addition to Memphis, the upcoming tour will also play nearby markets, including a tour kickoff in Knoxville on May 23, and a date in Richie’s home state of Alabama, with a show in Birmingham on May 28.

Tickets to Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire in Memphis

Tickets for the Richie/Earth, Wind & Fire concert have been selling briskly, but for those who haven’t purchased seats yet, some good options remain. The best options, or at least the closest, are a selection of floor seats in the midpoint of the arena, which cost $127. For roughly the same price point, you can get side seating, slightly closer to the stage, but higher up.

The cheapest seats that are still available will by the upper rafters of FedExForum — these seats are part of a sale by promoters Live Nation and cost $25, though they may not last much longer.

In fact, looking at the latest Ticketmaster map, there’s a good chance that the concert may sell out completely before showtime. In which case, verified resale seats from Ticketmaster are also available, ranging from $50 to $460.

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Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire in Memphis: Sing A Song All Night Long Tour

Wednesday, May 29, at FedExForum, 191 Beale St.

Tickets: $25-$127; available at Ticketmaster.com

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire bring tour to Memphis' FedExForum