Jackson Indie Music Week

Overview

In Jackson, live music has always been part of the city's DNA — and for one week each March, that energy gets a dedicated stage. Now in its eleventh year, Jackson Indie Music Week gathers independent artists from Mississippi and across the region for a week of performances, panels, and artist conversations spread across some of the city's best venues.

The festival kicks off Sunday, March 22 with a launch party at the Patton House featuring Epic Funk Brass Band, and moves through the week with genre-spanning lineups: rock and singer-songwriter sets at Midtown Depot, a hip-hop and R&B showcase at Rami's Sports Bar & Grill, a women's panel and performance night at the Patton House, and the annual Icon Awards at Duling Hall. The week closes out with a rap showcase at Martin's Downtown and a St. Patrick's Day party at Green Ghost Tacos.

Every event centers original music. The artists performing here aren't chasing major label deals — they're building careers on their own terms, one show at a time. Festival Director Brad Franklin started the event to demonstrate that independent artists can make a living without industry backing, and each year the programming reflects that mission with performances alongside career-building panels.

Full Schedule:

• Sun, March 22 | The Patton House | 6–9pm — Official Kickoff Party featuring Epic Funk Brass Band
• Mon, March 23 | Midtown Depot | 6–11pm — JIMWeek Rocks! Rock + Singer-Songwriter Showcase featuring Trailaniea Shiba, Seth Beamer, and The Broken Maloan Dler
• Tue, March 24 | Rami's Sports Bar & Grill | 6–10pm — The Wave Showcase featuring Britnib, Qwansie, Femi9, Travey, Kanayo, Fresh24&DaRealSone$, Nspire, HumanRecordPlayer, and Sateeva
• Wed, March 25 | The Patton House | 6–10pm — Many Moons: Women's Panel + Showcase featuring Sadé Thee Poet, Shakayla, Mona Lisa, Briar Blakeley, Tia J., and Trouble
• Thu, March 26 | Duling Hall | 6–10pm — The Icon Awards featuring Kelli Young Hart, Southern Soul Damo, and Kessey Monae, with special performances by Elsie & The Femcees and Kamikaze
• Fri, March 27 | Martin's Downtown | 9pm–12am — Beats & Bars: Rap Showcase featuring Knightro, Forevac, King Drastic, SuaveC, Mr. Fluid, and $lick4Stacks
• Sat, March 28 | 301 Capitol | Noon–4pm — Do the Knowledge: Panel & Showcase
• Sat, March 28 | Green Ghost Tacos | 3–7pm — JIMWeek St. Paddy's Day Party featuring DJ Twigga