Guide to Jackson Indie Music Week

In its tenth year, Jackson Indie Music Week - JIMWeek - March 30 - April 5 , is a showcase of the city's creatives, held every year in the City With Soul.

Founder Brad Franklin - aka Kamikaze - offers this guide to the weeklong festival.

SCHEDULE
Credit: Will Lindsey

What is Jackson Indie Music - JIM - Week?

Jackson Indie Music Week (JIMWeek) is an annual, week-long festival celebrating Central Mississippi's independent music scene. Established in 2014, JIMWeek showcases a diverse array of genres—including Rock, Hip Hop, EDM, Blues, Singer-Songwriter, and Independent Film & Video—through concerts, showcases, panels, and parties. Often referred to as Jackson's version of South By Southwest, the festival highlights the rich musical heritage of the "Birthplace of America's Music."

Who started it and why?

I founded JIMWeek after attending the SXSW festival in Austin and A3C in Atlanta. I was inspired to start something similar in Jackson because Mississippi is the "Birthplace of America's Music." It's appropriate that we have a festival to highlight our rich music scene.

Brad Franklin
Franklin
Credit: William Lindsay

Is it all about music?

It's not just about independent music. It's about creative culture and the energy of the city, proving that our creative community can be an economic driver for local economies.

Where is JIMWeek held?

JIMWeek 2025 will be held at eight different venues in the city.

Credit: Will Lindsey

What does the schedule look like?

The 2025 lineup features a variety of artists across multiple genres performing across the city. Highlights include:

  • SUNDAY, MARCH 30
    The OFFICIAL 2025 JACKSON INDIE MUSIC WEEK KICKOFF PARTY || 6PM-9PM
    440 Rendezvous Lounge, 440 N. Mill Street
    Featuring EPIC FUNK BRASS BAND (Jackson, MS)
    FREE admission
  • MONDAY, MARCH 31
    BLUE MONDAY @ HAL & MAL’S || 6:30PM
    with the Central Mississippi Blues Society
    Hal & Mal’s, 200 Commerce Street
    FREE admission
  • MONDAY, MARCH 31
    MANY MOONS: WOMEN’S SHOWCASE || 8PM-10:30PM
    Soulé Coffee + Bubbletea, 2947 Old Canton Road
    Performances by Bee Spitz, Kelsey Monae, Myss Houdie, Femi-9, G’Nece Quari
  • TUESDAY, APRIL 1
    BEATS & BARS: RAP SHOWCASE & CYPHER || 6PM-9PM
    Conkrete Sneaker Boutique, 2943 Old Canton Road
    Performances by Fatal K, Deezlemuzik, Mycharee, Jo2Federal, Mr. Fluid + Special Guest Performance
  • TUESDAY, APRIL 1
    THE WORKOUT ROOM W/ RITA BRENT || 7PM-10PM
    440 JXN, 440 N. Mill Street
    Featured guests to be announced
  • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
    JIMWEEK ROCKS! ROCK & SINGER-SONGWRITER SHOWCASE || 6PM-9PM
    Ole Tavern at George St, 416 George Street
    Performances by Trailand Eltzroth, For Eve, Fevercast, and more
  • THURSDAY, APRIL 3
    THE 2025 ICON AWARDS + R&B SHOWCASE || 6PM-11PM
    440 JXN (Big Room), 440 N. Mill Street
    Honoring Tommy Marshall, Chalmers Davis, Ron Cabro and Henry Rhodes. Performances by Daniel Coleman, Los Brown, Dani Douglas, and Twurt Chamberlain
  • FRIDAY, APRIL 4
    THE RHYTHM & ROOTS STAGE || 6PM-11PM
    Greenspace @ Farish, Farish Street and Hamilton Street
    Performances by Elle Pharr, BBG Moonie, Zach Servis, Val, Ray Kincaid, Ben Strings & Par From Ferfect. Plus a special guest performance by Bigg Sexxy and the H-Funk Band
    FREE admission
  • SATURDAY, APRIL 5
    THE DO THE KNOWLEDGE PANEL || 12PM-2PM
    The Synergy Link, 135 Bounds Street
    Music industry experts share their knowledge and experience. FREE admission
  • SATURDAY, APRIL 5
    DAY WATCH: DAY PARTY & SHOWCASE || 2PM-7PM
    Green Ghost Tacos, 565 Taylor Street
    Performances by Suave C, Willy Hutch, $lick4Stacks, Twynaman. Featuring DJ Twigga

How do I get tickets? Can I get individual event tickets or a week-long pass?

Tickets to single events or "ALL-EVENT" passes can be purchased at jxnindiemusic.com.

JIM Week Woman dances
Credit: Will Lindsey

What if I’m not familiar with the artists and creatives you bring in? Why should I come?

You should attend JIMWeek events because it's not just about the music, its about experiencing our city's greatest asset...ITS PEOPLE. You'll get to meet some of Jackson's music lovers, business owners, and tastemakers.

Why is supporting the creative community so important in Jackson?

When you support the creative community, you are supporting Jackson. JIMWeek had become a destination event for music industry folks for ten years. They will come into the city and spend money at retail stores, restaurants and hotels. That in turn helps to shore up our city's infrastructure.

Visit the official JIMWeek website to keep up with the week's events and any changes to the schedule at jxnindiemusic.com. This event is presented in part by The City With Soul.

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Paul Wolf

Author

Paul Wolf

Paul is the Director of Destination Storytelling for Visit Jackson, overseeing the organization's website, Soul Sessions podcast, and travel journalism strategy. With 30 years in communications, he excels in writing, photography, video production, and podcasting. Outside work, you can find Paul exploring JXN's food and drink scene—enjoying craft beer and bourbon and savoring BBQ with friends—or unwinding in a hammock.
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