When the Eagles arrived in New Orleans for a January 23, 2009 concert at New Orleans Arena, they had long ago had assumed their place among rock’s icons. Few bands had ever made as much money, partied with as much exuberance, and did as many drugs as the Eagles. They started as friends and ended [...]
Tag Archives: rock
Jazz Fest Focus: Gary Clark, Jr.
May 1, 2012 – 12:26 am
Are you experienced? In 1967, Jimi Hendrix posed this simple question, and from it, summoned up a fierce, reverberant squall that, four decades removed from his untimely passing, remains unanswered. Though the recent rise of Austin guitarist Gary Clark, Jr. may merit as much, his surge should not be mistaken for Hendrix’s second coming. Despite [...]
Jazz Fest Focus: Brass Bed
May 1, 2012 – 12:22 am
2012 is the next in a series of theoretical breakout years for New Orleans-via-Lafayette indie rockers Brass Bed. That big pop hasn’t happened yet, despite two excellent LPs and a masterful live show. Melt White, the band’s most recent and best-realized full length, displays a maturity that only years of writing and playing engenders. Standouts [...]
Tom Petty: Growing Up Petty
May 1, 2012 – 12:12 am
Johnny Cash once said that “Southern Accents” should be the new anthem of the South. Its author, Tom Petty, has been based in Los Angeles since 1975, but in recent years he has returned to his Southern roots. He grew up in Gainesville, Florida, and the band’s 2011 album, the bluesy MOJO, was cut live [...]
Wayne Toups: Movie Star?
April 19, 2012 – 4:35 pm
The Pine Leaf Boys‘ Wilson Savoy is taking on a new role—filmmaker—as he makes a documentary about Cajun music star Wayne Toups. The two play in the Band Courtbouillon with Steve Riley, and Savoy has started a Kickstarter project to help fund the documentary. What is your relationship to Wayne Toups? I’ve known about [...]
YouTube du Jour: The Ting Tings
April 18, 2012 – 10:23 am
Tonight, British rock duo the Ting Tings play House of Blues. They’re best known for their infectious (bordering on obnoxious) hit “That’s Not My Name” from 2008. They’re back with a new album, Sounds from Nowheresville, and its first single, “Hang It Up.” They’re heavier this time around, but Katie White’s signature cheerleader-like sing/speak remains [...]
Portugal. The Man + The Lonely Forest + Big History at House of Blue: Photos
April 12, 2012 – 2:18 pm
Portugal. The Man last played in New Orleans at this past fall’s Voodoo Experience, but the indie rockers are apparently veterans of what bass player Zach Carothers calls the “best city to spend Halloween in, ever”, having even spent time eating bugs at the Audubon Insectarium. On Monday, Portugal. The Man returned to New Orleans [...]
YouTube du Jour: Fitz and the Tantrums
April 12, 2012 – 12:06 pm
Sometimes great music just falls into your lap, and this is one of those cases. Yesterday, a last-minute announcement was made that Fitz and the Tantrums would be playing a free show tonight at the Howlin’ Wolf. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8. Fitz and the Tantrums burst into the [...]
Dr. John, Locked Down (Nonesuch Records)
April 1, 2012 – 12:59 am
Dr. John’s Gumbo is one of the great New Orleans albums, but it made Dr. John subtly smaller. It made New Orleans central to his public persona as he became the man who synthesized, translated and embodied New Orleans for the rest of America. When he released City That Care Forgot in 2008, he railed [...]
Lost Bayou Ramblers, Mammoth Waltz (Bayou Perdu Records)
April 1, 2012 – 12:56 am
Think you know what Cajun music sounds like? Think again. For the past couple of years, the critical response to live appearances by the Lost Bayou Ramblers at local southwest Louisiana clubs and festivals, as well as far-flung bohemian enclaves like New Orleans’ French Quarter; Austin, Texas; and Brooklyn, New York, has mostly been the [...]
