Lakeside to Riverside
Show Previews around NOLA
By Staff Music Writers12 Stones and Nonpoint
Friday, October 24
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE
Florida-based hard rock band Nonpoint, with five albums and a dozens of rankings on US rock charts, hits their favorite destination—NOLA. This time around, a new member, Zach Broderick, will have a chance to showcase on the HOB stage since replacing guitar player Andrew Goldman. Since forming in the late 90s, Nonpoint, which includes founding members Elias Soriano (vocals), Kenneth Charman (bass, backing vocals), and Robb Rivera (drums), has never replaced a member. While Goldman’s reasons for leaving are to pursue interests outside of the music world, Nonpoint has no plans on stopping any time soon. The band will record a new album sometime in early 2009. Doors for the show open at 8 PM, and 12 Stones will be headlining the show. Tickets are $20. To learn more about Nonpoint visit www.nonpoint1.com. –Samantha Morgan
HorrorProps “All Hallows Eve Tour” 2008
Friday, October 24
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE
Riding the wave of their newfound fame from this summer’s Warped Tour, the band members of HorrorProps have launched the “All Hallow’s Eve Tour,” which includes a performance in New Orleans. The band, composed of smoky-voiced lead singer and Betty Page look-alike Patricia Day, guitarist Kim Nekroman, and drummer Henrik Niedermeier claims, “We started HorrorProps because we wanted to play all types of music.” They do play all types of music, including everything from rock to goth, surf, ska, punk, rockabilly, and new wave. While they’ve been compared to The Cure, Siouxsie & the Banshees, and Sisters of Mercy, it’s actually quite hard to classify their music because of the band’s inventive style, coupled with original music and lyrics. Don’t miss what is sure to be a super-charged spectacle of a live show at the House of Blues. –Jordan Shay
Big Sam’s Funky Nation with Soul Rebels
Saturday, October 25
Tipitina’s French Quarter, 233 N. Peters St.,
895-8477
To hear some of best brass band music that New Orleans has to offer, stop by Tipitina’s for a funky and fun show. As a former trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Big Sam knows how to play for the crowd. His Funky Nation, made up of jazz musicians, deliver a dance-inspiring beat that the audience cannot ignore, making it nearly impossible to sit still. The Soul Rebels are another crowd favorite. Their invigorating rhythms combine brass sounds, funk, soft rock, reggae, and some hip-hop. The result is uplifting and enjoyable. Whether they are on or off stage, almost everyone is dancing. It feels more like a party than a show. Tickets are $15 a person. –Suzanne Pfefferle
The Australian Pink Floyd Show
Wednesday, October 29
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE
House of Blues will be hosting Pink Floyd’s legendary rock opera “The Wall,” thanks to the efforts of Chas Cole for CMP Entertainment in association with CAA presents. The performance will be the World Premiere of a new stage production including animation and lasers. The show pays meticulous attention to detail of the musicianship and the show will be reproduced note for note. Plus each performance will conclude with a special Pink Floyd ‘Greatest Hits’ encore. This North American tour celebrates the 30th anniversary of the famous release of Pink Floyd’s seminal 1979 classic rock opera “The Wall.” For more information contact the House of Blues.
–Rebecca Brych
Harvest the Music Presents Bag of Doughnuts
Thursday, October 30, 5 PM
Lafayette Square Park
Harvest the Music is a free music series that benefits The Second Harvest Food Bank. The local favorite, Bag of Doughnuts, will be performing on October 30th and making for the perfect “happy hour.” Music is the main entertainment, but there will also be arts and crafts booths as well as food and beverage tents. For those of you that don’t know where Lafayette Square is, it is just off Poydras St. between St. Charles Ave. and Camp St. in the CBD. –Rebecca Brych
Ballzack’s Robot Dance Party w/ DJ Brice Nice
Thursday, October 30, 10 PM
Tipitina’s French Quarter, 233 N. Peters St., 566-7095
Rapper/comedian Ballzack welcomes fans to join him and WWOZ host DJ Brice Nice for a video shoot at Tipitina’s in the French Quarter. The video shoot will serve as a follow-up to his YouTube and Myspace hit, “A Rainbow In Marrero.” Ballzack euthusiasts can certainly expect plenty of dancing robots, call-and-response dance moves, and maybe even a guest appearance from a pop-and-locking Optimus Prime. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster for $10. Be there or be square. –Dominique Minor
Widespread Panic
Friday October 31- Saturday November 1
UNO Lakefront Arena
For the first time since 2002, Georgia-based rock band Widespread Panic brings their annual Halloween shows back to the UNO Lakefront Arena. Considered by most Panic fans as the can’t-miss weekend on the band’s fall tour, this marks their first appearance on All Hallows Eve in the Crescent City with current lead guitarist Jimmy Herring. After the spring release of their latest album, Free Somehow, and constant touring over the past four years, the band will be taking next year off to allow band members time to pursue personal interest. It’s been a long six years for some of the more ardent Panic fans after the 2002 death of lead guitarist and founding member, Michael “Panic” Houser, who succumbed to a battle with cancer. The band asked friend George McConnell to step in and take the lead spot, and his three-year stint with the band was met with mixed reviews from most Panic fans. The addition of Herring, who has played lead guitar with the Allman Brothers Band and the Grateful Dead, has been like a jolt of energy for the band. Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue will be the opener on the 31st, and Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk will be the opening act on Saturday night. Tickets are $49.50 and can be bought through Ticketmaster or at www.widespreadpanic.com. –Anthony Warner
Raise The Dead Fest 3
Saturday, November 1, 9 PM
The Howlin’ Wolf, 907 S. Peter St., 522-WOLF
Halloween may have passed, but the scary-sounding music shows continue. On November 1, the Howlin’ Wolf presents Raise The Dead Fest 3 featuring Outlaw Order, Ritual Killer, Hostile Apostle, and Flesh Parade. The heavy metal concert, which is sure to attract a Hot Topic-clad crowd, costs $13 for a ticket. The show starts at 9 PM, but if you want score a front and center spot, you can arrive early when the doors open at 8.
–Suzanne Pfefferle
SwampFest
Saturday, November 1-Sunday, November 2
Audubon Zoo
SwampFest is back and once again the event promises to be a fun-filled weekend for families throughout the New Orleans area. The event started with the creation of the Swamp Exhibit, known to be the most authentic in Louisiana. SwampFest is a great way for fest-goers to experience and enjoy Cajun music, food, crafts, and the wildlife that lives throughout the swamps of Southern Louisiana. Some of the music to look forward to includes: Bayou DeVille, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Christian Serpas & Ghost Town, Lafourche Cajun Band, and Roddie Romero and the Hub City All Stars. Fest-goers will also enjoy traditional Cajun food and arts and crafts. For a complete schedule of events visit www.auduboninstitute.org. –Rebecca Brych
3rd Annual Hip Hop for Hope
Saturday, November 8
Tipitina’s, 501 Napoleon Ave., 895-TIPS
Join some of the hottest local artists for an evening of rapping poetry and rhythmic beats at Tipitina’s to celebrate the 3rd Annual Hip Hop for Hope. This year’s artists include Raw Dizzy, Truth Universal featuring One Eye & EF Cuttin’, MC Know One, Jimi Clever, J-Dubble, Dee 1, and everyone’s favorite, Rebirth Brass Band. Several of these same artists have been recognized over the past year in Where Y’at Magazine as “Ones to Watch” in the NOLA music scene. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at www.tipitinas.com or at the box office.
–Kevin McKee
Plain White T’s, The Vettes, and The Cab
Tuesday, November 11
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE
The House of Blues presents a triple threat performance from three of the hottest bands on the pop circuit. Coming all the way from their humble beginnings in Illinois, the Plain White T’s are anything but ordinary. The band became big after their hit “Hey There Delilah,” which recently received a Grammy nomination. The guys who are used to playing for a packed audience are sure to put on great show. The Vettes are also known to give their fans what they want. With her glamorous blonde hair and big voice, Rachel Vette, backed by her brothers, brings an invigorating stage presence to each show. The Cab, who happens to be a newcomer on the music scene, will also make an appearance at the Tuesday night show, which kicks off at 6:30 PM. Tickets for the concert are $18.50. Since the Vettes are a local favorite, tickets should sell fast, so grab yours early! –Suzanne Pfefferle
Tim Reynolds & TR3 with Paul Sanchez
Monday, November 17
The Howlin’ Wolf, 907 S. Peter St., 522-WOLF
Well known New Orleanian Paul Sanchez will perform with Tim Reynolds and TR3 for an evening of incredible music. Sanchez, who toured with Cowboy Mouth for several years, has also led a successful solo career as a singer and a songwriter, composing music that is close to his heart and the city he calls home. Along with Sanchez, Reynolds and TR3 are also set to take stage. To call Reynolds a guitarist is an understatement. He has the ability to command rock, jazz, funk, and a fusion of ethnic instruments. His inimitable skill and impromptu performances on other instruments make his shows electric and exciting. –Suzanne Pfefferle
Ma Maison feat. Preservation Hall Jazz Band
November 21 and 22
Tulane University - Dixon Hall
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band will be performing select songs during the New Orleans Ballet Association’s latest production, Ma Maison. The show, choreographed by renowned dance choreographer Trey McIntyre, named by Dance Magazine as one of “25 to Watch,” will be his first New Orleans production. With a presence in the dance world for more than 20 years, McIntyre has a track record of critical acclaim and has been recognized multiple times by the National Endowment for the Arts. Unique to Ma Maison is its musical accompaniment set to six songs by the world famous Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Founded in 1961, the band has toured worldwide, entertaining royalty and commoners alike. Today, Preservation Hall’s mission remains the same: continue the legacy of great New Orleans musicians. –Jonathan Katz
Metallica and Down
Sunday, November 23
New Orleans Arena
Metallica and Down, both revolutionary titans of heavy metal, combine into the perfect storm at the New Orleans Arena, creating the highest demand ticket in the last few years. Fans should get ready for Down’s high-power, aggressive, heart pounding, metal sound and Metallica’s 25 years of music together in one show. Down, America’s favorite thick-riff sludge metal band from New Orleans tours in support of their new album, Over the Under. Down represents the culmination of several heavy metal all-stars from Pantera, Crowbar, EyeHateGod, and Corrosion of Conformity. Down’s powerful and abrasive attitude surface in their stage performance and writing. Down continuously greets listeners with a deliberate, intense, sonic onslaught similar to a hurricane of sound. Every Down concert turns into a homecoming reunion since the New Orleanians grew-up here. Metallica, another pioneer of American heavy metal and direct descendant of British heavy metal, take the stage in support of their new album Death Magnetic. Metal heads from the 80s get to listen to their favorite metal anthems from the Dave Mustaine/Cliff Burton days, while younger fans will enjoy Metallica’s newer albums. –Greg Duhe