A Legendary Month

Every year just like clockwork, as soon as the weather starts to turn, the bands flock back to town. This month we have a truly insane amount of music coming to town. No matter what your taste or style, there’s something for you.

Start the month off with Drake and Future at the Smoothie King Center. Drake seems to be relatively unstoppable these days with a constant stream of collaborations and shows. You don’t want to miss this one.

Then we hit one of the most absurd nights of music I’ve seen in a long time. In this city – where we have so many musical options – overlapping shows are often an issue; on Fri., Sept. 9, we’re taking this to a whole new level. For starters, the pioneering German electronic ensemble Kraftwerk will be at the Orpheum. This isn’t just a show; it’s a 3D multimedia experience as befits the complex texturing of the groups music. This will be a show for the ages and, once again, the sonic perfection of the renewed Orpheum will be just the place to see it. That same night Joanna Newsom will bring her absolutely unique vocal and harp stylings to the Civic. It has been a few years since Newsom has been through town, and her new record is simply outstanding. If you’re looking for something a bit more country that night, Sturgill Simpson will be at the Saenger. If you missed the rising indie country star at Jazz Fest last year, this is a perfect opportunity to catch him live. Simpson’s new record A Sailor’s Guide to Earth expands on his previous efforts and brings a distinct flair of R&B to his already excellent sound. These three exemplary shows are clearly the result of our revitalized theatre district. We have caught the eye of the world, and the artists are clearly interested in visiting.

Just a few days later, on Sept. 14, Dinosaur Jr. will be at Tipitina’s. This group has been on a roll since reforming with the original lineup in 2005. Expect a generous balance of old favorites along with some of their excellent new tracks.

The next night (Sept. 15), Beck – another indie legend in his own right – will be over at the Saenger Theater. This is a great opportunity to see Beck outside of the festival circuit. His theater shows tend to lean more heavily on his stunningly beautiful singer songwriter work. On Sept. 16, garage rockers Twin Peaks will be at Gasa Gasa. I love the sound of these guys; there’s lilting pop rhythm to their work that should be great for a breezy fall show.

Last but not least, on Sept. 24, Beyoncé will play the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. There isn’t much more to say here. Beyoncé is a cultural force. You know how awesome this is going to be. If there is a ticket to be had, you should grab it.

Note: Dates are subject to change. Playlist of mentioned bands available at: bit.ly/InTune9-16

Experimental Finish
You can finish this month with your choice of a couple of exciting experimental acts on Sept. 27. First, James Blake will play the Orpheum. Blake won the Mercury Prize for his 2013 release Overgrown and is currently touring in support of The Colour in Anything. Blake is pretty consistently on the cutting-edge of music production, blurring the lines between soul and post-dubstep electronica. Blake has managed to craft a remarkably unique sound that oscillates between harmony and dissonance wildly while always holding the listener. If you want something a bit more driving, check out Classixx at Republic the same night. This LA-based duo makes some of the most interesting indie electronica around right now. Their latest release, Faraway Reach, is exactly what I look for in an electronic sound.