When you think about music in New Orleans in October there are two great things that come to mind: The first is of course the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience’s annual blow out at the end of the month; the second is the overflow from Austin City Limits that brings a great selection of artists to town at the start of the month.
This year Voodoo returns to the City Park Festival grounds (October 25-27) with another all-star lineup with Guns N’ Roses, Beck and Post Malone holding down the headlining spots. They are joined by Brandi Carlile, Interpol, Bassnectar, The National and REZZ. Brandi Carlile is on fire this year both in terms of her solo work and as a member of the excellent super-group—The Highwomen. The National have also put together an excellent festival show. Both of these performances were among the highlights of the summer festival schedule.
Of course Guns N’ Roses is a huge get for any festival. The last time Axl, Slash and company were in New Orleans, they sold out the Superdome, so expect a large and excited crowd. As usual, Voodoo’s organizers have done a great job with up-and-coming bands, as well. Make sure to catch the Florida based funk ensemble Magic City Hippies on Friday. On Saturday, you have the rising indie rock star Japanese Breakfast, electro pop icon ELOHIM and breakout producer Iglooghost. On Sunday indie rockers Hippo Campus will be lighting things up. Like any event in New Orleans, Voodoo is about more than just the music. The festival features a wide selection of local delicacies including offerings from Blue Oak BBQ, Boucherie, Dat Dog, The Big Cheezy and more. If that weren’t enough, there is a large art market and a number of interactive art installations as well. Grab your costume and head out to the park.
When Austin City Limits expanded their early October festival from one weekend to two in 2013, New Orleans began to reap the benefits of sitting just outside of ACL’s performance exclusion area. Artists that are booked into the festival for both weekends will often make a quick trip our way during the week for a show before heading back for their second festival performance. This year, catch performances by Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, singer-songwriter BANKS and electronic producer GRiZ. Yorke brings his Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes tour to the Mahalia Jackson on the 9th. GRiZ plays the Fillmore on the 12th and BANKS plays the Fillmore with Kevin Garrett on the 16th. All three of these shows will be intimate encounters with artist who headline festival stages. Make sure to catch at least one.
Must-See Music
OCTOBER 1
John Medeski funks up Republic NOLA.
OCTOBER 3
Bit Brigade Performs classis NES games Contra and Metroid at Gasa Gasa.
OCTOBER 4
Greensky Bluegrass charms the Joy.
OCTOBER 4
Miranda Lambert rocks the Smoothie King Center.
OCTOBER 8
Aldous Harding brings folk to Gasa Gasa.
OCTOBER 9
Thom Yorke experiments at the Mahalia Jackson.
OCTOBER 11
Greta Van Fleet rocks Lakefront Arena.
OCTOBER 16
BANKS mesmerizes the Fillmore.
OCTOBER 17
Dwight Yoakam rocks Fillmore.
OCTOBER 26
Lucero jams at Tipitina’s.
OCTOBER 29
Good Morning rocks Gasa Gasa.
OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 1
Widespread Panic jams for two nights at Lakefront Arena.
Dates are subject to change; email Mike@MyNewOrleans.com or contact him through Twitter @Minima.
Playlist of mentioned bands available at: http://bit.ly/InTune10-19
