Free Friday at Tipitina’s
Now that summer is in full swing, it’s a good time to revisit some old haunts and see some live local music. Tipitina’s Free Friday series is a great excuse to get Uptown for a drink and some tunes. This month on the 5th you can catch Walter “Wolfman” Washington and The Roadmasters who will be joined by the Marc Stone Band. Wolfman is a legend on the local funk and blues scene and truly possesses a sound all his own. On the 12th John “Papa” Gros takes the stage with Space & Harmony in the supporting role. If you haven’t seen Space & Harmony yet, the super group features George Gekas and Rob Ingraham of the Revivalists with Bill Daniel and Sam Shahin from Naughty Professor. For the free show on the 19th you can catch The New Orleans Johnnys opening up for Honey Island Swamp Band. Honey Island began with a few friends in post Katrina exile on the west coast and rapidly evolved into a mainstay of the local live music scene. Finally, you can catch The Crooked Vines opening for The New Orleans Suspects on the 26th. The Crooked Vines have a funky-pop vibe that will be a great lead in to the powerhouse that is The Suspects. These are all great shows and you can’t beat the price. You’ll definitely want to keep Tips in your orbit this month.
Essence fest
On the weekend of July 5, The Essence Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary and the festival has quite a party planned. The Main Stage boasts headliner legends Missy Elliott and Mary J Blige, with supporting performances by Nas, H.E.R., Pharrell Williams and Big Freedia. Blige and Nas are currently on tour together and she has just released some excellent new music. The festival will also feature a special interview with Michelle Obama on July 6. One of the really great things about Essence is the way it transforms all of the performance spaces in the city. There are so many parties and performances it’s impossible to list them all, but if you have any strength left on Saturday night you will definitely want to check out Rakim’s show at Tipitina’s with The Soul Rebels as special guests. Rakim is one of the all time great hip-hop MCs; he should mesh quite well with The Soul Rebels’ sound. Essence remains one of the city’s great festivals incorporating not just music but food, business and culture. It’s worth taking some time to find the events that appeal to you—there is truly something for everyone.
MUST-SEE MUSIC
July 6
Charly Bliss pops into Gasa Gasa.
July 6
Rakim raps at Tipitina’s with The Soul Rebels.
July 8
Reel Big Fish swings into The Joy.
July 11
Wand brings psychedelic rock to Gasa Gasa.
July 13
Kirk Franklin brings gospel Fillmore.
July 14
PRETTYMUCH pops into the Fillmore.
July 15
Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy rocks the Saenger.
July 17
Built to Spill rocks The Joy.
July 30
Carly Rae Jepsen pops at the Fillmore.
Playlist of mentioned bands available at: http://bit.ly/InTune7-19
Dates are subject to change; email Mike@MyNewOrleans.com or contact him through Twitter @Minima.
