Because Mardi Gras was late this year that makes for an incredibly busy March. The month begins with some fantastic shows grouped around the Carnival weekend. Outstanding Chicago rapper Noname drops into the Joy on the 1st, while Galactic plays shows at their home base, Tipitina’s, on the 1st, 2nd and 4th. Big Freedia does a two-night stand at One Eyed Jacks on the 2nd and 3rd. If that seems like a lot, the month is really just getting warmed up. Two of the absolute best music events of the year are this month as well.
First up we have the BUKU Music + Art Project at Mardi Gras World on the 22nd and 23rd. For this eighth installment, the festival organizers have put together their strongest lineup yet, and one of the best spring lineups out there. Lana Del Ray, Excision, RL Grime, Death Grips and Claude Vonstroke anchor Friday, while A$AP Rocky, Dog Blood (which is Skrillex + Boys Noise) and Griz hold down Saturday, along with Earl Sweatshirt, Dashboard Confessional and Yaeji. These bookings are bold, current and broadly appealing. For the most part, the musicians selected here fit within BUKU’s traditional focus on electronic and experimental music, as well as hip-hop, but they have also managed to snag pop artists like Lana Del Ray and Kero Kero Bonito who will fit nicely into the overall vibe of the festival. BUKU is poised to be outstanding this year, make sure to check out their variety of cool VIP experiences as well.
End the month with the some great food and music at Hogs for the Cause on the 29th and 30th. This year, Hogs for the Cause returns to the UNO Lakefront Arena for its 11th event with a superb blend of local and national talent. I love the feel of this event as the teams really make the festival grounds their home for the weekend. As an attendee, you feel like you are stepping into a dynamic conversation taking place between the food and the music—the smells and sounds of Hogs are simply intoxicating. Friday is headlined by Trampled By Turtles and Dumpstaphunk with appearances by Marco Benevento, The Wooks and a special late night set with Boyfriend. On Saturday, the headliners are Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real and Samantha Fish, with appearances by The War and Treaty, Bishop Gunn and the amazing Low Cut Connie. The food is great, the music is great—and remember Friday night is Bacon Night, where the teams craft special bacon centric dishes, you’ll definitely want to be out for that.
Playlist of mentioned bands available at: http://bit.ly/InTune3-19
Must-See Music
March 1
Noname raps at The Joy.
March 1,2,4
Galactic brings the Carnival funk to Tips.
March 2-3
Big Freedia bounces at One Eyed Jacks.
March 9
Miya Folick gets folky at Gasa Gasa.
March 10
Kurt Vile rocks The Civic.
March 15
ZHU moves the Joy Theater.
March 17
Pink pops at the Smoothie King Center.
March 17
French For Rabbits rocks at Gasa Gasa.
March 19
Amos Lee tells stories at the Orpheum Theater.
March 23
River Whyless sings folk at One Eyed Jacks.
Dates are subject to change; email Mike@MyNewOrleans.com or contact him through Twitter @Minima.
