Musical Holiday
The excellent performances and spectacular weather of French Quarter Fest have me looking forward to Jazz Fest and beyond. This year we have a full two weekends between the April festivals. Fortunately, there are some truly outstanding shows to help us fill that gap. Tonight Portugal. The Man will open the long weekend with a show at the Joy Theater. The psychedelic ensemble are slated to release a new record this summer after an extended time in the studio and a couple of aborted efforts. Earlier this year they teased the release with the new track “Feel it Still,” which captures the frenetic energy of their sound with its firm grounding in R&B. You’re going to want to make this show.
On Friday and Saturday the Drive-By Truckers will roll into Tips for a two night stand with Hiss Golden Messenger in the supporting slot. The Truckers’ shows are legendary at this point and with two nights at Tips to spread out you should expect a fair balance between jams, deep cuts and old favorites.
Also on Friday the excellent local new wave duo the Generationals will be at One Eyed Jacks with Psychic Twin.
On Monday Foxygen—one of the great indie psychedelic groups on the scene currently will head into One Eyed Jacks. The group began the year with the release of their new record Hang, which has extended the voice that has been emerging in their work since 2013’s We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic. This is a great opportunity to see one of the best bands around in a relatively intimate venue.
If Foxygen are blazing a new trail for psychedelic rock, one its great legends will be in town the next night. On Tuesday, Bob Weir comes to the Saenger Theater. This show will be a chance to see Weir up close and in the relative comfort of the Saenger as compared to the Acura stage at Jazz Fest.
Lay My Lily Down – Bob Weir
Watch Lay My Lily Down by Bob Weir online at vevo.com. Discover the latest music videos by Bob Weir on Vevo.
To Do This Week
Other great shows this week (there are just too many) include: Erica Falls at the Maple Leaf on Friday, Froth at Gasa Gasa on Monday and Honey Island Swamp Band at the Joy Theater on Tuesday. One Wednesday check out Pile at Gasa Gasa with Gnarwhal.
To Listen This Week
- Excellent new track from Poliça via Soundcloud
- Surprise new single from Jack White via CoS
- Mitski covered One Direction’s “Fireproof” via Bandcamp
