The Who at Jazz Fest?

 

Amazingly, speculation over the 2020 Jazz Fest lineup is already in full swing and Pete Townshend sent rumors flying when he let slip earlier this week that The Who would be one of the headliners for this year’s fest.  This would continue the festival’s recent tradition of anchoring the proceedings with a major British rock act.  I was there in 2015 for The Who’s last set at Jazz Fest and they are a one of those acts that fit perfectly within the Jazz Fest vibe and space.  Where it always seemed a bit like the Rolling Stones were a bit too large for the festival to contain, The Who were able to rule over the Acura stage from track to pit effortlessly.  It makes it excited to see what we have in store for us this year.

 

Joseph at Tipitina’s Thursday Night

On Thursday night, indie folk sister trio Joseph roll into Tipitina’s.  Natalie Schepman and her sisters Allison and Meegan Closner have just released their excellent sophomore record Good Luck, Kid.  They took some time to speak with me about this record, songwriting and developing a bigger sound.  I ask them to talk a bit about the larger pop sound on this record and Natalie opened:

“I think when we started out doing this it was just the three of us and the guitar, and the more shows we played, and then eventually with the band, the more we realized we wanted to grow the sonic landscape, and have bigger bigs and smaller smalls because it is therapeutic to be jumping around the stage, flinging your arms in the air and singing at the top of your lungs. And having a crowd of people to join you in that, and having songs mean something to them as well and so we wanted to take that to new heights.”

This idea of finding the universal in the particular has been with Joseph from the beginning.  Meegan continued this thought, “It’s so vulnerable and scary to have a life experience and to share it in music that thousands of people will hear, and do with what they will. It’s interesting because something can be so personal and then to give it away to people, and it becomes somebody else’s.”

With this record there is a narrative of discovery both of sound and experience.  Taken together the collected songs chronicle moments of movement and striving both in their personal world and the more universal sense.  Natalie expanded on this a bit more, “This album definitely feels like you’re at the edge of an overgrown forest, and there’s no trail that’s been blazed and you’re just staring at it like “how am I going to do this?” It’s a lot, there’s a lot of self discovery.”  When that emotional exploration is combined with the cathartic punch of the live show, concerts have the potential to really take audiences to new and exciting places.  Allie summarized it perfectly with a description of their pre-show ritual, “we always put our hands in the middle and “next level shit, next level shit”…But that’s the goal here: next level shit.”  Joseph remains one of the most interesting bands around and you’ll want to make sure to see this show.  Check out the live video of “Green Eyes” below.

 

Algiers Fest Saturday

Tomorrow you can hop the ferry over to Algiers point for the family friendly Algiers Fest.  The event features food, activities for kids, art vendors and a full schedule of musical performances.  This year the event is begin headlined by local vocalist and songwriter CASME, The Soul Rebels and Jonathan Boogie Long.  This is a great lineup, break out of the ordinary routine and give it a go.

 

Also Going on This Week

Tonight, Greensky Bluegrass is at the Joy while Miranda Lambert headlines the Smoothie King Center with Maren Morries.  Also tonight, Teen Divorce plays Gasa Gasa.  Saturday Neighbor Lady plays Tipitina’s and Eric Johnson plays The Civic.  Sunday, the outstanding Aldous Harding will play Gasa Gasa while Acid King plays One Eyed Jacks.  Monday, The Obsessives are at Gasa Gasa while Charmaine Neville does two sets at Snug Harbor.  Tuesday, The Aquadolls are at Gasa Gasa while the Dinosaurchestra takes the early set at d.b.a. and The Treme Brass Band takes the late set.  On Wednesday, the incomparable Mike Doughty is at Gasa Gasa while Radiohead front man Thom Yorke brings his solo project to the Mahalia Jackson.  Also Wednesday, you can also cat Judah & The Lion at The Fillmore.  Thursday, Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand are at the Backroom at Buffa’s while Camile Baudoin and Mike Doussan play the SideBar.

 

To Listen This Week

 

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