Voodoo Fest
October in New Orleans means the return of Voodoo Fest to City Park. As usual, the organizers have done a great job with Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, The Killers and LCD Soundsystem sitting in the headlining spots. Kendrick Lamar is touring on his recent seminal release Damn. This record is insanely good and Lamar is known for his high intensity live sets. This performance will make the weekend by itself. For their part, LCD Soundsystem not just reunited but have released a new record this year. Dave Grohl and company in the Foo Fighters continue to deliver legendary sets and are celebrating a new record as well. In addition to the strong crop of headliners, Voodoo has a deep list of up and coming acts joining the festival this year as well. Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Whitney, Strand of Oaks and Mondo Cozmo will all deliver sets over the course of the festival. Keep a particular eye on the Chicago based indie folk ensemble Whitney. This group has been getting a lot of attention around the scene and have had a triumphant summer on the festival circuit. We’ll have an interview with them closer to the festival. Voodoo Fest takes place Oct 27-29 at the City Park Festival Grounds
Ponderosa Stomp
If you’re looking for something a bit more classic, the Ponderosa Stomp comes to the Orpheum Theater October 5-7. This festival is a celebration of the unsung heroes of southern music with a focus on blues, jazz and swamp music of all stripes. If it is played in the south it is represented at The Stomp. The festival is paired with a music history conference at the Ace Hotel. Taken together these events turn the first week of October into a music lover’s dream. This year you can catch performances by Roky Erickson playing 13th Floor Elevators songs, The Mummies, Barbara Lynn, Roy Head, and Doug Kershaw and many, many more. Part of the fun of The Stomp is learning the deep history behind performers you might not have otherwise known much less seen live.
Playlist of mentioned bands available at: http://bit.ly/InTune10-17
Calendar
must-see music
October 4
The folk trio Joseph will be at Tipitina’s
October 6
Avant garde bassist Thundercat at Tipitina’s
October 12
British indie rockers Glass Animals at Mardi Gras World
October 13
Alt hip-hop impresarios Run the Jewels at Joy Theater
October 14
The Canadian dream pop of Alvvays at One Eyed Jacks
October 17
Alt rock legends Spoon House of Blues
Dates are subject to change; email Mike@MyNewOrleans.com or contact him through Twitter @Minima.