Halloween weekend in New Orleans means it is time for the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience in City Park. As usual the lineup is a blend of established and emergent bands across multiple genres. The big story this year has been Guns N’ Roses headlining set on Friday evening. Last time Slash, Axel and company were in New Orleans, the Superdome wasn’t big enough to contain their energy. This should be an utterly insane show. They are preceded on the Altar Stage by Brandi Carlile who is having an amazing year – her supergroup The Highwomen released their first record to critical acclaim and she just recently did a live full album cover of Joni Mitchell’s Blue. On Saturday Beck headlines the Altar while BASSNECTAR closes things out on Le Plur. You’ll also want to catch sets from The Glitch Mob, Japanese Breakfast and Elohim. On Sunday everything builds to closing sets from Post Malone on the Altar and Rezz on Le Plur. Look for early sets from Hippo Campus and Bring Me The Horizon (I’ve really been digging their new record amo) as well.
In addition to all the great music there are some new experiences out at the festival. This year, the House of Blues will open its lounge right across from the Mortuary featuring food, cocktails and all the fall sports you don’t want to miss on TV. For its part the Mortuary fright zone has been expanded and the interactive graveyard is back. If you’re planning to attend in costume, the House of Yes is presenting a costume contest on Saturday at 5 p.m. in the House of Blues Lounge. All of this is in addition to the usual food, art and carnival offerings that have made Voodoo a mainstay of Halloween season. I’ll have highlights and pictures for you next week.
Halloween Festivities
Next Thursday night there are some great Halloween shows going on around the city. If you want to do the indie rock thing, People Museum with New Thousand are at the Carnaval Lounge. Cha Wa and Sexual Thunder bring experimental funk to d.b.a. If you are looking for traditional New Orleans sounds, The New Orleans Suspects are at the Maple Leaf, Wolfman Washington and the Roadmasters are at Snug Harbor, Galactic are at Tipitina’s and George Porter Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners are at the Joy while Gravity A does their annual Halloween stand at the Blue Nile. Finally, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra are doing their “Ancient Spirits” show at the Orpheum featuring Rachmmaninov, Grieg and Stravinsky.
Also Going on This Week
Tonight, Charlie Hunter is at Chickie Wah Wah with Lucy Woodward while Prettiest Eyes are at One Eyed Jacks tonight you can also catch Morning 40 Federation at d.b.a. and Astral Project does two sets at Snug Harbor. Tomorrow, the Melvins are at One Eyed Jacks and Lucero is at Tipitina’s while Jai Wold is at the Orpheum with Slander. Saturday you can also catch Brad Webb and Byron Asher doing the late show at The SideBar. Sunday, Summer Walker is at the Joy and the Little Coquette Jazz Band is at the AllWays Lounge. Monday, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses are at The Maison while the George Porter Jr. Trio is at the Maple Leaf. Tuesday, The Chainsmokers are at the Smoothie King Center while Good Morning play Gasa Gasa and the Treme Brass Band are at d.b.a. Also Tuesday, you can catch the Stanton Moore Trio doing two sets at Snug Harbor. Wednesday, The California Honeydrops are at Tipitina’s and the Tin Men are at d.b.a. while Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes are at the Maple Leaf. Thursday, Elephant Wrecking Ball are at the Howlin’ Wolf while Widespread Panic starts their weekend run at the Lakefront Arena.
To Listen This Week
- A early recording of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash singing “Wanted Man” with Carl Perkins on Guitar has surfaced via Youtube
- Great new track from Perfume Genius, “Pop Song,” via Youtube
- New track from Frank Ocean, “DHL,” via Youtube