Year End Hits

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic

 

This year Tipitina’s has come through in a big way for your New Years celebrations. In those years where New Years Day falls on a Monday, the entire week before the holiday seems to fill up with excellent events which culminate with the weekend crescendo. The festivities begin with two nights of Dr. John and The Gris-Gris Krewe on the 27th and 28th. Mac has always had an air of the mystical about his performances. A blessing from The Night Tripper is certainly a good idea for the year ahead. Dr. John and company spent the summer on the festival circuit with a couple of gigs supporting The Avett Brothers. They are in remarkable form and the signature jams that sit at the heart of New Orleans funk have rarely sounded better. Of course Tips is ground zero for the expansive jam session.

If you aren’t danced out after two nights of Dr. John, he is followed by the arrival of the Mothership—George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic step in for two more nights of funk (29th and 30th). Local funk encyclopedia and longtime friend of Clinton, DJ Soul Sister, will be getting things going both nights. For the past few years Clinton and co. have dropped into Tips around the New Year. With the versatility and expansiveness of the Parliament Funkadelic crew, you never quite know what to expect from these shows—but they are always outstanding. With two nights available to him you can be sure Clinton will spread out within the material allowing himself a chance to play with the experimentation that makes these performances so much fun.  

Finally on New Year’s Eve itself, Galactic returns for their annual New Year’s blow out. In the great tradition of Galactic shows, there is a steady stream of excellent guest performances and extended jams. I know I say this every year, but this is truly one of the best places to be in New Orleans on New Years Eve. The crowd is great, the environment is comfortable. I highly recommend the VIP package which includes dinner from Jacques-Imo’s and an open bar.
The timing here is perfect all around. When you are desperate for a bit of an escape from the extended family, sneak over to one of these great concerts. It’s a legendary run of shows.

 


 

CALENDAR

must-see music

 

DEC. 5
Dead and Company jam at the Smoothie King Center.

DEC. 8
Ambient producer Giraffage plays Republic.

DEC. 9
The powerful pop of Pale Waves comes to Gasa Gasa.

DEC. 10
Bully brings their excellent new record to Gasa Gasa.

DEC. 10
Pokey Lafarge heads to Tips with his excellent Americana.

DEC. 12
The incomparable Randy Newman will take the Orpheum Stage.

DEC. 17
Guitar phenom Jake Bugg will be at Tipitina’s.

DEC. 21
Country Legend Robert Earl Keen drops into the House of Blues.

 

Dates are subject to change; email Mike@MyNewOrleans.com or contact him through Twitter@Minima.

 


 

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