With two full days and nights of music in New Orleans’ City Park, the Voodoo Music Experience hits its stride this weekend. Here’s a look at my picks for Saturday and Sunday.
A Russian mafia band playing in New Orleans sounds like something out of a Saturday morning cartoon starring Boris and Natasha. But start your weekend by checking out Debauche on the Le Carnival stage at 11:45 PM. They are a super high-energy ensemble led by a real Russian—OK he’s actually Ukrainian, but his first name is Igor. They throw down with songs about drinking, street crime and prostitution. You won’t understand any of the words, but the music is guaranteed to get you dancing.
Over on the main stage, New Orleans’ own the Revivalists hit at 4 PM. These guys have been tearing it up all over the country and recently played a showcase at CMJ in New York that was hosted by TVD’s own Ariane Trahan. I have seen them a few times and was very impressed by their energy and songwriting.
This set seems to be flying under the radar, but head over to the Preservation Hall stage at 4:45 PM to check out Ingrid Lucia and the New Orleans Nightingales featuring the legendary Irma Thomas. This group of New Orleans ladies all grew up under the spell of Thomas, so there should be plenty of happy feelings all around.
I haven’t recommended any shows yet at the WWOZ stage, but the last two slots on Saturday are a must-see before banging your head to Metallica or dancing your butt off to Justice. Toots and the Maytals never cease to put on a great show, and the reggae legend is just that—a legend. Who doesn’t know “Pressure Drop?”
Anders Osborne is on his way to becoming a legend. The New Orleanian by way of Sweden has a searing sound on his guitar that belies his wonderful songs when you hear him live. Recently, he toned down his sound a bit when Dave Malone and the Bonerama horns joined him. With Metallica in the house, I bet he channels his inner shredder and tears the place up.
Sunday morning you can start your day in church with Leo Jackson and the Melody Clouds—they are an amazing gospel outfit. Or you can go secular and still hear soaring voices with the St. Cecilia’s Asylum Chorus. This group has been generating quite a buzz lately. They sing a wide range of tunes from the Great American Songbook to originals.
Royal Teeth is another up and coming New Orleans band that is getting a lot of indie buzz. I haven’t seen them live yet either, but the videos indicate that this band, which doesn’t play New Orleans music-per se, are ones to keep a keen eye on. Just think—you could say you saw them way back when on the relatively tiny Le Carnival stage.
Here’s some short tidbits on bands you may not know that much about that are playing in the middle of the day. Sexdog is a reunited New Orleans punk band from the 80s. The Bounce Extravaganza will feature some of the most insane dancing you have ever seen. Check the vid to have your mind blown and then go check out the show. Lil Band O’ Gold is a southwestern Louisiana intergenerational supergroup.
Take a chance at the end of the last day of the 2012 Voodoo Music Experience and check out JD and The Straight Shot. The band is fronted by one of the big wigs in the music and television business, but they are the real deal. Their sound has evolved from a bluesy thing to something more akin to country or Cajun.
Many people will be flocking to the main stage to check out Jack White, but if blistering blues isn’t your thing, try the New Orleans Bingo Show! on for size. Led by the saxophonist Clint Maedgen, these guys put on a really entertaining show complete with burlesque dancers and an actual game of bingo, which they play with the crowd. Don’t heckle the band, I did it once when I thought the game was rigged and they treated me like, well, a heckler, and I deserved it!
See you there!
