Just north of 400,000 people call the Crescent City home. But due to an outsized reputation, an unquenchable appetite for live music and the fact that plenty of touring musicians will find any reason to stop in town, New Orleans punches well above its weight when it comes to live music.
We handle about as well as we do a rush of anything beyond tourists who don’t know not to pick up street beads, which is to say poorly. Too many great shows go missed because it’s really hard to keep track of all the quality gigs on a given night. Reading the concert listings and scrolling Facebook will give you four or five different takes on what’s coming and what’s worth seeing. Analysis paralysis comes to everyone, including denizens of the City That Care Forgot.
To help clear up the confusion and bolster the size of a touring musician’s cut of the door, we’re cutting through the noise with the five can’t-miss shows of the next week. Everything from angular hardcore to spaced-out tributes is on offer. Hope to see you there.
Waste Man w/ Bleeders, Wolf & Jab
What would happen if you put Isaac Brock’s deranged carnival bark over some artsy hardcore flexing? It would sound a little something like New Orleans’ Waste Man, but more importantly, it would RULE. SO. HARD. With abrupt shifts and some of the fastest, shortest solos you’ll ever hear, their songs can be a bit hard to dance along to. But flailing is always a safe bet.
If that’s not enough to get you out of the house, come through for Bleeders. If you see trash people you wanted to leave in 2018 at the gig, Philly’s snarling, gleefully misandrist punks will give you all the energy you need to pop ‘em in the jaw.
WHERE: Gasa Gasa
WHEN: January 13 @ 8 p.m.
Tickets
Oh! You Pretty Things
This might be cheating. A burlesque tribute to David Bowie isn’t exactly a “concert” but if we’re going to break the rules, it seems appropriate to do it for the Starman himself. Burlesque and live music tributes to the late legend go all evening on Saturday, with two shows dedicated to all things Thin White Duke.
WHERE: One Eyed Jacks
WHEN: January 12 @ 8 p.m., 10 p.m.
Tickets
Ruiners w/ All People, Gools & Cosma Dog
What’s that old compliment sandwich trick called when all of the ingredients are good? That’s basically what we have here, a parfait of great music made up of three excellent local acts and one traveling from far-off Texas. Ruiners and their NOLA hosts will bring an incredible night of rock to the too-long dormant stage at Hey! Cafe.
WHERE: Hey! Cafe
WHEN: January 11 @ 8 p.m.
Info
Morning 40 Federation
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It’s another two set night and we’re just getting started! This is where the party is!
Most locals don’t need a reason to see one of the city’s best-loved skronking party bands. It has to help a little bit that this particular show is for a good cause, though. The boys of 40 are playing in the Bywater to benefit people across the canal. It’s a fundraising show for lowernine.org that’s guaranteed to be more fun than any gala you attended in 2018.
WHERE: Bud Rips
WHEN: January 12 @ 4 p.Mm.
Info
King Tuff w/Stonefield
A name like King Tuff is setting a high hurdle to clear. If you aren’t coming with tunes worthy of hardass royalty, then what are you doing? Luckily, this Sub Pop act has proven to be up for the challenge with fuzzy stompers like “Black Moon Spell” and “Psycho Star.”
WHERE: One Eyed Jacks
WHEN: January 12 @ 4 P.M.
Tickets
