Every time I go back to hear live music on the quad at Tulane, I have flashbacks to my college years. The setting is as captivating in 2011 as it was back in the day. One observation before discussing the bands—the kids really love to dance. I remember no one getting off their butts when the Radiators or the Neville Brothers played except the die-hard fans. Saturday, even the bands on the small Fresco stage had people up front and center boogieing away.
Of all the young bands on the bill, the Revivalists really had the crowd going crazy. Their lead singer (pictured) is very charismatic and at one point he jumped off the stage and ran out into the crowd. Big props go to their pedal steel player—he really raised the roof.
Big History was a really interesting band with a female lead singer and a woman on keyboards who also busted out a violin. They also had another keyboard player who was adding to their complex mix from a Mac Book Pro. Their sound is dance/pop but with a subtle New Orleans groove.
The Roots of Music all city middle school marching band paraded around the quad before the Rebirth Brass Band played a short set. With only three actual members on stage I wondered what was going on. When I got home I found out that there were three Rebirths performing all over the country on Saturday. Talk about stretching the brand. At least New Orleans got the founder, Phil Frazier on sousaphone.
The New Grass Country Club is another new young band that sounds excellent. They have a very earnest lead singer who plays acoustic, two electric guitarists, bass and drums. This is not a country band despite their name. The singer is really expressive and the interplay between the two guitarists is complex and clearly practiced. (photo credit- Jeffery Dupuis)
