The music starts early on Saturday and Sunday in City Park and goes late. Here are some of the shows that I think are worth checking out.
There’s nothing like seeing a band that prefers to play in dark bars late at night with a good buzz on hitting the stage at 11:30 in the morning. So head out early to catch R Scully and the Rough 7. They bring energy to the stage at any time of day and in my mind have a Rolling Stones kind of vibe.
Immediately following their set, Iris May Tango reunites to perform on the Bud Light/WWOZ stage. Music lovers with long memories will recall that the band was one of the sensations of the Frenchmen Street scene back in the 1990s. Though the members of the group have aged like the rest of us, their sound remains fresh. I caught their first reunion gig at the French Quarter Festival back in April and was blown away and blown back in time.
Though Voodoo is not known for forcing its guests to make difficult scheduling decisions, the early evening time slot Saturday night presents a massive conundrum. Should you head over to the main stage to see what Snoop Dogg (pictured) is smoking or rock out with punk rock pioneers X? If you can’t decide, split the difference and check out some atmospheric free jazz with the Illuminasti Trio.
Blink-182 closes the whole day out with a two-hour set beginning at 9 PM. I’ll be at the Howlin’ Wolf for the MOMs Halloween Ball by then.
Staying out into the wee wee hours is a hallmark of life in the Crescent. With most Halloween parties, including the MOMs Ball, not scheduled to end until past 4 AM only the hardiest will make it to Voodoo before noon. But if you do, Leo Jackson’s wonderful gospel group the Melody Clouds will wake you up with some righteous praise music on Sunday morning. Trombonist Glen David Andrews immediately follows.
Givers appear at 1 PM. This buzz band from Lafayette has been garnering lots of attention across the nation. Though I have yet to see them live, I love the official videos as well as some performances I have seen on youtube.com.
Do you want soul or do you want to rock in the late afternoon? Dr. John plays with special guests Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Irma Thomas and Cyril Neville opposite the Morning 40 Federation. I will make my decision on the spot.
TV on the Radio and the Raconteurs close out the 2011 Voodoo Music Experience on the main stage. It will be packed with fans jamming with two of the most exciting bands on the scene today. However, for sheer historical value, all of you young funkateers out there should definitely spend at least a little time checking out the Meters (pictured above back in the day and more recently). They are billed as the “original” but that’s only to keep you from being confused by all of the other versions of this seminal funk band. Like the old T-shirt says, “The Meters Will Funk You to Death.” Happy Halloween!
