7th Annual Nolafunk Series: Your Music Guide To New Orleans Jazz Fest Late Night Shows!
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is upon us, which means it is time to start planning for a full two weeks of non-stop live music! Sounds like heaven to us. While the festival itself boasts some of the most prestigious national and celebrated local acts around, the late night antics around the city are really what bring hoards of music fans flocking back year after year. For the 7th year, Nolafunk is proud to present a full calendar of incredible musicians performing at some of New Orleans’ favorite venues.
Presenting our music series calendar (which we hope to see you all at every one!)
Weekend One
Voodoo Dead, one of the most sought-after late-nights during Jazz Fest, will play two nights at Republic NOLA on Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28. The band’s shows are the perfect union of Grateful Dead and New Orleans music, and everything in between, featuring Steve Kimock, Jeff Chimenti (Dead & Co.), Jackie Greene, George Porter Jr., JM Kimock (Mike Gordon), Wally Ingram plus special guest Brandon “Taz” Niederauer sitting-in on night one. Get your tickets to one or both shows here.
Saturday, April 28, Anders Osborne will perform at Howlin’ Wolf featuring Ivan Neville (Dumpstaphunk) with very special guest sit-in performances by Samantha Fish and Eddie Roberts (The New Mastersounds) plus Grammy Award winning Rebirth Brass Band. Tickets available here.
Sunday night (4/29), Foundation of Funk is to play at Howlin Wolf. This special lineup that features original and legendary members of The Meters, George Porter Jr. and Zigaboo Modeliste, performing the music of The Meters with Anders Osborne, Jojo Hermann of Widespread Panic, plus The Bonerama Horns and a special guest sit-in by Brandon “Taz” Niederauer. Foundation of Funk Tickets
Weekend Two
The return of Dead Feat on Thursday, May 3rd to Republic NOLA will be a series treat. This unique band which has only performed during Jazz Fest, dives into the Grateful Dead and Little Feat repertoires as well as other cover songs and originals by the individual artists involved. The band features Anders Osborne, Jackie Greene (Phil & Friends, The Black Crowes), Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett (Little Feat), Chad Cromwell (Neil Young), Wally Ingram, and Ron Johnson. Tickets available here.
The series also includes the “Delta Rhythm Revue” with Tab Benoit and Samantha Fish at Republic NOLA on Friday, May 4. Sitting in with Samantha Fish is Nola legend Walter “Wolfman” Washington and sitting in with Tab is Whiskey Bayou Records Revue Eric Johanson and Jeff McCarty. Delta Rhythm Revue tickets here.
Also, added to the Nolafunk Series is Anders Osborne and Friends on Saturday, May 5 at Howlin’ Wolf featuring Soulive’s Eric Krasno and David Torkanowsky with special guests Marc Broussard and his band. Get your tickets here.
Big Freedia, the Queen of New Orleans Bounce, will bring her rapid fire beats and booty-shaking to Republic NOLA Saturday, May 5 for “Cinco De Freedia” with special guests Boyfriend, whom Rolling Stone defines as “high-concept booty bass”, and Sweet Crude, a New Orleans-based band that blends synth-based pop with lyrics in English and Louisiana French. Tickets available here and watch Big Freedia performing with Beyonce in New Orleans last year!
With Live for Live Music we are excited to present the next three shows which will finish off your Jazz Fest with a bang!
Composed of Brian Moss (guitar), Jordan Fairless (bass), Andrew “Red” Johnson (keys), and Cameron Laforest (drums), Spafford’s patented “electrofunk therapy” has a little bit of something for everyone, offering tastes of rock, funk, electronic, bluegrass, gospel, and more. It is no wonder buzz around the band has spread rapidly, with their strong vocals, tight harmonies, catchy tunes, and captivating live shows. Due to unprecedented demand, their headlining tours have been consistently selling out venues across the country. They play two late nights at Republic NOLA May 4th and 5th while also releasing their newest album, For Amusement Only, May 4. Tickets for all nights found here.
Recently added to the Nolafunk Series is a tribute to Herbie Hancock, also presented by Nolafunk and Live For Live Music, featuring Joey Porter and Garrett Sayers (The Motet), Ryan Zoidis (Lettuce), Robert “Sput” Searight (Snarky Puppy/Herbie Hancock), and Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy/Ghost-Note) at Maison on Sunday, May 6. Tickets and info for this tribute show found here.
To end the musical fun is a tribute to Prince during the Purple Party on Sunday, May at The Maison. Featuring MonoNeon (Prince), Ryan Jalbert and Lyle Divinsky (The Motet), Robert “Sput” Searight, Chris Bullock, and Mike “Maz” Maher (all of Snarky Puppy), Shira Elias and Sammi Garrett (both of Turkuaz), Corey Frye (The Main Squeeze), Steveland Swatkins (Allen Stone). Megan Letts (Mama Magnolia), and specially arranged by Casey Russell (The Magic Beans). Fans are encouraged to get into the spirit and dress in their finest purple outfits to honor Prince’s legacy! Tickets found here!
All the series information and tickets can also be found at www.nolafunk.com/nola. Sign up for the Nolafunk email list on the website to receive updates on special guest additions, exclusive pre-sale access and discounts.