Toubab Krewe
Saturday, October 24, 9 p.m.
Blue Nile, 532 Frenchmen St, 948-2583

This group of players explores guitars, sitars, harps, and a number of other instruments originating in cities my dumb NOLA self can’t spell or pronounce. But no matter what your sound of choice is, they give listeners so much music in one set it’s hard not to be entertained. Hearing them is like taking a tour around the world. Their music is grand yet still simplistic enough to find a groove to enjoy. The members take solo spots, similar to jazz players, and considering the construction and sound of the diverse instruments, they all seem to meet within the universe of notes they have to choose from. And they’re all great players, soloing on instruments like a harp or a sitar, impressing you with the ability to play technically and then fall back into a melodic and layered theme. Listening to them your ears may place them in the world music genre. Africa, India, and South American grooves make you dance. But some good old-fashioned blues twang will remind you that their home base is North Carolina. Find yourself a date or meet one at this show, broaden your horizon, and support some damn good musicians. –Brian Serpas

Lindsay Mendez CD Release Party featuring Amanda Walker, & Waylon Thibodeaux
Saturday, October 24
Rock ’n’ Bowl, 3000 S. Carrollton Ave.
861-1700

The young, beautiful, and talented Lindsay Mendez celebrates her first Rabadash Records recording, Reaching Out, with members of the Rabadash family. Mendez, a Westbank native, grew up in a musical family and says that one of her favorite vocal influences is the lovely New Orleans native, Irma Thomas. Earlier this spring Lindsay Mendez was a Where Y’at Ones to Watch, and is a regular to catch around town playing the festival circuit. This special all-ages show will delight the whole family. Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased in advance by visiting www.ticketweb.com.
–Sheri McKee

E.O.E.
Saturday, October 24
Tipitina’s, 501 Napoleon Ave.., 895-TIPS

New Orleans musicians E.O.E., (formerly known as Atman Roots), will be headlining a big show/birthday bash alongside Slang Angus. The show will ring in another year for E.O.E. birthday boys Billy Franklin and Koan, and will also feature a medley of special guests (TBA). E.O.E. have established themselves as one of the main nationally touring groups out of New Orleans and have built a sizeable fan base with their creative blend of Nola funk, Latin jazz, reggae, hip-hop, and world music. The group is a representation of the strength and spirit of New Orleans, having embarked on their very first tour the weekend Katrina hit. Since the storm they have covered over 80,000 miles touring, and since returning have remained at the forefront of a new generation of local groups spreading New Orleans music, along with their personal mantra, “Unity Through Diversity,” on the road. E.O.E. had a big spring in 09, putting on shows at Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, and Bayou Boogaloo, along with a 12-day tour of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Their talents won them four “Best of New Orleans” awards in 2008, including “Best Live Show” and “Best Hip-Hop Act.” This will be E.O.E.’s first show back in town after a summer of touring and will undoubtedly be a birthday bash for the books. –Meg Barbor

Our Lady Peace
Sunday, October 25
House of Blues, 229 Decatur St., 310-4999

Our Lady Peace is back with Burn Burn, a record that represents the band’s full circle theme of renewal. Self-produced in lead singer Raine Maida’s Los Angeles home studio, the 10-track Burn Burn marks the longest period between studio albums for Our Lady Peace. It also signifies a sonic and philosophical rebirth. The band now enjoys a creative and professional freedom that they haven’t experienced since the release of their now classic debut. The first single, “All You Did Was Save My Life” is gaining momentum up the alternative radio charts, and their latest single “The End Is Where We Begin” is rocking up the Canadian scene.. This is a band that’s just as relevant today as they were 10 years ago with their hits like “Superman’s Dead,” “Clumsy,” “Life,” “Starseed,” “Somewhere Out There,” and “Innocent.” Be sure to grab your tickets early to experience Our Lady Peace in the intimate HOB setting. –Kevin McKee



The Revolting Cocks
Sunday, October 25, 8 p.m.
HOB-The Parish, 229 Decatur St., 310-4999

Wrestling, erotica, and freak show circuses along with ejaculation fit the profile of RevCo, aka Revolting Cocks, heading our way in support of their LubricaTour. Their affinity for sex may be something most of us can relate to. Wrestling may also be an entertainment for most. But if you have a weak stomach stay away, because the masochistic ringmaster known as Jim Rose will be presenting the band and also performing. The group is a freak show electronic metal child of the mighty Al Jouregensen of Ministry. With Ministry finishing their final tour, he will only be present at some shows, but his influence on the group is omnipresent, and their sound is still piercing with big layers of synthesized metal. The group has done lots of music and therefore studio work, and they’ve had various musicians from other projects support them: ZZ Top, Cheap Trick, The Butthole Surfers, and Jello Biafra have done recording work with them. Sex-o Mixxx-O, a remix of the group’s Sex-O Olympic-O is on Jouregensen’s label 13th Planet Records and available for purchase at the show. This band has been around since the nineties, took a ten-year hiatus, and has recently reconstructed their line-up to enable a tour. The dark side over-sexed fun of the LubricaTour is sure to raise eyebrows and tingle loins. –Brian Serpas

AC/DC Black Ice World Tour
Wednesday, October 28, 7:30 PM
New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod St., 587-3663

AC/DC is “Back in Black” offering a prime opportunity to witness this self-proclaimed “studio band” shine as the masters of arena concert entertainment. The Black Ice World Tour began in October 2008 to promote album number fifteen of the same title. Not only did Black Ice debut at number one on album charts in 29 countries, but the Black Ice World Tour was given the “Major Tour of the Year” award at the 20th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards. Postponed to allow lead singer Brian Johnson to heal from a medical procedure, the tour has crisscrossed North America and Europe twice and will continue through 2010. This kind of performance stamina has roots in the band’s staying power. AC/DC was formed in 1973 by Scottish-born Australian brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. The origins of the name AC/DC continue to be notoriously steeped in rumor, but the name AC/DC was actually inspired by the back of a sewing machine owned by Margaret, another Young sibling. The Young brother’s guitar team, Chris Williams and Phil Rudd, back Johnson to form the current band lineup. There have been a series of replacement band mates through the years. Johnson replaced late-great front man Bon Scott in 1980. These Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Hollywood Rock Walk inductees are known and beloved for wailing vocals and screaming guitar. Black Ice singles “Rock ‘N Roll Train,” “Rocking All the Way,” and “Rock N Roll Dream” prove that old musicians don’t have to learn new techno tricks when those musicians share the combined talent and star power of AC/DC. With a repertoire of iconic songs like “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” and “Highway to Hell” for the band to choose from, this show is a custom made dream “For Those About to Rock.” –Dionne Charlet


Blues Traveler
Thursday, October 29
Lafayette Sq., 500 St. Charles Ave., 881-9861

John Popper had more than a glimpse into his own future musical career when he wrote “Hook” back in the early ‘90s. It doesn’t matter what I say, so long as I sing with inflection/That makes you feel that I’ll convey / Some inner truth of vast reflection. The song became an instant success just as the intense musical hook of its namesake, accompanied by a raging harmonica, went on to stretch far beyond the band’s 1994 album to encompass a vast, high-profile southern blues/rock collection; the implicit hook is also what landed the band a spot on the soundtracks of blockbusters such as Kingpin, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and Blues Brothers 2000, along with a harmonica solo that laid stake into the theme-song of popular TV sitcom Roseanne (if that doesn’t bring you back…). Nonetheless, this impressive recorded repertoire slightly pales in comparison to the experience of listening to Popper rip the harmonica right there in person. Come see for yourself: the show is a part of the Harvest the Music Concert Series, and it’s free to the public. –Sarah Block

Porter, Batiste, & Stoltz featuring Bonerama
Friday, October 30
French Quarter Tipitina’s, 233 N. Peters St.
522-5555

The City of New Orleans has its own legends existing in their own time. With such a rich musical heritage that has inspired and influenced other players and music fans, it would take forever to name the greats. On the 30th this month, you’ll have an opportunity to taste, or experience once again, some of those greats that have made being a New Orleans musician the life to live. George Porter Jr., Eric Batiste, and Brian Stoltz will be giving fans the funk they need at Tipitina’s this month. All three of these seasoned musicians have made a mark in the NOLA music scene; Brian Stoltz and Porter both have a number of solo records and Batiste has played on several recordings. These guys tour often, having been invited to cities all over the country to display their funky New Orleans sound. It could be said that Tipitina’s is the group’s headquarters, so for this show these guys will be right at home. Bonerama will also be joining them, bringing brass, funk, and rock to life of the stage. It will be a show that would be the highlight of your night on the town, so gather some friends and go check out PBS’ funky jams. –Brian Serpas

Mumiy Troll
Monday, November 9
Republic N.O., 828 S. Peters St., 528-8282

Russia’s biggest rock band Mumiy Troll, (pronounced moo-mee troll), will be embarking on a two-month North American tour beginning October 2nd. Described by the Los Angeles Times as “a nuclear meltdown of The Bravery, Tom Petty, and The Afghan Whigs,” the band touts a multi-genre hybrid of rock and pop which lead singer and songwriter Ilya Lagutenko calls “rockapops.” Their distinctive sound has granted them immense fame in their home country and is quickly earning rave reviews from their growing fan base in North America, as indicated by the huge success of their 16-date tour of the continent earlier this year. Troll was called “one of the most socially dangerous bands in the world” by a local Communist party chief in the former Soviet Union, but was hailed “Best Band of the Millennium” by top Russian music critics after the fall of Communism. Mumiy Troll are now considered the most influential and successful independent artists in Russia today, and will be promoting Comrade Ambassador, the band’s first commercially available release in N. America and the source of more than a little buzz. –Meg Barbor

The Devil Makes Three featuring Arrows by Death and Hurray for the Riff Raff
Friday, November 13, 9 p.m.
One Eyed Jack’s, 615 Toulouse, 569-8361

Hot on the heels of his second solo release, Straight Line, The Devil Makes Three front man Pete Bernhard has reconnected with his band to play a slew of fall shows across the U.S. Amongst two guitarists and a standup bassist, the drummer-less group creates rousing all-acoustic performances. As natives of California, they had a wide variety of influences ranging from bluegrass to rockabilly, culminating in an eclectic sound that stands alone from the pack of generic folk bands. Milan Records released their fourth album as a trio, Do Wrong Right, which has had marked success among the country circles and beyond. Energetic ditties about whiskey and the South will certainly make for a danceable set, with openers Arrows by Death and Hurray for the Riff Raff setting off the festival-band feel nicely. Tickets are $10. –Madison LaGrone

Papercuts with Camera Obscura
Wednesday, November 18
Tipitina’s, 501 Napoleon Ave., 895-TIPS

San Francisco indie pop band Papercuts will be putting on a show at Tip’s on November 18th. Papercuts is music by Jason Quever with Graham Hill on drums, David Enos on keys and Frankie Koeller on bass. On their newest album, You Can Have What You Want, Quever all but abandons the sound of past albums and delves into a more obscure pop realm, utilizing vintage organs alongside rhythmic bass and drum tempos. Quever’s melancholy vocals on the album reveal a fixation with man’s transience and all things celestial. This album hints at inspiration from several eras of pensive pop, but brings its own approach and rather addictive sound to an area of pop in which Papercuts’ dreamy and idyllic vibe is exceptionally resonant. Acclaimed Scottish Indie pop band Camera Obscura will be playing alongside Papercuts and the show will be indisputably groovy. -Meg Barbor

Train featuring Uncle Kracker
Friday, November 20
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-2583

Grammy award winning band Train, best known for their multi-platinum selling album Drops of Jupiter, will perform with special guest Uncle Kracker at the HOB. Train will be promoting their fifth studio album Save Me, San Francisco, which features their hit summer tune, “Hey, Soul Sister.” This new album marks the reinstatement of Train’s original line-up, including lead singer Pat Monahan, guitarist Jimmy Stafford, and drummer Scott Underwood, since 2003’s platinum seller, My Private Nation. The San Francisco rockers will cover 25 cities on this headlining tour, and after a 3-year hiatus from recording, the show is sure to be high energy. The new album hits stores October 27 and the show starts at 8 p.m. -Meg Barbor

The Azucar Ball featuring Julio y Cesar and Rumba Buena
Saturday, November 21, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
The LaSalle Ballroom, InterContinental New Orleans, 444 St. Charles Ave.

The New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation will host its nineteenth annual black tie fund-raiser “The Azucar Ball.” This year, the theme of the event will be “Cabaret Tropicana.” It will be a wonderful night of dancing with non-stop Latin music by Julio y Cesar and Rumba Buena, fabulous food, and a celebration of our Latin heritage. There will also be a silent auction for those wanting to bid on some fantastic items and trips. The recipient of this year’s Galvez Cup will be Eugene Schreiber, executive director of the World Trade Center in New Orleans. The proceeds from “The Azucar Ball” will provide much needed monies for the foundation’s scholarship fund that provides outstanding Hispanic students with scholarships to attend public, private, and parochial high schools in the city. Individual tickets are $100, and $150 to the patron party and the ball. For ticket information please call Rosa Rodriguez or Hannagan Johnson at (504)523-2600. –Sheri McKee

Humane Society of Louisiana Fur Ball
Saturday, November 21, 7 p.m.
New Orleans Port Authority Lobby and Pavilion, 990 Port of N. O. Place, 1-888-6-humane
 
Founded in 1988, the Humane Society of LA works tirelessly to end animal abuse and neglect, specializing in cruelty investigation and prevention. The Fur Ball will be a celebration alongside the scenic Mississippi River at the Port Authority’s Reception Hall. Dress code is festive wear or costume, and guests are encouraged to wear their coolest animal ears, whiskers, masks, or luxurious faux fur. Per HSL, “Real fur only looks great on its original owner, of course.” Cash bar and light refreshments will be served. Tickets are $25 at the door, or can be pre-paid at www.HumaneLA.org. For more information or to support the Humane Society of Louisiana, call 1-888-6-humane. -Dionne Charlet