Ratatat
Thursday, April 9, 9 PM
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 310-4999

From the Big Apple to the Big Easy, electronic duo Ratatat have shaken and stirred stages across the globe with their adept overlaying of addictive synth beats and guitar licks. Guitarist Mike Stroud and producer/synth player Evan Mast first collaborated in 2001 under the alias Cherry before their self-titled 2004 debut. They have since recorded two more full-lengths, Classics (2006) and LP3 (2008), and two self-released remix albums, all of which have been well-received by electronic and indie rock circles. An intricate layering of drum beats, synth melodies and instrumental riffs is central to their appeal; once you feel that beat in your gut, your body can’t help but do the rest. Check out their latest single, “Mirando” from LP3, “Seventeen Years” from Ratatat, and “Loud Pipes” from Classics on their MySpace page for a healthy sampling of the melodic surprises in store for their New Orleans crowd. –Carolyn Heneghan

Dancing Angels’ Revue- A Benefit to support FeedTheChildren.org and the Abandoned Children’s Center in Nairobi, Kenya
Friday, April 10, 9 PM
One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St.,
569-8361
 
Fleur de Tease dancer Lily Summers presents Dancing Angels’ Revue, an evening full of vaudeville-style entertainment featuring comedy, cabaret singing, and classical burlesque skits as top local performers come together for one evening to help those less fortunate. For the first time, Fleur de Tease, Bustout Burlesque, and The Storyville Starlettes will all be performing in one show at One Eyed Jacks along with Magic Mike, Sarah the Bobcat, Anais St. John, and Debbie Davis.  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased only at the door.  All ticket sales will be donated to the Frances Jones’ ABC (Abandoned Children’s Center). For more information on Feed The Children charity events or to make a donation directly, please visit www.FeedTheChildren.org. –Dionne Charlet

Troy Sawyer
Saturday, April 11
Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon St., 586-0300

Enjoy the latest in ventures together as Irvin Mayfield brings his classic style of jazz to the beautiful Royal Sonesta Hotel. Formally the Mystic Den, the Royal Sonesta Hotel has now partnered to create Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse featuring some of the hottest names along with up and coming jazz artists, including Troy Sawyer.   Sawyer was a Where Y’at magazine “One to Watch” back in August 2007 and has since been traveling through the music scene, spreading his incredible contemporary jazz sound all over the world.  Expect a great trumpeter with finesse and style from Sawyer, and with no cover to pay, patrons will be delighted by the great eats and delicious drinks in Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse.  –Sheri McKee

Papa Grows Funk 9th Anniversary Show
Monday, April 13
Maple Leaf Bar, 8316 Oak St., 866-9359

Pure New Orleans get up and jump into the grit-cacklin’, horn-blown contagious funk that started way back in 2000 with a gig following The Meters in San Francisco. Home at the Maple Leaf Bar some 25,000 CD sales later, vocalist John “Papa” Gros on organ, June Yamagishi of the sick and crazy guitar skills, Jason “Big Wind” Mingledorff, Marc “The Ugly Bass Player” Pero, and Jeffery “Jellybean” Alexander on percussion shake the walls with a show that’s all gumbo and mo’ spice. For more information on this show and more, go to www.MySpace.com/PapaGrowsFunk.
–Dionne Charlet

Nickelback, featuring Seether and Saving Abel
April 17, 7 PM
New Orleans Arena

Nickelback hits the New Orleans Arena again, this time on tour with their latest album Dark Horse. Nickelback has sold over 27 million albums worldwide producing one hit after another including “Leader of Men,” “How You Remind Me,” “Never Again,” “Too Bad,” “Someday,” “Gotta Be Somebody,” “Photograph,” “If Everyone Cared,” “Animals,” and “Rockstar,” just to name a few.  This band produces the signature rock and roll concert experience with nonstop guitar rockin’, drum-banging, light-flashing pyrotechnic explosions that make the crowd go wild.  Joining them this time around is Saving Abel, who’s rocking up the charts with “Addicted” from their debut self-titled album, and Seether that’s best known for  hits like “Remedy,” “Broken,”  “Breakdown,” “Fake It,” “Rise Above This,” and their version of  Wham’s “Careless Whisper.” Go plug these songs in on YouTube and get ready to see these bands rock your butt off in the Big Easy, since this concert is full of pure alternative rock hits. –Kevin McKee

Pegs Fest, featuring PH Fred and The Round Pegs: Beth Patterson, Cranston Clements, Jan Clements, and John Lisi
The Local Skank, Special Comedian Guests
Friday, April 17, 10PM
Banks Street Bar, 4401 Banks St.,
486-0258

All you non-squares are invited to this neighborhood birthday soiree for beloved New Orleans comedian PH Fred as he and his band The Round Pegs release their newest CD. Fred’s got a “Pothole Lotta Love” for this city, and entertainers from the dip in the bowl to the edge of the river and all around da bayou will be showing that love back. Meet “the best band you never heard”—Pegs members Beth Patterson, master of the bouzouki, on vocals, bass, banjo and English horn; Jan Clements on keys; Cranston Clements; and John Lisi on guitar. All-girl group The Local Skank, NOLA comedians and special guests are lining up to perform. Even more reason to make a March date with Mid-City—this event will mark the grand opening of Tony Lazarro’s Banks Street Grill Bar owner Richard Fendley says Lazarro’s will be the “grill” part of “Banks Street Bar & Grill” and serve fresh old-fashioned oven baked pizza and New Orleans’-style Italian po-boys and specialties until the wee hours.
–Dionne Charlet

Glasgow
Saturday, April 18
Dragon’s Den, 435 Esplanade Ave.,
945-7744

Glasgow can easily be viewed as one of New Orleans’ most progressive bands, provoking musical theory and composition to the next level. These NOCCA graduates are definitely making sound waves through the city with songs like “Slave,” “Samurai,” “Stranger,” and “Monkey” off of their latest CD, On Earth.  Be sure to catch these guys cranking it out on the violin in concert. Although they do look young, they’ll simply amaze you with their multitude of musical talents and precision.  When they opened for Third Eye Blind at the HOB, they showed up in formalwear, so who knows what surprises they may have up their tuxedo sleeves for French Quarter Fest at the Den. The Craft Brothers, Sam and Jack, are definitely two hip guys to keep your eyes on down here in NOLA, since they’ll probably be the next Moby, writing and performing musical compositions for movies and car commercials.  Be sure to stop in and become enlightened by the instrumental sound of Glasgow.
–Sheri McKee

Fallout Boy
Sunday, April 19
UNO Lakefront Arena

There is something to be said for a band that has played 150 shows per year for the last eight years. Dedication, hard work, and throwing yourself out there, along with relentless touring, is why Fallout Boy is as popular as they are. They’re heading to New Orleans in April to give fans a power pop show they won’t forget. The Believers Never Die Part Deux tour is in support of their fourth full-length album titled Folie a Deux, which hit the streets in December of ‘08. Their tour began in Arizona and they are slowly making their way to our great city to put on a show for everyone interested in a pop punk outfit with a boy band look and riffs that will impress your younger siblings. I often find myself singing along to their songs on the radio whenever I’m in a giddy mood and hoping to meet my next crush at the sno-ball stand. But with all macho contempt aside, these fellows know what they’re doing. They sing well, write good songs, and know where to place their digits on their instruments to make the kids dance and have a special feeling in their hearts and pants. And in addition to the aforementioned reasons one should attend the show, the sharks in control of the arena tours have lowered ticket prices. So put on your trucker hats, tighten your belt buckle, and get ready to rock. –Brian Serpas  

Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes
Monday, April 20
Riverboat Creole Queen Sunset Cruise-
Music On The Mississippi

Take a musical trip down the muddy Mississippi with Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes on one very special evening.  Enjoy Sketchy classics like “Trouble” and “My New Dixieland” while jammin’ to their rockin’ funk sound.  The river will come alive with their soulful and funky rhythms, calling the Sketchy music fans to sit back and enjoy the dirty magical bold brass sound while drifting along this musical journey.  These cruise concerts are definitely some of the most enjoyable shows during Jazz Fest, so grab your tickets early since they always end up selling out before the day of the concert.  It’s well worth the time traveling along the Mississippi and you’ll have a blast. –Kevin McKee