Jack White
Tuesday, June 3; 8 p.m.
Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St.
saengernola.com; $55
After a dynamic performance at the 2012 Voodoo Experience, Jack White is returning to the Big Easy. This time he will perform at the newly renovated Saenger Theatre. The headlining concert is one of many as White begins a promotional tour highlighting his latest album, Lazaretto, which is set to release on June 10th. This is only the second album White has released as a solo artist. His debut album, Blunderbuss, swept the charts in 2012 earning five Grammy nominations as well as obtaining the #1 spot on the U.S. albums chart and was both the top selling vinyl album and the highest charting solo debut of 2012. Following the success of a vigorous world tour, Blunderbuss also reached #1 in the UK, Canada and Switzerland. While this concert is set to support his sophomore solo album, Lazaretto, White has been a part of several other albums and has far over a decade of experience in the industry. He is also no stranger to recording, winning awards and touring around the world. In 1997 White was the lead vocalist and guitarist in the acclaimed group The White Stripes. The duo was known for their unique attire, only wearing the colors red, white and black, and especially known for their hit single, "Seven Nation Army." Jack White parted from the pair in 2011 to embark on what has become a flourishing solo career. This concert is set to be a once in a life time experience as he will grace the stage for a more intimate show. -Kimmie Tubre
Orgone
Wednesday, June 4; 10 p.m.
The Maison, 508 Frenchmen St.
maisonfrenchmen.com; $10
Orgone is a band with bold flavor that allows for each distinct ingredient to shine brightly in its mix of deep soul, rare funk, and afro disco. The L.A. bred band, which currently sits at 8 members strong, has been touring consistently igniting stages across the nation with their tantalizingly tight mix that has been enhanced even more with the latest addition of vocalist Adryon de Leon. Starting with keyboardist Dan Hastle and guitarist Sergio Rio, the group has been polishing their tone for over a decade and is now working on their seventh full-length album back in their homegrown studio KillionSound. Debuting with their 2001 self-titled release, the band has worked with several vocalists, though often having instrumental tracks both live and on their albums, and have toured since with such renowned acts as Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. Besides working on their own recordings the effectively tight group has also provided the backing music for artists such as Alicia Keys and Cee-Lo Green on his Grammy Award winning track "Fool For You." They have a soulful depth that screams blues and R&B as the rejuvenating vocalist de Leon churns her soul out into the audience. The band performs with a rock star, L.A. grit with flowing rhythms and in-your-face funky grooves that captivate the hips of all listening ears. You won't be able to resist the dance and be soaked in the melodies of Orgone. -Chris DiBenedetto
Bruno Mars
Saturday, June 7; 8pm
Smoothie King Center, 1515 Poydras St.
smoothiekingcenter.com; $50
Bruno Mars's Moonshine Jungle Tour stops in New Orleans June 7th at the Smoothie King Center. Performing on parts of the tour with Bruno is Mr. Aloe Blacc, known for his funk soul sounds on hit song "Wake Me Up."
Born into a family of singers and musicians, the Hawaiian singer/songwriter was destined to share his musical gifts with the world. The world fell in love with Bruno's charming vocals and stylish stage presence during his Super Bowl performance, while that same performance influenced the "Bruno Mars Act" which, as a result from his sold out tour ticket prices, would limit the purchase the purchase of all tickets through the 48 hours of sale to the physical box office in an effort to dissuade scalping. Bruno Mars has some serious star power and earns that right every time he performs. His band, The Hooligans, add to the lively show with choreographed dance moves and background vocals to compliment Bruno's "Presley" style. A Grammy Award winning artist, Bruno Mars has earned a long list of accolades for his craft, most recently receiving the 2014 Brit Awards International Male Solo Artist of the Year and ranking number one on the Forbes 30 under 30 list. Prepare for an entertaining night of powerful vocals and charming delivery from this natural born star. -Telle Ink
Allah-Las
Tuesday, June 10; 9 p.m.
One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St.
oneeyedjacks.net; $10
Emanating the soul filled essence of the 60's and the sunny streets of their hometown of Los Angeles, Allah Las has come to put together a unique blend of raw, soulful sounds. The four-man band first formed in 2008, during which three of the members had been working at Amoeba Music. The group went to work on their first single, "Catamaran/Long Journey," with producer Nick Waterhouse, honing in on their signature sound during the process. After, the group went on to record several more singles with different labels before releasing their self-titled debut LP in 2012, produced by Nick Waterhouse for Innovative Leisure. It was during this same year that the group also embarked on a tour to the East Coast as well as Europe where their performances were met with great enthusiasm. Vocalist and guitarist Miles Michaud produces an organic melodic front that is both charming and nostalgic, while the band all itself is a tightly oiled machine that captures the influences of so many generations in the past wrapping it up into a modern cocoon of creativity. Today, the boys continue to spread the good word across the world, displaying to everyone the "Old, Weird LA" so many claim the band has inherited into their music, attitudes, and way of life. -Chris DiBenedetto
WYES International Beer Tasting
Saturday, June 14; 6 p.m.
Mardi Gras World, 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl.
wyes.org; $40
Your local public broadcasting station is hosting its 31st annual beer tasting to support their efforts in preserving the history of New Orleans through documentary style programs. The River City Ballroom and the adjoining outdoor Mississippi River deck will be filled with tables of beers of all kinds; ales, lagers, I.P.A.'s, and some absolutely unique blends found only at this tasting. I enjoyed flavors like crawfish and Tootsie Rolls last year. It's truly a beer drinker's heaven! America's largest domestic brands are equally represented among local beer brewing companies, small brewers from around the country, and even the local brew brewing clubs, which are some of the most sought after brews because the public cannot ever sample their concoctions otherwise. Those looking for an extra night of beerdom may want to attend the Private Beer Sampling the night before on Friday the 13th for $50. This tasting takes place in Mardi Gras World's gorgeous Grand Oaks Mansion room, just next door to the River City Ballroom where the main beer tasting is held. WYES encourages all attendees to drink responsibly, and designated drivers are welcome to attend the tasting to make sure their friends get home safely for $15. People interested in coming from the northshore can take a round-trip bus leaving from Mandeville for just $10 more. And for those who just like a bit of beer can find something to like; the tasting also has some other types of alcohol to sample as well as food samples, food trucks, and Fleurty Girl's annual tasting shirt. -Emily Hingle
Future
Tuesday, June 17; 8 p.m.
House of Blues, 225 Decatur St.
houseofblues.com; $36
Future opens up about his personal life collaborating with several stars on his latest chart topping album release rightfully titled Honest. On one track like "I Won," he teams up with Kanye West to praise their ladies in their own raw interpretation. He follows with "Never Satisfied" featuring Drake, although Drake removed his verse, giving an honest explanation of his relentless grind to achieve success. Since we are on the subject of honesty, until I fell in love with the entire Honest album, I was on the fence about Future, questioning his longevity in the industry. Needless to say, I have since then purchased and listened to every one of Future's albums in preparation for his Honest Tour show at the House of Blues. Future stands out in the hip-hop world grabbing attention for his unique style and his success working with pop stars such as Ciara, Miley Cyrus, and Pharell. A blend of reggae infused hooks, raw love lyrics, and ATL rachet hype music, he has successfully created his own evolved sound staying true to his day one fans. Expect more of Future's artistic creativity to unfold over the next few years of chart topping hits. His endless catalog of high-energy tracks will keep the audience dancing, a guaranteed entertaining show. -Telle Ink
Paul McCartney
Thursday, June 19; 8 p.m.
Smoothie King Center, 1501 Dave Dixon Dr.
smoothiekingcenter.com; $107
Paul McCartney has led one of the most commemorated musical careers in modern history. Since being in the forefront of legendary group The Beatles, who are widely credited as one of the most influential Rock N' Roll acts of all time, the multi-instrumentalist and vocalist has continued to tour, write songs, make albums, and inspire generations. Throughout the 1960's, McCartney helped change the face of Rock N' Roll, producing more number one hits in the UK than any other band and becoming the best selling band in the US. However, upon the bands break up in 1970, McCartney then forged his solo career, of which he would front his next hit making band, Wings, starting in 1972. It was starting at this time that McCartney also started to collaborate with a number of different artists, which would largely define his musical career to this day. He is still churning out solo albums, and released New this past October. It is his sixteenth studio album and is made up of entirely new compositions. McCartney has openly said he hired young producers and went for a different sound than his typical rock compositions. The result is fresh, but the melodies are still catchy, vocals crisp, and instrumentation tasteful. Catch him playing all his hits from over the last 50 decades as he tours across the country. -Chris DiBenedetto
Chippendales
Friday - Saturday, June 20 - 21; 8 p.m.
The Theater at Harrah's, 228 Poydras St.
harrahsneworleans.com, $40
It's rainin' men, hallelujah, it's rainin' men at Harrah's. The stud-muffin, beef-cake, dudes of Chippendales will be taking over The Theater at Harrah's this month, making things understandably hotter. Each show includes 12 cut-up performers who have professional experience taking ladies to the gun show for the Ultimate Girls Night Out. But don't rely on me to tell you these men are…well, equipped. Check out the men online where you can peep the goods before you buy the cow - or something like that. Each man morsel has a distinct look all their own making the show unforgettable no matter who you are and what you like (in case you were wondering, I am a Gavin McHale girl). After the preliminary research, round up your girls, and make it a night that ends with at least one person karaoke-ing "Man, I Feel Like a Woman." After all, isn't that what it's all about? See ya on stage, boys. -Lauren Adam
Hot 8 Brass Band + Tim & Eric's Pusswhip Banggang + Swamp Rock
Sunday, June 22; 10 p.m.
Howlin' Wolf, 907 South Peters
thehowlinwolf.com; $10
Hot 8 is the Grammy nominated brass band that Rolling Stone has said represents the changing cultural landscape in New Orleans. Bridging traditions of hip-hop, jazz, funk and with classic, well-loved, get out of your seat brass, Hot 8 has backed names like Pretty Lights and Mos Def. Set the scene for your Sunday with great jams before getting a little freaky with Adult Swim's Tim & Eric + Pusswhip Banggang. The name pretty much sells the show up front, but here are some deats if you're interested: Pusswhip Banggang first debuted on "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" in 2006. Songs like "Fudge Man" and "Don't Call Me Uncle" established the group as a leader in swamp rock. The tour is in support of the group's Jambalaya 12 which is out on Drag City later this month. If you've watched the show, or the movies, then you'll know that Tim & Eric productions are kind of like watching an irreverent inside joke that you aren't a part of. First round of white wine is on me. -Lauren Adam
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Built To Amaze
Wednesday - Sunday, June 25 - June 29; 7 p.m.
Smoothie King Center, 1501 Dave Dixon Dr.
smoothiekingcenter.com, $10 - 115
The lights, theatrics, and risky stunts pulled off at the circus have always made the traveling troupe romantic. I think Bukowski compared life to a circus, which isn't too far off. Outside the ring, I certainly can appreciate the song titled "Circus" by Britney Spears, Robert Pattinson in Water for Elephants, and the Charlie Chaplin film In the Circus. What makes the circus a great event (other than the amount of circus references you can make) is that it's a family friendly event with all the thrills that make the big top unforgettable. It also doesn't hurt that the show is produced by experts Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The Built to Amaze touring show is just one adaptation of the Greatest Show on Earth. Filled to the brim with acrobats, animals, and clowns, the infrastructure here is not unlike The Lego Movie. Think fire eating, breathing, and dancing; human cannonballs; knife throwing and sword swallowing. Think: am I ready to see the impossible today? And if you answered "yes," get ready for that kind of performance that makes you cover your eyes, hold your breath, gasp, and finally applaud. -Lauren Adam
