The Radiators
Friday, January 29, 10 p.m. $15.00
Tipitina’s Uptown, 501 Napoleon Ave., 899-4206

For thirty-two years, The Radiators have been performing in New Orleans and carrying with them the often complex, yet always intriguing musical influence of their hometown.
The Big Easy will surely be chilly as The Rads return from Jamaica in late January, just in time for their 32nd Anniversary show, the Super Bowl, and the thick of Mardi Gras season. The Rads and Fishheads alike will be stuffed full of jerk chicken and lamb chops from Negril, but nothing can stop the mix of blues, rock, and R&B that infiltrates The Rads’ original and cover songs. Tipitina’s Uptown will be the host for this two-night event, so don’t miss the first of these two homecoming/anniversary shows on January 29. – Joanna Wilson

Parallel Universe Opening Reception for Quintron & Miss Pussycat
Friday, January 29
New Orleans Museum of Art

New Orleans Museum of Art will kick off the 2010 contemporary exhibition schedule with a celebration of New Orleans artists Quintron and Miss Pussycat. Widely known for multimedia performances in music clubs and alternative art spaces over the past 15 years, Quintron and Miss Pussycat have inspired audiences around the world with their innovative approach to puppetry and organ-based music. Parallel Universe: Quintron and Miss Pussycat Live at City Park will be the artists' first museum exhibition. In addition to past work, Miss Pussycat will debut a new music video, and an original music album by Quintron will be recorded entirely on-site at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Parallel Universe: Quintron and Miss Pussycat Live at City Park is organized by Miranda Lash, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. For more information visit www.noma.org. –Sheri McKee

Star & Micey w/ Alexis Marceaux & Andrew Duhon
Saturday, January 30, 9:30 p.m.
Carrollton Station

Fall in love with a fantastic blend of rock, soul, and folk at the Station. Star & Micey’s self-titled debut album was released on October 20, 2009, and features a revolving door of fantastic musicians including Luther Dickinson (The Black Crowes, North Mississippi Allstars), Jody Stephens (Big Star), and Rick Steff (Cat Power, Lucero), just to name a few. Josh Cosby, Geoff Smith, and Nick Redmond are the core of the band that keeps the vibes cool and the music flowing. Local native Alexis Marceaux will intrigue patrons with her original music and vocals. –Kevin McKee

G Love & Special Sauce and Redeye Empire
Thursday, February 4, 8:30 p.m.
HOB, 225 Decatur St., 310-4999

Garret Dutton—the enigmatic G. Love himself—accompanies a Special Sauce of alternative hip hop blues. Packing tunes swirling in a sound stream of lemonade quenching lilt and lyric, the guys are on tour in support of their latest project, Superhero Brother. Jeffrey Clemens on drums, caped keyboardist Mark Boyce and Timo Shanko on bass bring it sloppy-style with laid back instrumentals to showcase the lilting Love. MTV helped the band's self-titled album almost hit the gold mark in 94. G’s a master of ‘making it his own,’ combining sounds from all over the US into his original signature boldness in the footsteps of the Beastie Boys. He’s known for doing what he wants on stage and a mastery of self promotion since 1993. Come early so you don’t miss the start of the show. Redeye Empire is a six-man rock-pop-ska-reggae whirlwind straight out of Vancouver. Formerly calling themselves simply Redeye, the band has opened countless sold-out US shows for G. Love & Special Sauce since 2007. The music is a swing-your-step pseudo-Caribbean pop get-up-and-stomp wild ride through your shot glass. If you’re looking for some fun this is the event for adventurer intent on an unforgettable night in the city. Tickets are $18.50 in advance and $23.50 at the door. –Dionne Charlet


Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Presents Video Games Live
February 5, 2010
UNO Lakefront Arena, New Orleans

Video Games Live and PBS are joining forces with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra to create an exclusive nationwide PBS special based around the highly successful Video Games Live concert series. The breakthrough performance will be taped at this show and is slated to begin airing in June 2010 on PBS stations. The record breaking and award winning Video Games Live has continued its mission to demonstrate to the world how artistic and culturally significant video games and their music have become. Performing to sold-out crowds around the globe, Video Games Live has been thrilling gamers, families, and mainstream audiences since its initial inception in 2002. A companion DVD and Blu-Ray will be made available in 2010 which will showcase additional segments and many special extras including behind the scenes footage, making of Video Games Live, interactive angles, exclusive game developer, and composer interviews, special never before seen game trailers, and much more. Tickets for this special performance start at $15 and can be purchased by visiting ticketmaster.com, calling 1-800-745-3000, or at the Lakefront Arena Box Office. –Kevin McKee

MillerCoors & Jameson present Rebirth Brass Band and Papa Grows Funk
Saturday, February 13, 10 p.m. FREE
The Howlin’ Wolf 907 S. Peters St., 529-5844

MillerCoors & Jameson are presenting a series of FREE shows at the Howlin’ Wolf this carnival season, with big names in New Orleans music, including Rebirth Brass Band and Papa Grows Funk. After Iris, Tucks, and Endymion roll through their respective Uptown and Mid-City routes, the party continues downtown at the Howlin’ Wolf to check out two of the most entertaining and roots-oriented bands in New Orleans. Both Rebirth Brass Band and Papa Grows Funk feature members from the city who have been producing music for years. Rebirth, known for its Tuesday shows at the Maple Leaf, leads the pack of brass bands in New Orleans. Papa Grows Funk, equally as entertaining, sports a jam-band feel at its shows. Both bands will be jamming at their highest levels, so save some Mardi Gras energy for this late-night show! – Joanna Wilson


Nouvelle Vague
Saturday, February 14, 9 p.m.
The Republic, 828 S. Peters St., 528-8282

If your valentine is a fan of The Clash and The Police, make a February 14 date for Republic New Orleans. Nouvelle Vague is a French punk and new wave cover band with a twist. French for ‘new wave,’ Nouvelle Vague infuses new wave and punk megahits with bossa nova, 60s pop, jazz, and reggae. Nods to American country and bluegrass inspiration are prevalent. The band’s goal is to ‘take the songs that you adore and make you fall in love with them all over again.’ The original arrangements of the songs are completely reinvented. For instance, the Sex Pistols’ brilliantly controversial 1977 hit, “God Save The Queen,” is morphed Nouvelle Vague style into a touching yet nontraditional pseudo-old-fashioned folk song. The brainchild of Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux, Nouvelle Vague creates a restyled approach to punk and new wave, focusing on the musicality and loveliness of each song. Their latest album 3, is a testament to the band’s ability to expertly deliver re-envisioned versions of classic songs, as several original song artists have accepted the band’s offer to duet. The album track “Master & Servant” features Martin Gore of Depeche Mode, and there are many other original artists contributing to covers of their own songs on the album. NV are groundbreaking musicians and vocalists redefining an era of rebellion and change, one song at a time. –Dionne Charlet

In Fear and Faith, From Legends to Nancy, Oh! The Moment, Calibrate the Massacre
Ash Wednesday, February 17, 7 p.m.
The High Ground, 3612 Hessmer Ave., 495-3130

The High Ground New Orleans All Ages Venue emotes a four-band screamo lineup on Ash Wednesday. In Fear and Faith is touring the US and abroad promoting Your World on Fire, their second album released January 6. InFAF has grown to combine elements of metal core and post hardcore. As the screamo genre morphs into its own and takes hold throughout the US, leave it to locals to set the scene in style. It didn’t even take a year for local Christian metal core favorite From Legends to step up from the Chalmette high school talent show to main stage at the 2009 VooDoo Fest. With Cody providing lead vocals, guitar duo Jesse and Mitch, Spanky on drums, Ryan on bass, and Taylor on keys and vocals, these St. Bernard boys are gaining momentum on the NOLA fast track. The guys play monthly High Ground all-ages shows and have shared the stage with the likes of The Devil Wears Prada and A Day to Remember. FLTN has plans to hit an Atlanta recording studio in June. Two up-and-coming young bands complete the February 17 lineup. Oh! The Moment is a self-proclaimed brotherhood of six out of Slidell and New Orleans-based Calibrate the Massacre is performing hot off the release of debut album Last Breath of Tranquility. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10. Advance ticket sales are available through GrooveTickets.com. Cash only at the door. –Dionne Charlet



The New Orleans Gay Men's Chorus “What I Did For Love” Concert
Friday, February 19, 7:30 p.m.  
Tulane's Lavin-Bernick Center, Tulane University
Start the post-carnival weekend off right with a relaxing evening full of love songs at the annual New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus Valentine’s concert. Enjoy choral music, solos, poetry, and more! The music of NOGMC has been called moving, inspirational, and even hilarious at times. The New Orleans Gay Men's Chorus seeks to influence diverse communities positively by providing a musical voice to enrich and enlighten through outreach and the pursuit of artistic excellence. Visit www.nogmc.com for more information. Tulane students, faculty, and staff are admitted for FREE with a valid Tulane ID. Tickets are available to the general public for $12 in advance and $15 at the door. –Sheri McKee

Yes
Thursday, February 25, 7 p.m.
HOB, 225 Decatur St., 310-4999

In 1969 the progressive rock band Yes formed in London and achieved mega-success worldwide in the 70s and early 80s. An impressively high turnover of talented musicians has propelled Yes to positively evolve through four decades despite inner turmoil and illness. Acoustic and symphonic, classically founded yet progressive, the Yes sound is famed for high-register vocal delivery of abstract lyrics. The HOB will showcase bassist/co-founder Chris Squire in addition to long-term members Steve Howe on guitar, and drummer Alan White. Oliver Wakeman (son of Rick Wakeman) mans the keyboard as lead singer Benoit David completes the lineup. Benoit, a lead singer of several Montreal-based Yes tribute bands, was asked to become the understudy to ailing co-founder Jon Anderson in 2009. Yes spokespersons promise this show will include songs from the hugely successful and indelible catalogue of music from hit albums such as Drama, Fragile, Close to the Edge, and 90125. Classics including “Roundabout,” “Tempus Fugit,” “Machine Messiah,” “I’ve Seen All Good People,” and the group’s #1 hit “Owner of a Lonely Heart” are part of the set list. Visit www.yesworld.com for ticket info. –Dionne Charlet

Smiley with a Knife
Saturday, February 27, 10 p.m.
Banks Street Bar & Grill, 4401 Banks St., 486-0258

Self-described “New Orleans instrumental indie rock,” Smiley with a Knife has paid its dues as an identifiable and enjoyable musical act from the South. This winter, Smiley will tour through Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas, with a post-Mardi Gras show at Banks Street Bar on February 27. This four-man band, sans singer, released its first album in November 2008, How a Reign Comes to an End, and will follow up this Spring with its second release. The band prides itself on its ability to create a strong sound and reel fans in despite its lack of vocals. – Joanna Wilson