Nola live music letter for the week

Editor’s Note: There is so much live music in New Orleans, and sometimes it can be rather overwhelming to know what to hear, where to go, or what to do. Writer and music lover Wesley Hodges is giving weekly previews of the live music happening in New Orleans as well as some sneak previews into what is coming up. For a full view of Wesley’s suggestions, check out his facebook page.

Jim James coming to New Orleans (Photo: Wiki Media Commons)

Two of my personal favorite artists in the same weekend (and at same time on Saturday night) highlight a busy week on the NOLA music scene. Anders Osborne is hosting his 5th Annual Holiday Spectacular at Tipitina’s this Friday and Saturday night with some very special guests (Robert Randolph, Nicki Bluhm, Dirty Dozen horns, etc.) and Jim James of My Morning Jacket headlines the Civic this Saturday night with support from Twin Limb.

Also, today has been a pretty massive news day for springtime show announcements:

This morning, Sigur Ros announced a return to New Orleans for their first show in the Big Easy since playing Champions Square fall 2013. Jonsí and Co. play the Saenger on Sunday, 5/21 after appearing on the beach over at the Hangout Fest the night before. presale tickets go on sale tomorrow morning. One of my all-time favorite live bands and they’ll likely be touring on a new record by that time. Cannot. Wait.

Dave Chappelle will return for a show (and more could be announced as he’s been known to do) at the Saenger on February 15th in the midst of Carnival season. Chris Tucker will open the show.

Finally, the biggest Jazz Fest night show announcement (for me at least) dropped this AM with the news that Medeski, Martin and Wood will appear at the Civic Theater on Thursday, 5/4 with guitar wizard Nels Cline of Wilco joining the show. Fully expecting that to be one of the shows of the year in 2017.

Remember to follow NOLA Live Music Letter on Facebook if you haven’t already and if you’re really feeling festive, check out Big Freedia’s new A Very Big Freedia Christmazz record. Now for my round-up this week:

Music this week and into the next week:

Ed Williams at The Maple Leaf Bar (12/14)
Billy Iuso at Chickie Wah Wah (12/15)
Johnny Vidacovich, June Yamagishi and George Porter Jr. at The Maple Leaf Bar (12/15)
Zebra at The Civic Theatre (12/16)
The Jesus and Mary Chain at The Joy Theater (12/16)
Ghost-Note at Blue Nile (12/16)
Barghest with Mysteriarch and Thou at Gasa Gasa (12/16)
Chris Mule Band at The Maple Leaf Bar (12/16)
Davis Coen at d.b.a. (12/16)
Tom Leggett at Hi-Ho Lounge (12/16)
Ghost Note with Nigel Hall at Blue Nile (12/17)
Walter “Wolfman” Washington at The Maple Leaf Bar (12/17)
Merchandise with Gun Outfit at Siberia (12/17)
Little Freddie King at The Little Gem Saloon (12/17)

Anders Osborne Holiday Spectacular at Tipitina’s (12/16 & 12/17)

Jim James with Twin Limb at Civic Theatre (12/17)

The Soul Rebels at The George + Joyce Wein Jazz and Heritage Center with Wendell Brunious (12/18)
Arbitrary at Gasa Gasa (12/21)
The Soul Rebels at Le Bon Temps Roule (12/22)
Marc Broussard at Southport Hall (12/23)
Mike Dillon Band at The Maple Leaf Bar (12/23)

Home for the Holidays with Cyril Neville, David Torkanowsky, Herlin Riley, Irma Thomas, James Andrews, James Singleton, Khris Royal, Rebirth Brass Band, Stanton Moore Trio and Robin Barnes at House of Blues (12/22)

As an extra bonus, here are some music recommendations to be on the lookout for:

LA Salami – Dancing with Bad Grammar: The Directors Cut
30 from 16 — 30 favorite tunes from 2016 (playlist)
Music Band – Wake Up Laughing (Debut LP — RIYL: Rock and Roll, JEFF the Brotherhood, Diarrhea Planet)
LOUNGE — 13 1/2 hours of vibey cafe, beach, loungin tunes (playlist)
Dr. Dog – Abandoned Mansion — their second LP release of 2016