New Year’s Eve is one of those holidays were even the best laid plans can quickly go awry once the champagne starts flowing and your local bar is at capacity. If you live in New Orleans, though, you can always count on catching a show for a reliable good time and dance your way right into the new year. Here are some of the best shows around town to help you bid farewell to 2016 and welcome 2017 with open arms.
The Revivalists
The Revivalists + Seratones @ Orpheum Theater
2016 has been a huge year for local heroes The Revivalists, with sold-out shows across the country and national television debuts alongside Ellen and Conan. The seven-piece band returns to New Orleans for a triumphant New Year’s party at the historic Orpheum Theater as they gear up for another national tour in 2017. Expect to hear extended takes on songs from the band’s 2015 album Men Amongst Mountains as well as some feel-good covers that will keep the crowd grooving into 2017. Shreveport’s Seratones kick off the show with their raucous garage-soul.
Soul Rebels
Soul Rebels + Stoop Kids @ d.b.a.
Soul Rebels bring the party to Frenchmen for a brass blowout at one of the best clubs in town. Get a good spot and dance to two sets of the Rebels’ propulsive funk and hip-hop flavored brass, with some choice covers thrown in to keep the party going late. Rising stars Stoop Kids get the party started with their infectious sound that crosses hip-hop with doo-wop.
Galactic
Galactic + Boyfriend @ Tipitina’s
Elder statesmen of the funky party scene, Galactic play their annual New Year’s gig at their home court on the corner of Tchoup and Napoleon. It wouldn’t be New Year’s without some special guests and surprise covers, and Galactic is no stranger to keeping it fun while they bring the serious funk. Provocative local rapper Boyfriend starts things off with a lewd and rude send off to 2016.
Thunder Funk Revue
Thunder Funk Revue @ Gasa Gasa
Avoid the downtown madness and head up to Freret for a night of booty-shakin’ and budget-drinkin’ at Gasa Gasa. Members of funk powerhouse Sexual Thunder! team up with their buds from Sexy Dex and the Fresh to get sweaty and funky in the intimate space of Gasa Gasa. This show also has the hands-down best New Year’s deal in town: $35 gets you open bar until 1 am. Yes please.
Pretty Lights
Pretty Lights @ Mardi Gras World
Derek Vincent Smith, the mastermind behind Pretty Lights, recorded his last album in New Orleans and regularly comes through the Crescent City to deliver electrifying shows that push electronic music into new and exciting territory. This time around he’s setting up shop for two nights at Mardi Gras World with a slew of special guests (Emancipator, Curren$y, Soul Rebels). Expect an extended Pretty Lights performance stretching into the wee hours of 2017.
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