The birthplace of jazz. If those four words don’t sell New Orleans than nothing will. Louisiana’s largest city is music to the core, but since its infancy a variety of styles other than jazz have coursed through the veins of this metropolis.
As the only North American city to allow slaves to congregate and perform their native music in public this allowance was unquestionably a huge factor in the fusion of styles that were crafted in New Orleans.
While jazz didn’t become popular within the city until 1910 the incorporation of Afro-Cuban textures into local music came a little later in the 19th century. With traditional African styles merging with music that came from across the sea in Cuba jazz music started to diversify.
What grew from this was music that included a unique blend of European, Latin American, African and Cuban elements. A mixture which when combined would ultimately create the definitive New Orleans sound.
It wasn’t until World War 2 that rhythm and blues started to come to prominence through influential musicians such as Fats Domino.
While jazz and RnB music has always stayed very much apart of the fabric of the music of New Orleans, hip-hop didn’t emerge until the mid 1990s with the establishment of the now defunct No Limit Records and Cash Money Records.
Much like the same type of ingenuity that occurred in the urban sprawl’s past musical exploits a style of hip hop called ‘bounce’, which includes the use of whistling as an instrument, was cultivated from the local community.
Love Rage Against The Machine?
Get the latest Rage Against The Machine news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
Before hip hop came a healthy metal scene which started to emanate in the 1980s. Again to evidence the inventiveness that the New Orleans music scene breeds the metropolis is seen as the birthplace of sludge metal.
As history has developed and New Orleans music scene diversified one area has remained central to the culture in the city. The French Quarter named suitably after the French colonial architecture of the neighborhood is the oldest sector of the city and home to many of the metropolis’ music venues and record stores.
While Hurricane Katrina and subsequent floods ravaged much of New Orleans and surrounding areas in 2005 the city is slowly starting to recover.
Yet even with such devastation music has always been and will always remain as an essential part of New Orleans. As a city of music ingenuity, a city of jazz but also a city of music diversity New Orleans is truly one of the music meccas of the world.
New Orleans Festivals/Conferences
Jazz & Heritage Festival
Just like the city itself this festival is steeped in music history. Mahalia Jackson, one of the greatest gospel singers of all time, returned home to headline the first Jazz & Heritage Festival. Since its inception in 1970 the event has become one of the biggest celebrations of music and culture in not only New Orleans but also the entire country. Encompassing all the genres of music that have found fame in the city over the course of its history the festival is held during the day at the Fair Grounds Race Course. Running over seven days there are also unofficial events held throughout different venues in the city.
http://www.nojazzfest.com
Voodoo Music Experience
For over 15 years this festival has booked some of the world’s biggest acts to feature in the City Park. With over 100,000 punters and six stages the likes of Rage Against The Machine, Metallica, Muse, Eminem, Kiss and Neil Young have all played before. The 2013 event to be held from the 1st to the 3rd of November will feature Pearl Jam, Nine Inch Nails, Calvin Harris, Paramore and The Gaslight Anthem just to name a few.
http://www.worshipthemusic.com
French Quarter Festival
With much of New Orleans music scene located within the city’s French Quarter it’s hardly a surprise to see the oldest part of the city as the location for a music festival. New Orleans’ largest free music festival is held throughout a three day weekend with more than 12 stages featuring the styles of music that have made the city what it is. With over 100 local artists performing at the festival the event is just as much about food as it is music. The festivals key event is the world’s largest jazz brunch. Held in Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the French Quarter there is a huge selection of beverages and foods from the city’s best restaurants. http://www.fqfi.org
New Orleans Record Stores
Louisiana Music Factory, 210 Decatur St, http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com
As the city’s biggest and most popular record store this establishment is home to the largest selection of New Orleans and Louisiana music in the world. But it’s not just their incredible collection of vinyl that has the placed filled with customers. The Louisiana Music Factory allows you to have a beer while listening to the special live in store performances every Saturday.
Mushroom, 1037 Broadway, https://www.facebook.com/mushroomnola
As the longest operating independent record store in New Orleans the collection that fills this space is made up of new and used records, body jewellery, posters, CDs, movies and t-shirts. A monkey train mural greets you on entrance and the music that fills on out onto the streets ensures that you can’t miss it. Opened for 42 years Mushroom boasts that it hasn’t changed since its infancy and you can interpret that as the store being a haven for vinyl from its very first day of trading.
Skully’z, 907 Bourbon St, https://www.facebook.com/skullyzrecordznola
Another record store located in the French Quarter, Skully’z is easy to miss with its location off a main road. But it’s worth searching for as the store sells both local LPs and vinyl from international indie bands as well. Skully’z may appear to be small but this intimate space is filled with stacks of different records. More than enough to satisfy any music enthusiast.
New Orleans Music Venues
Tipitina’s, 501 Napoleon Ave
Named after one of Professor Longhair’s (one of New Orleans most revered musicians) recordings, this music venue has been an institution since 1971. Characterised by its yellow exterior Tipitina’s looks much like a concert hall from the outside. Within though there are a variety of posters and bumper stickers. With shows from Wednesday to Sunday the latter sees the music venue celebrate Cajun music and dancing. Part of the admission fee goes towards the Tipitina Foundation, which aims to keep the spirit of New Orleans music alive.
Preservation Hall, 726 St Peter St,
Opened in 1961 charged with the mission statement of protecting and honouring the city’s jazz tradition this establishment is located in the French Quarter. While tourists are likely to appreciate the buildings 18th century architecture music fans will be hard pressed to find a venue more dedicated to jazz music than this. Home to the Preservation Jazz Hall Band, a record label and a not for profit music educational program there are three shows a night with punters lining up as early as 6pm to get prime position. There are only a few wooden benches for seating and no air-conditioning but the music and atmosphere of Preservation Hall far outweighs those factors.
Rock ‘n’ Bowl, 3000 S Carrollton Ave,
Ten Pin Bowling and live music may seem an odd pairing, but the two have a relationship within this establishment that has allowed Rock ‘n’ Bowl to become one of the city’s best and most unique music venues. Opened in 1988 Rock ‘n’ Bowl allows musicians of all genres to take the stage however rock is mostly likely the style you will find here. The lanes fill up quickly but the venue also offers tasty burgers and beer that should keep your mind off missing out on the bowling action.
New Orleans Acts You Should Check Out
Generationals – Soundcloud
The indie pop of this duo has featured on Greys Anatomy and scored them support slots with Two Door Cinema Club and Broken Social Science. Their third studio album, Heza, was released in April 2013. However listen to an older cut, ‘Trust’, below.
Sun Hotel – Soundcloud
Ever wondered what post-gospel swamp rock sounds like? Look no further than this four-piece who have described their music as such. With sweet vocals behind large atmospheric guitar sounds Sun Hotel are unassuming indie rock, listen to their song ‘Talks’ below.
Hurray For The Riff Raff– Soundcloud
Alynda Lee Segarra is the main force behind this country folk outfit. They released their fourth album, My Dearest Darkest Neighbor, in 2013 with the majority of the record made up of covers. Listen to Hurray For The Riff Raff Below.
