In this update:
Hard Rock
Mainstream
Latin Music
Zydeco & Cajun Music
Schedules & Upcoming Events
Although world-famous for jazz and blues, the New Orleans music scene offers everything from death metal to piano recitals. Any and every style of music can be found in local clubs almost every night of the week – and the parties usually rage until dawn. Although cover charges can be high in tourist areas (such as Bourbon Street), the city still offers a great deal for entertainment both musical and alcoholic.
Hard Rock
New Orleans has one of the most thriving hard rock scenes in the South. Besides the usual college type cover bands such as Bag of Donuts, Sho-Tyme, and the Top Cats, there are many up-and-coming original acts. New Orleans has also given birth to some national metal bands such as Pantera, Corrosion Comformity, Eye Hate God, Acid Bath, Crowbar, and Down. Old local favorite satanic band Exhorder is also coming back.
Zeppelin's, 3712 Hessmer Ave., Metairie +1 (504) 889 0955. If you are looking for the real hard stuff, this is one of the best places in Louisiana. Although a small club, Zeppelin's regularly attract some big acts on the death metal/hardcore circuit. Shows run late into the night and are almost always under $10. The crowd is rough-looking and the music may not be for the faint of heart, but don't be scared; I have never heard of any problems in this place.
Live Bait Bar and Grill, 501 River Road, Jefferson, +1 (504) 831 3070. Although Live Bait offers a wide variety of bands, they frequently have mainstream original rock and cover bands on Friday and Saturday nights. www.livebaitbarandgrill.com
Many mainstream places, such as those listed below, also offer live hard rock and metal on a regular basis. Check for listings.
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Mainstream
As for mainstream, Top 40, radio music, etc., New Orleans has a lot to offer in the way of cover bands as well as a few original acts. "The Molly Ringwalds", an all-and-only 80s cover band, has been extremely popular around town recently. (Check them out online at www.themollyringwalds.com.)
The House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., New Orleans, +1 (504) 529 2624. One of the city's premier music venues, the House of Blues hosts everything from reggae to death metal. There is live music almost every night of the week, sometimes with more than one show back to back. There is also a restaurant and a small outdoor "Voodoo Bar" in the back. "The Parish", upstairs above the ticket office, offers smaller concerts in a more intimate environment. Tickets for big name acts should be purchased in advance. Latin night is often held Saturdays after midnight. Although it draws a large crowd, the traditional Latin music doesn't last long, quickly turning into a rave. Most shows are open to 18 year olds (but 21 to drink) and some are open to all ages. www.hob.com
Tipatina's, 501 Napoleon Ave. at Tchoupitoulas Street, +1 (504) 895 847. One of the city's most famous and oldest clubs offering live music, Tipatina's also covers a wide range of styles with local acts and big name bands. Everything from Bonnie Rait to blood-spraying GWAR. A must for all visitors! They recently opened another club on Decatur, but that one caters more to the jazz and blues crowd. www.tipatinas.com
Howlin Wolf, 828 S. Peters St., New Orleans, +1 (504) 529 5844. Set in the warehouse district near the Convention Center, the Howlin Wolf is another one of the local's favorites, although tour buses sometimes drop off hoards of visitors when the Iguanas play. Nevertheless, it is one of the city's famed live music joints.
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Café, 1104 Decatur (at Ursulines), +1 (504) 592 2565. Offers daily live music in a cozy club with a tropical decor. And don't worry, you won't have to hear that damn song over and over! There is rarely (almost never) a cover charge for the live music that plays from 3pm to midnight. Blues, bluegrass, rock, and RnB. www.margaritavillecafe.com
Mid City Lanes Rock 'N Bowl, 4133 S. Carrolton Ave., New Orleans, +1 (504) 482 3133. This second-floor bowling alley offers live music and draws a large crowd for bowling, dancing, drinking and eating. Local original and cover bands play a few times a week and cover charges (if any) are usually low. This is a unique New Orleans hotspot and often voted as one of the best spots to hear Zydeco. Open to all ages. www.rockandbowl.com
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Latin Music
Those seeking Latin music and dancing should look for three local favorites: The Iguanas, Los Hombres Calientes, and Freddy Omar con su Banda. All regularly play the local venues . Check the schedules of the mainstream clubs for upcoming shows and times.
Another place to try is The Red Room, an intimate candlelight club which often has live Latin music. The House of Blues often has a "Latin Night" but the traditional Latin music quickly turns into Spanish techno, not what most people may be expecting. Go when they have "live" music.
Cafe Brasil, 2100 Chartes St., +1 (504) 949 0851 also has regular live Latin music, in an large open room.
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Zydeco & Cajun Music
Michaul's, 840 St. Charles Ave. (between Julia and St. Joseph), +1 (504) 522 5517. Okay, maybe some buses drop tourists off by the dozen, but it still doesn't stop the locals (they let locals eat free on their birthdays) from coming out and two-stepping the walls of this place on the weekends! If you are looking to chow down on some Cajun grub then dance to zydeco beats, this is the place. Michaul's offers live cajun and zydeco music nightly as well as free dance lessons for those of you who just don't know what to do with your feat. Closed Sundays. www.michauls.com
Mid-City Rock and Bowl (see above). Voted one of the best places in the city to hear live Zydeco!
Mulate's The Original Cajun Restaurant, 201 Julia St. +1 (504) 522 1492 (across from the Riverwalk and Convention Center). More of a restaurant, but they do offer Cajun dancing and live music nightly. However, they close early, at 11pm.
If you are really looking for the heart of Cajun and Zydeco, consider heading west to Lafayette.
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Schedules & Upcoming Events
Most clubs usually post large events well in advance, and a schedule of events will usually come out at the beginning of every month. The House of Blues, Howlin Wolf, and Tip's all maintain excellent schedules and are strict when it comes to time, whereas some clubs may not have the bands on stage until hours later. The following links are excellent sources of info on live music and entertainment in NOLA:
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Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our North America Insiders page.
