Issue Articles
Street Musicians on The Defensive…OZ and OffBeat Join Forces…Bunny Bops In
This month, OffBeat tackles a thorny issue: why and how are the powers-that-be— the city, the state and (God help us all) the Catholic Church— regulating our musical culture? As […]
“Cultural Cleansing”…Distribution Battle Won…Too Many Clubs? Studio Biz…A New OffBeat Editor
We’ve got another big battle of New Orleans to win, one that, if lost, could change the complexion of the city’s culture and musical heritage forever. Councilman Troy Carter and […]
Reflections on Jazz Fest, LMNOP and Eddie Bo
Welcome to the last-and best-Jazz Fest of this century. I think the lineup this year is one of the best we’ve had in years: Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Santana, Branford […]
Why Does This City Pick On Music Folk? Jimmy’s Moves Up
Once upon a time there was a city that made its reputation and literally sold itself on the depth and interest in its culture from people all around the world. […]
Sleater-Kinney, The Hot Rock (Kill Rock Stars)
Almost by definition, punk music takes risks, and when Carin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney sings, “Bless me with Athene/there’s no meaner, she’s the best,” she invites the charge of pretentiousness, but […]
Healin’ A Comin’…Shim Sham Shapes Up…Zion Harmonizers Celebrate 60
Sometimes it’s amazing what a lot of love exists in our local music community. It’s a town where the likes of Allen Toussaint, Cyril and Gaynielle Neville, The Zion Harmonizers, […]
Big Ass Truck, Who Let You in Here? (Peabody)
As hip-hop’s influence spreads, turntables are now as common as guitars guitars, whether in solo acts like Q-Bert and OJ Shadow, in their old school incarnation such as MixMaster Mike […]
Best of the Beat Rules; Help For Teedy: Tip’s Expands
I wish you could have all come to OffBeat’s Best of The Beat Awards. It was absolutely the best ever, with over 1,500 musicians and music lovers attending our big […]
The Future of Live Music, Best of the Beat & More
It’s time to reflect on the past year and plan for the new. The live music scene is definitely going through major changes in New Orleans, with several new clubs […]
Zydeco Fanatics Sail the Blue… Why Do They Keep Picking on Music Clubs? OffBeat Moves to the Margins
It’s not often that I see four-inch "I Love New Orleans" tattoos on the shoulders of people I hang with. I saw one of ‘em and lots of other evidence […]
