Many touring artists return for hometown shows this weekend, local favorites perform their final shows of the year and multiple benefit concerts ensure every child gets a toy this holiday season. Oh, and black metal of course. Below is a list of highlight music in NOLA this weekend to check out. For more complete info, check out our calendar listings:
Thursday, December 15 – Music in NOLA
The Quickening (d.b.a.)
Show: 10 p.m.
New Orleans jam band The Quickening return to d.b.a with funky grooves to party and get lost to. The band just celebrated their 10th anniversary with a show at The Maple Leaf in October and released an album last year called Time Out. They’ve earned a name for themselves as a staple live band performing with local acts New Orleans Suspects and The Funky Uncle. Tickets are available here.
Friday, December 16 – Music in NOLA
Abstract NOLA (Odgen Museum)
Show: 7 p.m.
Much like the museum hosting the event, Abstract NOLA is a curated music and arts experience featuring live music, live painting, exhibits and food. Hosted by New Orleans comedian Rob Kazi, the event will feature local heavyweights like hip-hop artists Pell and 504 Icy Grl, vocalist Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, trumpeter Shamarr Allen and DJ acts from RQ Away and Legatron Prime. Tickets are available here.
Tunes For Toys: Trombone Shorty and the Soul Rebels (Warren Easton High School)
Show: 7 p.m.
A benefit concert to give toys to households needing temporary assistance, Tunes for Toys will headline with Trombone Shorty and The Soul Rebels while also featuring Warren Easton High School Band and Le Bon Ton Babydolls. Beyond the music, the event will also have food and refreshments. Admission is free with a toy donation. For more information, visit this link.
Saturday, December 17 – Music in NOLA
VOID Toy Drive (One Eyed Jacks)
Show: 8 p.m.
Krewe Du Void, the folks responsible for the annual camping trip and music festival Fête Du Void, will host a toy drive and holiday benefit concert. The event will feature labelmates 504 Icy Grl and Poppyh, who will have just returned from his tour (and will perform a tour finale show at The Rabbit Hole, Thursday December 15). DJ Ro, Letrainiump! and DJ Snuz Butt’n will also perform. Tickets are available here.
Abysmal Lord / Congealed Putrescence EP Release (Siberia)
Show: 9 p.m.
An all death and black metal show, headlined by Abysmal Lord ahead of their upcoming album release, Bestiary of Immortal Hunger on December 30. Another band sharing the bill, Congealed Putrescence will be releasing their EP Within the Ceaseless Murk on the day of the show. Black thrash, Total Hell and black metal Mehenet will also perform. Tickets are available here.
Phillip Manuel Christmas Concert (Snug Harbor)
Show: 8 and 10 p.m.
Jazz vocalist Phillip Manuel will sing soulful R&B versions of holiday classics from his album, Swingin’ in the Holidays. Michael Pellera will join him on piano, Steve Masakowski on guitar, Amina Scott on bass and Wayne Moreau on drums. Tickets are available here.
Sunday, December 18 – Music in NOLA
Alfred Banks (Cafe Istanbul)
Show: 8 p.m.
After dropping a new music video for his single “G Wagon” earlier this week, local hip-hop artists Alfred Banks will perform live with LG, Paasky and DJ EF CUTTIN. Tickets are available here.
Jake Blout and Lilli Lewis (Gasa Gasa)
Show: 9 p.m.
Gasa Gasa will host a night of Americana featuring Jake Blount, an expert on the history and influence of Black American music. He’s been featured by NPR, The New Yorker and The Guardian for his music reviving “white-washed” and often forgotten Black and indigenous music. Blount is currently touring the release of his most recent album, The New Faith which tells a dystopian afro-futuristic story about black refugees serving a climate change-related catastrophe. He will be joined by local artist Lilli Lewis whose musical perspective as a black and queer person has also been praised on a national level. Tickets are available here.
