Live Music entertainment in The South
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Balcony Music Club
Balcony is all about the acts; if there’s a dud band playing you can pass it up, but on good nights it forms a very convenient crux in the French Quarter–Faubourg Marigny Decatur St stumble o’ fun. The 1920s flapper nights, held on a semi-regular basis, are the best; if you’ve ever seen the 1996 movie Swingers, it’s kind of exactly like the scene in the Brown Derby. If that cultural reference soared past, imagine walking into a speakeasy circa the Al Capone days and you’ve got an idea of what’s going on.
reviewed
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B
Mid-City Rock & Bowl
A night at the Rock & Bowl is a quintessential New Orleans experience, but as it was in the process of moving to 3000 S Carrollton at the time of writing, we were not able to check out its new gigs at its current location. Friends who have gone say the scene and the shows are the same as ever: a strange, wonderful combination of bowling alley, deli, and a huge live music and dance venue, where patrons get down to New Orleans roots music while trying to avoid that 7-10 split.
reviewed
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C
Republic New Orleans
Republic showcases some pretty awesome live acts, including George Clinton and other good funk and blues talent, but it’s also the kind of place where teenagers from the ’burbs come to behave very badly. There’s your conundrum: your night may consist of a potentially great show, but there’s a very good chance it will also include greasy guys, screeching girls, lots of jostling and the person next to you being sick all over the sidewalk.
reviewed
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D
House of Blues
While venue-wise it’s only a little above average, in terms of acts, HOB may be the best place in the city for rock, alt-rock and alt-country. A full calendar of headliner acts, from the hottest local talent to major touring bands, makes this space a winner just about every night of the week. On Sunday morning HOB’s gospel brunch will fortify your soul. A few doors down, a small auxiliary club, the Parish, features mostly local acts.
reviewed
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E
Apple Barrel
The Barrel may be called as such because that’s what it’s roughly the size of: you can maybe fit a dozen customers in here without going elbow to elbow. It fits in musicians, too, who tend to play some very fine jazz, blues and folk. Usually it’s someone reliving Dylan’s acoustic period. Upstairs is the casual Italian eatery Adolfo’s, a good spot for a drink before dinner.
reviewed
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Bluebird Cafe
It's in a strip mall in suburban South Nashville, but don't let that fool you: some of the best original singer-songwriters in country music have graced this tiny stage. Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, and the Cowboy Junkies have all played the Bluebird, which was the setting for the 1993 Sandra Bullock and River Phoenix movie The Thing Called Love. Try your luck at Monday open mike nights.
reviewed
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G
Carrollton Station
An old stalwart on the Riverbend club scene, Carrollton Station has the tumbledown exterior you’d expect from a Mississippi Delta juke joint. The club’s musical offerings don’t really deliver on that promise, unfortunately. You’ll generally encounter a very young, white crowd shakin’ it to bluesy bar bands. Just a good co-ed party atmosphere.
reviewed
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Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant
In Buckhead, this is a comfortable Irish pub with a good selection of beers. There's a lunch, dinner and snack menu to weigh the Guinness down. Entertainment on offer includes regular live music performances, screenings of big football (round ball version) matches from Europe and, of course, Irish-American 'craic'.
reviewed
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Palm Court Jazz Café
Fans of trad jazz who want to hang out with a mature crowd should head to this supper club alternative to Preservation Hall. Palm Court is a roomy venue that has a very consistently good lineup of local legends; you really can’t go wrong if you’re a jazz fan. Shows start at 8pm.
reviewed
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Chickie Wah Wah
Despite the fact it lies on one of the most unremarkable stretches of Canal St as you please, Chickie Wah Wah is a great jazz club. It hosts some good names such as John Mooney, Jolly House and Papa Mali in a cozy little setting where the French Quarter feels several universes away.
reviewed
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K
Howlin’ Wolf
One of New Orleans’ best venues for live blues, alt-rock, jazz and roots music, the Howlin’ Wolf always draws a lively crowd. It started out booking local progressive bands, but has become a regular stop for big-name touring acts like the Smithereens and Hank Williams III.
reviewed
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Grand Ole Opry
Though you'll find a variety of country shows throughout the week, the performance to see is the Grand Ole Opry, a lavish tribute to classic Nashville country music, every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night. Shows return to the Ryman from November to February.
reviewed
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Wildhorse Saloon
The Wildhorse Saloon is a slick operation that bills itself, over and over, as 'Nashville's No.1 Dining and Entertainment Destination'. That means a three-level complex with restaurant, bar, band hall, and the generous offer of free country dancing lessons.
reviewed
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Preservation Hall
A veritable museum of traditional and Dixieland jazz, Preservation Hall is a pilgrimage. But like many religious obligations, it ain't necessarily easy, with no air-conditioning, limited seating and no refreshments (you can bring your own water, that's it).
reviewed
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Tipitina's
Always drawing a lively crowd, this legendary Uptown club rocks out like the musical mecca it is: local jazz, blues, soul and funk stop in, as well as national touring bands.
reviewed
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Lucas Theatre for the Arts
Hosting concerts (guitarist Jonny Lang), plays (Guys and Dolls) and films (The Day the Earth Stood Still) in a historic building dating from 1921.
reviewed
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Q
The Jinx
Metalheads and bikers, here's your hangout. Expect live music at punishing volume, and try to get the booth with the Ms Pac Man game doubling as a drink table.
reviewed
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Liberty Theater
In Eunice there's the Saturday-night 'Rendez-Vous des Cajuns' at the Liberty Theater, which is broadcast on local radio.
reviewed
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R
Donna's Bar & Grill
Shoulder up to the bar, grab a plate of red beans and rice and groove to jazz, blues or brass bands in this homey room on the edge of the Quarter.
reviewed
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d.b.a.
Mellow until it fills up for live music and late-night partying; the extensive drinks menu and window seats will keep you busy while you wait.
reviewed
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Maple Leaf Bar
Riverbend's pride and joy - its pressed-tin ceiling and close atmosphere get especially heated late. Rebirth Brass Band plays Tuesday.
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Kudzu's
This well-loved pub gets jumping with live bands (Friday and Saturday) and Thursday-night guitar-pickin' jam sessions.
reviewed
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Eddie's Attic
One of the city's best venues to hear live folk and acoustic music, in a nonsmoking atmosphere seven nights a week.
reviewed
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Vaughan's
A great Bywater neighborhood bar that hosts local favorite and awesome trumpeter Kermit Ruffins on Thursday nights.
reviewed
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Snug Harbor
In the Marigny, the city's best contemporary jazz venue is all about world-class music and a good variety of acts.
reviewed
