Strolling up to the intersection of Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas on Friday night, there were lines flanking both sides of Tipitina’s with a mostly middle-aged, sun-kissed, and creole-food-filled crowd, ready to pack the legendary venue to the gills while John Hollier warmed up the room ahead of a headlining set by Galactic.
For those that have never been, it’s worth the trip Uptown. Walking in, you’re greeted by walls lined with show posters from the past, a chance to pick up your favorite memorabilia, and an iconic bronze statue of legendary pianist Fess Buss.
On the first Friday of Jazz Fest, the quintet of jazz and improvisational stalwarts Robert Mercurio (bass), Stanton Moore (drums), Jeff Raines (guitar), Rich Vogal (keyboards), and Ben Ellman (sax) hit the stage in front of a sold-out crowd accompanied by the sultry and seductive incantations of Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph.
With Galactic, you never know what surprises might be up their proverbial sleeve, and the first of the night came by way of fellow beloved New Orleans musician and collaborator Glen David Andrews. He joined Mercurio, Moore, and co for an electrifying rendition of “You Don’t Know” off the band’s Ya-Ka-May album.
For the next few songs, the band waxed nostalgic while tearing through “Go Go”, “Church” featuring Lucas Ellman, and “Something’s Wrong With This Picture” from its 1996 debut studio album Coolin’ Off.
Things were really heating up inside Tip’s as Jelly and Galactic tipped their caps to a New Orleans legend with a cover of the late Dr. John’s “Qualified” before asking the crowd “Who’s Got That Fire” in a room that was about to be set fully ablaze.
Next up, Anjelika introduced and welcomed special guest Grace Potter to the stage. Potter, Jelly, and the band blasted through a ripping, raucous rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and then added the next ingredient to the musical gumbo.
Frequent collaborator and world-renowned saxophonist Skerik blew through “Cineramascope” as he joined Galactic on stage and complemented the band just as red beans accompany rice here in the Crescent City.
Galactic finished the set off with “Never Called You Crazy”, from 2003’s Ruckus, and covers of The Police‘s “Walking On The Moon” and Allen Toussaint‘s “Yes We Can”. They then sent the crowd off into the night with Gene McDaniels‘ protest song “Compared To What” as the encore.
Catch upcoming Galactic shows during Jazz Fest at Faubourg Brewery for Daze Between New Orleans on May 1st, at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and again at Tipitina’s with RAM on May 3rd. For tour dates and ticketing details, visit the band’s website.
Galactic – Tipitina’s – New Orleans, LA – 4/26/24
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Setlist: Galactic | Tipitina’s | New Orleans, LA | 4/26/24
Y’er Comes The Funky Man, Right On, Make It Better, You Don’t Know, Go Go, Church, Something’s Wrong With This Picture, People Say, Lady Liberty, Qualified (Dr. John cover), Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin cover wsg Grace Potter), Cineramascope (wsg Skerik), Never Called You Crazy, Walking On The Moon (The Police cover), Yes We Can (Allen Toussaint cover)
Encore: Compared To What (Gene McDaniels cover)
If you’re in New Orleans during Jazz Fest, don’t miss out on the many events taking place in town as part of Live For Live Music’s Fest by Nite series during Jazz Fest. Upcoming events include:
- Daze Between New Orleans Festival ft. Gov’t Mule, Lettuce, John Scofield, & more – Faubourg Brewery – Tuesday, 4/30; Wednesday, 5/1 [tickets]
- TAUK Presents Tower of Wonder: A Tribute to Tower of Power & Stevie Wonder – TAUK ft. Kanika Moore, The Horn Section, Lyle Divinsky – Toulouse Theatre – Saturday, 4/27 [tickets]
- LP Giobbi: Dead House – Civic Theatre – Saturday, 4/27 [tickets]
- The Funk Sessions ft. Stanton Moore, Nels Cline, Skerik, Wil Blades – Toulouse Theatre – Saturday, 4/27 (technically early-a.m. 4/28) [tickets]
- Kitchen Dwellers: A Bluegrass Tribute to Dr. John – Toulouse Theatre – Sunday, 4/28 [tickets]
- Frequinauts ft. Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr., Stanton Moore, & more – Toulouse Theatre – Monday, 4/29 [tickets]
- Andy Frasco & The U.N. w/ Special Guests – House of Blues New Orleans – Tuesday, 4/30 [tickets]
- The Daze Between Band ft. Chuck Leavell, John Scofield, George Porter Jr., & more – Tipitina’s – Wednesday, 5/1 [SOLD OUT]
- John “Papa” Gros’ Papa Plays The Nite Tripper – Toulouse Theatre – Wednesday, 5/1 [tickets]
- Tank and the Bangas – A Special Three-Day Event / Jam Cruise 21 Lineup Announcement Party – Toulouse Theatre – Thursday, 5/2 [tickets]
- Stanton Moore & Friends ft. Robert Walter, Big Sam, Skerik, & more / Jam Cruise 21 Lineup Announcement Party – Thursday, 5/2 (technically early-a.m. 5/3) [tickets]
- Lettuce: Rage Fest – The Joy Theater – Friday, 5/3 [tickets]
- Tank and the Bangas – A Special Three-Day Event – Toulouse Theatre – Friday, 5/3 [tickets]
- Joe Russo’s Selcouth Quartet – Toulouse Theatre – Friday, 5/3 (technically early-a.m. 5/4) [tickets]
- Tank and the Bangas – A Special Three-Day Event – Toulouse Theatre – Saturday, 5/4 [tickets]
- Crescent City Classics: A Celebration of New Orleans Funk ft. members of The Meters, Lettuce, Dumpstaphunk, & more – The Joy Theater – Saturday, 5/4 [tickets]
- Break Science – Toulouse Theatre – Saturday, 5/4 (technically early-a.m. 5/5) [tickets]
- Purple Party: A Tribute to the Music of Prince ft. members of Cool Cool Cool, The Nth Power, Doom Flamingo, Magic Beans, & more – Toulouse Theatre – Sunday, 5/5 [tickets]
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