Live for Live Music is heading down to New Orleans and you’re cordially invited to our official kickoff party! NOLA knows how to party and we know how to throw a party, so let’s get things started properly, y’all.
*Enter to win tix + a prize pack at the bottom!*
Come help welcome us to the Big Easy at the Howlin’ Wolf on March 7 along with an all-star lineup featuring Grammy-winning Nicholas Payton, NOLA legend Johnny Vidacovich, Andrew Block (Gramatik), Eric Vogel (Big Sam’s Funky Nation), and Adryon de León (Orgone). Opening support will be provided by two of the most hyped groups to emerge out of the NOLA University scene in years, CakeWalk and Sexual Thunder!, to ensure a funky start.
NOLA native and Grammy-winning legend Nicholas Payton has been mastering the trumpet since age four and began playing gigs around town at ten. He boasts a remarkable roster of past collaborations, most notably Trey Anastasio, Ray Charles, Dr. John, Stanley Jordan, Herbie Hancock, Zigaboo Modeliste, and Allen Toussaint.
Johnny Vidacovich is one of the most sought-after drummers in the funk/jazz scene. The Nawlins staple regularly takes home the title of Best Drummer from the OffBeat Best Of The Beat Awards and has received recognition from the New York Times as well as NPR’s Jazz Files from Branford Marsalis. He has played alongside many of the greats, including Professor Longhair, James Booker, Charlie Hunter and Galactic’s Stanton Moore (who has cited Vidacovich as an influence).
Andrew Block is a New Orleans-based funk, soul and R&B guitarist currently touring with Gramatik. He plays on tracks with producers like GRiZ and just released a phenomenal EP with Ivan Neville, Nigel Hall, Terence Higgins, Raymond Weber, Tony Hall, and Lettuce’s Ryan Zoidis!
Eric Vogel brings the funk hard, formerly playing with Big Sam’s Funky Nation and frequently joining Nigel Hall, the Lettuce guys, Ivan Neville and more onstage. More recently he’s performed as an Artist-At-Large at Bear Creek and Jam Cruise alongside George Porter, Jr., Oteil Burbridge and Pretty Lights, to name a few.
Adryon de León provides the powerful pipes behind funk outfit Orgone and has contributed background vocals for Macy Grey, George Clinton and more. All in all, this is a funk collective for the ages.
Sexual Thunder! is an American funk music act based in New Orleans. The five piece band brings together elements of deep funk, rock, jazz and R&B to create grooves to keep your body moving.
Newcomers on the scene CakeWalk are quickly shedding their status as new kids on the block and becoming one of NOLA’s best new funk acts. The eclectic 9-piece collective throws down hard and keeps the good vibes grooving all night long.
Stand by for additional guest announcements coming soon! Join us for a night of nonstop funk as we make our big NOLA debut. Laissez les bon temps roulez!
Who: Nicholas Payton, Johnny Vidacovich, Andrew Block, Eric Vogel, Adryon de León, Sexual Thunder, CakeWalk
What: L4LM NOLA Launch Party Ft. A Special Funk SuperJam & The SEXY⚜CAKE ThrowDown!
Where: The Howlin’ Wolf. 907 S Peters St., New Orleans
When: March 7, 2015
Why: Because we Live for Live NOLA!
How: $10 advance tix here
This event is 18+.