SECTIONB ARCADE APRIL 20, 2012

COURTESY OF NOJAZZFEST.COM Some handy tips to make this fest the best yet ·• • • • • • Friday, April 27 • • • • • •

clear of the mud and the could have been a part of. they don't have 2,000 peo- BY SAM MOORE muck: Nourish Yourself: This ple yelling at them. SENIOR STAFF WRITER Plan your Time: You is a marathon. You are in Tickets on the Cheap: Beach Boys vs. Bon Iver may feel like a nerd, but it for the long haul. Unless If you just can't mend that As any Jazz Fest veteran carrying a schedule is es- you have a fat wallet, eat hole in your pocket, try at 5:30 p.m. on the Acura Stage, will will tell Fest first-timers, sential. So much music is and drink heartily before loitering around the en- BY JAMIE BERETEL have a definitively different feel - there is danger lurking happening that you can't you show up, and make trance. Often attendees STAFF WRITER their psychedelic, surf-rock harmo- beneath the power chords afford to mill about in the sure to use your own facili- whose plans change have nies, familiar to most, will result in and soul grooves of this heat trying to decide be- ties pre-festival, because cheap tickets to scalp, but Performing on opposite sides an upbeat show with higher levels of grand occasion, not 'to tween your two favorite the only thing h.arder to make sure that you're buy- of the fairgrounds, but within five crowd participation. \"lhile Bon Iver mention the potential for bands. . find than cheap food at ing a ticket to this Jazz Fest minutes of each other, Bon Iver and will most likely draw a more youth- severe physical discomfort. Look at a Map: Jazz Jazz Fest is a humane Porta and not the one in that the Beach Boys constitute the first ful audience, expect the historical re- It is one thing to enjoy the Fest is not the place for Potty. weird looking cat lady's notable set conflict of the Jazz Fest union of the Beach Boys to include a idea of a Beach Boys re- wandering - it isn't scenic, Keep an Open Mind: backyard. schedule. Though their respective number of die-hard, older fans. For union conceptually, but it and the crowds will act like Some of the best finds at Go with the Flow: This sounds and demographics differ, the those readers looking for an eclec- is much more difficult to a riptide if you let them Jazz Fest are the perform- sounds ｾ ･ a lot of work, face-off will be sure to split the festi- tic, soulful vibe to end their first day appreciate their ethereal sweep you away. Also, it's ers on the smaller stages in but the most important valJ'opulace between the Rock and of Jazz Fest, Bon Iver is the obvious vocals while being poked big. You want to know between bigger acts. If you thing is to see what you Ro Hall-of-Famers and the newest choice. If you're looking to sing and in the back by the sweaty where you're going and the find yourself with a spare want to see without getting indie-folk god. Bon Iver, headlining dance along to some of your favorite beer belly of a bored Par- shortest route so you don't moment, catch a breath too caught up in the nega- at 5:25 p.m. on the Gentilly Stage, is oldies, on the other hand, head to the rothead who just wants to get stuck in the racetrack at one of these. They are tives of a big festival. You a nine-piece instrumental band led main stage for the Beach Boys. Or, hear "that surfing song:' wasteland, watching from typically less crowded, know what you're signing by Justin Vernon, whose hauntingly for those ambitious readers looking Here are some tips for hav- afar as Big Freedia starts a and performers tend to be up for, so suck it up and beautiful falsetto, paired with his to catch both, hit up Bon Iver, watch ing a blast while keeping booty riot that you totally looser and more fun when rock out. sunset set time, will create a hypnot- the sunset, get your groove on, and ic, easy-listening experience for con- end the day with some good vibra- cert-goers. The Beach Boys, playing tions from The Beach Boys. • • • • • • • • • • Sunday, April 29 • • • • • • • • • • Al Green vs. Bruce Springsteen vs. Janelle Monae

tor of this duel. Anyone that had the BY CHARLES BRAMESCO good fortune to catch Janelle Monae ARCADE EDITOR when she brought down the house in McAlister Auditorium in the fall April 29 brings the showdown of semester knows that the woman the century - as American treasure, can assemble a freaky, fascinating Bruce Springsteen takes the Acura and undeniably· danceable concert Stage, Janelle Monae, the ArchAn- that competes with the best ofthem. droid herself, performs on the Gen- Monae's live show at McAlister came tilly Stage, and Al Green, the voice complete with phantom-battling that launched a million steamy love- stage antics, live canvas-painting making sessions, steps onto the and a double encore. Congo Square Stage. Choosing just Last, but jive-tastically not least, one of these acts is enough to make there's Al Green. The maestro of a young music fan's head spin. sweaty R&B jams will most definite- The Boss - stadiwn-filler that ly bring his patented sexual charis- he is - may seem like the obvious ma to the stage. Concertgoers be choice, but dont leap to any conclu- warned. though: When 'he busts out COURTESY OF FACE8001(.COM/90N\VER COURTESY OF fACE8001(.C0M/8EACH80YS sions. Though: the man has been put- "Let's Stay Together," female mem- / ting on life-affirming concerts for bers of the audience may spontane- COURTESY OF BRUCESPRINGSTEEN.COM nearly five decades, it would be fol- ously conceive children. ly to assume he is the runaway vie- • • • • • • Saturday, April 28 • • • • • • TOM PETTY VS. FEIST VS. SOUL REBELS

• • • • • • • • • • •Thursday, May 3 • • • • • • • • • • BY STEPANIE CHEN about everyday struggles, the heart- ASSOCIATE ARCADE EDITOR felt band is as American as classic rock gets. On its website, the band JIMMYBUFFETTVS. FLORENCE+ THE MACHINE VS. Choosing between Tom Petty and promises "some tried and true favor- the Heartbreakers, Feist and the Soul ites, some rarities, and a special cov- Rebels Brass Band's sets Saturday er or two." Make sure to stay for the ESPERANZA SPALDING night will be a daunting task. The classics, including "Free Fallin"' and Soul Rebels is one of New Orleans' "Mary Jane's Last Dance" before hur- BY LUCY STRATION rying see to Feist at 5:40 p.m. on the STAFF WRITER preeminent bands, gaining interna- tional acclaim for its fusion of soul, Gentilly Stage. The Canadian sing- jazz, funk, hip-hop and rock. As a er- gained prominence Jazz Fest-goers will come to yet New Orleans resident, however, you with her popular song, indie favor- another crossroads May 3. Three will have ample opportunity to hear ite "1234. Before herJropensity for artists - Jimmy Buffett, Esperan- them, whether in the French Quarter sequined, coordinate dances, she za Spalding and Florence+ the Ma- or during Crawfest If you're trying performed with Broken Social Scene chine - will play at the same time to make the most out of your pricey and profane electro-punk musician on three separate stages. All three ticket, you might want to skip this Peaches. Hear the wildly diverse art- of these musicians are extremely set. ist showcase her stunning vocals with talented. making any choice a good Instead, see the majority of Feist's a mix of joyous classics and the gor- one. The staggered start times of set while catching the most exciting geous, contemplative songs of her the concerts gives indecisive music parts of Tom Petty and the Heart- most recent album. Finally, sprint lovers the opportunity to see two breaker's catalogue. Start your night across the grounds to sing along to shows or even portions of all three. at 5:10 p.m. at the Acura Stage to see Tom Petty's encore, including "Amer- Jazz vocalist, bassist and com- the beginning of Tom Petty's two- ican Girl," for a rousing conclusion to COURTESY OF FLORENCEANOTHEMACHINE.COM poser Esperanza Spalding will play hour set. With its catchy, tough songs the night at 5:25 p.m. on the Congo Square at 5:30 p.m. on the Gentilly Stage. Music icon Jimmy Buffett is Stage. The first jazz musician to Florence Welch is a vocal power- scheduled to play an acoustic set win the Best New Artist Grammy, house whose elemental voice al- with Mac McNally at 5:55 p.m. on Spalding is an extremely charis- ways leaves her audiences astound- the Acura Stage. The audience will matic and confident musician who ed. Her performances are energet- be full ofBuffett's outrageously col- gives smooth, soulful performanc- ic and accented with thundering orful fans, affectionately known es. Jazz lovers will especially enjoy drums. Welch will hopefully per- as Parrotheads. Jimmv Buffet's Spalding hits such as "Little Fly" form show-stopping singles from set may include classic "songs like and "Black Gold." both of her albums, such as "The "Margaritaville; "Come Monday" Florence + the Machine will play Dog Days Are ｏ ｶ ･ ｲ ｾ and "Shake it and "Cheeseburger in ｐ ｡ ｲ ｡ ､ ｩ ｳ ･ Ｎ ｾ Out.•

• • • • • • • • • • Saturday, May 5 • • • • • • • • • • • Eag·les vs. vs. Ne-Yo

Yames - offers a singular, earnest BY CHARLES BRAMESCO COURTESY OF FACEBOOK.COM/TOMPETTY COURTESY OF FACEBOOK.COM/FEIST ARCADE EDITOR charisma that is not to be missed. In another corner, there is Ne- Country-tinged indie titans My Yo, beginning at 5:35 p.rn. on the • • • • • •Sunday, May 6• • • • • • • Morning Jacket, smoothcr-than- Congo Square Stage. Once known butter soul/R&B crooner Ne-Yo. and as Shaffer Chimere Smith Jr., Ne-Yo legendary rock-and-rollers The Ea- churned out hit after hit during the :Neville Brothers vs. Preservation Hall gles face off May 5 at the New Or- mid '()Os, leaving fans with songs like leans Fair Ground and Race Track. wMiss ｉ ｮ ､ ･ ｰ ･ ｮ ､ ･ ｮ ｴ ｾ and MSo ｓ ｩ ｣ ｫ ｾ Nobody wants to be running back The ladies will undoubtedly swoon tal to the Crescent City' rich histo- and forth mid-show, so a concertgo- over his smooth stylings. BY JAMIE NORWOOD ry of jazz and soul music - it's cru- er can only truly enjoy one act. In the final corner of this hypo- ARCADE EDITOR el that they overlap in the Jazz Fest In one corner, we have My Morn- thetical triangular fighting ring. is lineup. But the Arcade has the so- ingJacket, playing at 5:25 p.m. on the The Eagle ·, playing at 5 p.rn. on the Put your studying aside to wrap lution: Don't pick one over the oth- Gentilly Stage. Responsible for such Acura Stage. Perhaps best known for up the amazement that is Jazz Fest er. Since the Preservation Hall Jazz hits as "; "Holding Onto the drugged-out classic tune "Ho- with some timeless New Orleans Band starts al 5:45 p.m. at the Gen- Black Metal" and "One Big Holiday," tel California; The Eagles certainly soul. Both the Neville Brothers and tilly Stage, a mere 10 minutes before MMJ has won over fans since 1999 have no shortage of concert experi- the Preservation Hall Jazz Band The Neville Brothers, tart there. by combining sepia-toned country ence. Much like the aforementioned date back to the '60s and have since Stay long enough to take in its jazzy tunes with larger-than-life guitar so- song's eponymous hotel, fans will traveled far and wide, gracing the melodies, and then to head over to los. Frontman - though never want to leave an Eagles show. world with awe-inspiring New Or- see The Neville Brothers at the Acu- COURTESY OF NEYOTHEGENTLEMAN.COM he often refers to himself as Yun leans culture. Both bands are so vi- ra Stage - their set ends at 7 p.m.