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| Galactic Plans Return To New Orleans Galactic announced some very special shows they are planning in honor of their hometown of New Orleans. On December 31st the band returns to the Crescent City and to their surrogate home, the historic Tipitina's Uptown, to celebrate what is sure to be one of the most emotional New Year's Eve shows of their 10-year career. While a Galactic New Year's show is always one of the band's most anticipated annual events, this one in particular takes on special meaning as it marks the band's first show in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina swept through the region. The band has been particularly affected by the tragedy, having not only been forced from their home, but also from their recently built studio. Galactic is proud to be the first high profile, national show to be held in Tipitina's since the tragedy. This show will be in classic Galactic fashion with plenty of special guests and two sets of music, making it a must-see New Years event. A $3 surcharge will be included on all tickets sold to benefit the Tipitina's Foundation which is dedicated to preserving the culture of New Orleans. On November 18th & 19th, Galactic's “10-Year Invasion Fall Tour” tour will culminate with a pair of unique performances at Washington DC's 9:30 Club. Dubbed “9:30 in New Orleans”, these tour-ending shows will be a New Orleans style party featuring improvisational collaborations, a multitude of special guests and covers of classic material. Legendary vocalist and keyboardist Ivan Neville will make special appearances with Galactic throughout both nights, as will The Stooges Brass Band, who will also open the night of the 18th with a traditional, celebratory NOLA brass band show. The following evening will begin with a special performance by Robert Walters, who will be joined by Stanton Moore and Robert Mercurio of Galactic. Galactic was born in the mid-'90s, after two Washington DC punks--guitarist Jeff Raines and bassist Robert Mercurio--relocated to New Orleans and found themselves intoxicated by the sounds of the scene that nurtured The Meters, Professor Longhair, the Neville Brothers and Dr. John. Armed with the rhythmic tradition of their adopted hometown, Raines, Mercurio, saxophonist Ben Ellman, keyboardist Rich Vogel, and drummer Stanton Moore have spent ten years tearing through venues across the world, leaving hordes of die-hard Galactic junkies in their wake. Weaving modern and retrospective styles into their own trademark jazz-funk-rock fusion, Galactic created a far-reaching canon--including six albums and countless live performances--informed by ongoing influence from a wide range of genres, including hip-hop, blues, pop, and electronica. A sought-after act on the international live music circuit, Galactic has completed countless U.S. tours, four European tours, and four highly successful trips to Japan. At home and abroad, the band has shared tours and shows with an astonishing range of concert blockbusters, including the Dave Matthews Band, Counting Crows, the Allman Brothers Band, The Roots, Widespread Panic, B.B. King, James Brown, and Live. Galactic has also appeared at many of the world's premier music festivals, including Fuji Rock, Austin City Limits, Coachella, four consecutive performances at the Bonnaroo Music Festival, and eight consecutive performances at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. On the road and in its own New Orleans studio, Galactic continues to reinvent itself, inspiring its ever-growing fan base with ongoing artistic evolution, synthesizing the most thrilling elements of vintage and contemporary styles to keep the party rolling. write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |