Mardi Gras Road Show rolls into town

In keeping with the NOLAFunk.com tradition of bringing the juggernauts of New Orleans music into the city, we've got a pair of incredible shows coming up featuring two of the Crescent City's biggest, baddest talents. The Mardi Gras Road Show features the Rebirth Brass Band and Dumpstaphunk, two genre-defining acts that are each at the very top of the pile when it comes to funk and rock. They're coming into the city on Thursday, April 1st to rock the Highline, and then sticking around to play that Friday (the 2nd) at Sullivan Hall. Either of these acts coming up to NYC is plenty of reason to get ready to party. Both in one night? Unbelievable. Get ready for a unique night of really killer funk.

Rebirth was one of the bands at the forefront of the revival of New Orleans brass band music. Along with the Dirty Dozen, the Rebirth Brass Band rose quickly to the top due to their open-minded approach and unquestionable talent, and have stayed there quite comfortably ever since, with a huge and ever-growing fan base that spans generations. Always staying fresh, never resting on their laurels, the Rebirth is one of the most energetic funk shows out there. Need to be convinced? Here:



Dumpstaphunk, formed in 2002, is a much younger institution, but it was always destined for greatness and has already become a staple in Saints territory. Founded by two New Orleans Nevilles (Ivan and Ian Neville, descended from members of the Neville Brothers and The Meters, respectively), the lineup was something special from the beginning, and it's turned into the new standard-bearing act for New Orleans funk music. Their sound is loud, raucous, gritty and dirty, and it mixes together just about every sort of sound out there that makes you dance. If you haven't heard them yet, check them out in this video from a past appearance at Sullivan Hall:



Any fans of New Orleans music shouldn't miss this one. This is as good a funk show as you will ever see, period.
By the way, if you can make it out to both shows, there's a discount for getting the tix together...

Both shows (the 1st and 2nd of April) get underway at 8 p.m. The Highline is 16+, and Sullivan is 18+. Tix are $35 per show, although you can get the two-show pass for $65.