Section II: Music

- return to Awards page

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Best Indie Local Band:
Winner: Caddywhompus
Runner Up: The Revivalists
Other Contestants: Silent Cinema, Giant Cloud, MyNameIsJohnMichael

Sean Hart and Chris Rehm compose Caddywhompus, New Orleans’ most hardworking psychedelic pop band. They spent 2009 touring relentlessly and recording material for release in 2010. Their music is the sort of fuzzy, joyous noise that you can’t help but love. If you like No Age, Deerhunter or The Thermals, you’re going to love these guys. Caddywhompus will be playing Foburg Festival Saturday on the Maison upstairs stage, and I challenge you to see their energetic, sweaty live show without becoming a fan. –SP

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Best Big Band:
Winner: Galactic
Runner Up: Rebirth Brass Band
Other Contestants: Soul Rebels, Quintron and Miss Pussycat, Trombone Shorty
Galactic takes all the crazy flavors of the New Orleans music scene, throws them together, mashes them up, then sprinkles them with just a little bit of funk. With a sound that is equal parts jazz, Hip Hop, funk, electronic, blues and bounce, the band has created a kind of music that gets crowds moving whether they’re in California, at Tipitina’s or basking in the sun at a summer music festival. Loyal to their New Orleans roots, Galactic completes Lundi Gras every year with an all-night performance that begins around 1 a.m. and doesn’t stop until sunrise, preparing their fans for a morning of mimosas and Zulu. After garnering worldwide recognition and critical acclaim, the band has become one of our city’s most famous modern groups; their success has won the attention of music aficionados who are curious to examine New Orleans’ most recent crop of musical ingenuity. With a timeless sound that draws influence from all eras of this city’s music, it’s safe to assume that Galactic will keep creating music for many years to come — a good thing, because we need them to usher us into our favorite Tuesday morning of the year. -AM

Best Place to See Bands You’ve Never Heard Of:
Winner: Dragon’s Den
Runner Up: AllWays Lounge
Other Contestants: The Maison, d.b.a., The Big Top

Tales of wild nights at Dragon’s Den are always accompanied by a single question: Wait, you saw who? This response epitomizes the experience of seeing an act at the tiny, weird venue located on Esplanade Avenue. Because the evening might end up unlike any other you’ve ever had, you can rest assured that the Dragon’s Den is a place where you will never be bored and never cease to be intrigued by the unusual artists that frequent the venue. Downstairs, the main bar and a dark seating area surround a tiny stage that typically hosts local indie, rock, rap or funk bands. Upstairs, the secondary bar and the venue’s only hazy dance floor allows patrons to groove to the beats of out-of-town electronic artists whose cultish following takes over the Den many a night. If the music gets to be too much, you can always take it easy in the back courtyard or to smoke a cigarette on the creaky balcony that clings precariously to the second floor. Though an evening at Dragon’s Den is a far cry from a predictable night at The Boot, it’s a place not to be ignored by those looking for a bit of mischief and a little adventure. -AM

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Best Big-Name Music Venue:
Winner: Tipitina’s
Runner Up: House of Blues and the Parish
Other Contestants: Republic New Orleans, Howlin’ Wolf, One Eyed Jacks

A night at Tipitina’s is usually one to remember, due both to the talent of the musicians on stage and the revelry that the venue’s three bars promote. Tipitina’s regularly hosts nationally popular musicians, and in the past year, bands including Phoenix, Andrew Bird and Tegan and Sara have graced the stage over which the image of Professor Longhair happily hovers. The venue is perennially a hub for late-night concerts during holiday weekends like Jazz Fest, Mardi Gras and Halloween. Don’t forget the lively local shows though; Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Galactic and big local brass bands such as Rebirth and Hot 8 frequent Tip’s. The venue also gives up-and-coming musicians stage time during its Homegrown Night when you can bet one of your classmates or Loyola peers is laying down the funk. So why do people keep going to Tipitina’s? It must be that intangible quality of knowing that the essence of New Orleans surrounds you.