Welcome to the Krewe Picks! Every month or two, we will select one member of our esteemed staff (aka The Krewe) to give you an insider perspective about a few interesting shows coming up. We hope you enjoy their recommendations (The Krewe have varied and impressive musical tastes…we’ve seen lotsa shows!)
February/March from MATT M.
I am an avid music fan of a wide variety of styles and genres. I have had the pleasure of working at The Orange Peel for almost three years; I enjoy that I routinely get to see and hear some amazing artists on stage and interact with some amazing, eclectic, and (sometimes) eccentric fans in the crowd. Although I may look grouchy when you see me making my way around the club, I can assure you that I am smiling on the inside. We have some amazing shows coming up…
Wanda Jackson
Thursday, February 9th
She’s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, she’s the undisputed original female rock star, “The Queen of Rockabilly.” Not much more needs to be said. She owned stages 50 years ago in ways that no women did at the time and very few have since. Ms. Jackson will be 75 this year, but her ability to rock stays strong and she can still hang with the young women who should idolize her for her impact on a woman’s place in rock and roll. She probably won’t climb speakers or stage-dive, but she will put on an amazing show of classic rockabilly tunes. Don’t miss.
To buy tickets, click here
Big Gigantic
Saturday, February 11th
I will admit that before taking this job, I was not the biggest fan of “Electronic” music. I now know that the “Electronic” label is a fairly generic term for a genre that is quite varied, and in many cases, quite impressive. The first Big Gigantic show I worked, I entered with little knowledge of their music and even less expectation. I was pleasantly surprised by the powerful sound I heard this duo put forth. The creative fusion of a bluesy-jazz-funk tenor sax, drums, and solid mixes makes for a very enjoyable night of music with which it is almost impossible to not dance along. However, I am a terrible dancer; for the benefit of everyone involved, I refrain and let the crowd handle that for me.
To buy tickets, click here
Flogging Molly
Tuesday, February 28th
This is the show I have been begging for since I started working here. When I saw this on the calendar, I almost wanted to hump my manager’s leg. I could burn through Roget’s trying to find enough superlatives to describe the music that this band produces, but I will reign in my excitement and keep this short. If you don’t have a ticket already, find a way to get one. This is high-intensity Irish punk for grown-ups (although my daughter loves them, too…). Their most recent albums have been mature takes on the plight of the common man, a theme that is often screamed about in punk songs that no one can understand. The angst and bewilderment are still there, they’re just put forth through intelligent lyrics over solidly crafted music played by extremely talented musicians. The energy in their live shows is insane and the crowd is even more so. It will be all sorts of fun, but let’s remember, this is Irish punk for grown-ups; everyone should leave with all of their teeth and no charges pending.
North Mississippi Allstars
Friday, March 9th
Electric washboard? Cigar box guitar? High energy Southern rock mixed with a lot of blues riffs and little bit of jam band flair? If these things make you think “Wow, that sounds pretty great,” you’re right. And you need to see this band. The Dickinson brothers, along with Chris Chew on bass combine to put down some songs that make you think you’re walking on a sweltering dirt road in the Deep South on your way to meet the devil at the crossroads to drink some shine and eat some fried chicken. Trust me, this is a good thing. This music is authentic, raw, and will consume you. Everyone knows that is a good thing.
To buy tickets, click here.
The Machine
Wednesday, March 21st
OK, so they don’t have giant inflatable octopi or pigs or a multi-million dollar laser light show to accompany them, but this Pink Floyd tribute band does an excellent job of staying true to the songs and making you feel as if you are witnessing something that you probably wouldn’t remember witnessing in the 70’s. You know all of the songs, you know all of the words, just show up and sing along.
To buy tickets, click here.