Celebrate the holiday season and ring in the new year with great music! There are plenty of performances hitting the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and of course, it’s tough to keep up with it all. So, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best concerts coming to the Coast over the next few weeks.
Brandon Bennett’s Elvis My Way Christmas (Dec. 15-16 at the IP Casino): One of the best Elvis tribute artists around, Brandon Bennett brings his Louisiana sounds to showcase one of the greatest entertainers ever.
Rock Show NOLA (Dec. 15 at Hard Rock Casino): This show will be a party for all the STYX and Foreigner fans. A tribute for all ages, led by the talents of lead vocalist Derrick Lefevre, this is a rock experience you won’t want to miss.
Grits & Greens (Dec. 7 at Ground Zero Blues Club): The husband-and-wife team of Ryann and Jesse McGhee takes the stage with their jamming band. Ryann’s powerful blues voice and Jesse’s fast-moving slide guitar make for a must-see performance.
Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind (Dec. 15 at Ground Zero Blues Club): A world-famous funk and blues harmonica player, Ricci has toured with the best and his performance is truly award-winning.
Akeem Kemp Band (Dec. 16 at Ground Zero Blues Club): Incorporating some Albert King and Jimi Hendrix, the Akeem Kemp Band always puts on a great show with smoky vocals. Come out and see this band from Arkansas.
The Tree-OH (Dec. 22 at Ground Zero Blues Club): Bob Erickson and Joe Morris are not new to the Ground Zero stage with their mix of originals and classics. They combine a soulful mix of blues and reggae to make what they call “tropical blues.” TK Lively of Wet Willie adds his sound on the drums.
New Year’s Eve Music Parties
Two major parties worth looking out for on Dec. 31 will be held at Ground Zero Blues Club and the Beau Rivage. The former will begin at 8 p.m. and feature The Chitlins, a local band who really knows how to get the party started. Ra’Shad The Blues Kid will then take the stage with his groovy moves.
Down the street at the Beau, “Who’s Bad 20/20: The Evolution of Pop” will bring in the New Year in style. Considered the ultimate pop music spectacular, the live stage production, the showmanship, and the songs will have everyone singing along.
Plan Ahead
How about a sneak peek into the superstar concerts set for 2024? Mississippi Coast Coliseum is set to have several classic rock artists such as Journey (Feb. 4) and Lynyrd Skynyrd joined by ZZ Top (April 4). The IP Casino will have STYX on Jan. 20 before welcoming Direct From Sweden: The Music of Abba on Jan. 25. With a lineup like this, it’s sure to be a great holiday season! And by the way, tickets to any of the above shows could make for perfect Christmas gifts. Time to rock into the New Year!