311, HOB, New Orleans -

NEW ORLEANS – 311, a band I would consider to be a pioneer in the American rock/rap movement, came to New Orleans before heading out on thier annual 311 Cruise; one non-stop party from departure at Miami to some remote destination in Mexico. Playing to a capicity crowd for 2 consecutive sold-out shows at House of Blues New Orleans I was lucky enough to be apart of the 2nd nights festivities.

No opener, all 311.

1st to the stage was 311 vocalist Nick Hexum, sporting what seemed to be a vintage green track jacket protecting an even older Smith’s tee and clashing blue dockers . Style, this band had it by the truckloads. They wasted no time, opening the show with a crowd favorite “Don’t Stay Home”, voices filled the air with everyone singing along word for word as if they were under some otherworldly spell. It was quentisential concert madness, droves of people rushing forwards jockeying for a better position, swaying left and right as if you had a choice with people this tightly packed. No one cared. Everyone lost in the moment, “PEANUT…BEAT THAT THING!” echoing throughout the venue.

And the smoke, so thick in the air it would have made any Wailer’s fan envious. A sea of red, glassy eyes bobbin’ to “Who’s Got the Herb” had me wondering if House of Blues ever has impromptu pizza deliveries during or after a show such as this. Those thoughts quickly subsided when 311 broke into Peanut’s bass solo and another round of Denver’s finest cheeba circled back my way (allegedly).

Thier performance was as good as it gets. Having seen 311 many times prior in various venues with acts such as Deftone’s and The Root’s, I can say this show was 311 at the top of thier game. Having no co-headliner or opener, everyone was there for them, and that’s a concert vibe that’s hard to match no matter the lineup. Every song was on point, they played so tight you’d think each band member was born with a metronome embedded in thier brain. That coupled with the amazing acoustics of House of Blues, my absolute favorite venue for shows in NOLA, this was a set of shows not to miss. Thanks 311!

Setlist: Don’t Stay Home, Plain, Hive, From Chaos, Sand Dollars, Visit, Running, Five of Everything, Gap, Amber, Applied Science, Loco, Great Divide, Paradise, Who’s Got The Herb, BASS SOLO, Existential Hero, 1-2-3, Bomb The Town, Silver, Feels So Good.

Encore: Tranquility. Creatures

Article and Photos by: Nick Solari