Tank and the Bangas at Jazz Fest 2015

We first saw Tank and the Bangas at Chickie Wah Wah. That night began with limited interest, frankly–I had no idea who they were, was a bit tired, and I’m not saying I was down on New Orleans music (a native would never dare), but I was preemptively dreading “same old” or disappointment. What an eye-opening non-disappointment. Metal band energy, lyrical poetry, visual delight, rejuvenation. Tarriona “Tank” Ball and her gang have only been at it since 2011, but already secured a spot on one of the big stages at Jazz Fest (they opened day 2 on Gentilly). Beautiful, moving, energetic, unclassifiable, slightly insane, and best of all, something new.