Music: Best Bets

Blending some dreamy melodies and vocal harmonies with indie rock, Los Angeles band Local Natives is riding a wave of glowing reviews for 2013’s Hummingbird. The band has been touring with Kings of Leon and follows opening for them at the Smoothie King Center (it’s called that now!) in New Orleans April 11 with their own show at the Varsity Theatre April 12. The Baton Rouge performance maarks the beginning of Local Natives’ own roster of concert dates well into the summer. Tracks to get you ready for the show: Hummingbird‘s “Heavy Feet,” Gorilla Manor‘s “Airplanes.” varsitytheatre.com

APRIL 4: Southern Soul Assembly features songs, stories and more from talented songwriters Marc Broussard, JJ Grey, Luther Dickinson and Anders Osborne. manshiptheatre.org
APRIL 10: Lynn Anselmo Songwriters Night, the monthly singer/songwriter showcase, continues at Chelsea’s Cafe. chelseascafe.com
APRIL 18: Local funk and dance band Lucy & The Gamblers takes the stage at Chelsea’s Cafe.
APRIL 19: Baths offers some glitchy and ambient electronic pop at Spanish Moon. thespanishmoon.com
APRIL 22: The “King of Surf Guitar” Dick Dale performs at Mud and Water. facebook.com/MudAndWater
EARLY NEXT MONTH: Flamboyant indie pop band Of Montreal plays Spanish Moon May 4.
IN NEW ORLEANS: French Quarter Fest features a really long laundry list of performers April 10-13. Acclaimed Louisiana rockers Brass Bed play Gasa Gasa April 11.