Music: Best Bets

The seemingly unstoppable New Orleans funk band Galactic hit the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan in July, followed by a tour of the Northeast United States throughout August. The band finally returns to Louisiana for back-to-back shows at the Varsity (Sept. 7) and Tipitina’s in New Orleans (Sept. 8) before heading off for another set of shows on the East Coast. Galactic is supporting their latest album, Carnivale Electricos, a fusion of New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro festival sounds. Check out their show at the Varsity with Corey Glover Sept. 7.

SEPT. 21: Their episode of VH1’s Behind the Music remains essential viewing for understanding ’80s excess, and now you can see if the Go-Gos still have the beat at the Manship Theatre.

SEPT. 23: New Edition brings the ’80s dance moves that even Beyonce envies at the Baton Rouge River Center.

SEPT. 24: Dubstep pioneer Datsik shows us some wub at the Varsity.

SEPT. 26: Supersuckers provides you with party rock at the Spanish Moon.

SEPT. 28: Papa Grows Funk keeps the funk alive at Chelsea’s.

IN NEW ORLEANS: Yeasayer performs at Republic Sept. 7. Stevie Nicks, Gladys Knight and Melissa Etheridge perform at the New Orleans Arena Sept. 22. Fiona Apple examines her prickly emotional problems at the House of Blues Sept. 24.