Friday, Aug. 4, 2023 at 11 p.m. on KPBS TV / Stream now with the PBS App + Encore Monday, Aug. 7 at 9 p.m. on KPBS 2
Vaud and the Villains is a 19-piece band breathing new life into a 1930s New Orleans orchestra and cabaret show with vintage New Orleans jazz, R&B and gospel music all at the heart of a theatrical performance. With each band member having featured parts both musically and in the story that the songs tell in the show, their over-the-top style, part Sunday service, part rock and roll, part circus, is a constantly evolving show that remains buoyed to their motto: “every saint has a past, every sinner has a future…”
The show was inspired by the Bruce Springsteen's "Seeger Sessions" album and includes many of those public domain songs in their repertoire. The show, part concert, part revival show, part Americana Noire, part Moulin Rouge. The band has toured both the United States and Europe with club and festival shows playing everything from festivals with NOLA’s own Trombone Shorty to the Hollywood Bowl’s season finale as part of an event honoring THE SIMPSONS television series.
The band’s show has become a recurring Belly Up favorite over the last few years with several featured vocalists as well as a horn section, rhythm section and instruments ranging from fiddle, sousaphone, banjo, accordion and hurdy gurdy. On this episode, performances include “Going Back to Louisiana,” “It’s a Sin,” “Take My Hand,” “American Land,” “John Henry,” “Mad Mad Love,” “This Little Light of Mine” and more.
Vaud and the Villains is on Facebook and Instagram.
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