Fandiem x Tipitina's announce SAVE TIP’S Livestream Fundraiser

Tipitina’s, one of music’s most iconic and beloved venues, is fighting for its life amid shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But far from throwing in the towel, the legendary New Orleans venue announced SAVE TIP’S, a virtual fundraising event featuring 35 artists including some of the city’s best-known performers and some big-name guests. Set for Saturday, November 14, the three-hour event will stream on tipitinas.com at 9 p.m. EST/ 8 p.m./CST/ 6 p.m. PST.SAVE TIP’S will feature artists past and present who have contributed to and been influenced by Tipitina’s magic since it opened in 1977.  Highlights include legendary performances by Professor Longhair (Tip’s patron saint), Dr. John, Fats Domino, The Radiators featuring Greg Allman, Preservation Hall Jazz Band featuring Allen Toussaint, and more. Music luminaries such as Willie Nelson, Funky Meters, John Cleary and Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Widespread Panic, Wilco, Taj Mahal, Jon Batiste & Stay Human featuring Trombone Shorty, Big Freedia, Juvenile, Billy Strings, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Tank and The Bangas, St Paul and the Broken Bones, and The Revivalists are also on the bill. Host band and Tip’s owners Galactic (featuring Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph) along with George Porter, Jr.,  Zigaboo Modeliste and Leo Nocentelli (members The Meters, the godfathers of New Orleans funk),  will be joining in on the fun, too. The event will also showcase exclusive backstage artist interviews with DJ Soul Sister and a special celebration of New Orleans music featuring tributes to Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, and Art Neville.

To support the benefit, Tipitina’s and Fandiem, a digital sweepstakes marketplace featuring virtual and real-life experiences catering to music fans, are offering an exclusive collection of prizes integrated into the livestream platform and performances. These prizes will include the Ultimate NOLA Flyaway: an all-expense-paid, three-day weekend in New Orleans featuring VIP access to the first return show at Tipitina’s; access to a New Orleans-themed catered soundcheck; band meet-and-greet, a mega merch pack from the venue, and more. Fans will also have the chance to win a virtual backstage “Zoom Hang” with Galactic’s drummer Stanton Moore and bassist Robert Mercurio. Sweepstakes are available now, and additional exclusive prizes will be added after the November 14 livestream event. Fans can enter to win at www.fandiem.com, with all net proceeds from sweepstakes entries benefiting Tipitina’s. Music lovers can also donate directly to Tip’s by visiting www.tipitinas.com/save-tips/ to help keep it afloat during these trying times.

Named for a Professor Longhair song, Tipitina’s has served as the epicenter of New Orleans music and culture for more than 40 years, hosting some of music’s most legendary acts and attracting hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world. But like thousands of other music venues around the US that remain shuttered because of restrictions imposed due to COVID-19, the club’s future is in doubt. 

Galactic, New Orleans premier power funk band for more than 25 years, bought the venue in 2018 with hopes of taking it to new heights. Those dreams were dashed by the pandemic, and the band had to come up with creative ways to save the club, including Tipitina’s.TV, a subscription streaming service featuring some of New Orleans brightest stars, and SAVE TIP’S.  “In late 2018, our band took a huge leap of faith to purchase Tipitina’s,” said Robert Mercurio. “It was not because we wanted to own a venue; it was because we had a chance to save our favorite one in the world. But now we could really use some help to keep saving this national treasure. So in true New Orleans fashion, we decided to throw one hell of a party to celebrate this musical institution.”