Pitchfork

The Future of Music Coalition is best known for its efforts to help shape policy decisions about music and technology, but that isn't all the not-for-profit does. Wherever there are musicians in need, the FMC will be there. And in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, there are plenty of musicians in need.

Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker, R.E.M.'s Mike Mills, Audioslave/Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello, the Coup's Boots Riley, Steve Earle, Jackson Browne, and Allison Moorer will head to New Orleans from November 3-6 to tour the city and hold discussions with local leaders. The trip will culminate in a November 6 benefit concert at Tipitina's entitled "Future of Music Coalition presents: Musicians Bringing Musicians Home, A Benefit for Arabi Wrecking Krewe, New Orleans Musicians' Clinic and Tipitina's Foundation".

Over the course of the weekend, the visitors will play a private gig with local icons such as Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, Stanton Moore, and James Andrews at the Ernie K-Doe Mother-in-Law Lounge. They will also tour the city and learn about the reconstruction efforts.

"Since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city just over a year ago, New Orleans has seen an inspiring number of grass roots activist musicians working to rebuild their communities," FMC Executive Director Jenny Toomey commented in a press release. "This gathering is an opportunity to talk about music and activism in an environment that will support these musicians and draw attention to their ongoing struggle to rebuild."