This week in NYC Live Music, Galactic and Big Sam bring the NOLA funk to NYC to help us get in the Mardi Gras mood. Plus, we’ve got a few other interesting shows including Small Black, Superhuman Happiness, Railroad Earth w/ Cornmeal, Heartless Bastards and more. Read on for my weekly highlight reel.

The big-ticket highlight of the week is the “Howlin’ for Hubert” celebration at the Apollo, a benefit show to celebrate the musical legacy of Hubert Sumlin. The special guest list is a long one and includes the likes of Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Gary Clark, Jr., Elvis Costello, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Ivan Neville, Robert Randolph, Derek Trucks, and Susan Tedeschi.

For something smaller and less sold out, Small Black will bring their mellow indie electro to Brooklyn Bowl on Wednesday night for the Bowl’s “Local X” series (featuring local Brooklyn bands). Despite the gag-worthy “chillwave” label people keep using for their music, I’m generally digging what these guys are doing.

Hot off their recent opening slot for Rubblebucket at the Bowery, Superhuman Happiness is back for more eclectic, horn-laden grooves. This week they’re at Zebulon in Williamsburg.

The Best Buy Theatre goes full-on bluegrass hoedown this weekend with Railroad Earth and Cornmeal.

Railroad Earth

Cornmeal

A band I have been hearing a lot about lately is Heartless Bastards. I don’t know them that well, but I dig what I’ve heard so far. They’re at Webster Hall on Friday, so clearly they’re doing something right.

Mardi Gras kicks off this week and Big Sam’s Funky Nation is helping bring the funk party to NYC, playing Brooklyn Bowl this Friday.

For an even bigger NOLA throwdown, look no further than Terminal 5 this Saturday for Galactic. They’ll be playing with special guests Corey Glover (of Living Colour), Corey Henry (of Rebirth Brass Band), and with opening acts Steel Pulse and The Soul Rebels.

If you prefer your funk grooves a bit on the jazzier side, then check out Billy Martin and Wil Blades Duo at Brooklyn Bowl on Sunday night.

As always, those are just a few of the highlights as I see ‘em. Read on for other interesting shows this week in NYC….

Interesting shows from this week’s NYC concert calendar:

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Nels Cline @ Le Poisson Rouge

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21
meh, take a night off

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Bjork @ Roseland Ballroom
Black Joe Lewis and Flogging Molly @ Manhattan Center
Small Black @ Brooklyn Bowl

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Alecia Chakour, Nigel Hall, and The London Souls @ Brooklyn Bowl
Bill Frisell, Hank Roberts, Robin Holcomb, Doug Weiselman, Kenny Wollesen @ Park Avenue Armory
Superhuman Happiness @ Zebulon
Zee Avi @ Knitting Factory

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24
EPMD, Redman, Das EFX, The H.I.T. Squad @ Best Buy Theater
HOWLIN’ FOR HUBERT – CELEBRATING THE MUSICAL LEGACY OF HUBERT SUMLIN @ Apollo Theater
Lineup includes: Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Gary Clark Jr., Keb’ Mo’, Ivan Neville, David Johansen, Robert Randolph, Kim Wilson, Derek Trucks, Jimmy Vaughan, Kenny Wayne Shepherd,Susan Tedeschi, Shemekia Copeland, James Cotton
Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Tragedy @ Brooklyn Bowl
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad @ Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2)
Heartless Bastards @ Webster Hall
Regina Spektor @ Lincoln Center
Sharon Van Etten and Shearwater @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg
Twiddle, FiKus @ Sullivan Hall

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Ben Lee @ City Winery
Bjork @ Roseland Ballroom
Dopapod, Turbine @ Sullivan Hall
Islands @ Le Poisson Rouge
Railroad Earth w/ Cornmeal @ Best Buy Theater
Sharon Van Etten, Shearwater @ Bowery Ballroom
Galactic w/ Steel Pulse @ Terminal 5

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Billy Martin and Wil Blades Duo @ Brooklyn Bowl
Marc Ribot @ Iridium Jazz Club
Sharon Van Etten w/ Carter Tanton, Glass Ghost @ Bowery Ballroom
YACHT w/ Young Magic @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg