Amid myriad Jazz Fest afterparties throughout New Orleans, The Meters reunited last night for the first time in nearly a decade, playing to a sold-out crowd at The Fillmore. The concert marked the first time George Porter Jr. (bass), Leo Nocentelli (guitar), and Zigaboo Modeliste (drums) reunited under the Meters banner since founding singer and keyboardist Art Neville‘s death in 2019.
Friday’s long-awaited reunion featured Dumpstaphunk keyboardist Ivan Neville in the place of his uncle. Art’s brother, Cyril Neville, also joined The Meters on percussion and frequently took the spotlight for lead vocals and dance moves that—at 77 years old—could put much younger Jazz Fest revelers in the crowd to shame. Additionally, The Meters expanded their lineup with horns and backing vocalists from Dumpstaphunk, who opened the show.
The show was rooted in family and tradition from the beginning, as Art’s daughter, Arthel Neville, introduced the band following montages of archival Meters footage. Friday’s setlist included some of the band’s most well-known songs like “Fire on the Bayou”, “People Say”, and a “Hey Pockey Way” encore, but notably omitted their instrumental R&B standard “Cissy Strut”…