The New Orleans-based band are taking on the clubs for their second Freezestyle tour. The 2003 version features Galactic on a six-week journey around the South, with a special three-night run in Colorado.

The tour begins January 23 with a show at Tipitina’s. Bluesman Corey Harris and pianoman Henry Butler are supporting as part of the legendary club’s 25th anniversary celebration. Other opening acts along the way include Medeski, Martin & Wood, and DJ Z-Trip. Additional special guest performers will be announced as the tour draws near.

Wrapping up the Freezestyle outing are two performances in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Galactic will put on their own all-day music festival – a follow-up to last year’s Carnival Electricos – with supporting artists to be announced.

But, before all this Freezestyle business begins, Galactic will be treating West Coast fans to a rare run. The band will play San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, and cap the year with a show in San Francisco.

Last year’s inaugural Freezestyle tour saw Galactic recruiting the San Francisco Bay Area’s Triple Threat – which featured DJ’s Apollo, Shorkut and Vinroc – for the outing.

Although they’re easily slotted in the jam band category, Galactic are always pushing the genre’s envelope. They strive to present increasingly progressive sounds and performance formats, and do so through media and musical partnerships with artists varying from Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe to Kid Koala.

This fall’s Sight & Sound Tour found Galactic sharing the stage with visual performers – one of whom created an original mural during the band’s performance.