Our Terms & Conditions | Our Privacy Policy
The week’s musical offerings in New Orleans include a festival that received a last-minute legal reprieve and a retro soul singer who is spending two nights at the Orpheum Theater (and hosting an after-party at Chickie Wah Wah).
LEON BRIDGES
THURSDAY-FRIDAY, ORPHEUM THEATER
Leon Bridges broke out of Texas with his 2015 Columbia Records debut, “Coming Home,” which showcased his retro-soul style and sumptuous falsetto and sold a million copies. Over the ensuing decade, Bridges has burnished his Sam Cooke- and Otis Redding-inspired soul with contemporary flourishes, even as he has remained true to his sound. His most recent full-length album, “Leon,” came out in October. Bridges brings “The Leon Tour” to the Orpheum Theater for two consecutive nights starting Thursday; LA LOM opens both shows at 8 p.m. Tickets for the Thursday show were still available at press time, starting at $79. The Friday show is sold out. Following Thursday’s gig at the Orpheum, Bridges hosts one of his “Jump Judy” after-parties starting around 11:15 p.m. at Chickie Wah Wah, with DJ Dash spinning tunes. Tickets to the “Jump Judy” dance party are $20.
Big Freedia performs on the Festival Stage during the third day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)
STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
BAYOU BOOGALOO
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
The fate of the 2025 Bayou Boogaloo, the annual music festival along the banks of Bayou St. John near its intersection with Orleans Avenue, hung in the balance until the very last minute. Hoping to force the festival’s producers to address some neighborhood residents’ concerns about traffic, parking, noise and other issues, New Orleans City Council member Joe Giarrusso held up final approval of the necessary permits until just a week before the gates were scheduled to open. In the end, the 20-year-old festival got the go-ahead to proceed with a slightly smaller footprint and a promise to reevaluate in 2026.
Boogaloo kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. with New Orleans guitarist Billy Iuso. The schedule also includes singer Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, Meters guitarist Leo Nocentelli and the Honey Island Swamp Band doing its Pink Floyd tribute.
Saturday opens at noon with Kirkland Green. On Saturday, you can also hear James Andrews & the Crescent City Allstars, Ghalia Volt, Alexis & the Sanity, the Crowe Boys and, at 9:15 p.m., Big Freedia’s Gospel Revival.
The Sunday finale opens with the Asylum Chorus at noon on the main stage, followed Bo Dollis Jr. & the Wild Magnolias, the Desert Nudes, the Tony Hall Band performing the music of James Brown, LSD Clownsystem and, starting at 7:50 p.m., the popular Alanis Morissette tribute band Jagged Little Pill featuring vocalist Alexis Marceaux.
Thousands of patrons will attend on foot or on all manner of inflatable and often homemade watercraft (all of which are subject to extensive rules and regulations). Tickets start at $30 per day or $50 for a three-day pass, plus fees. Go to thebayouboogaloo.com for details and to buy tickets.
George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners perform on the Shell Gentilly Stage during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Sunday, May 4, 2025. (Staff photo by Scott Threlkeld, The Times-Picayune)
STAFF PHOTO BY SCOTT THRELKELD
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SHOWS
THURSDAY
The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts stages its annual springtime Student Jazz Ensemble concert at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro on Frenchmen Street. Pianist and composer Michael Pellera, the chair of the school’s jazz department, will lead the student musicians at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.
Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble are featured for the weekly Zydeco Night at Rock ‘N’ Bowl ($15).
Tom Worrell is the week’s designated pianist for the 6 p.m. “Booker Sessions” show at the Maple Leaf Bar ($10). Later at 8 p.m, drummer Johnny Vidacovich is at the Maple Leaf with his Astral Project bandmates bassist James Singleton and saxophonist Tony Dagradi ($15 advance, $20 door).
FRIDAY
Tipiina’s hosts a “Graduation Throwdown” featuring Meters bassist George Porter Jr. & His Runnin’ Pardners. Apricot Jam & Homesick open the show at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $15.
The Desert Nudes, featuring Andre Bohren, David Pomerleau and John Paul Carmody, put their own spin on old-school country & Western music at the Maple Leaf at 8 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door).
The Jenn Howard Band and The Old Love share a bill at Chickie Wah Wah ($20).
Yolanda Robinson and Jolynda “Kiki” Chapman carry on the legacy of their late mother, Topsy Chapman, with their swinging vocal group Solid Harmony. Hear them at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday at Snug Harbor ($35).
The Topcats play hits from multiple decades at Rock ‘N’ Bowl ($10).
Ninety-two-year-old Charlie Gabriel performs with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on the Shell Gentilly Stage during the third day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)
STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
SATURDAY
Fans of Talking Heads, take note: Tipitina’s presents Tchoup Making Sense: A NOLA Tribute to Talking Heads. Grits & Greens opens the show at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $13.50.
Spend an evening with Layla Musselwhite at Chickie Wah Wah ($20).
At 92, saxophonist and singer Charlie Gabriel is still going strong, performing with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and with his own ensemble. At 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., he’ll team up with pianist Larry Sieberth at Snug Harbor. Tickets are $40.
Avant-garde heavy metal guitarist Buckethead — he wears a white mask and a KFC bucket atop his head for his performances — plugs in at the Joy Theater. Tickets start at $45.
It’s country night at Rock ‘N’ Bowl with Nashville South ($10).
SUNDAY
Cajun accordionist and singer Bruce Daigrepont and his band host their monthly fais do-do at Tipitina’s starting at 5:15 p.m. ($15).
Pianist and composer Michael Pellera anchors a trio featuring drummer Johnny Vidacovich and bassist Grayson Brockamp at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sunday ($30).
TUESDAY
Modern jazz pianist Jesse McBride leads The Next Generation at Snug Harbor at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. ($30).
WEDNESDAY
Keyboardist Jon Cleary plays a solo show at Chickie Wah Wah at 8 p.m. ($20).
The Pfister Sisters vocal group swings out at Snug Harbor for a free show at 5 p.m. Modern jazz drummer Adonis Rose & the NOJO 7 then take over Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($35).
Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.
Aggregated From –
Comments are closed.