If you don’t get your fill of live music during the French Quarter Festival this weekend, the music venues of New Orleans have plenty of after-dark options.
THURSDAY
Dr. Michael White, one of the most accomplished traditional jazz clarinetists and composers in New Orleans, leads his Original Liberty Jazz Band at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $45.
Harmonica player and accordionist Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes fronts his Sunspots at Rock ‘N’ Bowl; tickets are $15.
Atlanta rock band Drivin N Cryin.
Atlanta rock band Drivin N Cryin made a name for itself with 1989’s “Mystery Road” album — it contained the fan favorites “Honeysuckle Blue” and “Straight To Hell” — and the 1991 follow-up, “Fly Me Courageous.” After many twists and turns, bassist Tim Nielsen, guitarist/vocalist Kevn Kinney and drummer Dave V. Johnson have just released a new album, “Crushing Flowers,” their first in seven years; R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and the late Todd Snider make guest appearances on the album. The band rocks Chickie Wah Wah on Thursday. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 plus fees.
The Bends are at Tipitina’s, with Common People opening. Tickets are $20.
The Revivalists singer David Shaw — he has two very good solo albums to his credit — performs at the House of Blues. Tickets are $42.
FRIDAY
In 1990s New Orleans, Tribe Nunzio filled nightclub dancefloors with a rhythmic brand of high-energy tribal funk. Original members Holden Miller, Jeff Treffinger, Vernon Rome and Joe Cabral, joined by Rene Coman on keyboards, Kyle Melancon on drums, Ovi Giron on percussion, Alex McMurray on guitar and Alice Redmann on backing vocals, will reunite at the Broadside’s indoor Pavilion on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.
Sunpie Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots perform during Mud Fest at the Louisiana Children’s Museum in New Orleans, Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Staff photo by Scott Threlkeld, The Times-Picayune)
Justin Hayward, the guitarist and frontman of British classic rock band the Moody Blues, brings his “The Story in Your Eyes Tour” to the Orpheum Theater. He’ll tell stories, answer questions and perform with a full band. Tickets start at $69.
Globetrotting Cajun band BeauSoleil swings into Chickie Wah Wah for a 9 p.m. show; tickets start at $20. Later on Friday, Omari Neville & the Fuel fire up at Chickie Wah Wah at 11:30 p.m.; tickets are $17.50.
DJ Soul Sister presents “Off the Wall: The All Michael Party,” during which she’ll spin only Michael Jackson and Jackson family songs, at Tipitina’s. Showtime is 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 plus fees.
Clarinetist, saxophonist and singer Aurora Nealand’s artistic output spans many genres and multiple languages, from traditional jazz to songs sung in French to experimental music. Her Inquiry Quintet tends toward the more experimental end of her spectrum, with its blend of intricate structures and extensive improvisation. At 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday at Snug Harbor, Nealand and the Inquiry Quintet celebrate the release of “Songs My Others Taught Me.” In addition to Nealand on sax, accordion and vocals, the band features Steve Lands on trumpet, Oscar Rossignoli on piano, John Maestas on guitar, Matt Booth on bass and Tanner Gus on drums. Tickets are $40.
SATURDAY
Pianist Kyle Roussel and bassist Grayson Brockamp team up for a free happy hour show at 4:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor. Then at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Snug Harbor presents the Chuck Redd Vibes Quartet with special guest Jason Marsalis; tickets are $40.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is at Chickie Wah Wah in honor of fondly remembered North Rampart Street “brass band headquarters” Donna’s Bar & Grill. Tickets are $30 plus fees.
Homegrown hard rock bands Crowbar, Eyehategod and Suplecs hit Tipitina’s for a sold-out show.
Jazz pianist Michael Wolff, left, and drummer Mike Clark collaborate on a project called Expedition.
SUNDAY
Pianist Tom McDermott and clarinetist Tim Laughlin join forces for a free happy hour show at 4:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor. Later, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor, drummer Mike Clark of Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters and pianist Michael Wolff present their Expedition project; tickets are $40.
Drummer Wayne Maureau’s résumé in New Orleans music spans Wolfman Washington’s Roadmasters and the Joe Krown Trio, among many others. At 8 p.m. Sunday at the Maple Leaf, Maureau powers his own VieuxDoo Nouveau combo, showcasing original music that touches on jazz, funk, R&B and Latin grooves. Tickets are $17.
Nineties alt-rock band Toadies headlines Tipitina’s, with Vandoliers opening. Tickets are $35 plus fees.
Lacuna Coil rocks the House of Blues as part of the “Sleepless Empire Tour.” Tickets are $37.
MONDAY
On the marijuana holiday of April 20, aka 4/20, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes celebrate at 4:20 p.m. at the Maple Leaf Bar; admission is $17. Later, the Leaf hosts bassist George Porter Jr.’s Trio with guitarist Chris Adkins at 8 p.m.; tickets are $17.
Spend an evening with best-selling author and humorist David Sedaris at the Orpheum Theater. Tickets start at $40.
1980s synth-pop hitmaker Howard Jones, whose singles included “No One Is to Blame,” “Things Can Only Get Better” and “What Is Love,” visits the House of Blues. Tickets start at $37.50.
BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, center, on the Fais Do-Do Stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Friday, May 2, 2025. (Photo by Chris Granger, The Times-Picayune)
TUESDAY
Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, the throwback New Orleans jazz and soul ensemble recently featured on NPR’s “Tiny Desk” concert series, swings out at Snug Harbor. Tickets are $30 for the 7:30 p.m. show, $15 for the 9:30 show.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday is Jazz Fest Eve, the night before the opening of the 2026 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. So it will be a bit busier, musicwise, than a typical Wednesday.
Lukas Nelson holds court at the Joy Theater, with Sabine McCalla opening. Tickets are $46.
The North Mississippi Allstars are at Tipitina’s with Cedric Burnside. Tickets are $35 plus fees.
Chickie Wah Wah kicks off its Jazz Fest “Fest-o-Matic” series with the Desert Nudes. Guitarist J.P. Carmody and Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes bassist/vocalist Dave Pomerleau and drummer/pianist Andre Bohren first started singing cowboy songs together during the pandemic. Heavy on harmonies, they roll out classic country and roots rock songs on “Keep A-Movin’, Dan: Songs of Hydration, Vigor, Horses, and Wide Open Spaces.” The Desert Nudes’ show at Chickie Wah Wah starts at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $20 plus fees.
Following the Desert Nudes, Chickie Wah Wah presents The Band of Heathens at 10:30 p.m. The Austin, Texas-based band, now in its 21st year, is on the road in support of its “Country Sides” album. The Last Jimenez opens the show. Tickets are $25 plus fees.
Trumpet Mafia fires up on the lobby stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market at 8 p.m. Tickets are $24.
Contemporary jazz and blues pianist and composer Jill Butler brings her Joyride project to Snug Harbor for a free show at 4:30 p.m. Then at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., drummer Jarrel Allen leads the Uptown Jazz Orchestra at Snug Harbor; tickets are $45.
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