The run up to New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Eve itself, is well-stocked with live music in New Orleans.
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER
SUNDAY, SAENGER THEATER
In 1975, Mannheim Steamroller, the musical project of composer Chip Davis, released its debut album of neo-classical New Age rock, “Fresh Aire.” More hit “Aire” albums followed.
In 1984, the Steamroller really picked up steam with its first Christmas-themed album. It sold millions of copies, as did the sequels “A Fresh Aire Christmas” and “Christmas In the Aire,” as Davis and his collaborators interwove new compositions alongside reimagined traditional Christmas carols. Mannheim Steamroller’s music turned up everywhere from NFL games in December to Rush Limbaugh’s radio broadcasts; it is now part of the soundtrack of the season.
As does Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller puts two separate companies on the road to maximize the number concerts in a limited touring window for Christmas music. The “red” Mannheim Steamroller troupe sets up at the Saenger Theatre on Sunday. Tickets start at $48.
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)
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SHOWS
THURSDAY
It’s a relatively silent night on Christmas Day. But legendary Meters bassist George Porter Jr. will celebrate his 78th birthday at the Maple Leaf Bar at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 at the door.
Also on Christmas, Keny Kerth Jass will swing out late in the afternoon at Rock ‘N’ Bowl with special guest Vince Vance. Doors open at 4 p.m. Admission is $5 cash per person. Later, at 8:30 p.m., the band Beach Face is at Rock ‘N’ Bowl ($12).
James Andrews & the Crescent City Allstars performs in the Blues Tent 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)
FRIDAY
On the day after Christmas, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band heads Uptown to headline Tipitina’s. Teenage piano prodigy River Eckert opens the show with a solo set at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32.
Singer Ingrid Lucia hosts her “New Orleans Holiday Revue” at Chickie Wah Wah with special guests Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Delfeayo Marsalis, James Andrews and more, starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 plus fees.
New Orleans trumpeter and singer James Andrews keeps the party going at the Maple Leaf at 8 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 at the door).
Drummer Jason Marsalis stages a tribute to the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro; tickets are $35.
Costumed cover band Bag of Donuts rocks Rock ‘N’ Bowl, with the Aqua Velvets opening ($17).
SATURDAY
Trombonist “Big” Sam Williams and his Funky Nation funk up Tipitina’s with special guests Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and Vegas Cola. Sean Ardoin opens the show at 9 p.m. Tickets are $22.
New Orleans pianist John “Papa” Gros presides over “A Yuletide Soirée” at Chickie Wah Wah starting at 9 p.m. ($25).
Keyboardist Kyle Roussel celebrates the Grammy nomination for his “Church of New Orleans” album with two shows at Snug Harbor featuring drummer Herlin Riley and vocalist Erica Falls. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets, if any remain, are $40.
Lost Bayou Ramblers
The Lost Bayou Ramblers and HollyRock each perform full sets at the Broadside. Tickets start at $20.
George Gekas, the Revivalists’ bass player, anchors a band at the Maple Leaf that includes Alvin Ford Jr., Andriu Yanovski and Danny Able, starting at 11 p.m. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 day of show.
Contemporary jazz and soul singer Kandace Springs plays two sold-out shows at the New Orleans Jazz & Blues Market.
SUNDAY
New Orleans-based Cuban trumpet player David Navarro & Tropical Jazz Secret are at Snug Harbor at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. ($30).
Beatles tribute band Newspaper Taxi pulls into Rock ‘N’ Bowl ($22).
MONDAY
Charmaine Neville does a broad spectrum of New Orleans music at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Snug Harbor ($30).
TUESDAY
Keyboardist and singer Jon Cleary and his airtight funk/R&B band the Absolute Monster Gentlemen hold court at Tipitina’s. Charlie & the Tropicales open the show at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $28; “premium balcony” tickets are $50.
Given the busy schedules of its four members, New Orleans modern jazz quartet Astral Project doesn’t perform frequently anymore. But saxophonist Tony Dagradi, guitarist Steve Masakowski, bassist James Singleton and drummer Johnny Vidacovich will be at Snug Harbor at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesday ($35).
The Bucktown Allstars serve up horn-heavy hits at Rock ‘n’ Bowl ($17).
WEDNESDAY aka NEW YEAR’S EVE
The Revivalists spend much of the year on the road headlining festivals, amphitheaters and theaters. But they typically perform in their hometown on New Year’s Eve. This year’s NYE show is at the Orpheum Theater. Fans who buy a ticket to the Dec. 31 blowout — which also features opening act The Rumble — can also purchase an add-on ticket to the Revivalists’ revived RevHeads Ball, a more intimate, in-the-round, reduced-capacity show Dec. 30 at the Orpheum. Tickets for the New Year’s Eve show start at $61.
DJ Soul Sister, aka Melissa Weber, performs during the 15th edition of her annual birthday jam at Tipitina’s on Nov. 5, 2021.
DJ Soul Sister will board her New Year’s Eve Soul Train at the Civic Theatre for the first time since the venue’s 20th anniversary in 2022. At the show, she’ll spin funk, disco and R&B songs on vinyl that were featured on the “Soul Train” TV dance show from the mid-1970s through the mid-1980s. The event also features “Soul Train” projections and Soul Sister’s Groove Express Dancers. Dancing isn’t mandatory, but it will be pretty hard to resist. General admission tickets are $35 advance, $39.50 day of show. A $135 premium ticket includes an open bar, balcony access with seating and other amenities.
When he was a celebrity.land anchor, Baton Rouge native Don Lemon’s boozy broadcasts from New Orleans on New Year’s Eve were always unpredictable. He returns to New Orleans to livestream his own show, “Don Lemon Live: New Year’s EVE VIP Experience,” from a block party-style event on Frenchmen Street. The Treme Brass Band will be the house band at the Spotted Cat while Glen David Andrews will be onstage at d.b.a. Big Freedia and other musicians, culture bearers and chefs will make special appearances throughout the night. Tickets start at $178 for general admission. VIP options are also available.
The members of Galactic ring in the New Year at their own Tipitina’s, with the Brass-A-Holics opening the show at 9 p.m. General admission tickets are $81; “VIP balcony” tickets, which include open bar, food and other amenities, are $225.
Funky party band Flow Tribe is at the Blue Nile on Frenchmen Street; advance general admission is $35.
Pianist Josh Paxton plays a free 5 p.m. set at Snug Harbor. Later, trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra swing out a bit later than normal at Snug Harbor: 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Tickets to the early show, if available, are $45; tickets to the late set are $65.
Boozy garage rock and R&B band Morning 40 Federation reunites at Chickie Wah Wah, with She Would and Sick Thoughts opening. Tickets start at $40.
The Boogie Men supply the soundtrack to the festivities at Rock ‘n’ Bowl. General admission tickets are $30; VIP and reserved seat options are available.
Sample funk and soul band Pocket Chocolate at the Maple Leaf (tickets are $27 in advance).
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