If you’re visiting New Orleans this April, you're doing it right - there are hundreds of shows to catch, from daytime festival sets to after-hours Jazz Fest shows that run into the wee hours of the morning. Live music is 24/7 in New Orleans, but we’ve cherry-picked a few can’t-miss shows for the month ahead. 

Music Festivals in May

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 

Jazz Fest returns from April 25-May 5 with performances from The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, HOZIER, Neil Young Crazy Horse, Greta Van Fleet, Queen Latifah, and more! Check out our Ultimate Guide to Jazz Fest here. 

Wednesday at the Square 

Wednesday at the Square concludes in May with performances from Ivan Neville & Friends + Le Trainiump (May 1), Lost Bayou Ramblers + Victor Campbell y la Timba Swamp (May 8), and Erica Falls & Vintage Soul + Slugger (May 15). All shows are free to attend and held from 5-8 p.m. 

Bayou Boogaloo 

Returning to Bayou St. John May 17-19, Bayou Boogaloo is the unofficial kickoff to the summer in New Orleans. Arrive by land or by water and catch performances from GZA & the Phunky Nomads, Quintron and Miss Pussycat, George Porter Jr. & the Runnin’ Pardners, and more. Tickets are $20 for single day general admission with VIP options available.

Six of Saturns  

Returning to the Ace Hotel New Orleans is Six of Saturns, a multi-day music event celebrating the collaborative spirit of New Orleans. From April 24-May 5, enjoy live music from Flagboy Giz & Brass-A-Holics, Lady Wray with Jelly Joseph, Cleo Reed, Nicholas Payton, and more at the Ace Hotel’s Three Keys.   

JAZZ FEST AFTER HOURS SHOWS  

Maple Leaf Bar  

Check out Festin’ at the Leaf 2024, which includes sets nightly from artists including Louis Michot, Miss Erica Falls, Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet, and many more. 

Toulouse Theatre   

Toulouse Theatre in the French Quarter has shows every single night after Jazz Fest. Check out The Funk Sessions series featuring performance from Stanton Moore & Friends, plus three nights of Tank and the Bangas. 

Tipitina’s Festin’ 2024   

From April 24 – May 6, enjoy Tipitina’s Festin’ 2024 with performances from The Iceman Special, North Mississippi Allstars, and more. 

Orpheum Theater  

Check the Orpheum for their Jazz Afterdark Series to see who’s playing nightly after Jazz Fest.   

Joy Theater 

The Joy has a few after hours shows during Jazz Fest, but we want to highlight Crescent City Classics: A Celebration of New Orleans Funk on May 4 with performances from New Orleans legends like Cyril Neville, Ivan Neville, George Porter, Jr., and Eric Krasno.  

MORE MUSIC THIS MAY  

Cinco de Mayo 

There are several Cinco de Mayo concerts to choose from. Felipe’s Taqueria will feature live music at each of its New Orleans locations. Or head out to Fat City Park in Metairie for Cinco De Mayo festival, the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in Louisiana, with performances from Mannie Fresh, Choppa, and Lonestar Luchador. 

Frankie Beverly & The Mighty O'Jays 

After more than 50 years of creating music and performing live, Frankie Beverly will retire this July. Catch him with The Mighty O'Jays on May 25 at the Smoothie King Center on his farewell tour. 

Tipitina’s Free Fridays 

Every Friday this summer starting on May 24, head to Tipitina’s for a free concert. No tickets are needed for these concerts (ages 21+). You can see Soul Brass Band + Le Trainiump on May 24 and Flow Tribe + Marina Orchestra on May 31.

For even more music, check out the WWOZ LiveWire Music Calendar, What to Do the Week Between Jazz Fest Weekends, and our Jazz Fest After Hours music calendar here.