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 morning hours. 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 April

French Quarter Festival

French Quarter Fest is the largest showcase of Louisiana music in the world held this year from April 21-24. Catch dozens of performances throughout the festival weekend, including sets from Sweet Crude, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Corey Henry & the Tremé Funktet, and more.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Jazz Fest returns after two long years with an all star lineup of  performers, including The Who, Stevie Nicks, Jimmy Buffet & the Coral Reefer Band, Luke Combs, Lionel Richie, The Black Crowes, Willie Nelson, Erykah Badu, and more. It all kicks off on April 29 at the Fairgrounds Race Course. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Jazz Fest here. Tickets start at $80.

Wednesday at the Square

We love Wednesday at the Square for many reasons: it’s a fundraiser for the Young Leadership Council, it features great local musicians and vendors, it’s free to attend, and it’s held every hump day, like a balm for your midweek blues. The 2022 spring series kicks off at Lafayette Square on March 16 and concludes on May 18. The lineup for April shows includes Lost Bayou Ramblers (April 6), Partners-N-Crime (April 13), Flow Tribe (April 20), and Tab Benoit (April 27).

Six of Saturns

Returning to the Ace Hotel New Orleans is Six of Saturns, an 11-day music event celebrating the collaborative spirit of New Orleans. From April 28-May 8, enjoy live music from the Brass-A-Holics, Jon Cleary, and more at the Ace Hotel’s Three Keys.

Jazz Fest After Hours Shows

Saturday, April 30

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue's Tremé Threauxdown

Saenger Theater

Catch Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue in the 6th Tremé Threauxdown, a show known for surprising the audience with special musical guests. 

Dumpstafunk + Friends 

The Fillmore

Local jam band Dumpstafunk plays The Fillmore with a little help from friends George Porter Jr., Cyril Neville, and Leo Nocentelli.

Wednesday, May 4

The Radiators

Civic Theater

Local rock band The Radiators take on the Civic in the week between Jazz Fest weekends. 

Friday, May 6

Preservation Hall: 60th Anniversary Celebration

Orpheum Theater

It’s a show you just can’t miss - Preservation Hall celebrates its 60th anniversary, a previously rescheduled show now set to coincide with Jazz Fest’s jubilant return.  

Nolafunk & Live Nation Present Allman Betts + Tab Benoit + Samantha Fish

The Fillmore

Catch this set from Allman Betts, Tab Benoit, and Samantha Fish at The Fillmore.

Saturday, May 7

Big Freedia

Republic

The Queen of Bounce herself will play a hometown show at Republic the second weekend of Jazz Fest. 

Poppa Funk & The Night Tripper & Trouble No More

The Fillmore

Another group of all-star local musicians take the stage at The Fillmore, this time to pay tribute to Art Neville and Dr. John, who both passed away in 2019.

Throughout Jazz Fest

Tipitina’s

Throughout Jazz Fest, Tipitina’s has music every night, with local musicians Anders Osbourne, Galactic, and Tank and the Bangas, plus Trombone Shorty’s annual “Shorty Fest.”

For even more music, check out the WWOZ LiveWire Music Calendar, and the Nolafunk series during Jazz Fest.