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 April

French Quarter Fest 

French Quarter Fest is the largest showcase of Louisiana music in the world and it takes place this year from April 13-16. Catch dozens of performances throughout the festival weekend, including sets from Irma Thomas, Samantha Fish, Tank and the Bangas, Flow Tribe, and more. Check out our Ultimate Guide to French Quarter Fest here and start planning. 

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 

Jazz Fest returns from April 29-May 7 with performances from Lizzo, Dead & Company, Ed Sheeran, Santana, The Lumineers, Kane Brown, Jon Batiste, and more! Check out our Ultimate Guide to Jazz Fest here

Wednesday at the Square 

Wednesday at the Square continues into April with four shows: Mia Borders + The Quickening (April 5), The Suffers + Trumpet Mafia (April 12), The Iceman Special + Zita (April 19), and George Porter Jr. & Runnin' Pardners + Joy Clark (April 26). The festival is free to attend and is held every Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. in Lafayette Square. 

Justen Williams
Big Freedia

Jazz Fest after hours shows 

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Tremé Threauxdown 7 

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue return to the Saenger Theatre for another post-Jazz Fest jam session with special guests Dumpstaphunk on Saturday, April 29 at 8 p.m.  

Take Me to the River Allstars 

Take Me to the River is a film celebrating the music of both New Orleans & Memphis. See the stars of the film live in concert on Saturday, April 29 at the Joy Theater. Irma Thomas, George Porter, Jr., Ivan Neville, Bobby Rush, and more are scheduled to perform. This late-night show begins at 10 p.m. 

Toulouse Theatre 

Toulouse Theatre in the French Quarter has shows every single night after Jazz Fest. Check out the Soul Rebels on April 28, Stanton Moore + Ivan Neville + friends on May 4, and Big Freedia on both May 5 and 6. Check out the lineup here

Tipitina’s Festin’ 2023 

From April 27 – May 8, enjoy Tipitina’s Festin’ 2023 with performances from Anders Osborne, Galactic, North Mississippi Allstars, Dumpstaphunk, and more. Check out the schedule here.  

More music this April 

Los Tigres del Norte 

The legendary norteño band, Los Tigres del Norte, bring their Siempre Contigo Tour to New Orleans on Saturday, April 8. Catch this fun and lively band at the Smoothie King Center. 

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