[Courtesy of nicholaspayton.com]

New Orleans Night Shows During Jazz Fest's First Weekend

07:00 April 17, 2024
By: Audrey Campisi

Local New Orleans Night Concerts

Here are top picks for night shows around New Orleans to keep the music going over the weekend of April 25-28.


The New Mastersounds

Friday, April 26 at 8 p.m. & Saturday, April 27 at 11:59 p.m.

House of Blues, Tickets $35-88

[Courtesy of The New Mastersounds/House of Blues]

Hailing from the Leeds nightclub scene in England, specifically the Cooker, the band came together when Eddie Roberts was DJing, and the club's expansion necessitated additional music sets. In 1997, Simon Allen joined forces with Roberts, forming the New Mastersounds. Later, they welcomed Pete Shand and Bob Birch into the fold.

These four musicians constitute a jazz fusion powerhouse, representing some of the funkiest talent to emerge from the United Kingdom. The band released the single "Do the Sausage Roll" in February 2024, an ode to hip teen dance crazes. Their repertoire includes hits "Let's Go Back" and "Freckles," which exude an old-school groove reminiscent of the Crescent City.


Melvin Seals & JGB Plus Special Guest Ron Holloway

Friday, April 26 at 9:30 p.m. & Saturday, April 27 at 9 p.m.

Café Istanbul, Tickets $65

[Courtesy of Melvin Seals & JGB/Image by Bob Minkin]

Don't miss a stellar pair of shows presented by Melvin Seals & JGB plus Special Guest saxophonist Ron Holloway, as they wing their way back to Café Istanbul for two rock-solid shows chock full of high-energy jams.

The band's New Orleans debut shows last year were phenomenal, and the opportunity to spend a few hours with one of the most powerful and dynamic Hammond B3 players on the planet and his A-list band mates in the wonderfully intimate 400-seat Café Istanbul is a rare opportunity indeed.


Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue: Tremé Threauxdown 8

Saturday, April 27, 8 p.m.

Saenger Theater, Tickets $50-$75

[Image by Gustavo Escanelle/Where Y'at]

The eighth annual star-studded event hosts Troy Andrews, also known as Trombone Shorty, alongside his band Orleans Avenue. As one of New Orleans' most priced horn musicians, he is a Grammy Award winner for his work on Jon Batiste's We Are and a nominee for Best Contemporary Jazz Album.

His roots in Tremé fuel his unique fusion of rock, pop, jazz, funk, and hip hop. By 18, he toured with Lenny Kravitz, launching a stellar career spanning albums including Backatown, Say That to Say This, and his latest, Lifted. Shorty remains a living legend, embodying New Orleans' musical spirit with every note.


LP Giobbi: Dead House

Saturday, April 27, 10 p.m.

Civic Theatre, Tickets $30-100

[Courtesy of Counter Records]

LP Giobbi will host a dance party fusing the Grateful Dead with electronics for a party-loving Deadhead's dream. With her background deeply rooted in Grateful Dead culture and her experience performing alongside Dead & Company, LP Giobbi brings a fresh perspective to beloved classics. The release of her album Garcia (Remixed) reimagines Jerry Garcia's timeless tracks for contemporary dance floors.

Having grown up with Deadhead parents, LP Giobbi's connection to the music runs deep, and her performances reflect a profound understanding and appreciation for the Grateful Dead's legacy. LP Giobbi's remixes offer an immersive experience that captures the essence of the Grateful Dead's legacy.


Morning 40 Federation

Saturday, April 27, 11:59 p.m.

Maple Leaf Bar, Tickets $25-30

[Courtesy of Morning 40 Federation/ YouTube: "Bloody Sunday Sessions"]

The late-night show welcomes the gritty rock band from New Orleans' Ninth Ward. Born out of a boozy quasi-dare back in 1997, the band was forged by saxophonist Josh Cohen, and they've been tearing up stages ever since.

Paying homage to their roots, the band specializes in anthems for the denizens of dimly lit bars. Their hits, including "Corkscrew," "Gin Instead of Whiskey," and "God Help Me," serve as the perfect soundtrack for late night Jazz Fest revelry. Their most recent single, "Drunk Tomorrow," preaches to the choir, as the band self-proclaims, "It's like drunk church."


The Revivalists

Sunday, April 28, 8 p.m.

The Fillmore, Tickets $62

[Image by Gustavo Escanelle/Where Y'at]

The Revivalists, an alternative, roots rock band, will hit the Fillmore for an after Jazz Fest show in their hometown. Rolling Stone magazine highlighted them as one of the "10 Bands You Need to Know," celebrating their distinctive and eclectic sound.

The group's journey began at Tipitinas, where founders Zack Feinberg and David Shaw linked up with drummer Andrew Campanelli, quickly becoming fixtures on the scene. From their local beginnings, the group has opened for the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews, and countless other legends across the country. Their catalog, featuring hits like "Wish I Knew You," "Soulfight," and "Good Old Days," promises an unforgettable evening.


Six of Saturns: Nicholas Payton

Sunday, April 28, 8 p.m.

Three Keys, Ace Hotel, Tickets $30

[Courtesy of nicholaspayton.com]

Nicholas Payton's performance during the Six of Saturns Festival at Three Keys, an intimate bar within the Ace Hotel, promises an unparalleled musical experience to close out your Jazz Fest weekend. Payton, a Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer, will bring his unique sound to the Three Keys, which blends elements of jazz, funk, and electronic music and showcases Payton's mastery and creativity.

Coining his productions as "Black American Music," Payton brings true New Orleans culture and life to the post-modern music scene in the city. With Payton's eclectic style and the venue's atmospheric charm, his Six of Saturns performance promises an unforgettable night of boundary-pushing music and artistic exploration.

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