A week that includes New Year's Eve in New Orleans is bound to be a big one for live music.
BILLY STRINGS
SUNDAY-TUESDAY, UNO LAKEFRONT ARENA
Born William Apostol in Lansing, Michigan, and now based in Nashville, Tennessee, contemporary bluegrass rock star Billy Strings possesses a nasal twang right out of an Appalachian holler. His speed, precision and overall prowess on an acoustic guitar can be breathtaking.
In 2018, he made his New Orleans debut in front of a couple hundred people at d.b.a. on Frenchmen Street. Four years later, he played two sold-out shows at the University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena to close 2022. He added a third night to his 2023 New Year's Eve stand and is back for another three this week as his single "Gild the Lily" is turning up frequently on satellite radio.
Fans will be traveling from across the country to hear Strings and his equally skilled string players whip through original songs and bluegrass-style covers at the Lakefront Arena. At press time, tickets were still available, starting at $39.50 plus fees for Sunday and Monday and $49.50 for New Year's Eve. There is no opening act. A three-day camping pass for fans who want to spend the three days and nights on the Lakefront Arena grounds is $150; go to arena.uno.edu.com for details.
JUVENILE
TUESDAY, SAENGER THEATRE
Terius "Juvenile" Gray enjoyed a massive 2024. He spent much of the year crisscrossing the country for a 63-date tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of "400 Degreez," his multimillion-selling New Orleans hip-hop classic that yielded the cultural touchstone "Back That Azz Up." The Krewe of Freret honored him with a signature float. He and other Cash Money Records icons headlined the opening night of the 2024 Essence Festival of Culture in the Caesars Superdome in July. And on Nov. 2, he joined Lil Wayne, B.G. and Turk for a Hot Boys reunion at a sold-out Smoothie King Center during Lil WeezyAna Fest.
Juvenile closes out 2024 headlining the Saenger Theatre for the second consecutive New Year's Eve. He'll be backed by a live band and joined by his fellow Hot Boy Turk, hip-hop group UNLV and Mannie Fresh, the producer/DJ who produced most of Cash Money's classic catalog. Tickets start at $59 plus fees.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SHOWSTHURSDAY
Percussionist and vibraphonist Jason Marsalis plays the music of his late father, Ellis Marsalis, at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($35).
Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie are featured for the weekly Zydeco Night at Rock 'N' Bowl ($15).
FRIDAY
Saxophonist Victor Goines, a longtime member of Wynton Marsalis' band and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, leads his own quintet at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($40).
The Honey Island Swamp Band does blues-based New Orleans swamp rock and funk at the Broadside's indoor stage ($15).
Contemporary Cajun trailblazers the Lost Bayou Ramblers are at Tipitina's with Crush Diamond opening ($20).
Multigenre Midwestern singer and guitarist Paul Cebar returns to Chickie Wah Wah with Charlie Halloran & the Tropicales opening ($30 and up).
The New Orleans Legacy Coalition, a "New Orleans Family Affair," includes next-generation musicians Michael Mullins, Omari Neville, Bradford Lewis II, River Eckert, Rodney Weber and Tucker Godbold at the Maple Leaf at 8 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door).
Later on Friday, the Maple Leaf has The Nerve featuring Papa Mali, Mark Levon, Derrick Freeman, James Martin and Kyle Cripps at 10 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door).
Costumed cover band Bag of Donuts cuts up at Rock 'N' Bowl ($15).
SATURDAY
New Orleans funk and rhythm and blues keyboardist and singer John "Papa" Gros presides over his "Yuletide Soirée" at Chickie Wah Wah ($30).
Louis Michot & Swamp Magic put a contemporary spin on Cajun music at the Maple Leaf Bar ($15 advance, $20 at the door).
New Orleans master drummer Herlin Riley, who spent years with Wynton Marsalis, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Ahmad Jamal and Dr. John, powers his quartet at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($40).
The Creole String Beans are like a south Louisiana jukebox cranking out swamp pop and rhythm and blues. Hear them at a free show from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Broadside's indoor venue.
Tipitina's presents "Gimme Gimme Disco," a disco dance party inspired by ABBA. Tickets start at $20.
It's L'Eighties Night at Rock 'N' Bowl with a night of '80s pop ($10).
SUNDAY
R&B and funk keyboardist Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen are augmented by the Absolute Monster Horns, singer John Boutte and legendary saxophonist James Rivers at Tipitina's. Charlie Halloran & the Tropicales open the show. Tickets start at $27.
Trumpeter Kevin Louis of the Preservation Hall band leads a group of musicians from the now-shuttered Palm Court Jazz Café for two sets at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($35).
Contemporary bluegrass band Sicard Hollow kicks off the first of two consecutive late-night shows at Chickie Wah Wah, timed to catch fans leaving the Billy Strings shows at the UNO Lakefront Arena. Showtime is 11 p.m.; tickets are $30.
Popular cover band The Topcats is at Rock 'N' Bowl ($10).
The Broadside presents the 11th annual Aug Fest, which doubles as a 13th birthday celebration for guitarist August Doussan, of Hell Priests, a kids metal band affiliated with the School of Rock. The all-ages showcase of young musicians will also include sit-ins by adult members of the local music community. The show starts at 5 p.m.; suggested donation at the door is $10.
MONDAY
Hyphenated New Orleans rock-funk-jazz band Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes hits Tipitina's ($15).
Singer and entertainer Charmaine Neville holds down her regular Monday gig at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($25).
Horn-heavy cover band the Bucktown Allstars does its thing at Rock 'N' Bowl ($15).
Sicard Hollow is back at Chickie Wah Wah for its second night, starting around 11 p.m.
TUESDAY
Want to ring in 2025 with live music? New Year's Eve options:
Guitarist Anders Osborne and his band plug in at Chickie Wah Wah with the Dave Jordan Trio opening ($60).
Mardi Gras Indian funk band The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux holds court at the Maple Leaf Bar ($35 advance, $40 at the door).
Juvenile hosts his New Orleans hip-hop blowout at the Saenger Theatre with Hot Boy Turk, UNLV and Mannie Fresh.
Galactic featuring Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph funks up Tipitina's for its annual New Year's Eve celebration. Big Chief Juan Pardo's Tribal Gold opens the show. Tickets start at $81; VIP options are also available.
Trumpeter Ashlin Parker & Trumpet Mafia are joined by jazz vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa at Snug Harbor. For New Year's Eve, the venue alters its usual show times to 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 for the early show and $55 for the late show.
The Boogie Men crank out horn-heavy R&B and soul at Rock 'N' Bowl ($30; reserved tables and lanes are also available).
WEDNESDAY
Kick off the first day of 2025 with trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra at Snug Harbor ($40).