Live Music in New Orleans This May – Jazz, Funk, Festivals & More – New Orleans Tourism

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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. 
Jazz Fest returns from April 24 – May 4 with performances from Pearl Jam, Luke Combs, Lenny Kravitz, Laufey, and many more! Check out our Ultimate Guide to Jazz Fest here.  
Wednesday at the Square concludes in May with performances from Jourdan Thibodeaux et las Rôdailleurs + Bon Bon Vivant on May 7. The show is free to attend and held from 5-8 p.m.  
Returning to Bayou St. John May 16-18, Bayou Boogaloo is the unofficial kickoff to the summer in New Orleans. Arrive by land or by water and catch performances from Honey Island Swamp Band, Leo Nocentelli, Jelly Joseph, Big Freedia, and more. Tickets are $24.50 for single day general admission with VIP options available.  
 
Dew Drop Nights: After Fest Series features live music from April 24 – May 4 at the Dew Drop Inn. Enjoy performances from Big Freedia, Craig Robinson, and more! See the schedule here. 
For Good Measure: Nicholas Payton presents Phyllis Dilla ft. Sasha Masakowski and Karriem Riggins at Good Measure, located inside The Barnett, on May 2 at 9 p.m. 
Remi Wolf performs at The Orpheum Theatre on Sunday, May 4 at 8 p.m. 
Toulouse Theatre has shows every night after Jazz Fest, including Stanton & Friends on May 1, Boyfriend ft. Members of The Revivalists on May 3, and much more. 
Enjoy lots of live music during Festin’ at the Leaf! Check here to see who’s performing and when. 
17 shows, 12 days, all ending on May 4 with Dumpstaphunk! You won’t want to miss it. 
The Joy Theater Presents: Joy's Fest After Dark Series 2025. Crescent City Classics is an all-star jam featuring an intergenerational lineup of 16 powerhouse musicians—including members of The Meters, Dumpstaphunk, Lettuce, and more! Catch it on May 3. 
 
Head out to Lafreniere Park in Metairie for Cinco De Mayo festival, the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in Louisiana, with performances from Mannie Fresh, Partners-N-Crime, and more! Tickets are $38 in advance and $50+ at the gate. 
Every Friday this summer starting on May 23, head to Tipitina’s for a free concert. No tickets are needed for these concerts (ages 21+). The series kicks off with Brass-A-Holics on May 23 and continues with Gov't Majik on May 30 with more music to come each Friday through August 29. 
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. 
Lauren Saizan is a New Orleans native raised in the Gentilly neighborhood. In addition to being the editorial and online content manager for New Orleans & Company, she is also a member of Mélange Dance Company. Lauren has performed professionally in many venues across the city, including the Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, the New Orleans Museum of Art, Longue Vue House & Gardens, and Marigny Opera House. When not writing or dancing, she can be spotted sipping the Blue Eyes tea at French Truck, attending a concert downtown, or visiting a local library.
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