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Music

Taylor Swift played some unusual Louisiana shows before she got to New Orleans. See where.

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
8 hrs ago

Taylor Swift is no stranger to Louisiana.

Preservation Hall is closed for a multi-million-dollar renovation. Here's what to expect.

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Oct 11, 2024

The wrought-iron gates of Preservation Hall have been closed to the public since mid-June as the New Orleans traditional jazz shrine undergoes a multi-million-dollar renovation and expansion.

Jon Batiste's new solo piano album 'Beethoven Blues' reinterprets classical music

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Oct 10, 2024

Jon Batiste’s 2023 album “World Music Radio” was a pop album colored with global influences. It was big music meant to reach a big audience.

Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest, Chris Smither, Black Crowes top week's live music options

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Oct 10, 2024

Another busy fall week for live music in New Orleans includes a popular free festival and a mix of mid-level touring bands.

Was New Orleans the site of rapper/actor Childish Gambino's final concert ever?

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Oct 4, 2024

New Orleans may have hosted a bit of hip-hop history last month: possibly the last concert by rapper Childish Gambino, otherwise known as actor, writer and director Donald Glover Jr.

Gretna Fest, Lyle Lovett, NOLAxNOLA add up to big week for live music in New Orleans

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Oct 3, 2024

It’s the busiest week for live music in New Orleans in months, thanks to the NOLAxNOLA series and a festival celebrating its 30th anniversary.

A musician brings the legendary Brandenburg Concertos to New Orleans. Meet Luke Fleming.

BY DEAN M. SHAPIRO | Contributing writer
Oct 3, 2024

When a 14-year-old Luke Fleming first heard three of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Brandenburg Concertos” on a CD owned by his father, he was captivated. He went out and bought a boxed set of all s…

New Orleans singer-songwriter Joy Clark releases her national debut for Righteous Babe

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Oct 2, 2024

Over the past couple years, Joy Clark has plied her craft everywhere from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., to Brandi Carlile’s Girls Just Wanna Weekend in Mexico.

Photos: Taylor Swift skeletons on display at well-known, much-loved New Orleans front yard

By CHRIS GRANGER | Staff photographer
Oct 1, 2024

Read more: Ready for the ScERAS Tour? Iconic New Orleans Halloween skeleton display stars Taylor Swift

Allen Toussaint tribute, mini-conference, lots of live music are on tap at 2024 NOLAxNOLA

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Oct 1, 2024

Does the schedule of live music in New Orleans feel more robust this week than it has at any point since springtime?

New Orleans rapper Choppa of 'Choppa Style' fame hospitalized following car accident

BY KEITH SPERA and POET WOLFE | Staff writers
Updated Sep 25, 2024

Choppa, the New Orleans rapper best known for the highly danceable, hook-laden hit "Choppa Style" that was adapted as a Saints anthem, was badly injured in a car accident Sunday night, accordi…

LPO Happy Hour series heads to Zony Mash for a casual experience

Staff report
Sep 24, 2024

Casual classic with a craft brew?

New Orleans Opera stages Puccini's classic 'Tosca,' with powerful arias and lush orchestrals

BY DEAN M. SHAPIRO | Contributing writer
Sep 24, 2024

When the New Orleans Opera opens its 2024-25 season this weekend, its lead-off production of Giacomo Puccini’s “Tosca” will evoke fond memories for two of its principal singers.

Who was Browning Bryant? The singer on a long-lost Allen Toussaint production.

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Sep 24, 2024

Even casual fans of New Orleans music are usually familiar with every artist the Tipitina’s Record Club features in its bimonthly premium vinyl LP reissue series.

DJ Soul Sister, Shinyribs, Marty Stuart, Andre 3000, Cat Power and more music in New Orleans

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Sep 19, 2024

Summertime in New Orleans was slow for touring acts, but that changes the week of Sept. 19-25 as an eclectic mix of acts passes through town.

Bounce artist looks back with nostalgia on pre-Katrina New Orleans, where he grew up

BY ALEX RAWLS | Contributing writer
Sep 18, 2024

Rick Bickham made his name as Ricky B, whose 1994 bounce hit “Shake for Ya Hood” cataloged the parts of New Orleans where his audiences lived. Now that he has a book, he revisits the world tha…

At 20 years and counting, New Orleans funk band Flow Tribe still going with the flow

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Sep 18, 2024

In Flow Tribe’s 20 years of cranking out funky, good-time New Orleans party music, the band has found itself in some unexpected situations.

NOLA Gentilly Fest returns with a gospel tent, live jazz, a VIP experience and more

Staff report
Sep 18, 2024

Live music, food from local vendors, kids' activities and arts and crafts are all planned at the free annual Gentilly Festival Oct. 11-13 at Pontchartrain Park Playground, at Press and Prentis…

Photos: Celebrating Frankie Beverly with a second line through Treme in New Orleans

Matthew Perschall
Sep 17, 2024

After many struggles, Keane enjoying a 'Hopes and Fears' 20th anniversary victory lap

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Sep 17, 2024

ATLANTA — Keane and singer Tom Chaplin are a band and a man reborn.

New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne reacts to Super Bowl LIX halftime show snub: 'That hurt a lot'

By ZOE COLLINS RATH | Staff writer
Sep 13, 2024

The Super Bowl is coming to New Orleans in February for the first time since 2013, and, ahead of its arrival, Louisiana residents were crossing their fingers in hopes of seeing one local artis…

Jelly Roll, Chris Botti, Galactic and more music in New Orleans for Sept. 12-18, 2024

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Sep 12, 2024

With the full effects of Hurricane Francine unknown at press time, the weekend’s schedule of live music may change. If it doesn’t, look for a newly minted, and unconventional, country star to …

Frankie Beverly, voice of the classic Maze album 'Live in New Orleans,' has died

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Sep 11, 2024

Frankie Beverly, the husky-voiced, white-clad soul singer from Philadelphia whose band Maze enjoyed a decades-long love affair with New Orleans, died Sept. 10, according to his family. He was 77.

Big Freedia previews song from gospel album during Loyola University's Forum class

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Sep 10, 2024

Big Freedia went back to college Monday and staged a “Celebration.”

Following Bruce Springsteen on the road, one fan makes a pitch for a Jazz Fest encore

BY TYLER BRIDGES | Staff writer
Sep 10, 2024

If you could follow one band or musician, who would it be? Beyoncé? Phish? The Grateful Dead?

Childish Gambino's New Orleans concert was a high-tech, high-energy showcase

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Updated Sep 10, 2024

A Childish Gambino concert is not strictly a showcase for rapper, singer, actor, writer, director, comic and all-around creative force Donald Glover Jr.

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will perform 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' at season opener

BY VICTOR ANDREWS | Staff writer
Sep 7, 2024

Magic will be in the air and in the music Thursday when the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra launches its new season with an opening night concert at the Orpheum Theater.

Childish Gambino, Nellie McKay, a Rabadash anniversary and more music in New Orleans

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer
Sep 5, 2024

The live music options in New Orleans for the week of Sept. 5-11 include an actor/rapper and a celebration of a local record label’s 40th anniversary.