Beat the Summertime Blues Noteworthy Musical Shows that Are Sure to Cure!

May 20, 2025
Don’t skip a beat this summer as music takes center stage in the Big Easy. From world-renowned classical master Andrea Bocelli and celebrated reggae superstar Stephen Marley, to one-of-a-kind comic maestro “Weird Al” Yankovich, there’s no shortage of pitch-perfect performances that are sure to strike a chord. If live theater is music to your ears, then Broadway hits Chicago and Ain’t Misbehavin’ promise to hit all the right notes. Rock on!

Caesars Superdome – caesarssuperdome.com
July 4–6: Essence Festival of Culture
For more than 30 years, ESSENCE Festival of Culture® has been a vibrant homecoming and cultural pilgrimage that celebrates Black excellence in all its forms. This year’s theme “Made Like This” will bring together the most iconic and influential voices in Hip-Hop, R&B, soul, funk and gospel for an unforgettable Evening Concert Series, as well as a marketplace featuring Black-owned businesses, powerful dialogues, a food and wine event and more. Headliners of the multi-day festival include Boyz II Men, Master P, Davido, Maxwell, The Isley Brothers and many other renowned artists.

House of Blues – houseofblues.com/neworleans
June 24: Thievery Corporation
Over the past two decades, Rob Garza and Eric Hilton have released eight studio LPs, two remix collections, two DJ mix albums, and have performed live across five continents. They have virtually defined an entire sub-genre of electronic music with their unique, international sound that melds musical genres from jazz to reggae.

June 26: Stephen Marley – Bob Marley 80th Birthday Celebration
Eight-time GRAMMY® Award-winning international recording artist Stephen Marley is never one to limit his musical horizons. Whether collaborating with his own illustrious musical family or with icons like Pitbull, Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu, the prolific singer, songwriter and producer is on the road celebrating the monumental 80th birthday of his legendary father, Bob Marley.

July 11: The Psychedelic Furs
Founded in England in 1977 and led by singer Richard Butler and his brother Tim on bass guitar, the Psychedelic Furs are one of the more successful acts spawned from the British post-punk scene. They scored several hits in their early career, but were launched to international attention in 1986 when film director John Hughes borrowed their song Pretty in Pink for his movie of the same name.

July 25: The Wallflowers
Founded in 1989 by frontman Jakob Dylan (son of Bob Dylan), the esteemed band has sold over 10 million albums and garnered six GRAMMY® nominations, winning two. While the group has undergone multiple iterations over the years, they continue to excite legions of loyal fans with their blend of rock, pop and folk, highlighted by notable songwriting and storytelling.

July 19: Barrington Levy
Barrington Levy's distinguished career as a first-class reggae vocalist began in Jamaica more than two and a half decades ago. Dubbed reggae's 'Mellow Canary' by virtue of his strong, pure vocal style, he is celebrated as the first original singer of the dancehall era.

Joy Theater – joytheater.com
Sep. 4: Here Come the Mummies
Here Come the Mummies is an eight-piece funk-rock band of 5000-year-old Egyptian Mummies with a one-track mind. Some say they were cursed after deflowering a great Pharaoh’s daughter. Others claim they are reincarnated GRAMMY®-winning studio musicians. Regardless, HCTM’s mysterious personas, cunning song-craft, and unrelenting live show will bend your brain, and melt your face.

Le Petit Theatre – lepetittheatre.com
June 5–22: Ain’t Misbehavin’
The inimitable Thomas “Fats” Waller rose to international fame with a jumpin’ new beat, swing music. Ain’t Misbehavin’ evokes the delightful humor and infectious energy of this American original as a versatile cast struts, strums, and sings the songs that he made famous. Winner of the 1978 Tony Award® for Best Musical, this musical revue is a sassy, sultry, celebration of the music and spirit of legendary jazz great, Fats Waller.

Orpheum Theater – orpheumnola.net
June 6: The National WWII Museum presents The Eyes of the World – From D-Day to VE Day
Following sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Boston’s Symphony Hall, historian John Monsky joins The National WWII Museum, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and top Broadway stars to bring you The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to V-E Day, a must-see program for history lovers. This musically driven, multimedia experience captures the dramatic final months of World War II in Europe through the eyes of war correspondents, photojournalists, and servicemembers.

Saenger Theatre – saengernola.com
June 10–15: Chicago
Chicago is an exciting tale of greed, murder and show business, filled with musical hits like All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle. Set in the 1920s, it tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer, who murders her lover when he threatens to leave her. Desperate to avoid conviction, Roxie deceives the public, the media and her cellmate and rival, Velma Kelly, and hires the town's most skilled lawyer, Billy Flynn. This lawyer will be able to turn the crime into a smokescreen of sensational headlines.

July 28: PRIMUS- Onward & Upward Summer Tour
Primus returns this summer with an expansive, coast-to-coast trek that marks an exciting new chapter for the band. The tour not only brings the trio's signature blend of musical innovation back to stages nationwide, but also introduces fans to drummer John Hoffman, whose recent addition to the lineup brings a renewed sense of energy, experimentation and groove to the celebrated outfit.

July 29: “Weird Al” Yankovich Bigger & Weirder Tour
Weird Al brings his legendary full-production, multimedia comedy rock show back to the stage with the BIGGER & WEIRDER 2025 Tour, playing his iconic hits as well as some never-performed-live-before fan favorites. Al’s long-time band is joined by four additional players to create a super-sized concert experience. The biggest-selling comedy recording artist in history, and five-time GRAMMY® Award winner will be joined by special guest Puddles Pity Party for what promises to be an electrifying evening.

July 30: Counting Crows - The Complete Sweets Tour
For more than two decades, the GRAMMY®- and Academy Award-nominated rock band Counting Crows have enchanted listeners worldwide with their intensely soulful and intricate take on timeless rock and roll. Exploding onto the music scene in 1993 with their multi-platinum breakout album August and Everything After, the band has gone on to release seven studio albums, selling more than 20 million records worldwide, and is revered as one of the world’s most pre-eminent live touring rock bands. Opening the show will be special guest The Gaslight Anthem.

Smoothie King Center – smoothiekingcenter.com
June 10: Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli is one of the most recognizable voices in the world. For three decades, his lush arias and stylistic range have made him the bestselling classical solo artist in history, selling 90 million albums worldwide. The blind, Tuscany-born tenor’s concerts are a testament to his range with a blend of romantic operas to pop duets. Over the course of his career, Bocelli has awed audiences from arenas and cathedrals to the Vatican and YouTube, where his 2020 “Music for Hope” Easter concert was viewed 28 million times worldwide within the first 24 hours.

July 23: Keyshia Cole
Dubbed the "Princess of Hip-Hop Soul," Keyshia's career spans music, television and talk show hosting. Acclaimed for her powerful vocals, emotional storytelling and raw authenticity, the GRAMMY®-nominated R&B singer celebrates the 20th anniversary of The Way It Is with an international tour. With over 15 million albums sold worldwide and an enduring connection to her fans, Keyshia remains one of the most influential voices in modern R&B.

The Civic Theater – civicnola.com
June 18: Coco Jones – Why Not More? Tour
Coco Jones has captivated the world with her timeless artistry, sensual voice and emotive songs to become R&B’s breakout artist. In the past two years, the multi-talented singer, songwriter and actress has been nominated for an impressive seven GRAMMY® Awards, including the coveted Best New Artist, and took home a win for Best R&B Performance in 2024.

The Fillmore – livenation.com
June 12: The Head and the Heart – Aperture Tour
The acclaimed indie folk band, whose influences include Americana, country-rock, and pop, broke into the mainstream in 2013 with the release of their sophomore outing Let’s Be Still, which peaked at the number ten slot on the Billboard 200 and shot straight to the top of the U.S. Folk and Independent Albums charts.

July 10: Flatland Cavalry – Flatland Forever (more) Tour
Since first emerging in 2014, the Texas and Nashville-based band has racked up six #1 singles on Texas Country Radio and amassed more than 500 million streams. Along the way, they have shared the stage with renowned artists including Willie Nelson, Luke Combos, and Lainey Wilson among others, proving that their brand of storytelling and musicianship resonates far beyond their roots. They recently earned their first Academy of Country Music Awards nomination for Group of the Year.

August 1: William Shatner with screening of Star Trek II – The Wrath of Khan
Set your phasers to stun! Prepare to be beamed up for an unforgettable night with the original Captain James T. Kirk, award-winning actor William Shatner. Following a screening of the classic Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan, Shatner takes the stage to share fascinating and humorous behind-the-scenes stories from his life and illustrious career. It’s going to be a warp-speed, once-in-a-lifetime adventure that you won’t want to miss!

August 24: Hiatus Kaiyote
Hiatus Kaiyote is an Australian neo-soul quartet that has been making waves on the international music scene since their formation in 2011. They are widely recognized for their unique sound, which blends funk, jazz, soul and hip-hop elements with thought-provoking lyrics. Despite their relative obscurity outside of Australia, they have gained a significant international following and have collaborated with some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B.

The Sazerac House – feverup.com
June 27 and August 16: Candlelight Concert – Coldplay Meets Imagine Dragons
Candlelight concerts present the magic of a live, multisensory musical experience to unique, intimate venues. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons performed by talented, local musicians under the gentle glow of candlelight.

July 10: Candlelight Concert – Jazz Tribute to Louis Armstrong
Tap your toes to the distinctive sounds of New Orleans’ very own, the legendary Louis Armstrong, during this multisensory musical act. Featuring the best of Satchmo performed by talented, local musicians under the gentle glow of candlelight, this experience is a must for jazz lovers.