Backstage Pass - Your Ticket to the Hottest Shows in Town!

May 30, 2024
The temperature isn’t the only thing heating up in the Big Easy this summer. From sizzling country superstars and sultry R&B legends, to fiery comedy and Broadway shows, we’ve pulled back the curtain to bring you the hottest shows around.

Caesars Superdome – caesarssuperdome.com

July 5–7: Essence Festival of Culture
Celebrating 30 years with the theme of “loving on us,” this year’s “party with a purpose” pays homage to three decades of Cash Money Millionaires. Headliners of the multi-day festival include Janet Jackson, Charlie Wilson, and Birdman & Friends, in addition to many other renowned musical performers.

July 25: Zach Bryan – The Quittin Time Tour
Known for his raspy voice, poetic lyrics, and mesmerizing stage presence, the talented country singer-songwriter brings his authentic country music style to New Orleans. Performing with Zach are special guests Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit and Levi Turner.

Aug. 31: Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff
The second annual music and entertainment event, which celebrates the start of the 2024 college football season, will feature powerhouse hit-maker Eric Church, with top-notch performances from multi-platinum star Thomas Rhett, award-winning artist Jon Pardi and the incomparable Ashley McBryde.

House of Blues – houseofblues.com/neworleans

June 15: Allen Stone Summer Tour
The R&B/soul singer and son of a pastor, Allen Stone was immersed in gospel from an early age until he found funk and soul as a teenager through the music of Stevie Wonder. Billboard has praised his “disarmingly soulful vocals” while fans rave about his energetic shows that artfully meld soul, R&B and ’70s funk with modern pop influences.

June 22: One Night in Memphis
One Night in Memphis® is the number one booked and critically acclaimed tribute to legendary Sun Records recording artists Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley performed live and starring former cast members of the Broadway smash Million Dollar Quartet. Enjoy over 90 minutes of authentic rockabilly, country, gospel and 1950’s rock and roll. Be a witness to and experience rock and roll royalty with the music and talent that has stood the test of time.

Aug. 24: So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience
Robert Neary creates a one-of-a-kind tribute to Neil Diamond, one of the most dynamic and successful musical artists in history, selling more than 130 million records worldwide. With 40 years in the entertainment industry, Robert’s credits include three Broadway leads, and more than 60 major guest starring television and film roles. Now, with half a million fans worldwide and counting, So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience is selling out venues across the country and being hailed as the most authentic and professional tribute to Neil ever.

Joy Theater – joytheater.com

July 20: Tom Papa – The Good Stuff Tour
With more than 20 years as a stand-up comedian, Tom Papa is one of the top comedic voices in the country, finding success as an actor, host and author, in film, TV, radio and podcasts as well as on the live stage. The comedian has had five highly rated stand-up specials on Netflix.24.

Le Petit Theatre – lepetittheatre.com

June 6–23: The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest is Oscar Wilde’s trivial comedy for serious people. It’s a devilishly entertaining satire of the upper class about mistaken identities, secret engagements and lovers’ entanglements … and it’s probably one of the wittiest comedies in the English language. Pandemonium breaks out when the fictitious “Ernest” is involved. Can anyone save the day?

Mahalia Jackson Theater – mahaliajacksontheater.com

June 18: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents La Programme S.T.E.M. de la Louisianne
This concert is part of a series that is a musical dedication and tribute to the free people of color who founded La Société Philharmonique in Tremé. Tremé for Tremé and the LPO will present this inaugural tribute to composers and musicians who established a musical legacy in Pre-Civil War New Orleans, and 20th century symphonic masterpieces composed, written or made famous by Black artists and musicians.

June 19: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents Music of a Movement – A Symphonic Anthology
Tremé for Tremé is proud to introduce the inaugural Music of a Movement: A Symphonic Anthology (1950s–1970s) featuring Deepa Soul & The Love Soul Orchestra (LSO). This musical tribute is an anthology dedicated to masterpieces composed, written or made famous by Black people. The performance will include music that galvanized a movement in America and influenced the world.

Orpheum Theater – orpheumnola.net

July 31: Iron & Wine – Light Verse 2024 Tour
Alternative/Indie/Folk singer and performer Samuel Ervin Beam, better known by his stage name Iron & Wine, has produced seven full-length albums, including his latest Light Verse. Fashioned as an album that should be taken as a whole, it sounds lovingly handmade and self-assured as a secret handshake. Track by track, its equal parts elegy, kaleidoscope, truth and dare.

Saenger Theatre – saengernola.com

June 18–23: Clue
Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the fan-favorite 1985 movie and inspired by the classic board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

July 27: Lindsey Stirling – The Duality Tour
Few artists embody boundless creativity quite like Lindsey Stirling. Not only a multi-award-winning musician known for her genre-bending virtuosity on electronic violin, she’s endlessly dazzled audiences with her extraordinary talents as a dancer—an element she brings to the stage as part of her spectacular live show. The platinum-selling star pushed her boundaries even further for her seventh full-length effort, ultimately embracing a whole new level of freedom in her songwriting.

Aug. 25: The Australian Pink Floyd Show
Performing the music of Pink Floyd with note for note perfection, this critically acclaimed show has been astonishing audiences worldwide for more than three decades. Always striving to reproduce the complete Pink Floyd experience and bring the music to new audiences, the show continues to include a stunning light and laser show, video animations, state of the art, high resolution LED screen technology and other special effects. Additionally, and in true Pink Floyd fashion, there are several huge inflatables including a giant pig, and their own unique Pink Kangaroo.

Aug. 29: Los Ángeles Azules
Hailing from Iztapalapa, Los Ángeles Azules are the leading exponents of cumbia worldwide, bringing their music to the most important international stages and festivals. Last year, the group received its first Latin GRAMMY® nomination in the Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album category for their album Cumbia del corazón and it recently received 4 nominations at Premio Lo Nuestro in addition to a nomination at the Latin American Music Awards.

Smoothie King Center – smoothiekingcenter.com

June 10: Megan Thee Stallion
The rap superstar has been recognized for her musical achievements, including three GRAMMY® wins, nine BET Awards and multiple Billboard Music Awards for “Top Rap Female Artist.” Additionally, she has been honored for her advocacy efforts, having received the 2022 Special Achievement Award at The Webby Awards and the Trailblazer Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. 

June 12: Luis Miguel
The Mexican–Puerto Rican, GRAMMY®-winning singer and record producer has sung in multiple genres and styles, including pop songs, ballads, boleros, tangos, jazz, big band and mariachi. Despite recording only in Spanish, he continued to be the best-selling Latin artist in the 1990s, and was credited for popularizing the bolero genre. Latin pop music, along with showmanship on stage, has made Luis Miguel popular for nearly his entire career, which started in Mexico in 1981.

June 26: Peso Pluma – Exodo Tour
The international record-shattering music sensation Peso Pluma brings his highly anticipated 2024 tour to New Orleans. After selling out 54 shows in 2024, breaking numerous record awards, and winning a GRAMMY® for his album Genesis, Peso Pluma returns to arenas with an all-new show, inclusive of a fully reimagined set design and setlist, featuring his remarkable live band.

The Fillmore – livenation.com

June 14: Boney James
During his 30-year career, Boney has earned four GRAMMY® nominations, two NAACP Image Award nominations and a Soul Train Award, while a dozen of his albums have landed at #1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Album chart. A best-selling tenor saxophonist/producer/composer and one of the most successful artists in contemporary jazz, Boney turned pro before his 20th birthday and became an in-demand touring performer for Morris Day, the Isley Brothers, Teena Marie, Bobby Caldwell and many others before striking out on his own.

July 3: Keith Sweat
Known for his distinctive "whining" vocal style, the R&B legend, six-time platinum producer/singer/songwriter has continuously incorporated current styles, yet remained true to soul traditions. The talented artist has been bestowed with multiple awards and honors including Soul Train Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, and 13 American Music Award nominees including two wins.

July 11: Thomas Dolby & Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey
Perhaps best known for blinding us with science, Thomas Dolby has always blurred the lines between composition and invention. The English musician, producer, composer and teacher came to prominence during the new wave movement of the early 1980s. The four-time GRAMMY® nominee’s work covers a wide range of musical styles and moods distinct from the high-energy pop sound of his better-known commercial successes. Multi-talented performer, composer and record producer Thomas Bailey came to prominence in the early 1980s as the lead vocalist for the British new wave band Thompson Twins, which released five singles that entered the top ten charts in the United Kingdom.

July 13: T.K. Kirkland – Catch Me If You Can World Tour
Underground comedy legend T.K. Kirkland paints vivid pictures with his hilarious storytelling and jokes in a new comedy tour.

Aug. 2: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox – The ‘10’ Tour
When New York City pianist Scott Bradlee created Postmodern Jukebox out of a basement in Queens in 2011, his goal was simple: to remake the pop hits of today into the classic sounds of the legends of yesterday. Now, nearly a decade later, Postmodern Jukebox has grown to become a pop culture mainstay in its own right, having played over a thousand shows worldwide. One part celebration of vintage music and culture, one part “Saturday Night Live for singers,” a Postmodern Jukebox show is an unforgettable trip back in time that makes pop music history.

Aug. 30: Charley Crockett - $10 Cowboy Tour
Originally a blues singer, Charley Crockett strayed into other American musical genres, incorporating soul, gospel, and especially country. His musical horizons were expanded during his teen years when he spent summers wandering the streets of New Orleans and listening to brass bands, swamp pop and jazz. On his current $10 Cowboy album, Crockett adds a heavy R&B element to his diverse and unique sound.