An insider's guide to the music scene in New Orleans

New Orleans tantalizes the senses with its mouthwatering cuisine, stunning architecture, and most notably, its rich musical heritage.

Here, you can experience live music every single night of the year, with the Livewire serving as a thorough resource for local music, curated by the dedicated team at WWOZ, a radio station celebrating the city's unique sounds. How many cities of this size (370,000) can boast a radio station that champions its local music scene alongside literature, films, and television?

What makes music so vital to New Orleans?

Music has long been a powerful means for early New Orleanians to express themselves against oppression. French colonizers allowed enslaved Africans a day of rest each week; during this time, they gathered in Congo Square, located in present-day Treme, reconnecting with their African roots. These gatherings later included the Free People of Color—free black or mixed-race individuals, a rarity elsewhere in the country but common here.

The Free People often received training in classical instruments such as the violin and piano. When American marching bands passed through during the Civil War, the blend of classical musical skills, African-inspired rhythms, and access to brass instruments led to the birth of jazz, which was initially performed in local bars and brothels before spreading across the nation. Jazz has since nurtured all subsequent New Orleans music and arguably shaped American pop music as a whole, illustrating how histories of struggle and displacement can transform into beauty and art—a quintessentially New Orleanian lesson.

What music resonates with the people?

When discussing the local sound, the music that New Orleans has cultivated is undeniably jazz and its various forms. Brass band music plays a key role in second lines, urban parades organized by Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, which have been foundational to the African American community. If you're interested in participating in a second line, and we highly recommend it, everything you need to know is right here.

Hip-hop is incredibly popular, with bounce being the go-to sound for millennials and older (while Gen Z tends to prefer trap and similar genres). Bounce, a unique twist on hip-hop, features a fast-paced 'triggerman' beat and is known for its dancefloor twerking, credited to New Orleans pioneers TT Tucker and DJ Irv with the 1991 track Where Dey At, or possibly DJ Jubilee in 1993.

That said, you can find virtually any genre of music in New Orleans. At a bar like BJ’s in the Bywater, you might catch Cajun electronica from Louis Michot or roots folk from Sam Doores. Swifties go just as wild for Taylor here as they do everywhere else. Heavy metal and punk rock take the stage at Goat and Siberia, and there’s even a band dedicated to sea shanties: the Valparaiso Men’s Chorus, a lively group known for their rhythmic, stomping harmonies.

Where can I catch some music?

Any night of the year, you can simply stroll along Frenchmen Street. Music will fill the air, crowds will be mingling, and drinks will be plentiful. Pass by an open door with keen ears; if the sounds are enticing, don't hesitate to step inside.

Tipitina’s: While New Orleans boasts a vibrant music scene, it is predominantly home to smaller venues. Tips, as it’s affectionately known, is the most iconic mid-sized venue in the city, named after a song by Professor Longhair that combines playful babble with a bird-like piano melody. Once a gym and then a brothel, it transformed into a concert hall; WWOZ even recorded performances here by lowering a microphone through the ceiling. It’s packed, historic, and guaranteed to offer you a night you'll cherish in your later years.

The Saturn Bar: If the Spotted Cat appears precarious, the Saturn Bar resembles a house of cards in a strong wind. Located on St. Claude Avenue, a notable area of downtown gentrification, the inside only gets wilder. Worn stairs lead to a balcony that sways with the crowd, which often dances to a diverse range of genres from punk to funk to cumbia to hip-hop.

Vaughan’s: Another venue that gives off the vibe of “is this roof going to cave in?” Vaughan’s is a neighborhood bar in the Bywater. It’s important to note that this is more than just a local hangout. Nestled in a residential area surrounded by family homes, many locals drop by for a cold drink and to enjoy live performances by brass band legends, particularly on Thursday nights. Dancing on Vaughan’s wooden floor at an unconventional hour should definitely be on your bucket list.

The Spotted Cat: A wave of tourists rushes to the bar for a refreshing drink, weaving through locals and heightening the tension in a space where bodies and beers are closely packed. But as the musicians take their places on stage, smiles spread throughout the crowd. Moments later, a wave of sweet, sweaty jazz washes over everyone, turning strangers into dance partners. Situated near the top of Frenchmen, the Cat is a tiny, seemingly rickety sweatbox, yet it epitomizes the New Orleans jazz scene; it’s a must-visit.

The Maple Leaf: Now shift your focus Uptown, just a few blocks off Carrollton Ave, nestled in one of those picturesque New Orleans neighborhoods that looks like a fantasy realm crafted by elves, if live oaks were the only trees available. The Maple Leaf has been around for 50 years and has a quirky charm; your parents likely danced here, and maybe even your grandparents, making it your turn to enjoy some brass music, funk, and a dose of Jon Cleary.

Chickie Wah Wah: Another venue named after an R&B classic, it offers a similar vibe to Tipitina’s, just with a cozier feel. Chickie Wah Wah is a delight, a small space where some of the city’s finest musicians have launched their careers. The schedule is impressively packed and well-curated; you can’t go wrong by showing up here.

Broadside: While the pandemic took many beloved New Orleans establishments, it also gave rise to the city’s newest community-focused outdoor venue: the Broadside. Attached to a local indie movie theater, Broadside has quickly become a vital spot, hosting a variety of local music legends in a space that accommodates food trucks and features an excellent bar.

When is the best time to enjoy music?

Summer tends to be slow in New Orleans, often swelteringly hot, but you might find some venues nearly empty if you prefer that atmosphere. For a bustling experience, many bands arrive during festival season, which spans from the end of Mardi Gras to mid-May.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, commonly referred to as Jazz Fest, is the highlight of these music celebrations, but don’t overlook the entirely free French Quarter Festival. The shoulder season in November and December can also be a fantastic time for music, as there are fewer tourists, the weather is cooler, and New Orleans shines beautifully with its Christmas lights.

Outside of festival times, the typical cover charge at most music venues in New Orleans ranges from $5 to $15. However, around Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, expect to pay at least $20.