You may not be able to physically go to d.b.a. right at the moment but the 618 Frenchmen Street establishment can and will be coming to you. Owner and manager Tom Thayer was wondering about the fate of the bar/performance venue in July, after months of covid-induced limbo, when he was contacted by some folks at StageIt. It’s not every day that a bar owner in New Orleans hears that someone on the board of a tech platform in San Francisco has been a big fan of DBA for the past 10 years, but that’s what Tom was told.

StageIt, the Silicon Valley startup that is garnering national business media attention, brands itself as “an online venue for LIVE & interactive virtual concerts providing fans with a front row seat to a backstage experience.” While a partnership between a Frenchmen Street venue and SanFran startup may sound shocking at first, Thayer says he learned the founders were touring musicians themselves who had developed the app many years before COVID-19 when they simply wanted a way to make tour funds without leaving the comfort of their homes.

Now DBA announced that livestreams, in partnership with StageIt, would commence September 30 with a performance starring Walter Wolfman Washington & the Roadmasters. The Frenchman Street club has become known for presenting Louisiana’s finest musicians alongside many national artists. DBA Live will continue presenting the same artists that fans have come to expect at the club such as the Soul Rebels, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Radiators, Lost Bayou Ramblers, John Boutte, Little Freddie King, Treme Brass Band, Walter ‘Wolfman’ Washington, BigSam’s Funky Nation, Quintron & Miss Pussycat, Tuba Skinny, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Burlesque with Trixie Minx and more artists to be announced. (Update: Trixie Minx will perform Monday, October 20 at 8 p.m. and Walter Wolfman Washington will appear Tuesday, October 21 at 8 p.m.)

One thing that is especially unique is that all of the shows are live and not archived – just like missing a show at the club before COVID times, if you miss it, you can’t see it again.  “I think that’s what makes the platform unique and encourages folks to watch shows – they are unique events that won’t be seen again,” adds Thayer.

“The timing [of this] was a relief,” says Thayer, who admits it felt like covid restrictions were dragging on forever. “I’ve got to do something to keep my head above water. At one time we were putting on 17 shows per week and putting money directly into the pockets of 60 musicians.” Thayer insists the beauty of the StageIt platform is that the musicians get paid and there are incentives for tipping performers such as autographs and LPs.

Overall, the event space manager and owner is optimistic about the potential of StageIt. “This thing (covid) could drag on a few years and there will continue to be safety protocols in place. But this is especially great for high risk people who would need to stay home regardless. I still plan to be using StageIt no matter what restrictions are lifted.”

For a full list of upcoming performances and to buy tickets, visit here.