Although it’s a holiday weekend, there’s still plenty of music in NOLA this weekend. OffBeat highlighted a few acts but be sure to follow us on social media as we regularly share upcoming shows and flyers there. Enjoy your turkey and be thankful for the music of New Orleans.

 

Friday, November 25

PJ Morton (Fillmore New Orleans)
Show: 7 p.m.
Grammy-winning PJ Morton brings it home for the holidays with a set this Friday. His last major appearance in the city was at the Jazz & Heritage Festival in May and won’t perform again in the city until the Anita Baker shows in March 2023. The gospel and R&B superstar seems to keep on churning soul, earning his fourth Best R&B Song Nomination this year from the Grammy’s for his song “Please Don’t Walk Away.” He also racked up two other major nominations for his latest album, “Watch The Sun” nominated for Best R&B Album and Best Gospel Performance/Song. For tickets, visit this link.

Zita, The Bloomies, North By North, Whisper Party (Carrollton Station)
Show: 9 p.m.
Winner of OffBeat‘s Best Rock/Roots Album at the 26th annual Best of the Beat Awards, Zita will bring their nostalgic brand of ’80s-inspired hair metal and rock & roll to Carrollton Station. Lo-fi rock band The Bloomies sound more laid back and fuzzed out than their raucous counterpart akin to garage rock revivalists like San Cisco and Kasabian. Chicago indie band, North By North follows a similarly garagey sound but with a bit more pace and infectious melodies. Finally, young New Orleans band Whisper Party add an element of glitz and glam to the lineup with their funky, SALES-esque, lo-fi pop.

 

Saturday, November 26

LVVRS, The Band Melrose, Tasty (Gasa Gasa)
Show: 8 p.m.
With a bombastic delivery and sound, LVVRS’ pop rock built for stadium tours will hit Gasa Gasa, Saturday. The New Orleans band features heavy synths and pop sensibilities not unlike Brandon Urie of Panic! At The Disco. Another New Orleans act, The Band Melrose features two young brothers whose particular flavor of indie rock blends elements nerdy emo and high-energy power pop. Lastly, a born and raised New Orleanian, Tasty rides on the new wave of hyper-pop with a melancholic twist making his lo-fi trap stand apart in the genre as reverent. Tasty’s latest single, “Mama, I Love You” departs completely from the style as a ballad demonstrating his vocal chops and affinity as a songwriter.

Bayou Classic Fan Fest (Champions Square)
Show: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Artists Allie Baby, Denisia, Fresh x Reckless, Flagboy Giz, DJ Jubilee, Kr3wcial, Neno Calvin, Stone Cold Jizzle and Wild Wayne will perform this year as well as a high school band battle between rivals. The “Femme Fatale” of New Orleans hip-hop, Allie Baby has been making moves in the local hip-hop seen for nearly 15 years and is back with a little bounce in 2o22 with a new single and music video for “When The Shit Goes Down.” Many of the other artists have been making waves within the hip-hop scene both locally in the underground and beyond for many years. It’s a free event for all ages.

JAMFEST (JAMNOLA)
Show: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
A relatively young festival joining the pantheon of Fall events in New Orleans, JAMFEST highlights New Orleans music, food and culture. It was delayed last week due to the weather but is still happening this weekend. This year’s entertainment lineup features musical acts from John Boutté , Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, Buko Do Choro, New Orleans Klezmer Allstars Trio, Monty Banks, Kings of Brass, Dave Jordan, & Holograham. Food and drink vendor highlights include Ms. Linda Green – The Ya-Ka Mein lady, Bywater Bakery, MilkFish and Beaucoup EATS, and more. It’s a free event for all ages.

 

Sunday, November 27

SOULidarity (Broadside, 600 N Broad.)
Show: 7-10 p.m.
SOULidarity will highlight Black New Orleans-based performers, featuring DJ PJ, hip-hop/R&B collective glbl wrmng, Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, and a headlining set by Bounce artist Hasizzle. In addition to music, vendors, culinary artists, food trucks, and community organizations will emphasize networking, dancing, and Black Joy. A percentage of the proceeds will go to Hitts After Hitts, a black woman, New Orleans native-owned, local music academy that has 30+ years of developing Black and Brown musicians in New Orleans. This edition will also premiere Pell’s “Cruel,” $leazy EZ’s “Stuck Inside” and LeTrainiump’s “Go” videos on the outdoor big screen. Tickets are $20 for presale and $25 at the door.