This story previously appeared in the 2024 Welcome Guide.

Listen closely and you just might hear the sounds of live music filling the air. Music has played an integral role in the Capital City's history, and throughout the year, you’ll find everything from nightclub performances to weekend-long festivals featuring internationally known artists, making Baton Rouge a paradise for live music lovers.

 

BATON ROUGE BLUES

Swamp blues originated right here in Baton Rouge, with the catchy lyrics taking the area by storm and still influencing the city today. With listening rooms that showcase the genre, such as Teddy’s Juke Joint, Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room and Phil Brady’s Bar and Grill, blues fans can catch some tunes all week long. For a free, weekend-long celebration of the swamp blues, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival is one of the oldest blues festivals in the country with multiple stages hosting renowned artists in downtown Baton Rouge each spring.

 

SOUNDS AROUND TOWN

Local artists rightfully receive love at bars, restaurants and cafés throughout the city, such as at The Brakes Bar, La Divina Italian Café and The Main Lobby, where both covers and original music are sure to be performed. Intimate spaces like Red Dragon Listening Room are also known for hosting popular regional acts. Throughout the years, Baton Rouge has been no stranger to hosting nationally and internationally recognized artists – The Basin Music Hall, Chelsea’s Live, Texas Club, Edge at L'Auberge Casino and Raising Cane’s River Center regularly host sell-out shows of musicians such as Riley Green, Kevin Gates and Lauren Daigle.

 

SERIES WE’RE SERIOUS ABOUT

Throughout the year, concert series are hosted by different community organizations in different parts of the city for a chance to wind down and listen to the music.

  • Thursdays – Rock ‘N’ Rowe at Perkins Rowe
  • Fridays – Live After Five
  • Saturdays – Levitt AMP Music Series at Scotland Saturdays
  • Sundays – Sunday in the Park

With a history enriched by music, a variety of venues throughout the city and homegrown talent at the core of it all, the live music scene in Baton Rouge is filled with genres for all to enjoy. Whether you’re planning your visit around a music event, like Federales Fest, or looking to add some tunes to your trip, your journey starts at visitbatonrouge.com/music.