Beyond the Big Names: 5 Up-and-Coming NOLA Bands You’ll See at the New Jimmy’s
The walls of Jimmy’s Music Club are a museum of legends. The names are whispered with reverence: The Meters, The Neville Brothers, The Cold, Nine Inch Nails. But Jimmy’s was never just a museum. It was, and is, an incubator. It was the place where “a young, untested rock band could score a gig,” the stage where new sounds were born and entire scenes were forged.
As the club is reborn, that mission is more vital than ever. The new ownership is committed to not only honoring the past but also championing the future, providing a stage that caters to the local music scene and the vibrant energy of the nearby university crowds. While the big names will always have a home here, the true magic lies in discovering your next favorite band.
Here are five contemporary New Orleans artists who embody the diverse, trailblazing spirit of Jimmy’s. Keep your eyes on the calendar—you’ll be seeing them on the Willow Street stage soon.
1. People Museum
If you want to hear the sound of New Orleans’ future, listen to People Museum. This indie-pop project, led by Claire Givens and Jeremy Phipps, creates a lush, cinematic soundscape that blends electronic beats with haunting vocals and trombone. They are part of a new wave of artists pushing the city’s musical boundaries. With a coveted spot on the 2025 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival lineup, People Museum is a band on the rise, perfectly suited for a venue that has always celebrated innovation.
2. Erica Falls
The tradition of powerhouse soul and funk vocalists runs deep at Jimmy’s, and Erica Falls is carrying that torch with undeniable grace and power. A familiar voice to anyone who follows the New Orleans scene, Falls has performed with legends and is a formidable bandleader in her own right. Her appearances at major events like the Congo Square Rhythms Festival and NOLA Funk Fest solidify her status as modern-day funk royalty. Her electrifying stage presence is a perfect match for the club that was once home to the city’s most iconic performers.
3. Joy Clark
Sometimes the most powerful music is the most personal. Joy Clark is a singer-songwriter and guitarist whose soulful, folk-infused music tells stories that resonate deeply. A rising star in the city’s Americana scene, Clark is a perfect example of the local talent thriving right in the club’s backyard, with performances scheduled at the neighboring Carrollton Station. Her intimate and heartfelt style showcases the versatility of the new Jimmy’s, proving it’s a space for quiet intensity as well as thunderous rock.
4. Boyfriend
Provocative, theatrical, and utterly unique, Boyfriend is the spiritual heir to the rebellious, punk-adjacent spirit that once defined Jimmy’s. Her “rap-cabaret” is a high-energy spectacle of intricate rhymes, elaborate costumes, and razor-sharp social commentary that has been championed by local music tastemakers. In a city known for tradition, Boyfriend is a blast of fresh, convention-defying air—exactly the kind of artist who will connect with a new generation of fans looking for something bold and different.
5. The N’th Power
Channeling the spirits of both funk royalty and rock-and-roll power, The N’th Power is a band that feels tailor-made for the dual soul of Jimmy’s Music Club. This dynamic trio blends soul, funk, rock, and world music into a transcendent live experience. Their acclaimed performances, including a feature at the 2025 Congo Square Rhythms Festival, showcase a band at the peak of its powers. They are a testament to the enduring power of groove and a perfect fit for a stage built on it.