Though our beloved Saints didn’t make the Super Bowl in 2013, we can still roll out the welcome mat and celebrate the XLVII like nobody else — even if the biggest sporting event of the year lands smack-dab in the middle of town, in the middle of Carnival.

The musical heavyweights in New Orleans this week are aplenty, and by and large a rather difficult lot to catch in person: Halftime diva Beyonce, National Anthem diva Alicia Keys, pregame show performers Matchbox Twenty and OneRepublic, Justin Timberlake, Nelly, Swizz Beatz and Nas, for starters — in addition to other corporate affairs like VH1’s sold-out show with Train and CMT’s sold-out Rascal Flatts and Journey doubleheader, both at the Sugar Mill.

Gary Clark Jr. is among the "Friends" set to perform with headliner Stevie Wonder at the Bud Light Hotel Sat., Feb. 2. (Photo: Kim Welsh)

But if you can’t afford a couple grand for a Superdome seat or swing a spot on a private party’s guest list, fear not. How does a performance by Lil Wayne and Big Boi, or Stevie Wonder and Gary Clark Jr., sound (other than awesome, obviously)?

You have until noon Thursday, January 31 to enter to win a pair of tickets to exclusive Bud Light-sponsored Super Bowl concerts with Lil Wayne, Big Boi, the Eli Young Band and Lee Brice. The first two acts take the stage at the Wyndham-turned-Bud Light Hotel Thursday night, January 31, the second two perform Sunday afternoon, February 3. If you want a shot at a fine pair of sonic bookends to your weekend, go here now.

That’s not all. We’ve got seven pairs of tickets up for grabs to both the Rolling Stone LIVE Pitbull and Flo Rida show Friday, February 1 and the – wait for it – Bud Light-presented Stevie Wonder and Friends event Saturday, February 2. Simply fill out the form below, and you’ll be entered into the drawing. Entry deadline for the Pitbull/Flo Rida and Stevie Wonder performances is noon Friday, February 1. Winners will be announced at noon Friday and must pick up their tickets from our office (421 Frenchmen St.) by 6 p.m. that night.

A note: As with the Lil Wayne/Big Boi and Eli Young/Lee Brice bills, these General Admission passes do not guarantee you entrance — this weekend’s open seating concerts are limited to first-come, first-served crowds.

All that fine print aside, admission to these shows isn’t for sale, people, so consider this your official invite. (Bud Light will also stream select performances online.)  Click here to enter the first drawing, for Thursday and Sunday’s events, and scroll down for a chance at the Friday and Saturday shows.

And if you don’t make the cut, we’ve got several other suggestions for you.

Woldenberg Park plays host to the Verizon Super Bowl Boulevard concert series running Thursday, January 31 through Super Bowl Sunday, February 3. The lineup is a chance to catch the best of Louisiana music – free — from Bonerama to Amanda Shaw, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band to the Iguanas, Tab Benoit to Meschiya Lake, Bruce Daigrepont to Papa Grows Funk and many more. Click here for more information.

The 14th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, hosted by Kirk Franklin and Sherri Shepherd and featuring an all-star lineup — Fantasia, Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Winans, Bishop Paul S. Morton and NFL “Players’ Choice” Lecrae, along with a special performance by the NFL Players Choir including current and former NFL Players – goes down at 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 1 at the UNO Lakefront Arena.

For fans with some considerable green to spend, Rolling Stone magazine presents the Jeep Hero’s tailgate party the afternoon of the big game at Generations Hall — a $400-a-head fete featuring a performance by DJ ?uestlove and The Roots, a premium bar, swag and more.

Read on for a few other options around town.

Local faves Lost Bayou Ramblers take the One Eyed Jacks stage February 1, while Alvin Youngblood Hart and Muscle Theory play Chickie Wah Wah. Elsewhere, Ludacris performs a special show at Tipitina’s Friday; VIP tickets with tons of perks are available.

Also that night, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes play Uptown at the Maple Leaf, and Emily Estrella & her Faux Barrio Billionaires hit Maison on Frenchmen.

Come Saturday, February 2, Miss Sophie Lee will mark the release of her new CD – her third — at her Marigny establishment, Three Muses. Snoop Dogg/Lion smokes up House of Blues that night, while over at One Eyed Jacks, the Red Hot NOLA party will feature Partners N Crime and the Big Easy Bounce Band, Hot 8 and Brass-a-Holics. Or do the Super Bowl Shuffle over to Siberia, and an evening with “original dirty rapper” BlowFly plus Guitar Lightnin’ Lee and His Thunder Band, Super Nice Bros. and sounds from DJs Lefty Parker and Benny Divine.

Classic jazz fans should head to Snug Harbor Saturday for Dr. Michael White and the Liberty Jazz Band. The Davis Rogan Band performs that night at the Spotted Cat, and also that evening, Grammy-winning local stars Rebirth Brass Band play Howlin’ Wolf.

Whatever your fancy, check OffBeat‘s online listings for a comprehensive rundown of music options. Game on.