On Saturday, April 25, some of New Orleans’ pre-eminent talents and emergent acts will unite in solidarity to support musicians whose livelihoods have been effectively decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic through the Band Together Benefit.

The Band Together Benefit is an emergency relief production and online benefit festival aimed at providing financial support to New Orleans musicians in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. Local musicians known worldwide will headline the event and donate their talents in an effort to support the less established, up-and-coming musicians. The event is hosted by award-winning journalist Casey Ferrand. 

Band Together Benefit’s lineup features Grammy-winning PJ Morton, Grammy-nominated Tank and the Bangas, Grammy-winning Jon Cleary, plus New Orleans music icons including Ivan Neville, Stanton Moore of Galactic and Kermit Ruffins. Water Seed, Sean Ardoin, Nigel Hall, Cupid, Dawn Richard, Flow Tribe, Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, Glen David Andrews, Shane Theriot, HaSizzle, Fermin Ceballos, Kelly Love Jones, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, LeTrainiump, Elizabeth Lyons and Caren Green round out the performance lineup.

The Band Together Benefit takes place Saturday, April 25 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m local time.

“In New Orleans, a once-thriving ecosystem of live music and tourism is now gone, taking with it the opportunity for countless local performers to land the gigs they need to live,” says the Band Together Benefit website. “The month of April is traditionally the peak of festival season in New Orleans, during which time thousands of musicians are gainfully employed. Due to the ongoing pandemic, these festivals have been canceled or postponed, and we want to do something to help.”

Emphasis is placed on bringing forth megawatt, globally renowned New Orleans musicians in an effort to support the lesser-known talents whose daily gigs in places like the French Quarter, Frenchmen Street and second lines bring millions of tourist dollars to the city each year. Musicians on the lineup have donated their time and talent with the expressed goal of putting money in the pockets of those who need it much more. As the event’s tagline states, “New Orleans musicians united in rhythm, heart and soul.”

Musicians can apply for a $500 financial relief award through the benefit festival’s website (please note applications will not be accepted until 7 p.m. on April 25). Requirements include government-issued identification, proof of residency and proof of lost revenue tied directly to the pandemic.

The Band Together Benefit will stream directly from the event’s website. For more information, click here.