Covid-19 dealt devastating losses to our musical community, both in the shutdown of beloved bars and clubs across the city, and the unbelievably tragic loss of some of New Orleans’ most treasured musicians. Unable to mark the passing of loved ones with traditional second lines and community celebrations of the beloved’s life and heavenly birthday, many people have been left without closure. In these trying times, our reliance on each other and the connections that weave the fabric of our communities and the safety nets they provide have become more evident than ever. But instead of unraveling and splitting at the seams, these bonds have become stronger than ever in some ways, and it has been truly miraculous to witness how the musical community here has come together as artists support and lift each other up. From live-streamed sets to porch concerts, the ingenuity of our city’s musicians was truly inspiring as they found ways to continue to connect with their art and their fans despite all odds. Now, over a year later, it seems that the traditional way of experiencing music is back, at least to some extent, with more New Orleanians becoming vaccinated by the day.
Recently, I had the privilege of attending Big Freedia’s first live show in over a year at the Broadside Theater in MidCity, the offshoot of The Broad Theater, created specifically to host Covid-safe concerts. The threat of inclement weather was no deterrent to the excited crowd who swarmed to the outdoor venue, buzzing with electrically drunken and almost frantic anticipation of the Queen Diva’s return to the stage. Finally, the moment arrived: Freedia and her dancers processed onto the stage dressed in flowing, royal purple choir robes. “Can we take you to church?” She posed the rhetorical question to the already screaming crowd. And then it began: DJ Juan spun the first track, the dancers high-kicked into gear, and Big Freedia took the mic.
A mass of bodies swaying in unison to the melody. Hearts all pounding one rhythm, locked in perfectly with the bass booming through the subs. The energy was unparalleled, and the emotion of the moment was felt by fans and performers alike. A collective experience of intoxicating joy and the absolute thrill of being alive in that moment: this is what I, and so many others, missed so acutely about live music during quarantine, a time when so many felt totally isolated. But sadly, New Orleans is no stranger to disasters, and since live music is so central to our way of life, it is no surprise that the musical community’s resilience held fast through this trying time.
Halfway through Freedia’s set, the heavens opened up and sent a deluge down upon the crowd; fresh water mixing with joyful tears in a mass baptism, blessing the Queen Diva’s return to her people. The emotional performance ended with Big Freedia tearfully acknowledging her team and her fans for their support throughout the challenges of the past year, as well as the losses of income; community; and most poignantly, life suffered throughout the course of the pandemic. Even though we as a community are not out of the woods yet, with 23 percent of New Orleanians fully vaccinated and 38 percent having completed their first dose as of this writing, there is hope in sight.
Though the Big Freedia performance was perhaps (fittingly) the most dramatic example of this cautiously optimistic return to live music, every show I have been lucky enough to witness in the past month or so, from larger gatherings at The Broadside to smaller neighborhood second lines, have hosted this same hopeful spirit. On the surface, these performances are obviously joyous celebrations of live music’s return to our city. But they are something more too. They are giddy outpourings of disbelief that we can come together again in community. They are fearless demonstrations of our commitment to our artists and their precious gifts of music. And they are wild, cathartic cries of We survived! We are still here! And we will continue to be alright.
Grace Hawkins is a senior at Loyola University studying music business and French. In addition to being a local music fanatic, her interests include baking, reading, and traveling. Grace is on instagram @g._.hawk.
