Mardi Gras weekend is always a maelstrom of activity in New Orleans, but most nights, the parades end around 8 p.m., leaving intrepid revelers in search of something to do. OffBeat’s post-parade  Mardi Gras music suggestions for 2018 will keep you dancing through the night all weekend, if you can handle it. Stay safe out there.

Thursday, Feb. 8 (Muses):

Sexy Dex and the Fresh: Stay uptown after Muses and head to Gasa Gasa (4920 Freret St.) to hear the funky sounds of Sexy Dex and the Fresh, with Boyish Charm, Raspy Economie and DJ Heelturn opening. Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m. 18+. Tickets are available now for $10.

Friday, Feb. 9 (Hermes, Krewe D’etat, Morpheus):

Sleigh Bells, Sunflower Bean: Electropop icons Sleigh Bells touch down at Republic (828 S. Peters St.) immediately after Morpheus, with support from alt rock outfit Sunflower Bean. Doors at 7:30, show at 8:30, 18+. Tickets are available now, starting at $25.

DJ Bashert’s Dance Local, Think Global: Head down to the Bywater for a party on the patio at Bar Redux (801 Poland Ave.), featuring rare grooves from across the globe, courtesy of DJ Bashert. Music starts at 10 p.m. and ends at 1 a.m. 21+, no cover.

Maceo Parker, Helen Gillet: World-renowned sax man Maceo Parker will grace Tipitina’s (501 Napoleon Ave.) with the same horn that’s blown for James Brown, George Clinton and Prince, with support from local avant garde cellist Helen Gillet. Doors at 10 p.m., show at 11 p.m., 18+. Tickets are available now for $35, $37 at the door.

Saturday, Feb. 10 (Endymion):

Khris Royal and Dark Matter with Delish Da Goddess: Head to Gasa Gasa (4920 Freret St.) to check out the unparallelled musicianship of Khris Royal and his band, Dark Matter. Top that off with a co-headline from Delish Da Goddess, the baddest diva in the game, and it’s a can’t miss show. As if that weren’t enough to keep you out late, Stash Marina, Yung Vul and DJ Hell Naw are opening. Doors at 10 p.m., show at 10:30 p.m. 18+. Tickets are available now for $10.

Biz Markie Gras: She might say he’s just a friend, but if she takes him to the House of Blues (225 Decatur St.) after the parades Saturday, he’s probably more than that. Get your old school on with the one and only Biz Markie, with support from DJ Soul Sister. Doors at 11 p.m., 18+. Tickets are available now, starting at $10.

Pink Room Project: Set de Flo’: New Orleans’ hottest new weekly party at the Hi Ho Lounge (2239 St. Claude Ave.) is sure to be packed to the brim post-Endymion. DJ Lil Jodeci will be on the mix, blending House, Hip-Hop, R&B, punk, and industrial to end your night in style. Music starts at 11 p.m. 21+, no cover.

Sunday, Feb. 11 (Bacchus):

Aaron Benjamin: The handsomest musical prodigies in town touches down at Gasa Gasa (4920 Freret St.), with support from Big Easy Brawlers, Lil Glenn & Backatown and The Breed (f.k.a. New Breed Brass Band). Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m. 18+. Tickets are available now for $10 ($12 at the door).

James Seville: If you’re in the mood for some local hip-hop, head to The Willow (8200 Willow St.) for their Bacchus Bash, headlined by James Seville with support from Lip Candy, Boof Boys and Mitchell Bowler. DJ Bean and Lukrative on the mix. Doors open at 10 p.m. 18+. $5 at the door, but ladies get in free before 11 p.m.

Anders Osborne and Friends Present Mardi Gras Mayhem: 2017 Best of the Beat Positive Vibrations Heartbeat Award winner Anders Osborne is bringing a stacked lineup to House of Blues (225 Decatur St.). Best of the Beat winners Stanton Moore (Best Contemporary Jazz Artist, Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Best Drummer), George Porter Jr. (Best Bass Player) and Dave Malone of the Radiators (Best Rock Artist) will join Osborne for a massive superjam. Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m, 18+. Tickets are available now, starting at $30.

Big Gigantic’s Got the Love Tour: If horn-based EDM is your cup of tea, head to the Joy Theater after Bacchus, where Big Gigantic will be blowing up a storm over heavy, funk-inspired beats. Shallou and Dino Brawl opening. Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m, 16+. Tickets are available now, starting at $27.50.

Blues Night with Juju Child & the Hypnotic Roots Brass Band: Check out local bluesman Juju Child rocking his weekly Sunday night set at the Ace Hotel (600 Carondelet St.) for a CBD Mardi Gras crowd, backed by the funky Hypnotic Roots Brass Band. Music starts at 9 p.m. Free with RSVP.

Monday, Feb. 12 (Lundi Gras!–Proteus, Orpheus):

Miss Mojo + Sexual Thunder: Pull an all-nighter with Tulane’s funkiest grad bands at the Hi Ho Lounge (2239 St. Claude Ave.). Show starts at 9:30 p.m. and runs until the musicians tap out. 21+, $10 at the door.

ZOOLU 24 with Steve Aoki and Grandtheft: Head to the Metropolitan Nightclub (310 Andrew Higgins Dr.) to rave the night away with EDM staple Steve Aoki and Toronto-based DJ Grandtheft. Doors open at 9 p.m. 18+. Tickets are available now, starting at $35.

Grails: For an alternative Lundi Gras, head to Gasa Gasa (4920 Freret St.) and check out experimental metal group Grails, with local newcomers TVP opening. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. 18+. Tickets are available now for $10,

Tuesday, Feb. 13 (Mardi Gras Day–Zulu, Rex):

Yo Gotti & Moneybagg Yo: Anyone still in the mood for some heavy Memphis Trap after six straight days of drinking might as well head to the Saenger Theatre (1111 Canal St.) Tuesday night to check out Yo Gotti and his CMG signee Moneybagg Yo. The event is hosted by Rude Jude and will future beats by DJ Poppa. Show starts at 10 p.m. Tickets are available now, starting at $64.

Mardi Gras Indian Orchestra: Accordionist, percussionist and vocalist Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes of Sunpie and Louisiana Sunspots and various other ensembles fronts the orchestra along with Big Chief David Montana of the Washitaw Nation Mardi Gras Indian tribe. The musicians performing include guitar players Jake Eckert (New Orleans Suspects, Dirty Dozen Brass Band) and Billy Iuso (Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives); reed player Brad Walker (Sturgill Simpson and numerous others); cellist Helen Gillet; violinist Rurick Nunan; drummer Eric Bolivar; percussionist Rosie Rosato; keyboardist CR Gruver (New Orleans Suspects); and bassist Reggie Scanlan (The Radiators). The group will play three sets beginning at 4 p.m. on Mardi Gras at the Hi Ho Lounge.

See something we missed? Contact [email protected] to nominate a live music event!