Wednesdays at the Square lineup for its 2023 season has been announced. An annual event of the Young Leadership Council (YLC), the free concert series—a staple of New Orleans springtime for over two decades—will feature a plethora of local and nationally-known musical acts who will perform in the heart of downtown New Orleans in Lafayette Square.
Wednesdays at the Square (WATS) kicks off on March 15th at 5 p.m. and runs for 10 consecutive weeks, featuring a diverse range of musical genres, including funk, brass, R&B, rock, hip-hop and more. This year’s Wednesdays at the Square lineup includes some of the city’s most popular local bands and performers. The event draws crowds from downtown New Orleans and beyond every Wednesday evening between March and May, and the 2023 series features the youngest lineup of performers in the history of WATS, further highlighting young and innovative artists shaping the future of the music industry in New Orleans.
March 15: The Rumble featuring Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. and Water Seed
March 22: Louis Michot and Maggie Koerner
March 29: YUSA and Galactic featuring Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph
April 5: The Quickening and Mia Borders
April 12: Trumpet Mafia and The Suffers
April 19: The Iceman Special and Zita
April 26: Joy Clark and George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners
May 3: Tonya Boyd-Cannon and The Soul Rebels
May 10: Miss Mojo and Nigel Hall
May 17: LeTrainiump and glbl wrmng
According to the YLC, 2022 marked the event’s successful return following the pandemic, drawing crowds of more than 40,000 people over 10 weeks. It produced over $740,000 in direct spending into the New Orleans economy.
“We were blown away by the support we received last spring, especially after two years apart, and we’re excited to be bringing some new elements to this year’s WATS,” said Graham Williams, Wednesday at the Square Co-Chair. “This event would not be possible without the community continuing to show up, and we’re looking forward to an unforgettable year. Thank you to the City of New Orleans, our sponsors, partners and volunteers, and the performers and vendors who all contribute to this event’s success.”
All YLC Wednesdays at the Square shows are free and open to the public. In addition, food and drinks are available for purchase from local vendors. This year’s event is expected to draw thousands of people, both locals and visitors, who will come together to celebrate the best of New Orleans’ music scene. YLC Wednesdays at the Square has become a beloved tradition in the city, bringing together music and culture lovers to enjoy free concerts of great local musicians.
