NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Dreaming In Color Entertainment LLC in partnership with Jack Daniel’s is bringing its Black and Loud Music Fest to New Orleans. Black and Loud Fest will partner with French Quarter Fest to provide its unique platform of Black artists and Black fronted bands to the After Dark concert series this 2025 as part of French Quarter Fest’s programing. Curated by Cyril Neville and Black and Loud’s founder Cameron Lavi-Jones of the band King Youngblood, the After Dark concerts will be essentially a residency of artists that include Cyril Neville, Omari Neville and the Fuel, King Youngblood and many more precious Louisiana Black musical artists.
“My nephew Cameron Lavi-Jones and his band King Youngblood represent the future of alternative Black music and obviously since I am Black and Loud I fit the bill too,” said Cyril Neville. “Very proud to be on the Board of this national movement and roll out with these young people across the country starting with my home town New Orleans.”
“Black and Loud Fest is about discovery of new Black artists and celebrating iconic artists like Cyril Neville who have paved the way for us young bloods to come up,” said Cameron Lavi-Jones. “We want artists to receive their flowers while they are still alive. There is a huge spectrum of talented Black artists creating music that is not the typical commercial Hip Hop/RnB genres (also great genres.) We want to empower these artists with our platform and turn fans on to all that Black artists can be as we encourage discovery and elevate these wonderful artists of all ages and genres for all people.”
Black and Loud Fest happens as an artist residency this 2025 at the House of Blues Parish Room on Thursday, April 10, and Saturday, April 12. Folks will be led from the Jack Daniel’s VIP tent on the French Quarter Fest grounds in true New Orleans second line fashion by the Black and Loud Brass Band curated by Liryca Neville right up to the stage at House of Blues Parish Room on both nights at the end of the scheduled events for French Quarter Fest around 8pm.
Black and Loud Fest started four years ago in Seattle with Jack Daniel’s and fellow sponsor Ariel Rider electric bikes being the first to jump on as sponsors. Since then, it has become an artist movement attracting national sponsors including executive producer Music Nerd, Allied Arts Foundation, DICE Lab, Marigny Studios (in NOLA) and many more. The Fest will be expanding to many US citizens in 2025 and deep into 2026 and beyond including Brooklyn, Atlanta, Nashville, LA, Chicago, Dallas and more.
“We are proud to be a founding sponsor of Black and Loud and embrace the alternative Black Music Market and its arts and culture,” said Kimberly Johnson of Brown Forman the parent company for Jack Daniel’s.
Cole Williams, on air talent for WWOZ, will be on hand as the Emcee for both nights of music discovery and Black Joy.
Cyril Neville, Omari Neville and Cameron Lavi-Jones with his band King Youngblood will be debuting a new song they co-wrote called Soul Junction at Black and Loud Fest and shooting parts of the music video as part of their performance at Parish/House of Blues.
The lineup includes:
The Uptown Ruler – Cyril Neville featuring Shamarr Allen on Trumpet
Omari Neville and the Fuel
King Youngblood
Irvin Mayfield*
Jason Parfait
Ersel Bogan III featuring Nikki D and the Sisters of Thunder*
The Black and Loud Brass Band
And more…..
*Saturday
**Thursday
VENUE: House of Blues Parish Room – 225 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70130.
DOORS AT 7 p.m. – “TILL”
Ticket Price
$17 ADVANCE – $20 AT THE DOOR
