Open Decks: The Heartbeat of New Orleans’ Underground Scene: March Open Decks
Open Decks: The Heartbeat of New Orleans’ Underground Scene
Every DJ remembers their first time touching the decks. That rush when the lights hit, the crowds move, and someone out there hears your sound for the very first time. In New Orleans, open decks are more than just DJ practice sessions. They’re community rituals that are free, come-as-you-are spaces where anyone can step behind the turntables and test their sound.
At their core, open decks were created to make DJing accessible. Before social media, before USB sticks, it was hard for new DJs to break into gatekept clubs or get the experience that seasoned selectors already had. Open decks flipped that dynamic by offering a pressure-free environment where rising DJs, bedroom producers, and curious newcomers could experiment, get real feedback, and learn in public without intimidation.
Today, they remain one of the purest expressions of New Orleans’ dance culture: inclusive, community-centered, and driven by the belief that the beat belongs to everyone.
How Open Decks Work
Open decks events usually run weekly or monthly. DJs sign up for 20–30 minute sets, often on a first-come-first-serve basis. The format keeps it fluid: no pressure, no hierarchy. Just good energy and shared decks.
You’ll see everything from vinyl purists to USB warriors, from lo-fi beatmakers to bass goblins. The vibe? Think collaboration over competition, education over ego.
📍 Where to Find Open Decks in and Around New Orleans
If you’re ready to spin or just want to vibe out, here’s where open decks are keeping the community energy alive across the city:
Area 34 (The Juke Joint – Ocean Springs, MS) – Area 34 brings open decks to the Gulf Coast with a first come, first serve format at Ocean Springs’ beloved Juke Joint. No genre rules, a backyard stage, and a growing community make this a welcoming spot for DJs across Mississippi and Louisiana. Sign-ups are on-site and fill fast.
Arora NOLA – Arora is now hosting structured open decks nights designed specifically for new DJs ready to take the leap. Their next event includes advanced sign-ups, and the team is prioritizing first-timers who want real stage experience in a low-pressure environment.
Bassyard Project – Known for backyard-style pop-ups where local DJs experiment with new sounds and cross-genre sets.
Next Open Decks: Tuesday, January 27, 2025
NOLA Mix Records – Legendary for their all-vinyl open decks focused on drum & bass, jungle, and deep house. Follow @nola_mix_records for signup calls.
Poor Boys Bar (Every Tuesday) –
Runs a first come, first serve system that keeps things fair and wide-open for DJs of every level. Sign-ups open at 9 PM and run until 2 AM at the bar, but the list usually fills between 9–10 PM, so getting there early is the move. Each DJ gets a 20-minute slot, and the vibe is intentionally no-gatekeeping: any genre, any experience level, just bring your sound.
Sets run on CDJ-3000s, so you’ll need a Rekordbox-compatible USB or hard drive, or you can bring your own laptop + cables. Weekly rotations, surprise guests like @kilobauud, and a consistently supportive crowd make this one of the best training grounds in the city. Free. Open format. Community-driven to the core.
Next Open Decks: Tuesday, March 10, 2025
- Pure Intentions (at The Rabbit Hole) – A monthly house music open decks showcase where DJs across the spectrum get 20–30 minute sets to share their sound. DM @pureintentionsnola to get on the lineup and specify your house style — deep, soulful, or tech. The event runs every month at The Rabbit Hole.
Next Open Decks: Thursday, March 19, 2025 - Sea Cave – A creative lab for open-format DJs blending everything from trap to trance.
Tuff Break – A monthly party that spotlights local selectors and occasionally invites guest openers.
- N.o.xperience (Fétiche Nola) –Fétiche NOLA is now adding another Sunday option to the city’s open decks circuit. Hosted by n.o.xperience, this no-cover session invites DJs to come through, plug in, and play in the French Quarter. The format is simple and welcoming: just show up, vibe out, and share your sound. With a central location on Saint Louis Street and a relaxed neighborhood-bar feel, this is shaping up to be an easy entry point for selectors looking for more casual stage time in the city.
Why They Matter
Open decks are the entry point for the next wave of local talent. They build confidence, create mentorship opportunities, and help DJs connect directly with the audience — no algorithm needed.
They also keep the city’s culture alive by breaking barriers. In a scene often dominated by established names, open decks remind us that New Orleans is still a place where anyone can grab the mic (or the mixer) and make magic.
About NOLA EDM:
NOLA EDM is a New Orleans-based music and culture platform dedicated to documenting, promoting, and producing events that highlight the Gulf South’s electronic and underground scenes. Through artist interviews, editorial coverage, and festival production, NOLA EDM connects fans, promoters, and creators shaping the city’s next wave of sound. Follow NOLA EDM on Instagram for weekly event updates, giveaways, and exclusive artist features.
